A resident of Elmira since 1974. My parents moved to Elmira during the build-out of "Birdland." I grew-up on Oriole Pkwy where my parents still reside. I had my first jobs here, went to school in Waterloo, started a business here, purchased my first and second home here and raised my own family here. I have generations of local experiences and connections that provide insight into the community.

I'm a business owner. I see and hear first hand how businesses are doing here and the challenges they face. A business start up is a challenge at the best of times. Finding creative solutions to the plethora of problems and turning them into opportunities is just day-to-day work.

Higher learning and self-taught. I spent five years at the University of Waterloo in English Literature. Most of my time was spent at Imprint, the university newspaper. I learned all facets of newspaper design, production, photography and writing. I mentored new recruits and took on a leadership role voted in as President of the Board.

Finding an audience Founding a weekly newspaper and delivering quality story-telling week-after-week is no easy feat. Speaking to an audience for the past twenty-six years and telling the communities stories has been an honour. You can learn so much from the pages of a newspaper about the people that reside here.

On the job for eight years. I was first elected in 2014 from a pool of six candidates. I was re-elected in 2018. I have been a very active and engaged Councillor and have responded to hundreds of requests from residents. I have written thousands of emails and have read and responded to countless staff reports.

Working Together I've had board experience since I was 20 and first elected to the board of Imprint. I was elected president the following year. From 2015-2017, I was the first professional voting board member of Imprint. I served on the board of the Ontario Municipal Water Association (OMWA) from 2016-2019. I continue to sit on the Woolwich Healthy Communities board since 2014.

Taking a leadership role. I am the chair of the Heritage Committee starting in 2020. I chaired a task force with resident and staff to look at efficiencies at the WMC. I have participated in numerous Waterloo Region reconstruction project team meetings. I have participated the last couple of years in resident and industry mediation meetings.

My job is to represent residents here. I know the job and my role within the system of local government. I know how the municipality functions and work with staff to bring actionable benefits for the community to Council. Residents have depended on me to be their voice at local government for eight years.