Dr. Wendy M. Craig, Co-Founder and Scientific Co-Director (she/her)
Dr. Wendy Craig is a leading international scientist and expert on bullying prevention and the promotion of healthy relationships. As co-founder and Scientific Co-Director of PREVNet (Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence Network), she has transformed our understanding of bullying and effectively translated the science into evidence-based practice, intervention, and policy and had a profound influence on communities across Canada. In recognition of her work, she has been recognized with awards including an Investigator Award from CIHR, the Canadian Psychological Association Award for Distinguished Contributions to Community Service, the Queen’s Excellence in Research Prize, Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal, and the Social Science and Humanities Research Council Impact Partnership Award. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2018 in recognition of her work on bullying, victimization, and knowledge mobilization. She is a professor in the Department of Psychology at Queen’s University.
Dr. Deinera Exner-Cortens, Scientific Co-Director (she/her)
Dr. Deinera Exner-Cortens is an Assistant Professor and Tier II Canada Research Chair (Childhood Health Promotion) in the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Social Work, and is jointly appointed to the Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary. She holds a PhD in Developmental Psychology and a Master of Public Health. Dr. Exner-Cortens’ research focuses on 1) evaluating healthy relationships resources in school and community settings, 2) developing and evaluating implementation support tools for school-based mental health service delivery; and 3) prevention of adolescent dating violence. In her work, Dr. Exner-Cortens collaborates with a number of community and research partners both provincially and nationally.
Dr. Joanne Cummings, Knowledge Mobilization Director (she/her)
Dr. Joanne Cummings is the Knowledge Mobilization Director of PREVNet and a clinical child psychologist in private practice. She received her Ph.D. in clinical developmental psychology from York University and completed post-doctoral training at the Hospital for Sick Children. Dr. Cummings’ research examined children’s adjustment from families in which intimate partner violence between parents took place, as well as the evaluation of diverse clinical interventions focused on improving parent-child relationships. Joanne has been doing bullying prevention work since 1995 and is immensely grateful to have worked with PREVNet since its inception in 2006. It is Joanne’s passion to work with academic and community partners to create a safer world in which all people can grow up experiencing healthy relationships.
Kelly Petrunka, Executive Director (she/her)
Kelly Petrunka is PREVNet’s Executive Director, accountable for effectively managing day-to-day operations of the PREVNet network and its activities, deliverables, reports, and budgets. Kelly has been with PREVNet since its inception in 2006. She has over 30 years of project management and research experience. Kelly received her undergraduate Honours Psychology degree at McGill University followed by a Master’s of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Calgary. Prior to joining PREVNet, Kelly was the Associate Research Director for the Better Beginnings, Better Futures Research Coordination Unit from 1990 to 2006. This was a longitudinal primary prevention research project following more than 1,500 families living in disadvantaged neighbourhoods across Ontario. She has been involved in the written dissemination of the research findings in the form of government reports and journal articles. She has presented research findings at numerous national and international conferences.
Elizabeth Baker, Research Scientist (she/her)
Dr. Liz Baker is a Research Scientist at PREVNet. She received her Ph.D. in experimental psychology from Kent State University and completed her post-doctoral training at the University of Calgary. Her research focuses on preventing dating violence, youth suicide prevention, promoting youth health, and program evaluation. She also works alongside policymakers to inform evidence-based decision making for social issues.
Stacey Garwood, Administrative Coordinator (she/her)
Stacey Garwood is the Administrative Coordinator at PREVNet, , where she supports the activities and interactions of the network members and administrative team, a position she has held since 2009. Stacey greatly values the opportunity to connect and work in partnership with an expansive network of national youth-serving organizations, university researchers, and graduate students to create positive change in the lives of Canada’s children and youth.
Krista Stephenson, Communications Coordinator (she/her)
Krista Stephenson is the Communications Coordinator at PREVNet, responsible for developing content and graphics for web, social media, publications, and promotional material. Krista is an experienced communications and marketing professional with a history of working in the not-for-profit sector in education and research. She is excited to lend her skills to PREVNet’s goal of eliminating violence and promoting healthy relationships.
