Dr. Vinita Puri is a Registered Social Worker, Accredited Mediator, Advocate, Coach, Speaker and Consultant, as well as Clinical Director for Resilience Counseling and Coaching Services. Over the past 20 years, she has worked with diverse populations across a range of settings, including correctional institutions, hospitals, community health centers, settlement agencies, educational institutions and corporate environments.
Dr. Puri is a motivational speaker who embodies the mission and values of the social work profession. Her work and advocacy have served to reduce barriers for persons with disabilities, women of marginalized backgrounds and newcomers to Canada who face social insecurity. As a second-generation South Asian woman of colour with disabilities, she has inspired others through her ability to overcome barriers to reach great heights.
A passionate social justice advocate, she actively participates on the Human Rights and Social Justice Committee for the Canadian Psychological Association and the Diversity Advisory Committee (DAC) of the Psi Chi International Honorary Society in Psychology.
Dr. Puri is also a proud Faculty Member for the M.S. Psychology program at Western State University in California.
Dr. Puri’s advocacy has led to a number of local, national and international speaking engagements. Most recently, Dr. Puri spoke at the Joint Conference on Social Work, Education and Social Development in April 2024.
Dr. Puri has been recognized as the International Ambassador for Pink Thursday, a COVID Hero by the City of Mississauga, an Eminent Ambassador for Human Rights and Peace by the International Human Rights Advisory Council and a Peace Ambassador for the United Nations Diplomatic Mission on Human Rights.