Meet our Team
Every individual who accesses PSP RISE benefits from a team-based approach to care. Our multidisciplinary team brings together expertise in mental health assessment, psychotherapy, psychiatry, and wellness programming to help individuals identify and access the supports that best meet their needs.
Shay-Lee Bolton, Director, Health Services
Dr. Shay-Lee Bolton is a psychiatric epidemiologist, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Manitoba, and Director Health Services with Shared Health Manitoba. Her work focuses on improving access to evidence-based mental health care through innovative service delivery and program evaluation. She leads the PSP RISE team, Canada's first stepped-care mental health service dedicated to Public Safety Personnel, and the Cognitive Behaviour Therapy with Mindfulness (CBTm) Hub, which has provided mental health skills training to more than 9,000 individuals. Her research and clinical initiatives aim to reduce barriers to care and improve mental health outcomes across diverse populations.
Pamela Holens, Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Pamela Holens has over 20 years of experience providing psychological services, with 13 years of specialization in the areas of traumatic stress and chronic pain. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Clinical Health Psychology in the Rady Faculty of Medicine at the University of Manitoba (U of M), as well as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychology. For the past 12 years she has worked with military, RCMP, and Veterans who have Operational Stress Injuries (OSIs) at the OSI Clinic at Deer Lodge Centre. In her private practice, she has been treating first responders and other public safety personnel (e.g., firefighters, paramedics, dispatchers, and correctional officers) for the past 10 years, and has helped many who have been off work due to psychological and/or physical injuries to regain their pre-trauma level of functioning and return to work.
Natalie Mota, Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Mota is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Manitoba, with cross-appointments in Clinical Health Psychology and Psychiatry. She previously worked as a Clinical Psychologist at the Operational Stress Injury Clinic in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Dr. Mota’s research focuses on understanding the psychological and physical impacts of trauma exposure in military, first responder, and general populations, and on studying resilience factors that mitigate the negative effects of traumatic stress. She has over 10 years of experience providing Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and evidence-based trauma-focused treatments. She is acting in a consultant role for the operations of PSPRise.
Jitender Sareen, Psychiatrist
Dr. Sareen is Head of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Manitoba, Medical Director for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA) Mental Health Program and Provincial Co-Lead of the Mental Health Addictions Team for Shared Health. Dr. Sareen holds the rank of Professor of Psychiatry in the Departments of Psychiatry, Psychology and Community Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba. Dr. Sareen has published extensively in the areas of military mental health, posttraumatic stress disorder, homelessness, and First Nations mental health. He has extensive experience in providing cognitive behaviour therapy and supervision.
Tanya Sala, Psychiatrist
Dr. Sala is a Psychiatrist at Health Sciences Centre and Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry. She serves as the Medical Director of Adult Mental Health for the Health Sciences Centre, the Medical Director of the Mood & Anxiety Disorders Program, and the Medical Director of the Student Mental Health Service at Bannatyne Campus. Dr. Sala has more than 15 years of experience providing cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and has received specialized training at the Beck Institute. She has co-authored papers on anxiety and CBT and wrote a book chapter on comorbid anxiety disorders and physical health conditions.
Ryan Menard, Mental Health Clinician
Ryan is a registered social worker who earned his Master of Social Work (MSW) in 2023, following ten years as a counsellor. Prior to joining the PSP RISE team, he was a mental health clinician at the Operational Stress Injury Clinic in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Treatment methodologies he is qualified to administer include Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT).
Christian Suderman, Brief Treatment Counsellor
Christian is a registered social worker who earned his Bachelor’s of Social Work (BSW) in 2019. Christian is also a formerly registered Primary Care Paramedic holding additional certifications in Fire Fighting (I/II) and HAZMAT (awareness and operations). Prior to joining the PSP RISE team, he served as a member of Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service in addition to contract work in Northern Manitoba communities. His work experience also includes providing urgent mental health interventions to individuals experiencing mental health crises (Crisis Response Centre) as well as community work supporting individuals living with severe and persistent mental illness (PACT). Christian is currently certified in the delivery of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Mindfulness (CBTm) with additional training underway.
Belle Julian, Administrative Assistant
Belle provides administrative support to the PSP RISE team. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Psychology and brings valuable experience from Health Canada, where she worked as Program Officer supporting outreach initiatives, stakeholder collaborations, and the development of education resources designed to facilitate knowledge mobilization. Prior to this role, Belle gained research experience as a Health Research Assistant through co-op placements, providing research and analytical support to multidisciplinary teams. Her background in psychology, combined with her experience in health research, reflects her strong commitment to mental health and helping individuals reach their full potential.
Meet the Advisory Board
Cst. Amanda Conway #179, BSW, RSW
Amanda Conway is a registered social worker, police officer, educator, and community leader dedicated to supporting the mental health of trauma-exposed professionals and strengthening relationships between Indigenous communities and policing. Known by her spirit name, Two Tobacco Woman, she is recognized for her leadership, receiving the Law Enforcement Mental Health Service Award, the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Medal, and recognition as a CIPSRT Champion of Mental Health. She was also nominated for the YWCA Westman Women of Distinction Award. Amanda is completing her Honours Bachelor of Arts in Policing at Wilfrid Laurier University and is passionate about lifelong learning, trauma-informed practice, and community wellness. She is also a trauma-informed yoga instructor, proud mother, and grandmother who enjoys spending time in nature and giving back to community.
Gillian Hickaway
Gillian Hickaway is a Registered Psychiatric Nurse who has held the role of Behavioural Health Nurse with the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service since the inception of its Behavioural Health Unit in late 2021. Gillian is passionate about supporting the mental health needs of public safety personnel and first responder communities, including firefighters, paramedics, and 9-1-1 dispatchers serving the City of Winnipeg.
Jeff Sandelli
Jeff Sandelli is a Regional Vice President (RVP) with the Union of Safety and Justice Employees (USJE). As an RVP, he covers the geographical area stretching westward from Northwestern Ontario to British Columbia, representing members that work in community positions for the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) and the Parole Board of Canada (PBC). Jeff has served USJE for over 10 years, first taking up local union positions when he worked for the CSC as a Community Parole Officer prior to be elected as the RVP in 2021. USJE represents approximately 18,000 public safety and justice employees working to protect the safety, security and privacy of Canadians in a wide range of critically important roles in the federal public service.
Janalee Bell-Boychuk
Janalee Bell-Boychuk is the Regional Director General, Prairie Region, with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), where she provides executive leadership across a complex public safety environment spanning border operations, enforcement, intelligence, investigations and corporate services. She is also CBSA’s National Mental Health and Wellness Co-Champion with the Government of Canada. With more than 28 years of experience in public safety, Janalee has extensive experience leading people and operations in high-pressure, trauma-exposed, and operationally complex environments. Janalee began her career in uniform as a front-line Correctional Officer. That experience continues to inform her understanding of the operational realities, pressures, and human impacts of public safety work. Since then, she has held progressively senior leadership roles with both the Correctional Service of Canada, and CBSA, including being the first and only female Warden to date of Stony Mountain Institution, Canada’s oldest and largest men’s federal penitentiary.
Jess Morgan
Jess Morgan is the Wellbeing Leader for Shared Health Emergency Response Services (ERS), where she leads initiatives focused on psychological health, peer support, critical incident stress response, and workplace wellbeing. Drawing on her experience in education, paramedicine, and healthcare leadership, Jess is passionate about creating practical, trauma-informed supports that help public safety personnel thrive. She is honoured to serve on the PSP Rise Advisory Board and contribute to advancing accessible, evidence-informed wellbeing resources for public safety personnel across Manitoba.
Scott Wilkinson
Scott Wilkinson is a 35-year veteran of the fire and paramedic service and currently serves as the Deputy Chief of Fire Rescue Operations & Training for the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service. He serves on various committees for the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC) including Firefighter Cancer Prevention, Leadership and Mental Health. Scott is the former Peer Support Coordinator for the WFPS, continues to work closely with the department’s behavioural health and wellness programs and is a passionate advocate for firefighter wellness including mental health, fitness and cancer prevention.
Danielle Nix
Danielle Nix is a PSP in emergency communications with over 12 years of experience. Currently serving with Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service as a Senior Communications Operator, Lead/Acting District Chief of Communications and Peer Support Coordinator, she has extensive experience supporting public safety personnel through critical incidents, training, and wellness programs. Danielle is passionate about building resilient teams, reducing stigma around mental health, and fostering meaningful peer connections within the public safety community. Her work focuses on leadership, psychological wellness, peer support, and helping first responders navigate the unique challenges of their profession.
Matthew Grosvenor
With 16 years of experience as an Advanced Care Paramedic, I am dedicated to providing exceptional emergency medical care while supporting both patients and colleagues through challenging situations. As a Peer Support Team Coordinator, I am passionate about promoting mental wellness, resilience, and a culture of compassion within emergency services. My career is built on leadership, teamwork, and a commitment to helping others—both in the field and behind the scenes.
Danielle Gerylo
Danielle Gerylo brings a first responder communications background to her work in critical incident stress management. She spent years as a 911 call taker and dispatcher with E-Comm 911, serving Metro Vancouver, before moving into RCMP dispatch in Manitoba. That frontline experience shapes her current role as Radio Operator and Administrator for the Beausejour Brokenhead Fire Department. Danielle also acts as the CISM and peer support lead, where she helped build the department’s policy on member distress disclosures, and is working with fellow members across the North East Mutual Aid District to implement a regional CISM response team