Born and raised in Minnedosa, Manitoba, she started her health care career in Winnipeg as a staff nurse at the Health Sciences Centre and went on to hold various nursing, nurse leadership and healthcare management roles in Winnipeg and rural Manitoba. Prior to joining the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority in the spring of 2010, Arlene served in various positions with the Provincial Department of Health and Healthy Living, including Deputy Minister of Health for the Province of Manitoba. She has and continues to bring her insight and perspective as a nurse to each of her leadership roles and into the day-to-day decisions of the health system in Winnipeg.