Story of Our Co-Founders

To the community, 

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Both of us came from public health programs that provided us with a rich breadth of knowledge, but also multiple questions. With countless career opportunities and an overwhelming sea of competition, navigating this world feels paralyzing. Public health is a broad field, and the avenues that it can take you are near endless, but this also means that it’s easy to get lost in finding a solid direction. The current status quo consists of scattered job postings, rare opportunities and inaccessible networking; what we needed didn’t exist. 

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So, we created it. 

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The HER Network is Canada’s first and only women and peer-led professional community dedicated to students and early-career professionals in public and global health. What makes us different is our practical skill-building, focus on equity, relatability and action. Our events are designed to be interactive, our mentorship is tailored to early-career realities and our resources are grounded in what we wish we had known. 

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The Her Network is a welcoming space for all women and queer communities. To be abundantly clear, trans women are women; The HER Network celebrates diversity and embraces anyone exploring their identities. Our community is built on respect, inclusivity and solidarity.​

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We have been in your shoes; searching, wondering and hoping for specific guidance for this field. We don’t want anyone else to feel as lost as we once did. We aim to pay it forward, share what we learned, spotlight other women’s voices, bring community, and give you a roadmap to build your career and find your people.

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Without further ado, welcome to The HER Network!

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Sincerely,
Rinila Haridas and Abita Venkatesh