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30 YEARS OF PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

50 YEARS OF LIVED EXPERIENCE IN WARD 4

A Bold Political Candidate

With 30 years of professional experience in public, private and not-for-profit sectors and in government – Dr. Valerie Grdisa is a passionate, solution-focused leader.  Valerie started her career as a registered nurse and nurse practitioner, before completing her PhD study on transforming children and youth mental health services. As a senior manager in healthcare, academia, consulting and government; she led local/provincial/federal initiatives focused on improving the patient experience and quality of services.

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Valerie has been married for 27 years to Joseph Grdisa who also has roots in Ward 4, as his mother grew up in The Junction.  Joseph is currently the Instructional Coordinator, Health & Physical Education and Extracurricular Athletics for Peel District School Board.

Their first date in 1985 was at Humber Cinema at Bloor and Jane.  Valerie and Joseph have two children, Jakob and Madison. Jakob is 24 years old and recently graduated from the Tourism and Hospitality Management Program at George Brown College.  Madison is  21 years and she is a 3rd Engineering student at the University of Toronto.

 

Valerie has 50 years of memories in Ward 4 as five generations of family have lived in different communities from her great grandparents, grandmother, great aunts and uncles, mother and cousins who lived in Baby Point, Lambton Baby Point, Bloor West Village and High Park North.  The Grdisa family lives in High Park North on Clendenan Avenue while Jakob now lives in Parkdale. The first thing her friends and family will tell you is that she has never forgotten where she came from or who she's been fighting for. Valerie is committed to People-Powered solutions and she will not stop fighting until all voices are heard.

 

To learn more about Valerie Grdisa's professional background, please explore Linked In and  reach out if you have any questions.  

I have received countless e-mails requesting me to describe how I am different than Mr. Perks and I have been reluctant to respond but as the election comes to an end and I listened to Mr. Perks during 4 debates in 8 days, this is my differentiation:

 

  • I live in Ward 4 Parkdale High Park and Mr. Perks does not (nor does Mr. Ginsburg)

  • I am collaborative and Mr. Perks is divisive

  • I implement solutions and Mr. Perks identifies problems 

  • I have provincial and federal government experience and Mr. Perks does not

  • I bring 30 years experience with a proven track record and Mr. Perks has been in the role for 12 years with mixed results 

  • I am a regulated health professional who has delivered and transformed services in Ward 4 and Toronto and Mr. Perks has not delivered services at the frontline

  • I have fresh and viable solutions for community health and safety, transit, affordable housing, local businesses, heritage conservation districts and our parks and Mr. Perks has used all the tools in his tool box

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