Brenda is a 1980 graduate of Mohawk's Nursing Program. While a student, Brenda distinguished herself by acting a student tutor. She was the valedictorian for her class, and was the recipient of a College Silver Medal for academic achievement and outstanding contribution to the community.

After graduation in 1980, Brenda accepted a position as a staff nurse with the Hamilton General Hospital. Between 1980 and 1994, she worked her way through the positions of Head Nurse, Senior Nurse Manager, and Associate Director of Nursing.

In 1995, Brenda was promoted to Vice President, Patient Care of Hamilton Civic Hospitals. In this capacity, Brenda, together with other members of the Hospital's Mangement Committee, lead the entire staff in the achievement of the Hospital's mission, vision, values and strategic plan. Brenda was responsible for oncology, cardiac, vascular, joint reconstruction, and orthopaedics, burn, trauma, critical care and neurosciences. She provided leadership and direction to a staff of 760, with a total budget of $42 million.

Brenda also helped plan and respond to the impact of the 1996 mergers of Hamilton General Hospital, The Henderson General Hospital, Chedoke Hospital and McMaster Hospital, which formed the new Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation. the corporation now has 7900 employees and is Ontario's largest provider of comprehensive heath care, and through its partnership with McMaster University's Faculty of Health Sciences, is one of Canada's largest teaching hospitals. In February of 1997, Brenda became the Vice President of Regional Services for the New Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation. As of 2010 Brenda holds the position of Executive VP, Clinical Operations at Hamilton Health Sciences.

Brenda has also continued her learning since she graduated from Mohawk College. She attained a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from McMaster University, and a Masters of Public Administration from Queen's University. Brenda is an Instructor at the McMaster University Michael G. DeGroote School of Business, teaching the Health Issues Course for the MBA Program, and she is an Assistant Professor for the McMaster School of Nursing. Her professional affiliations include memberships in the Canadian and American Colleges of Health Services Executives, and the Academy of Canadian Executive Nurses, among others.

Brenda is an active member of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, and the Canadian Cancer Society. She is also the Chair of the Board of Directors of the North Hamilton Community Health Centre. Brenda also volunteers on several other committees and organizations too numerous to list.

Brenda is also equally committed to her College. She gave the "Alumni Address" at our convocation, and most recently, Brenda assisted Mohawk College with a recruitment campaign. Brenda appeared on the cover of the Mohawk College program calendar, and on several bus shelters throughout the city. Brenda even found the time out of her hectic schedule to participate in radio ads, which aired on several area radio stations. Brenda gladly helped send the message: "Choose Mohawk- I did!" Brenda maintains all these professional and volunteer activities, while continuing to be a dedicated mother of three young children!

Brenda Flaherty is a health care professional who has demonstrated leadership and commitment to excellence. She risen to a senior level within the Hamilton health care system, while continuing her education, and maintaining her professional and volunteer relationships.