Denise Paneduro, PhD

Denise Paneduro, PhD, is a faculty member at the University of Toronto, where she has held professorial appointments in psychology and public health. Her work focuses on developing and evaluating evidence-based, culturally responsive programs that support holistic well-being for individuals and communities navigating mental health challenges, addiction, and chronic physical illness.

Her scholarship examines how mindfulness can alleviate stress and pain while strengthening emotional regulation and resilience across the lifespan. She has led the development and evaluation of innovative mindfulness-based wellness initiatives, and cultivates partnerships across community, healthcare, educational, and workplace settings, with an emphasis on collaboration, compassion, and social impact. Her work has been supported by private foundations, including the Goodman Family Foundation and the Rasch Foundation, and by national competitive grants from agencies such as the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).

Deeply committed to mentorship, knowledge sharing, and community connection, Denise serves as Chair of Mindfulness Toronto, Canada’s first and largest professional mindfulness community network. In this role, she stewards the long-term vision and strategic development of the network, supporting innovation, collaboration, and the integration of contemplative science and professional practice in service of collective wisdom and well-being.