Brenda graduated from University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and later completed a diploma in Oncology nursing from Sheridan College. She has been a research coordinator since 1989. She participates in peer led outpatient support groups: both daytime and evening IBD support network meetings, the Pelvic Pouch Support group and the Crohn's Support Network. In 2022, she was the recipient of 2 Finkelstein Prize from the Crohns and Colitis Foundation of Canada for outstanding contributions to the field of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.