Jessica Ariss

Jessica Ariss has a diverse work experience in the field of mental health care and therapeutic recreation. Jessica started their career as a Recreation Therapist at Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care in 2004 and worked in this role until 2008. Jessica then joined Georgian College in 2009 as a Professor of Therapeutic Recreation, where they worked until 2014. During their time at Georgian College, they also served as a Program Coordinator for the Part-Time Therapeutic Recreation Program from 2011 to 2013. In 2016, they returned to Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care as a Recreation Therapist and worked in this position until 2018. Jessica then transitioned into the role of Clinical Educator at Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care from 2018 to 2020. From 2020 to 2023, they served as a Program Manager at the same organization. Currently, they hold the position of Director - Collaborative Learning and Equity, Diversity & Inclusion at Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care.

Jessica Ariss has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Guelph, which they obtained from 1999 to 2003. Jessica later pursued a Graduate Certificate in Therapeutic Recreation from Georgian College from 2005 to 2006. Jessica went on to earn a Master of Rehabilitation Science degree from the University of British Columbia between 2014 and 2017. Most recently, they completed a Certificate in Equity Diversity and Inclusion from the same university from 2023 to 2025.