I’m your neighbour, a parent of three young adults, and a deeply involved member of the Oak Bay community. My path to running for office isn’t traditional, but it’s shaped by experiences and advocacy that speak directly to the work of local government.

My mother was an incredible role model. Watching her stand up for what she believed in, from an early age, pushed me to find my own voice — through activism, student government, and stepping outside my comfort zone.

After completing a Master's degree in Environmental Studies, I put my professional career on hold to support my husband's medical training and raise our children. Our family moved across the country for his residency, and along the way, I became involved in our schools and communities while managing the demands of family life. Raising young children in Hamilton, Ontario, without close relatives nearby, taught me something that’s stayed with me since: a neighbourhood can become a support system, and community-building is essential for joy, safety, and connection.

We moved back to Vancouver Island in 2011 with our three young children, then 9, 7, and 4 years old. We chose Oak Bay for its slower pace of life, easy access to schools and sports, walkable local shops and parks, and the natural beauty and ocean that surrounds it. Since then, I've come to deeply appreciate what makes this community special, while also thinking about how we can make it even stronger.

When I returned to the workforce in 2020, I recognized that my greatest passions were strengthening community and understanding how local government shapes that effort, and I set out to put my education in political science and environmental studies to work. I focused my energy on volunteer leadership, serving on Oak Bay's Parks, Recreation and Culture Advisory Committee, as well as other local initiatives and climate action efforts across the region. Along the way, I grew more engaged with the issues facing our community, from active transportation to housing affordability to reconciliation, and I paid close attention to how Oak Bay was responding. That work has given me a clear understanding of what's happening here and what it will take to make our community more livable for all residents.

These experiences, both personal and professional, continue to shape my understanding of the challenges facing young people, families, and seniors today and have strengthened my commitment to inclusive, thoughtful local government for all Oak Bay residents.