Melissa is the National Lead of Episodic Disabilities at Realize. Realize is the leading national, charitable, organization in Canada working to improve the health and well-being of people living with HIV and other episodic disabilities, across the lifespan, through integrated research, education, policy, and practice. Melissa has worked in the field of health and HIV for over 15 years as an educator and facilitator, developing and delivering workshops to diverse audiences across Canada. She has worked extensively with marginalized, LGBTQ, and Indigenous people. Melissa’s experience includes front-line work at YouthCO in Vancouver, 8 years at CATIE as Regional Educator for the Prairies and has helped create online learning courses using her background in curriculum development and adult education. Melissa specializes in building the capacity of employers to support their employees with episodic disabilities, and increasing awareness of IDEAL Principles: Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility, Leading to belonging.