Born in Prince George, raised in New Westminster Work in the City of Vancouver

I grew up in a very labour driven, grassroots activist family.  Taught at a young age that if you see something that you do not agree with you need to speak up -- otherwise you are considered in agreement. 

In my 20’s I ran for city council in the City of New Westminster.  Although unsuccessful I was appointed to the Family Court Committee and later to the Fraser Burrard Restorative Justice Society (Now called Communities Embracing Restorative Action - CERA). During this time, I gained a stronger understanding of how organizations work and the process for making collective changes. 

Shortly after being hired by the City of Vancouver in 2007, I started attending our general membership meetings.  Through the process of the meetings I began learning about our sectors; the different collective agreements, the funding of our members jobs, who the various employers are and the bargaining processes and how they affect your rights and benefits. The internal staffing vs. the national staffing.  Our rights under the CUPE constitution and our merger agreement.

During this time I also focused on my education, career and family.  I finished my degree while working for the City of Vancouver.  I worked as an Auxiliary Program Assistant II before being the successful candidate for a full-time Community Youth Worker. 

As an auxiliary I felt that I had to do my part for my union and began asking questions about becoming a shop steward.  It was not long before I was put into my first stewarding course and even shorter after this that I was working my first case.  Through training and mentoring I became a chief shop steward (2014-2018), which I stepped down from to go and support the United Way in work secondment. Now I continue to share my knowledge for the health and well being of our local.