About

Daphne Noonan

Daphne has twenty years of experience working in a variety of roles in long-term care in Ontario and Atlantic Canada.

Before recently deciding to focus on providing full -time leadership at Person Centred Universe, Daphne held numerous leadership roles in the Aging Care space, both informal and formal. A highlight of her career has been serving as the long-time Executive Director of Nashwaak Villa Nursing Home in New Brunswick, which she took through a transformation to become an award-winning Planetree Gold Certified organization following the principles of person-centred care.

At Person Centred Universe she provides transformational leadership coaching and other consulting services, develops new programs, and is a sought-after speaker in industry events.

Daphne holds a BA in Gerontology, M.Ed in Adult Education, a diploma in Health Sciences specializing in Therapeutic Recreation, and is certified for Dementia Care Mapping from the trailblazing Bradford University in the UK.

She has previously been a board member of the provincial chapter and national federation of the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada.

Ashley King

Ashley first became interested in the field of aging when she was providing care to her grandmother at home.

She has fifteen years of experience in community and long-term care. Alongside Person Centred Universe, Ashley is the Executive Director of Loch Lomond Villa in New Brunswick.

Ashley has developed numerous training programs including the use of individualized music therapy, therapeutic activity, and Snoezelen Rooms, among others.

Ashley holds a BA in Gerontology, is a certified educator for the Dementia Understanding the Journey Course, holds a certificate from the NCCDP as a Certified Dementia Practitioner and is certified for Dementia Care Mapping from the trailblazing Bradford University in the UK. She is currently pursuing a Global Executive MBA with a focus in Health & the Life Sciences from the Rotman School of Management

She has previously been a board member of the provincial chapter and national federation of the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada.

Shelley Shillington

Shelley has thirty- five years of experience working in a wide range of roles in long-term care, including senior management. She is a recognized leader in person-centred care and sustainable organizational transformation.

Shelley provides dementia care coaching, professional development, and consulting services for Person Centred Universe.

Shelley is a graduate of the University of New Brunswick - Bachelor of Physical Education program. Having a lifelong passion for working with the elders, it gives her great satisfaction to explore and develop new initiatives and programs to support the opportunity of choice to personhood.

Shelley is currently the chair of Alzheimer's Society of New Brunswick and sits as a board member of the national federation of the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada.

Jana Jones

Jana Jones has 16 years of experience working in the field of aging care. From a young age, she felt a kinship with older adults, and has dedicated her career to enhancing their journey of growing older.

Jana holds a BA in Gerontology and has applied her knowledge to a variety of aspects within the aging care sector, such as: individualised therapeutic recreation, educational programs, animal assisted therapy, volunteer training, equitable transportation, and program development and implementation within both care and community settings.

Jana has a special interest in preventative care, healthy aging, dementia care, palliative care, and intergenerational programming. She also co-developed an award-winning Narrative Care program alongside Daphne Noonan, which continues to positively impact her professional and personal life.

Jana’s passion for growing older and aging with intention intertwines within her professional and personal life, as she enjoys her role as a wife and mother to three young children. She hopes she can impart the incredible wisdom she gains from older adults onto her children to influence them as they grow older.

Jo-Ann Kenny

After graduating from the St. Thomas University Gerontology program in 2021, Jo-Ann dove straight into the field and continues to expand her skillset and strives to create change.

In addition to holding a BAA in Gerontology, Jo-Ann has certificates in Human Services, Therapeutic Recreation and Medical Terminology. She first became passionate about the field of gerontology and the process of aging as a teenager having experienced members of her immediate family live with dementia.

As well as working part-time for Person Centred Universe, Jo-Ann works primarily in the field of research, and takes special interest in topics such as harm reduction, aging in place, literacy rates and health literacy among older adults and assistive technology for persons with dementia.