Miss Universe Canada

Naomi Colford


Hometown:
 Toronto, ON 

Occupation: Registered Nurse

 


sponsors
Family & Friends
Q&A

 

What are your interests and what do you enjoy doing the most?

I love living a healthy and active lifestyle. I enjoy attending fitness classes, with my current favourites being Pilates (especially hot mat and reformer classes) and HIIT training. This year, I also fell in love with running and completed my first half marathon this past May.

I enjoy baking and am especially known for my white chocolate Biscoff butter cookies. I love spending time outdoors, whether that involves going on hikes or relaxing at the beach. Spending quality time with my family, friends, and dogs is very important to me. I also enjoy travelling, exploring new places, and getting lost in a good book. In addition, I am passionate about volunteering and being an active member of my community.


List any special training you have had (music, art, drama, dance, etc.)

I grew up as a competitive dancer and trained from the age of 2 to 18. Throughout my competitive dance career, I was honoured to receive numerous awards and scholarships. Dance also provided me with incredible opportunities to perform and travel internationally, including to New York, Las Vegas, Paris, and Barcelona. I still have a deep love for dance, and enjoy taking a dance class whenever I have the opportunity!

In addition to dance, I have received vocal and acting training. I have participated in several theatre productions and also worked as a background actor in the recent A Very Jonas Christmas Movie featuring the Jonas Brothers.


In what sports, if any, have you participated?

Growing up, I was always eager to try new activities and challenge myself through sports. There are very few sports I haven’t explored! Over the years, I have participated in dance, cheerleading, figure skating, gymnastics, soccer, swimming, Taekwondo, and track and field. These experiences helped shape my discipline, confidence, teamwork, and determination from a young age.


Name one person, other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life. Why?

The person who has had the greatest influence on my life, aside from my parents, is my grandmother. As her only grandchild, we shared an incredibly special and meaningful bond, and I truly considered her to have been like a second parent in my life. She was a constant source of love, encouragement, and unwavering belief in me.

My Gram was a proud and dedicated nurse, and some of my most cherished childhood memories are of listening to her speak so passionately about her profession while exploring her nursing textbooks together. Her strength, compassion, and commitment to caring for others deeply inspired me and played a significant role in shaping my own aspiration to pursue a career in nursing.

Although she sadly passed away in 2022, I carry her with me every day in my heart. I continue to strive to embody the same compassion, excellence, and integrity that she exemplified as both a nurse and a person.


What is your proudest personal accomplishment (other than participating in this pageant)?

My proudest personal accomplishment, aside from participating in this pageant, was being honoured as my university class’s valedictorian.

This recognition represented far more than academic achievement for me; it reflected years of dedication, discipline, and perseverance while balancing a demanding academic journey with personal growth and responsibilities.

Being chosen as valedictorian was a deeply meaningful experience, as it gave me the opportunity to represent and speak on behalf of my graduating class. It allowed me to reflect on our shared journey and celebrate the resilience and achievements of my peers.

This accomplishment strengthened my confidence as a leader and reinforced my belief in the importance of hard work, humility, and perseverance in achieving meaningful goals.


What is the most interesting or unique thing that has ever happened to you and/or what is the most interesting thing about you?

While competing in only my second pageant, I unexpectedly had the great honour of being crowned Miss World Canada in 2019. I am also the only individual from my home province of Nova Scotia to have held this title. This experience gave me the incredible opportunity to represent Canada at Miss World in England.

During my three weeks at Miss World, I continued my nursing studies, and I am very grateful that my professors worked around my busy schedule to support me in pursuing both my academic and pageant dreams simultaneously. I was also honoured to place third overall in the talent competition, first place with my team in the sports challenge, and in the Top 20 for my Beauty with a Purpose project, Grow & Learn, which I developed to raise awareness of and help combat food insecurity.

Overall, it was an unforgettable experience that remains one of the most meaningful chapters of my life. I made lasting friendships with inspiring and ambitious women from around the world and gained memories that I will always cherish.

After a brief retirement from pageantry, I am extremely excited to return and compete in the incredible Miss Universe Canada pageant. It has always been a dream of mine to be part of this organization, and I cannot wait for pageant week!


What is your career ambition and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal?

My ultimate career ambition is to become a nursing professor. I am passionate about inspiring and igniting a love for the nursing profession in future nursing students, while also contributing to the Canadian health care system by helping to educate and prepare competent, compassionate nurses.

After completing my Bachelor of Science in Nursing, I recently finished my Master of Nursing (thesis-based) degree. During my Master’s studies, I actively pursued opportunities that aligned with my long-term goal. My thesis focused on improving adolescents’ comfort in accessing mental health services, reflecting my broader interest in youth mental health and health care accessibility.

In addition, I worked as a graduate research assistant, supporting my supervisor’s research focused on youth rights, and as a graduate teaching assistant for undergraduate nursing courses, where I assisted with delivering course content, providing student guidance, and evaluating assignments. In my clinical practice, I have also served as a preceptor, supporting the training and development of nursing students and newly hired nurses. I also created a YouTube channel to share tips for success for nursing students and new graduate nurses.

Moving forward, I plan to pursue a PhD in Nursing to further develop my expertise and ultimately achieve my goal of becoming a nursing professor.


What would be your “dream job” in life?

I absolutely love my current role as a pediatric and neonatal intensive care nurse. I have always had a passion for working with children and caring for others, and this profession allows me to combine both of those passions in a deeply meaningful way.

My ultimate dream job, aside from being Miss Universe Canada, would be to become a nursing professor. I would love the opportunity to support, inspire, and ignite a passion for the nursing profession in future nursing students. During my Master’s degree, I had the opportunity to work as a graduate teaching assistant for undergraduate nursing courses. This experience further confirmed my aspiration to pursue a PhD in nursing and one day become a professor, where I can continue to educate and empower the next generation of nurses.


Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was like.

I was raised on the beautiful island of Cape Breton. I had a wonderful childhood filled with many opportunities to explore the passions my heart desired, for which I will forever be grateful. Growing up, I always loved performing on stage, whether it was through dance, singing, or community theatre productions. Dance was my true passion, and it instilled in me many important values such as discipline, a strong work ethic, and confidence in myself.

My mother has always been my role model. She was the first to introduce me to the importance of volunteer work and community involvement. I have memories from a very early age of accompanying her to volunteer in our community. She volunteered weekly for years with an organization called “Heart Beats,” where she taught exercise classes to seniors with various cardiovascular conditions to support them in living active lifestyles and improving their heart health. Since this early introduction during childhood, I have continued to be actively involved in volunteering within my community in various ways, and I credit much of this value to my mother.


List any interesting or unusual jobs you may have had.

I have had the pleasure of having several fun and meaningful jobs, including teaching children’s dance, coaching children’s track and field, modelling, and working in a healthy food restaurant where I shared my passion for nutrition and fitness.

The most unique and memorable job I have had was being a radio station summer ambassador. In this role, I had my own on-air segment and my picture on the station’s summer cruiser, which I drove to local events to engage with the community and distribute promotional items. This experience gave me the opportunity to step outside my comfort zone and take part in many unforgettable moments. Some highlights included taking my first helicopter ride while filming a live segment from 3000 feet in the air, holding two massive snakes, and riding on the back of a police Sea-Doo. This role also provided me with the meaningful opportunity to attend Atlantic Burn Camp, a truly inspiring experience that supports children who have experienced burn injuries.


List any volunteering you have done.

Volunteering is a true passion of mine, and I am deeply committed to giving back to my community whenever I can. My volunteer experience includes helping prepare and serve breakfast through an elementary school breakfast program, supporting local food banks, and assisting with food donation drives. I have also volunteered at various charity runs and fundraising events that support important causes. Additionally, I volunteered at the women’s centre at my university, where I helped support the provision of a safe, accessible, and inclusive environment for self-identified women on campus. During university, I was also a member of the nursing society. Currently, I am a member of the policy committee at the Canadian Association of Nurses for the Environment.


What is your most unusual talent?

My most unusual talent is creating amazing travel itineraries! I absolutely love researching and pre-planning trips to make sure I experience everything a destination has to offer – from breathtaking scenic views and architecture to cultural experiences, local shops, and hidden food gems.

One of my favourite parts of travelling is discovering the places locals love most. No matter the destination, I could spend hours researching the culture, must-see spots, and the most authentic ways to experience a place. I genuinely enjoy curating thoughtful itineraries that balance adventure, culture, relaxation, and unforgettable experiences.

If you ask any of my friends or family, they would definitely say this unusual talent comes in handy and always helps create the most memorable vacations!

Where is the most interesting place you have been to?

Now that I have moved away from my beautiful home of Cape Breton Island, I have truly come to realize that the most extraordinary place I have ever been is Cape Breton itself. I feel incredibly fortunate to have grown up surrounded by its natural beauty, as there is truly nowhere else in the world like it. From the breathtaking views along the world-renowned Cabot Trail to its stunning coastline, Cape Breton offers a beauty that is difficult to put into words.

Beyond its landscapes, Cape Breton Island is also defined by its truly one-of-a-kind people. The people of Cape Breton are among the kindest and most hardworking individuals I have ever known. It is a place that leaves a lasting impression on everyone who experiences it, and it will always hold a special place in my heart as my home and the most beautiful place I have ever known.

What do you hope to be doing in ten years?

In ten years, I hope to be a nursing professor, inspiring the next generation of exceptional nurses and helping strengthen the Canadian health care system. I also hope to continue advocating for childhood poverty and furthering my research in adolescent mental health to improve the accessibility of, and comfort in accessing mental health resources.

Additionally, I hope to become a mother and raise children. I aim to continue striving to instill confidence in and motivate others to step outside their comfort zones and pursue their dreams. I also plan to remain an active volunteer and engaged member of my community, and to inspire others to do the same.


Is there anything you would like to add that we haven’t asked?

I would like to express my gratitude for the opportunity to be part of Miss Universe Canada. This experience represents so much more than a competition to me; it is an opportunity to grow, connect with others, and use my voice to create meaningful impact.

The cause I hope to bring greater awareness to is childhood poverty in Canada, an issue I have been passionate about advocating for over many years. Child poverty rates continue to rise, with approximately 1 in 10 children affected, and an estimated 2.5 million children living in food-insecure households across Canada.

As a pediatric registered nurse, I witness firsthand the profound impact poverty has on a child’s health and well-being. Beyond statistics, these are children I care for every day; children whose futures are shaped not only by medical needs, but also by access to basic resources, stability, and support. I see how deeply nutrition influences a child’s physical health, development, and emotional well-being, and it is difficult knowing that many children do not have consistent access to something as fundamental as healthy food.

This is why I have dedicated time beyond my clinical work to supporting this issue through volunteering at food banks, school breakfast programs, and community food drives.

For me, impact means using every opportunity I have, whether through health care, education, or potentially as Miss Universe Canada, to raise awareness and contribute to meaningful, lasting solutions. It is my hope to use this platform to advocate for lasting awareness and meaningful change so that every child has the opportunity to grow up healthy, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.