After completing her medical degree at McMaster University, Dr. Nutt was recruited to work for UNICEF in Somalia shortly after a famine had left 300,000 dead. The overwhelming suffering she witnessed changed her life and strengthened her resolve to do everything in her power to help those in need. It was there that she realized how critical it was to pair emergency relief with long-term, sustainable community rebuilding efforts. This realization was the catalyst for founding War Child Canada in 1999, followed by War Child USA, to not only provide immediate care but also to create systemic change through education, justice, and opportunity programs.

Under Dr. Nutt’s leadership, War Child grew from a small Canadian charity into an internationally recognized organization operating in multiple conflict-affected countries. The programs she pioneered have reached hundreds of thousands of children and families, providing education, vocational training, psychosocial support and legal protection while focusing on amplifying local voices and leadership. By prioritizing community-driven solutions, Dr. Nutt has ensured that War Child’s programs are culturally relevant, sustainable, and adaptable to the ever-changing dynamics of conflict zones.

Dr. Nutt is an influential global advocate for peace, human rights and social justice. Through her written work and speaking engagements, she has become a leading voice in discussions about the human cost of war, gender inequality, and the responsibilities of the global community in addressing these challenges. Her bestselling book, Damned Nations: Greed, Guns, Armies and Aid, examines the complexities of the international humanitarian system, calling for a more accountable, compassionate, and effective response to global crises. A frequent contributor to national and international media, Dr. Nutt has appeared on major news networks and shared the stage with world leaders, activists and youth advocates. Her insights bridge policy and practice, showing that sustainable peace requires investment in people, especially women and children.

Dr. Nutt graduated summa cum laude from McMaster University, earned an M.Sc in Public Health with distinction from the London School of Hygine and Tropical Medicine (University of London) and holds a Fellowship in Community Medicine (FRCPC) from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. She is also certified by the College of Family Practice and completed a sub specialization in women’s health through the University of Toronto as a Women’s Health Scholar. Dr. Nutt is the recipient of numerous honorary doctorates from universities in the Canada and the U.S.A. She is a staff physician at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto and an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto.

Today, Dr. Nutt remains at the forefront of global humanitarian efforts, leading with unwavering empathy, strategic insight, and evidence-based solutions. Through her leadership at War Child and her relentless advocacy, she proves that, even amidst the horrors of conflict, there is always room for resilience, hope, and the transformative power of human dignity.