Linda Johnston, Professor and Dean at the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, has held critical leadership roles in advancing nursing education and building research capacity in neonatal and paediatric nursing. She has led the development of specialist education and training programs to advance the nursing workforce in Australasia, the Americas, Europe and Africa. She has published widely in relation to the physical, social and emotional outcomes for babies and families in the neonatal period and the impact of global health initiatives on improving neonatal care.