In this series of short profiles, Capital Current introduces key persons of influence in the city to the community.
Who is Suzanne Obiorah?
Suzanne Obiorah is the CEO of the Somerset West Community Health Centre (SWCHC). From 2021 to 2023, she was the City of Ottawa’s Director of Gender and Race Equity, Inclusion, Indigenous Relations and Social Development.
What is her background?
Born and raised in Ottawa, Obiorah earned a Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition from Toronto Metropolitan University in 2002 and began her career in public health as a registered dietician the following year. In 2014, she completed a Master’s in Business Administration with a focus on Health Management from St. Mary’s University. She is the mother of three children aged nine, 12 and 20.
How she’s known in Ottawa
Obiorah made headlines in 2022 when the city approved Ottawa’s first anti-racism strategy, which she helped design in response to inequities highlighted by the murder of George Floyd, a Black man in Minneapolis who was wrongfully arrested and killed by a police officer. At the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic showed a significant difference in the care white people and racialized groups were receiving. “There was a huge opportunity to be a part of a movement that created systems to respond to disparities,” Obiorah said. “It was one of the most meaningful and profound moments in my career to work as the director.”
As CEO and previously executive director of SWCHC, Obiorah has led the organization through the expansion of services and championed the idea of team-based health care. Recently, the SWCHC was forced to close its supervised consumption site because of policy changes made by the Ontario government, which prohibits sites within 200 metres of a school or childcare centre. The SWCHC has opened a Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub as an alternative. Obiorah said the HART Hub was a “chance to service the community with a deeper reach,” but “at a loss of the safe-consumption site.”
What people say
Executive Director of the Enchanté Network Tyler Boyce says SWCHC was “lucky to have Obiorah.” Annik Blanchard of BDO Canada nominated her to speak at a 100 Woman Who Care Ottawa event.
Obiorah says good leadership is rooted in humility and collaboration. “It’s working alongside others to create the conditions for success.”
What’s something people don’t know about her?
Obiorah said she believes in the importance of hobbies and fun outside of work. “It’s important that we look for ways to spark creativity and look for ways to energize,” said Obiorah. “I dance in my house like no one is watching. We just can’t always take ourselves seriously. The world is heavy. We need to plan fun.”
