Deanna Whitford
Deanna's career has been focused in the field of Mental Health and Addictions Services. With a diploma in addictions counselling she has gained over 26 years of experience in providing support and advocacy for diverse populations, specifically, youth and families. In addition to providing direct support and counselling, Deanna enjoys collaborating with community partners to create effective interventions, improve access to services, and reduce overall risk of harm. Deanna believes strongly in the power of community engagement and relationships to drive positive change.
Deanna is completing her bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Regina, Saskatoon Campus with the goal of increasing her knowledge base and capacity to expand her work in the field. She is currently working at her final practicum placement with Saskatoon Emergency Management Organization within the Fire Department with a focus on macro practice. Her practicum project is focused on the development of a Co-ordinated Trauma Response Plan for large scale community events in Saskatoon. Deanna believes in the importance of a trauma informed, culturally responsive whole community approach to promote healing and develop resiliency.
When she is not working, Deanna enjoys spending time with her husband, two children, and her dogs. She loves to play ball hockey, restore furniture, and spend time at the lake which supports her overall well-being and creates balance in her life.
Kofi Sakyi (He/Him)
Kofi Sakyi is a Master of Social Work candidate at Carleton University, currently completing a placement with the Office of Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard. He has held leadership roles in student affairs, crisis intervention, and community development at both Carleton and Queen’s University, where he has focused on supporting marginalized students. As a researcher and aspiring social worker, Kofi is particularly interested in the mental health of Black queer youth, the experiences of African queer refugees, and the intersection of queerness and nation-building.
Senator Tracy Muggli
Tracy Muggli is a registered social worker, senior executive, and former provincial public servant with over 35 years of experience in the health and social services sectors.
As the former Executive Director of St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon, she held overall responsibility for the hospital’s programs and services. Prior to this role, she was the Director of Mental Health and Addiction Services for Saskatoon Health Region/Saskatchewan Health Authority and provided strategic and operational leadership for all mental health and addictions outpatient services in Saskatoon and surrounding communities. Earlier in her career, Senator Muggli worked in different health and social service organizations as manager, coordinator, child welfare worker, and social worker. She also taught courses at the University of Regina’s Faculty of Social Work.
Senator Muggli has long been an active member of her community, where she has served on numerous boards. This includes the Saskatoon Open Door Society, the Saskatoon Community Foundation, the Saskatchewan Intercultural Association, and the Canadian Federation of University Women — Saskatoon. She was a co-applicant and collaborator for the Canadian Research Initiative in Substance Matters (Prairie Node), sat on the board of the University of Regina Alumni Association, and chaired the HR committee of the St. Peter’s College Board of Governors. She was also a member of the University of Saskatchewan Senate.
Ms. Muggli has received numerous awards and recognitions, including the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal, a YWCA Woman of Distinction Award, and the (Saskatchewan) Premier’s Award for Excellence in Public Service. She was also recognized by the Saskatoon Community Foundation with the creation of the Tracy Muggli Fund for Reconciliation.
Ms. Muggli holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Saskatchewan, a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Regina, and a Master of Social Work from Carleton University.
Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard
Dr. Wanda Thomas Bernard is a highly regarded social worker, educator, researcher, community activist and advocate of social change. She has worked in mental health at the provincial level, in rural community practice at the municipal level, and, since 1990, as a professor at the Dalhousie School of Social Work, where she also served as director for a decade. In 2016, she was appointed Special Advisor on Diversity and Inclusiveness at Dalhousie University and she is the first African Nova Scotian to hold a tenure track position at Dalhousie University and to be promoted to full professor. Dr. Thomas Bernard has worked with provincial organizations to bring diversity to the political processes in Nova Scotia and teach community members about Canada’s legislative process and citizen engagement. She is a founding member of the Association of Black Social Workers (ABSW) which helps address the needs of marginalized citizens, especially those of African descent. As a former member of the Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women, and as its past Chair, was instrumental in the development of advice to ministers regarding frameworks for gender violence prevention and health equity. At the national level, she has served as a member of the National Coalition of Advisory Councils on the Status of Women. She has served as an expert witness in human rights cases and has presented at many local, national and international forums. Dr. Thomas Bernard has received many honours for her work and community leadership, notably the Order of Nova Scotia and the Order of Canada.