About

Vania Patrick-Drakes

PMP | PhD Candidate

I’ve always been drawn to understanding how people and systems interact—why some policies thrive while others fail, why well-intentioned initiatives don’t always translate into real impact, and how we can do better.

That curiosity led me from Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, to Psychology and finally to social policy, a career in research, advocacy and consulting, and a passion for making equity, inclusion, and organizational wellness more than just buzzwords.

Much like lime and salt, my approach is about refining and enhancing—helping organizations cut through the noise, get to the heart of their challenges, and build strategies that work in practice – not just on paper.

Whether I’m speaking to a room full of leaders, facilitating a workshop, or supporting an organization through a positive transformation, my focus remains the same: creating spaces where people can thrive, contribute, and feel valued.

Academic & Professional Qualifications

BSc (Hons) Neuroscience & Cognitive Science

MSc (Distinction) Counselling Psychology

PhD Candidate Social Policy

Project Management Professional (PMP)

Certificate in Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (Cornell University)

Five-Time Other Universals Scholarship awardee

Recent Publications

King, B., Edwards, T., Laylor, A., Chowdhury, R., Smith, C., Facey, K., & Patrick-Drakes, V. (2025). Mapping Disparities for Black Families Project: Technical Report Describing Background, Purpose, and Methods. One Vision One Voice: Toronto, ON.

King, B., Edwards, T., Laylor, A., Facey, K., Patrick-Drakes, V., & Chowdhury, R. (2025). Study Overview(Mapping Disparities for Black Families Project Information Sheet #4). One Vision One Voice: Toronto, ON.

King, B., Edwards, T., Laylor, A., Facey, K., & Patrick-Drakes, V. (2025). Overview of Findings Related to the Eligibility Spectrum (Mapping Disparities for Black Families Project Information Sheet #5). One Vision One Voice: Toronto, ON.

Bonnie, N & Facey, K with support from King, B., Fallon, B., Joh-Carnella, N., Edwards, T., Kagan-Cassidy, M., Black, T., William, K., Patrick-Drakes, V & Anucha, C. (2022). Understanding the over-representation of Black children in Ontario child welfare services. (Ontario Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect-2018). Toronto, ON: Child Welfare Research Portal.

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