Our staff at Canadian School of Natural Nutrition are active in all areas of nutritional development and organizational research. Click on a faculty member below to jump to their bio:
Branch Manager: Vivian Lee, B.A., R.H.N., R.N.C.P., T.C.M.Dp., C.ht
Vivian is the licensed manager of the Metro Toronto Branch soon after graduating from CSNN where she also teaches. Since departing from her corporate career, Vivian has become a multi-disciplinary practitioner in holistic health and has been practicing since 1990’s. Among her main practices are Holistic Nutrition and Traditional Chinese Medicine which encompasses herbology, acupuncture, and tuina. She is also a qualified instructor in QiGong Healing. CSNN became her vocational calling because she is passionate and active in expounding natural healing with current applications and science. The school has come to be an incubator to help encourage learning, growth, and personal and collective responsibility to transform life.
Alexander Arthur is dedicated to changing the world. After graduating from Kinesiology and Environmental Studies, Alexander started TAC Sports to help change the confidence and sport skills of students all over the world. He has since started Strong Food, a cooking and nutrition company designed to help students learn how to cook nutritious whole foods and learn about the benefits of plant-based whole foods.
Alexander is dedicated to increasing accessibility to good food, ensuring everyone gets a daily workout in and stays strong. He is passionate about Ecology and Nutrition, how to farm sustainably.
He joined the CSNN Program as it seemed exactly what he needed, a school based on great principles , balanced and with a mission behind it, so much so that he also joined the Faculty after he graduated.
Dr. Nicole Daniels, ND is a board certified Naturopathic Doctor with over 10 years of clinical experience. She received her training at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM), after completing a Master of Science (York University) and Bachelors of Medical Science (Western University).
Dr. Daniels is an active advocate in empowering others through education and health. She is a regular contributor as a lifestyle columnist for health magazines and guest speaker for emotional and mental health wellness at schools and community centers. In addition to her passion for health-focused teaching, she is an avid crafter, amateur artist, and creative counselor. She operates an entirely virtual private practice and is currently in development of an arts-based creative healing group program.
Corina obtained her naturopathic medical degree from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. Corina attended the University of Toronto for four years where she attained her Honours BSc. specializing in Human Health and Disease.
Having a general family practice allows Corina to further her insights in a wide spectrum of illnesses and conditions affecting patients of all ages. Her clinical practice has a special focus on digestive disorders, hormonal imbalances and autoimmune illnesses. Corina’s goal is to empower patients with the knowledge and tools to effectively care for their health concerns as well as to increase longevity and decrease the onset and progression of chronic diseases through quality foods and lifestyle.
Outside of her clinical practice, Corina is a passionate teacher and lecturer. She has delivered numerous workshops and lectures pertaining to naturopathic medicine, diet and nutrition, stress management, and detoxification to the general public and various corporations. Corina is also the therapeutic advisor for one of Canada’s largest and renowned supplement companies with a wide array of product lines.
Caroline is a soul coach, meditation & yoga teacher, and registered holistic nutritionist. She is a senior instructor with the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition and the author of 4 books on nutrition, health, and spirituality. Over the past 30 years she has taught thousands of students, worked with clients individually, developed numerous courses and training programs, and led various retreats. She is dedicated to using her knowledge of the body, the mind, the emotions and the spirit to help people to access the source of healing within in order to make embodied realizations and lasting shifts. (https://www.carolinedupont.com/)
Dr. Liam LaTouche graduated from Western University with a Bachelor of Science Honors Specialization in Kinesiology and the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, allowing him to combine his passions for fitness, modern scientific knowledge, and traditional systems of medicine. With patients, he strives to address the underlying root cause of disease and promote re-establishment of a healthy balance within the body using a variety of evidence-informed dietary and lifestyle strategies. As an educator, he works to foster curiosity, critical analysis, competency, and passion in students and health professionals looking to expand their knowledge base and clinical skills.
Dr. LaTouche is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor in good standing with the College of Naturopaths of Ontario, and an active member of the Ontario and Canadian Associations of Naturopathic Doctors.
Alla Makarova is a medical school graduate from Europe. She continued her postgraduate studies with the department of Immunology and worked as an attending physician, specializing in the treatment of allergies. The limitations of modern medicine approaches to treat chronic diseases led her to explore alternative methods of healing. She found Holistic Nutrition to be the primary healing approach not only for allergies but also for inflammatory and connective tissue diseases.
Alla is also trained in TCM , Reiki, CranioSacral Therapy, and SomatoEmotional Release, Homeopathy and dietary approaches for severe chronic conditions. She has received medicine rites from the Algonquin and Peruvian shamans and travelled and taught internationally. Alla has more than 25 years of experience in the field of alternative medicine.
Alla teaches various courses in different CSNN locations. Her passion is the Mind-Body-Spirit connection, and her goal is to bridge the gap between ancient healing techniques and modern science. Alla has a private healing practice in Ottawa.
Shawna McCusker graduated from CSNN in 2016; she is passionate about pediatric nutrition, mental health and wellness. After nearly 10 years working in Social Work, mental health/counselling, and behaviour therapy at CHEO and The Ottawa Hospital Weight Management clinic, Shawna decided to pursue an adjunct career in holistic nutrition to further benefit the population with whom she worked, and her own growing family. Over time, it became increasingly evident that the relationship developed with food at an early age can assist and enable someone in navigating life stressors in the healthiest way possible, while fostering a healthy relationship with one’s own body and sense of self.
Shawna continues to work full-time while running her own business – Sprouting Balance Nutrition and Wellness – through which she offers workshops, consultation and a supportive community for parents, caregivers and ‘The Village’ at large, to discover and nurture what is ultimately best for oneself, little people, and the family as a whole.
Shawna teaches various courses and workshops in several CSNN locations.
Cancer Nutrition Coach, Reiki Practitioner
Audrey McDonough graduated from CSNN Toronto in 2007. While building her nutrition consulting business, she gained invaluable experience and knowledge of the supplement and whole foods industry while working for several different distributors in the natural health industry, and also offered talks on many nutrition-related topics. The cancer support work in the part decades provided her with enormous insight into the body-mind-spirit (BMS) aspects of holistic well-being and it continues to be her specialty. Audrey enjoys educating people on the benefits of natural nutrition so much that she joined the CSNN teaching faculty in 2012.
Audrey and her husband, 5 parrots, and 5 cats moved to live in the country with several acres to realize their dream. She used to volunteer at the animal shelter, but made use of the lockdown years to continue her learning path in homeopathy while currently also working part-time at a compounding pharmacy. Both modalities will allow her to render a more seamless resolution for BMS challenges. Audrey is a firm believer in the power of eating well, exercise, resolution of BMS challenges, and our ability to influence our own lives.
Keyrsten graduated from the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition. After over a decade of clinical experience at one of Vancouver’s first integrated medical clinics, established in 1984 – she’s developed a breadth of traditional and innovative skills in a professional and ground-breaking setting. This also benefitted students at various CSNN locations where she has been teaching. A former dancer and avid runner, Keyrsten prides herself on her healthy relationship with good food – and excellent wine – and on her involvement in local communities across the greater Vancouver area, where she often facilitates both public and corporate workshops on various nutrition and wellness focused topics.
Erin completed her medical studies at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in 2005 after obtaining her Bachelor of Science Degree at the University of Waterloo. Her passion regarding children’s health care led her to Arizona in pursuit of a unique Pediatric Residency opportunity in 2010. Erin is the only Canadian ND to have completed a residency of this kind. Erin is registered and actively involved with the Ontario Board of Directors of Drugless Therapy-Naturopathy (BDDT-N).
With the belief that an integrative setting is the best approach to health care, Erin maintains a general family and pediatric practice at two locations downtown Toronto alongside medical doctors, chiropractors, midwives, registered massage therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists, and orthopedists.
Jennifer Pun, ND, graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2002 with a Bachelor’s degree in Integrated Sciences – a balanced program of combining science and art. After setting out to find the perfect career to complement her interests, as an artist, a teacher, a graphic designer, and a yoga instructor, Jennifer happily found the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine after exploring various options. She is passionate about patient education, the fusion of Eastern and Western philosophies, and individualized medicine. Jennifer’s special interests include Women’s Health, Fertility, Pediatrics, Digestive Function, Detoxification, Weight Loss, Endocrinology, Preventative Medicine, and Mind-Body Medicine. She practices in midtown Toronto.
Dr. Ruchi Shetty graduated from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in 2004, and holds a degree in Botany and Zoology from Trinity College, University of Toronto. She is board certified with the College of Naturopaths of Ontario, and a member of both OAND and the CAND.
Ruchi spent several years working to build strong, healthy communities. She was Regional Director of Programs and Services for the Art of Living Foundation in Manitoba, a non-profit humanitarian organization focused on personal empowerment and community development. She brings this same passion to help empower her patients to build strong, healthy lives. With several years of experience in general naturopathic practice in midtown Toronto, Ruchi currently focuses on Women’s Health, including hormonal balance, fertility, pregnancy, postpartum care, and pediatrics. She also has expertise in mood disorders and post-traumatic stress. Ruchi uses a variety of healing methods, including herbs, nutrition, acupuncture, yoga, breath-work, and counseling. (www.yorkvillenaturopathic.com)
On Sabbatical
After spending many years working in the IT industry as a Business Analyst, Trainer, and Project Manager, Sandra changed career paths when she had to overcome her own health challenges and became passionate about holistic health. Sandra is a Holistic Educator and Counsellor with certifications as a Registered Holistic Nutritionist, Certified Culinary Nutrition Instructor, Yoga Teacher, and Ayurveda Wellness Counsellor.
Sandra offers workshops, group programs, and 1:1 coaching for women who want to live their most beautiful life with ease and she offers an East meets West approach to health and wellness.
Ashima attained an honours B.Sc. from the University of Toronto in Mathematics and Human Biology. It sparked her attention to health and healing, leading her to the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine to obtain her N.D. She believes that life is a continual learning process and thus, enjoys being in the classroom with students in addition to being in practice. Ashima’s interests in mental health, immunity, and whole foods diets extend her into various in-depth researches and teaching these courses at CSNN.
On Sabbatical
Michelle Weir, Registered Holistic Nutritionist™ professional, graduated with Honours from the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition (CSNN) and was the recipient of the “Award of Excellence”. Michelle has also earned her certification in Nutritional Live Blood Cell Microscopy. In addition, Michelle has a Bachelor of Commerce Honours Degree with a major in Human Nutrition (Administrative Dietetics) from the University of Guelph.
It was her own health issues that led Michelle back, full circle, to her early schooling in nutrition education, but this time embracing the Holistic arena. Michelle has successfully grown her clinical practice with a primary focus on digestive issues (i.e. Candida, parasites, allergies, skin issues), the liver, detoxification protocols, pH management, Type 2 diabetes and cancer. Nutritional live blood cell microscopy is a tool she uses to help motivate clients, identify nutritional imbalances and assist in monitoring their progress. Michelle practises in midtown Toronto.