A Registered Nurse, Sandy graduated from Sick Kids in 1970. After focusing for a few years on neurosurgery and neo natal intensive care, she worked in Psychiatry at St. Joes. In 1980, Sandy began at Canadian Mental Health Association/Peel. Prior to becoming CEO, she obtained her Voluntary Sector Management Certificate from the Schulich School of Business.
Volunteer commitments have included the United Way of Peel, City of Mississauga Governance Committee, Oomama, (Stephen Lewis Foundation), Grandmothers Advocacy Network, and The Crossland Environmental Foundation.