Goranka has 35 plus years of experience in education, including roles as classroom teacher, professor, curriculum consultant, researcher and administrator in colleges, universities, and government throughout Canada and the USA. These varied experiences have provided her the exceptional opportunity to develop first-hand knowledge about the capacity of education to inspire innovation, strengthen communities, and change lives. Goranka received her Ph.D. in Education from Concordia University in Montreal.

In her most recent position as Executive Dean of Community Services at Conestoga College, she was a member of the college senior leadership team with strategic, academic, and operational responsibility for a wide range of academic programs, inter-professional projects, and community partnerships. In addition, she led a number of innovative research projects that focused on early childhood education and Indigenous ways of knowing and being. Goranka has a passion for early childhood education and has worked tirelessly throughout her career to advance quality curriculum practices in the early years. She looks forward to contributing to the important work carried out by Strong Start.

To read more about Goranka’s esteemed career, please visit her LinkedIn profile.