Team.
Leadership
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Aliya Hajee is a Nurse Practitioner and the Founder & CEO of NP Circle, Canada’s largest and most trusted community for NPs. She holds a Master of Science in Nursing and a Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate from McMaster University.
Her clinical background spans primary care, acute care, specialty care, research, academia, and digital health. She is currently pursuing her Certificate in Mental Health and Addictions, with and has a special interest in women’s health.
Drawing from firsthand experience, Aliya founded NP Circle to create the resources and community she wished existed earlier in her career. NP Circle now serves thousands of NPs across Canada, offering evidence-based education, peer mentorship, and a space for real conversations about the challenges and realities of NP practice.
At the core of her work is a clear belief: when NPs are supported, patients, communities, and health systems thrive.
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Director of Community Engagement
Claudia Mariano is a seasoned healthcare leader with a Master of Science in Nursing and a Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate from the University of Toronto. She has played a key role in advancing NP practice in Ontario, particularly in political advocacy.
Claudia has held prominent roles, including President and Manager of Practice and Policy for the Nurse Practitioners’ Association of Ontario, Board Member for the Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario and the North Muskoka NPLC, and Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Toronto. She also authored the book “No One Left Behind: How Nurse Practitioners are Changing Canada’s Health Care System."
With 23 years as a Nurse Practitioner and 13 years as a Registered Nurse, Claudia focused on health promotion, women's health, and chronic disease management. Though retired from NP practice, she remains actively involved in the healthcare field, sharing her expertise and making a meaningful impact.
Advisory board
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Helen Nicolle
NURSE PRACTITIONER
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Kathryn Flanigan
NURSE PRACTITIONER
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Crystal Northcott
NURSE PRACTITIONER
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Lida Pena
NURSE PRACTITIONER
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Alix Consorti
NURSE PRACTITIONER
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Erin O'Shaughnessy
NURSE PRACTITIONER
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Shahmeena Khan
NURSE PRACTITIONER
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Sarah Ilori
NURSE PRACTITIONER
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Rachel Koh
NURSE PRACTITIONER
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Stephanie Lawrence
NURSE PRACTITIONER
Connect, learn, and grow with NPs across Canada.
Testimonials
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"I am so incredibly grateful and happy that NP Circle exists! I’ve always felt that NPs in Canada haven’t previously had structured and high quality resources available to help foster continuing education after graduation, and NP Circle has really superseded my expectations. Every course I’ve attended has left me with a wealth of invaluable and practical knowledge, and the “Resource” section on this website is full of high-quality and practical resources! I also love the questions and answers that NPs accross Canada are able to contribute to, it’s such a helpful learning resource. I can’t thank Aliya enough for creating this space for all of us!"
Andrea Mayne, MN, AGPCNP
Corporate Health Nurse Practitioner @ Rogers Communications -
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“NP Circle creates the best educational opportunities I’ve come across in my NP career thus far. Hearing from the industry’s top specialists about tips and tricks on how we can manage many illnesses and conditions that we often refer for in primary care is motivating, empowering and can significantly reduce the volume of referrals sent and wait times for patients.”
Brooke Wagner, MN, NP-PHC
Nurse Practitioner @ Niagara North FHT -
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"I’m loving being a part of NP Circle! The courses are taught by MDs and NPs who are the best in their field. I’ve had so many great takeaways for my practice. All the resources I need for practice are easily accessible. It’s also been nice to receive updates on relevant news to NP practice and to learn from difficult cases posted by other NPs. Any questions I have related to daily practice or career advancement I can post on there and someone always has helpful advice/information. All in all it’s a great one stop shop for all my NP needs!"
Helen Nicolle, MSc, NP-PHC
Nurse Practitioner @ McMaster Family Practice -
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“As an experienced nurse practitioner, I found this lab interpretation course to be both refreshing and incredibly valuable. The content is concise yet comprehensive, covering everything from basic panels to more complex diagnostics in a clinically relevant way. It’s clear the course was designed with real-world application in mind — bridging the gap between textbook knowledge and what we actually see in practice. Whether you’re newly licensed or have years under your belt, this course sharpens your diagnostic skills and boosts confidence in managing complex lab results. Highly recommend for anyone looking to elevate their clinical acumen.”
Kristen Carey, MN, NP(F)
Vaida Health, Emerald Park, SK; Telus Health Virtual Care, BC; Fraser Health Authority, BC -
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"As a new graduate, NP Circle has been a life changer for me. I feel extremely empowered by the community, the trainings, and the knowledge I’ve gained so far. The Lab Interpretation Course has made a huge difference in my confidence and was exactly what I needed. I love the short videos, how the course is divided, and how clear and easy everything is to understand. It’s already changing my day-to-day practice!"
Marianne Leblond, MN, IPSPL
Nurse Practitioner, QC -
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“These are the most important education sessions you can attend as a nurse practitioner in primary health care. You leave with tangible tools to better serve your patients and minimize unnecessary referrals and long specialist wait times. Sessions are organized with sufficient time for questions and some specialist even provide post-session written materials.”
Alexandra Milne, MN, NP-PHC
Clinic Director & Nurse Practitioner @ Care& Family Health -
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"NP Circle’s Lab Interpretation Course is an amazing resource for both new and seasoned NPs. It’s self-paced with lifetime access and is conveniently delivered in short sections that can be completed at any time as schedules allow. The hard work put into the development of this course is evidenced by the comprehensive content and expert review. This is an outstanding and much needed resource for all NPs contributing to a gap in NP education. Thank you NP Circle!"
Kimberly Harkness, MN, NP-PHC, NP-Adult, GNC(C)
Nurse Practitioner @ Oak Valley Health CHC -
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“I’m so happy this exists! I would highly recommend these events to any primary care provider who is looking to gain knowledge from some of the best specialists and improve their everyday practice. I’ve already been able to implement some of the knowledge I gained from the first session into my practice and prevent an unnecessary referral! 5/5 stars”
Bri Smith, MN, NP-PHC
Nurse Practitioner @ Care& Family Health -
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"As a recently retired NP, I have experienced firsthand the diverse facets of our profession, from clinical expertise and advocacy, to leadership , scholarship, and research. Now more than ever, it's crucial to be part of a supportive community of like-minded NPs. Being connected in this way empowers us to grow both individually and collectively, enhancing our ability to elevate patient care to new heights."
Claudia Mariano, MSc, PHCNP
Past President & Director of Practice and Policy @ Nurse Practitioners’ Association of Ontario -
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“Could not be happier with my decision to attend this event. For ~$20 per session, you get evidence-based and relevant clinical tools from medical specialists. The majority of the sessions are held after a standard work day and recorded for later viewing as well, which is super convenient. After attending each session, I take away valuable knowledge that will enhance the care that I provide my patients.”
Claire Smith, MN, NP-PHC
Nurse Practitioner @ Toronto Western Family Health Team -
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"Aliya is the reason I have my dream job as an NP in family medicine. She notified me of the job opening, helped me prepare my resume, and coached me through the interview questions so that I was well prepared. I have always admired Aliya’s strong work ethic and commitment to excellence. She is passionate about helping nurses create a career that they love. She is extremely knowledgeable and skilled at navigating the nursing profession and the healthcare system as a whole. If you’re looking to advance your career, she is the girl you want in your corner."
Helen Nicolle, MSc, NP-PHC
Nurse Practitioner @ McMaster Family Practice -
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“Aliya has been the most helpful person during and after I graduated NP school! As soon as she knew what type of career I was looking for, she always kept her eyes open for relevant job postings to send my way. She took the time to work through so many interview questions and helped me sound as natural as possible. She also gave me really valuable guidance when I had more than one job offer to pick from! I'm now in a great position and I can't thank her enough. She's a real jack-of-all-trades with her array of experiences and I guarantee you won't be disappointed.”
Shahmeena Khan, MSc, NP-PHC
Nurse Practitioner @ Compass Community Health -
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“Aliya was very supportive throughout my NP education by guiding and directing me to the right resources. After graduating, she helped me prepare for my interviews and supported me through contract negotiations. I really appreciated her kindness and readiness to help however she could.”
Lida Pena, MSc, NP-PHC
Nurse Practitioner @ Welland McMaster Family Health Team
