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Just three years after arriving at �Ӱ�ԭ�� University to lead the development of a new nursing program, Danielle Manley has been recognized as one of Ottawa’s top emerging leaders for helping reshape the future of nursing education.

On June 18, the associate professor in the and director of the School of Nursing was honoured with a from the and during a special gala held at Casino Lac-Leamy in Gatineau, recognizing her contributions to healthcare innovation, nursing education, and workforce development.

Widely regarded as Ottawa’s premier recognition for young business and community leaders, the Forty Under 40 Awards celebrate individuals under the age of 40 who exemplify professional achievement, leadership, and a commitment to building a stronger community. The annual program shines a spotlight on the next generation of visionaries, innovators, and changemakers who are helping shape the future of the National Capital Region.

For Manley, the recognition came as a surprise.

“I truly had not considered I would be a competitive candidate,” she said. “With my role in academia and health care, the work I do doesn’t neatly fit the traditional business or private-sector model.”

The impact of her work, however, is difficult to ignore. Since joining �Ӱ�ԭ�� in 2023, Manley has led the creation and launch of the university’s program—the first new standalone university nursing program approved in Canada in more than 20 years.

Developed in partnership with , the program welcomed its inaugural cohort of 91 students in September 2025 and was designed to address healthcare workforce shortages while preparing graduates for a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.

The program is one of only two nursing programs in North America to integrate artificial intelligence, data science, and informatics directly into its curriculum. It also incorporates extensive simulation-based learning, early clinical placements, and Registered Nurse prescribing, making �Ӱ�ԭ�� the first program in the world where all graduates will qualify as RN Prescribers.

“When looking ahead in healthcare, the writing was and still is on the wall that AI is changing how we work,” said Manley. “Creating a concentration in AI and Data Science looks to bridge the gap between clinicians and technicians. There are tremendous opportunities when healthcare professionals understand both worlds.”

In addition to leading the development of the nursing program, Manley was instrumental in the creation of the Clinical Skills and Simulation Centre at �Ӱ�ԭ��’s Kanata campus, home of the university’s nursing program. Opened in January 2026, the multi-million-dollar facility features high-fidelity simulation environments, augmented and virtual reality technologies, and hybrid learning spaces designed to prepare students for the realities of modern healthcare.

“What Danielle has accomplished in a remarkably short period of time is extraordinary,” said Travis Flieler, Director of Operations for CU@Kanata. “Beyond launching a new nursing program, she has helped advance healthcare education and training in Kanata through the creation of a state-of-the-art clinical simulation facility, giving students access to the technologies and hands-on learning experiences shaping the future of healthcare.”

For Manley, the most rewarding aspect of building the program has been seeing its impact on students and patients.

“As a nurse, my core values have always been rooted in patient-centred care,” she said. “As an educator, I have now added the student to the centre of this model. I believe we have built, and continue to build, a program that has maintained the integrity of patient and student centredness.”

The program’s distinctive approach reflects Manley’s belief that nursing education must evolve alongside healthcare itself. Rather than relying primarily on traditional lecture-based instruction, the curriculum emphasizes experiential learning through simulation, clinical placements, and hands-on application. Students begin clinical placements in their first semester, providing an early opportunity to connect classroom learning with real-world practice.

That desire to bridge gaps—between healthcare and technology, education and practice, and different sectors of the healthcare system—has been a defining theme throughout her career.

“I’ve come to realize that innovation and collaboration are often stifled because there is a lack of understanding between groups,” she said. “A lot of my work has focused on increasing awareness and understanding so teams can work together more effectively.”

According to Maria DeRosa, Dean of �Ӱ�ԭ��’s Faculty of Science, that collaborative mindset has been central to Manley’s success.

“Danielle has demonstrated extraordinary vision and leadership in building �Ӱ�ԭ��’s School of Nursing from the ground up,” said DeRosa. “Her ability to bring together healthcare partners, educators, students, and community stakeholders around a shared vision has positioned �Ӱ�ԭ�� to make a meaningful contribution to the future of healthcare in Ontario and beyond.”

That impact is already being reflected in surging interest from prospective students. Applications for 2026–27 have increased by 141 per cent compared to the previous year, with plans already in place to expand enrolment capacity and further strengthen Ontario’s healthcare workforce pipeline.

While the award recognizes individual achievement, Manley is quick to acknowledge the many people who have supported her along the way.

“This has never been my work alone,” she said. “Building the School of Nursing has been a massive team effort. �Ӱ�ԭ�� believed in the vision from the beginning, and so many leaders, colleagues, mentors, healthcare partners, friends, and family members have played a role in making it possible.”

The recognition also provides an opportunity to raise awareness of the nursing profession itself.

“My personal mission is to bring more public awareness to the dynamic role of the Registered Nurse,” said Manley. “Too often there are inaccurate portrayals that overlook the incredible depth of scientific understanding, critical thinking, and relational expertise that nurses bring to healthcare every day.”

As �Ӱ�ԭ��’s nursing program continues to grow, Manley remains focused on the future and the role the university can play in addressing healthcare challenges both locally and beyond.

“�Ӱ�ԭ�� is uniquely positioned as a collaborative, community-focused, and innovative institution,” she said. “Those ingredients allow us to build programs that respond quickly and meaningfully to regional, provincial, and national needs.”

For Manley, the Forty Under 40 Award is less a culmination than a milestone in a much larger journey—one focused on expanding opportunities for students, advancing the nursing profession, and helping shape the future of healthcare.

“There is lots more to come.”