My father, Gordon Bell, OC., MD., LL.D. and I co-founded Bellwood Health Services in 1984, a public/private partnership with the Ministry of Health to expand addiction treatment services and operating Bellwood Hospital and Bellwood Health Centre.  My father was a pioneer in addiction medicine and had also founded the first public hospital for addictions in Canada, The Donwood Institute in 1967.

As with many start-up organizations the staff at Bellwood wore many hats.  Human Resources started small and was handled by our VP of Finance.  She was relieved when Noreedah Dean joined the staff in            2007.  Noreedah took over with a flourish and worked independently.  She spearheaded a performance management system and a compensation review system that included salary and benefits for staff.  She focused on diversity and moved the organization to employ 50% of marginalized people, including persons of colour and people with disabilities.

Bellwood was Accredited by the Canadian Counsil on Health Facilities accreditation for many years.  We had to meet criteria for a both hospital and a mental health units. Noreedah’s HR, Health and Safety and Emergency Preparedness and Pandemic plans were excellent to the point that the reviewer wanted to implement them at his hospital.

Noreedah built staff morale, placed cupcakes on staff members desks for their birthday, increased their benefits, salaries and organized events and parties to recognize and celebrate the achievements of  over 100 staff and over 100 volunteers. She was our Manager of Human Resources. She continues to  maintain relationships with colleagues most of whom have moved on. The staff unionized five weeks after Noreedah’s departure under new owners and management.

Noreedah was an invaluable asset to our EHN Bellwood, consistently demonstrating exceptional leadership in managing our workforce and cultivating a positive work environment. She had a way to make each and every employee feel valued in their role. Her proactive approach to employee relations, combined with a deep understanding of HR practices, has ensured smooth operations while fostering a culture of engagement and growth. I highly recommend Noreedah for their ability to navigate complex situations with professionalism and strategic thinking, always prioritizing the well-being of each and every employee. She helped employees get funding for training to advance their career path. EHN Bellwood truly has no been the same since her departure.

We recently worked with Noreedah Dean to hire a new massage therapist for our clinic, and the entire process was seamless from start to finish. Her attention to detail in finding the perfect candidate was truly impressive. She took the time to understand our needs, carefully screened applicants, and provided us with top-tier candidates who fit our clinic’s culture and standards.

The interview and onboarding process was thorough, professional, and incredibly well-organized. She handled everything efficiently, ensuring that our new hire was fully prepared to step into their role with confidence. Her expertise made what could have been a stressful process incredibly smooth and stress-free.

We couldn’t be happier with the results and will absolutely be using Noreedah for all of our future hiring needs. Highly recommend!

Noreedah is one of the most caring and empathetic individuals I have ever had the privilege of working with. She doesn’t just handle policies and procedures; she genuinely cares about everyone. Her people skills are unparalleled, and she has an incredible ability to make you feel seen and understood, no matter what challenges you are facing. In moments of difficulty, I always knew I could count on her for unwavering support, both professionally and personally.

What sets Noreedah apart is her dedication to going above and beyond in her role. She consistently ensures that we felt valued and supported, which speaks volumes about her character and commitment. As a friend, I have also witnessed her compassion and kindness firsthand, and it is something I will always be grateful for.

Noreedah is not just an exceptional HR manager; she is an incredible human being. I feel incredibly fortunate to have had her in my life, and I believe her presence has made a significant positive impact on our team.

I had the pleasure of working with Noreedah during my time in the finance department at my previous workplace. Throughout our collaboration, I was consistently impressed by her professionalism, expertise, and ability to foster a positive working relationship across departments.

Noreedah is an exceptional HR professional with a rare combination of technical knowledge and interpersonal skills. She is an attentive listener, always taking the time to understand concerns and address them thoughtfully. Whether we were discussing employee policies, payroll matters, or resolving interdepartmental issues, she approached every interaction with empathy and a solution-oriented mindset.

Her in-depth knowledge of HR policies and procedures is remarkable, and she consistently demonstrated a strong ability to balance the needs of employees with those of the organization. Her approachability and willingness to go above and beyond to assist colleagues created an environment of trust and collaboration.

When I worked with Noreedah at World Wrestling Entertainment Canada, Inc. she showed her expertise, leadership, and unwavering commitment to excellence. Her personal touch and compassion not only strengthened the HR function but also played a pivotal role in driving the overall success of WWE Canada.  With the company being International, she needed to ensure that not only the office staff, but the visiting talent, were also protected. Noreeda ensured that WWE Canada remained compliant with both local and international employment laws. Her diligence in this area protected the company from potential legal issues and upheld the highest standards of ethics and legality in HR practices.  With her warm personality and infectious laugh, she was always wonderful to work with, and confide in.

Yes, no doubt about it, she’s a brilliant Manager, but she knows how to communicate and listen to us, (employees). And she’ll fight for you if she knows you’re right. She usually goes above and beyond her duties as a manager by helping us figure out the solution of any issue we are having. Noreedah has a heart, a big heart.

I have had the pleasure of working alongside Noreedah for many years. Noreedah brought a human touch to her work that is very special and rare to see. In working with her I felt a sense of acceptance and attunement which is so important. She has the ability to balance hearing other people’s needs and concerns with the border vision and values of the organization. There was never a  moment where I felt like my needs would not be taken seriously. She was able to help me navigate my concerns and I received guidance and support, especially as I was navigating challenging transitions into unfamiliar roles within the organization. I appreciate Noreehah’s wholehearted dedication and effort to her position.

In my role as Manager of Nursing and Client Services at Bellwood Health Services, I had the opportunity to work with Noreedah Dean in her role as HR Manager.

I experienced Noreedah as professional, fair and incredibly insightful. Noreedah championed change responsively through employee surveys, policies and procedures. Her knowledge of industry compensation resulted in low turnover within the organization.

Noreedah valued a team approach to challenges resulting in her commanding a high level of respect within the company.

I was my pleasure to have worked with Noreedah.

In 2016 I got very sick and was very scared because the doctors could not figure out what was wrong with me. I had to go off of work and I reached out to Noreedah and she walked me through the process of getting time off and contacting WSIB because the illness was triggered by something from work. Noreedah was available for me to reach out to her in the evening and on the weekend when I was struggling the most and laid up in a hospital bed. Noreedah never treated me like a number and was always sympathetic to what I was going through. When I went back to work she remained an ear to listen to me and a fountain of information when I needed direction. If more HR managers took the time that she did to get to know the people that she worked with, then staff would feel more comfortable reaching out and feeling safe speaking with them.

I met Noreedah Dean in 2004 when I interviewed and then was hired to join the Admissions Department at Bellwood Health Services.

I was impressed with Noreedah’s knowledge and professionalism during the hiring process. She was patient and diligent in reviewing the essential fuctions of the job, Noreedah demonstrated exceptional knowledge in answering my questions and reassured me that the company fostered a positive and professional work culture.

Noreedah has the ability to navigate challenging employment issues while remaining fair and professional.

I had the pleasure of working with Noreedah Dean for many years at Bellwood Health Services.

She was a compassionate, caring  HR manager who listened and heard  her staff when needed. She supported her staff  at Bellwood Health  Services at all times  and did so with an open door policy.

She was  very dedicated and helped the staff as needed.   She was a wonderful part of the HR team and all appreciated her assistance.   She was  recognized by her expertise and was

appreciated by  all staff who interacted with her.

She was not only a  very hard worker  but also a kind and good friend.