We are proud to welcome Felicia Samuel as the new Executive Director of SEIU Healthcare Training Centre, a first-of-its-kind initiative combining a union-led digital hiring platform and training centre dedicated to transforming Ontario’s healthcare workforce.

Felicia brings more than two decades of leadership in education, labour organizing, and equity-driven advocacy. A bilingual leader and dedicated educator, Felicia has been at the forefront of building inclusive, empowering spaces for workers — in classrooms, on organizing teams, and at the highest levels of labour governance.

Her deep experience includes time as an elementary school teacher, serving as an executive member at both the local and provincial levels with the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), and most recently, as Ontario Regional Representative with the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC). In that role, she helped advance campaigns, leadership development, and member education across the province.

As Executive Director, Felicia will lead the continued development and delivery of the Centre’s groundbreaking work, including:

• · A bold alternative to costly and exploitative temp staffing agencies
• · Vocational and non-vocational training designed to meet real workforce demands
• · A union-led IEN Career Pathway Program focused on licensure, support, and fair work
• · Integration with WorkersFirst, the first digital hiring hall for healthcare workers

“I’m honoured to join SEIU Healthcare Training Centre at such a pivotal time,” said Felicia. “This is more than a training space — it’s a movement. We are building a future where healthcare workers, especially those traditionally left behind, have real support, a clear path, and a dignified way to grow their careers.”

Please join us in welcoming Felicia as she leads the Training Centre into its next phase — focused on equity, innovation, and putting workers first.