Dawn Penner, founder and Executive Director of Healing Streams, is committed to the restoration of relationships to self, others, and God.  She has a love and passion for the women and men in the Great Lakes Region of Africa and is committed to partnering with caregivers in the region to develop compassionate and effective programs of restoration.

Dawn is a doctoral candidate at the University of Toronto in Counselling Psychology. Her reasearch topic is "Recovery from Cumulative Trauma: The Congolese Refugee Experience" .  Dawn's current level of expertise has developed in a variety of contexts including: Democratic Republic of Congo Hope and Healing Seminars, Psychoeducational Clinic at University of Toronto, Corrections Canada Aggressive Behaviour Control Unit, Counselling management and adjunct college teaching. Dawn has achieved significant experience in the establishment and management of counselling practices as a result of building practices in three provinces. An accomplished speaker and educator, Dawn has extensive seminar and retreat speaking experience.  

Dawn is married to Ross and they have two young adult sons, Jotham and Matthew.  Activities that restore her include: laughter, contemplative prayer, gardening, walking and canoeing/camping with her family.

To hear Dawn's story of personal healing, click here (Stories of Healing III - Dawn's Story; June 3, 2007).

• Doctor of Education (Cand.), Counselling Psychology, University of Toronto
• Master of Education (Counselling Psychology), 2000, University of Saskatchewan
• Master of Arts in Old Testament, 1992, Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary
• Bachelor of Social Work, 1985, University of Manitoba