Dr. Samantha Nutt (Sam) is a medical doctor with more than fifteen years of experience working in war zones. Committed to peace, human rights and social justice, she has worked in some of the world's most violent flashpoints with War Child Canada, the United Nations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Darfur, Iraq, Afghanistan, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Burundi, northern Uganda, Ethiopia and the Thai-Burmese border.
Over the course of her professional career and as the Founder and Executive Director of War Child Canada, Dr. Nutt has spearheaded efforts to provide direct humanitarian support and long term programming to war-affected children and their families, and to promote greater awareness in Canada concerning the rights of children everywhere.
Her work on behalf of war-affected communities around the world has been widely recognized. She is a recipient of "Canada's Top 40 under 40 Award" (Globe and Mail). She was designated by Time Magazine as one of "Canada's Five Leading Activists." CBC News has profiled her as a "Canadian Leader." Most recently, Dr. Nutt received the Order of Ontario, the highest official honour in the province of Ontario, and was named one of 25 Transformational Canadians by The Globe and Mail. She is also a member of the Order of Canada.
She graduated Summa Cum Laude from McMaster University, earned an MSc with distinction from London University, and holds a Fellowship in Community Medicine (FRCPC) from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. She is further certified by the College of Family Practice (CCFP) and completed a sub specialization in women's health through the University of Toronto as a Women's Health Scholar. Dr. Nutt is the recipient of several honorary doctorates from universities in Canada and the USA.
