Our Partners
Collaboration is at the heart of what we do. The Centre for Best Practices is proud to partner with:
About Us
Our Role in Advocacy
Our work is grounded in:
Research and data analysis to understand issues at their root
Consultation with experts and stakeholders to explore solutions
Collaboration with non-profits, the business community, government, and those with lived experience
By integrating these elements, we create actionable policy recommendations that are both practical and impactful for short term and long-term implementation.
The Centre for Best Practices is dedicated to addressing systemic challenges from an upstream perspective, meaning we focus on preventing problems before they escalate.
Meet the Team
Executive Director
Amber Bishop
A native of Fredericton, Amber left her hometown—the city of stately elms—to pursue studies and a career in opera. This beautiful international journey was interrupted by the tragic events of 9/11, prompting her to return home and study Education at the University of New Brunswick. After 15 years as a music teacher and principal of K-12 schools, Amber was
seconded to the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, where she had the privilege of serving educators and students in the anglophone school system.
Currently, Amber is a doctoral student at the University of Western Ontario, focusing on the recruitment and retention of racialized educators. She also holds the role of Executive Director at the Centre for Best Practices, a new initiative within the Office of the New Brunswick Advocate. It is a tremendous honor for her to continue serving the people of New Brunswick while raising her beautiful daughter in the city she loves.
Research & Policy Analyst
Lesleigh Kraft
Born in Melbourne to American immigrants, Lesleigh used her native Hawaiʻian roots to swap hemispheres at 18, heading to the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Global chaos nudged her back to Australia, where she earned degrees in developmental psychology, science philosophy, and botany. A sharp left turn into marine biology led to a master’s, then research gigs on everything from invasive seaweed to malaria parasites to omega-3-packed algae.
In 2010, she landed in Fredericton for a PhD and stayed in the Maritimes. Along the way, Lesleigh’s worn many hats—non-profit worker, union exec, legal assistant, beer canning ops lead, and marine science researcher. Since 2023, she’s been bringing that eclectic energy to the NB Office of the Child, Youth & Seniors Advocate and the Centre for Best Practices as a research and policy analyst.
Our Purpose
Vision
A society where collaboration among governments, communities, organizations, and those with lived experience leads to policy solutions that improve the well-being of children, youth, and older adults.
Mission
To promote best practices and support the creation of effective policy solutions for children, youth, and older adults through research and community collaboration.
Values
Innovative thinking: We seek forward-thinking approaches to persistent challenges
Evidence- and rights-based decision-making: Our advocacy and recommendations are informed by the latest research and guided by a commitment to fundamental rights, ensuring fair and effective policies.
Collaboration and action: We engage a wide range of partners to translate research into real-world solutions, driving meaningful and lasting change for communities.
Our Strategic Plan is focused on four key pillars.
Advocacy and Outreach
Elevate voices of children, youth, and vulnerable populations by engaging key partners for policy change.
Research and Data-Driven Insights
Lead and support evidence- and rights-based research initiatives to drive informed policy development.
Multi-Sector
Collaboration
Strengthen multisector collaboration to address critical challenges and co-design solutions.
Knowledge
Transfer and Best
Practices
Establish a central hub for sharing research, promoting best practices, and fostering collective learning.