Dr Sharon Kaasalainen is a world-renowned leader in palliative long-term care. As a Professor and Gladys Sharpe Chair in Nursing, she has had a significant impact on quality care in long-term care. She is building capacity among a generation of health professionals and researchers to revolutionalize a person-centered approach to care for some of Canada’s most vulnerable citizens. Most notably, she created the Strengthening a Palliative Approach in Long Term Care program with national colleagues, which has garnered attention from governments across the country to inform long-term care policies, with many entrusting her with resources to implement this innovative approach.