Shelly Philip Laforest

Shelly Philip LaForest, RN, BN, MN, CVAA(c), is a PhD student with extensive experience in nursing education and leadership. Currently a Professor at Centennial College, LaForest leads the BScN Collaborative Program, teaching various nursing courses and overseeing advanced health assessment. As the CEO and Founder of the Black Nurses Leadership Institute, LaForest promotes racial equity and leadership development in healthcare. Additionally, LaForest serves as the Executive Director and Founder of the Ontario Black Nurses' Network, which highlights the contributions of Black nurses and students in Ontario. Prior roles include course instructor and clinical instructor at Trent University and a registered nurse at The Hospital for Sick Children, specializing in family-centered care across multiple departments. LaForest's educational background includes a Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Social Research from Trent University and master’s and bachelor’s degrees in nursing from Athabasca University.