Dawn McKirdy

Strategic and results-driven Operations Leader with 20+ years of experience leading complex operations, managing multidisciplinary teams, overseeing budgets, and driving operational excellence in healthcare, hospitality, and service-focused organizations. Proven success improving operational efficiency, developing high-performing teams, managing strategic initiatives, and delivering exceptional client experiences while ensuring regulatory compliance and organizational performance.

Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (Part-Time) at St. Joseph's Village (2025-11 – Present)

• Support the Community Access to Long-Term Care (CALTC) pilot program, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to enhance resident access and service quality
• Conduct assessments and develop individualized plans aligned with resident goals, safety standards, and organizational care strategies.
• Strengthen family and resident relationships through consistent communication and service excellence.

Therapeutic Recreationist (Casual) at Jackson Therapeutic Recreation (2026-03 – Present)

• Evaluate client progress and adjust therapeutic plans to support rehabilitation and quality-of-life outcomes.
• Build trust with resident and families through transparent communication and person-centered care.
• Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
• Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.

Recreation Manager / Operations Leadership at Meadowlands, a V!VA Retirement Community (2003-03 – 2025-10)

• Managed an annual operating budget of $100K+, identifying cost efficiencies while maintaining compliance and service quality.
• Participated in annual strategic planning and budget development, consistently meeting KPIs and organizational objectives.
• Led crisis communication during COVID-19, maintaining ~80% resident engagement through adapted service delivery.
• Partnered with Culinary, Sales, and Operations teams to deliver premium hospitality experiences and support occupancy goals.
• Conducted tours, hosted signature events, and represented the community to families, partners, and public stakeholders.
• Recruited and managed external speakers, entertainers, and community partners to enhance resident experience.
• CRM/database use, and reporting
• Supervised, coached and mentored 12+ direct reports, and 60+ indirect reports, and several volunteers, fostering a culture of accountability, growth, and high performance.
• Identified high-potential team members and supported their development through training, coaching, and succession planning.
• Developed and delivered staff education, onboarding, and dementia-focused training initiatives to support organizational goals and service excellence.
• Increased resident engagement to 85% participation through innovative programming.
• Planned and executed 240+ monthly programs supporting cognitive, physical, and emotional well-being.
• Evaluated program effectiveness through KPI monitoring, resident feedback analysis, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Ensured alignment with evolving resident needs, regulatory requirements, and organizational standards.
• Collaborated with interdisciplinary healthcare teams and community partners to support regional initiatives, knowledge exchange, and service improvement.

Diploma in Recreation & Leisure Services – Fleming College

Diploma in Business Marketing – Loyalist College