About

Acknowledging the inherent and unearned privilege I hold as a cis-gender occupier on unceded territory, through the ongoing impacts of colonisation and imperialism, I acknowledge the responsibility that results from that privilege to advance justice and equity, and to stand with equity deserving groups who have experienced/are experiencing social exclusion. I heed the ongoing call to self-interrogation of my privilege, and have also had to “pick up” my power as a woman leader, and step into the vision of the future that is emerging.  

Based on what is now known as Vancouver Island, Canada, my passion for serving justice-seeking organisations takes me around the world.  Foundational to all my work is a sense of relational accountability to the people I work with, and to the lands themselves on which I serve.

I am honoured to have served the Cowichan Intercultural Society (Immigrant Welcome Centre of the Cowichan Valley) for over nine years as executive director, and at the helm of the staff team for the Canadian Refugee Sponsorship Agreement Holder Association, the umbrella association for refugee sponsoring organisations across Canada.

Among many challenges and successes at the Intercultural Society, I am proud to have led the acquisition and successful operation (for three years) of a significant social enterprise business, the acquisition of social purpose real estate, the development of trauma-informed licensed childcare, and the development of constituent-centred services and supports through gender+ based analysis.

Applying a human-rights and values-forward framework, I had the opportunity to serve as a member of the National Study Group on the Status of Women (Canadian Federation of University Women), the executive committee of the Vancouver Island Refugee Response Team, and on provincial and federal Migrant Worker advisory committees.

Volunteerism plays a central role in my life. I am a volunteer Board Director with Social Planning Cowichan, advancing poverty-reduction and reconciliation, and have volunteered in many roles including as a health & wellness coach for supporting wellbeing for people living with chronic conditions (Self Management BC), an Equity & Inclusion Task Force member (Resilience BC network), an Every Woman Treaty Working Group member, seeking to globally eradicate violence against women.

As a scholar-practioner holding the big-picture, while enacting practical change, fuels me.  I love coming alongside people in the change process through collaborative practices and liberating structures.

When I’m not working, you’ll find me out on the water, or on shore biking, reading, writing, dancing, or playing music.

Highlights:

• MA, Global Leadership at Royal Roads University (including Founder’s Award and Eve’s Global Learner Award)
• Led the Canadian Refugee Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAH) Association Navigation Unit, the national umbrella for SAHs across Canada, including during Operation Afghan Safety
• University of Oxford International Summer School in Forced Migration alumni
• Led the Cowichan Intercultural Society from a total operating budget of $400,000 in 2012 to $7 million in 2017 through social enterprise development
• Purchased two “social-purpose real estate” buildings on behalf of the Society, one to house operations and a 9-unit building for rental spaces for local counsellors, therapists, NGOs and other local service providers and social benefit businesses, as well as a revenue source for the Society.
• Created a Legacy Foundation to “preserve the fruits” of our hard won labour, and to set the Society up for future long term success, ensuring it can continue to deliver its important community services.
• Past Chair of the Standing Committee on Immigration to Northern, Rural and Remote Communities with Pathways to Prosperity
• Recipient of the Lieutenant Governor Award for Community Service 
• UBC Centre for Migration Studies Affiliate 
• 1000 Voices Fellow (prevention of Gender-Based Violence)
• Paddle Canada Level 1
• Day Skipper, RYA Certificate
• Presenter:
  • Metropolis Canada Conference: How to Leverage Innovation to Improve Private Refugee Sponsorship, Ottawa, Ontario, March 17, 2023
  • International Studies Association (ISA): Journey Mapping Refugee Agency & Autonomy, Montreal, Quebec, March 16, 2023
  • What the Pandemic Revealed About Migrant Workers: Good Enough To Work, Good Enough to Stay
    Pathways to Prosperity Conference, online
    October 2021
  • Private Sponsorship of Refugees: Canada’s Welcome
    International Migration and Global Justice Conference
    The Hague
    September 20, 2017
    Facilitated a tripartite panel with academia, government, and community-delivery perspective