Larissa Smit

Senior Director, Strategy and Innovation @Safehaven

Toronto, ON, CA

Lead high-impact strategic initiatives that have fundamentally shaped the organization’s growth, visibility, and influence in Ontario’s healthcare and community services sectors. Over the past 3.5 years, I have played a central role in securing transformative investments and elevating Safehaven’s profile as a trusted provider of care for individuals with medical complexities.Most notably, my leadership and advocacy efforts were instrumental in securing two major government funding commitments:$12 million in the 2023 Ontario Provincial Budget, and $21 million in the 2025 Ontario Provincial Budget, bringing in a total of $33 million in new public funding for Safehaven.These wins reflect a combination of policy insight, stakeholder engagement, and strategic communications, all driven by a deep understanding of the health and social care landscape and a proven ability to influence at the highest levels of government.In addition to public funding success, I directed a high-impact creative campaign in 2024, surpassing all KPIs with 64M impressions, significantly elevating brand recognition and sector awareness. I have also led organization-wide communications, government relations, strategic planning, and capital development efforts. This includes driving the vision for Safehaven’s Bloor Street Redevelopment Project, positioning the organization as a leader in the developmental services sector.

Brock University

Honours BA, Political Science (Public Administration)

Leiden University

Political Science, Public Administration

Ivey Business School at Western University

Executive MBA