I am running for re-election to DNV Council so I can to continue to be a voice for everyone, from young families to aging seniors. I will support innovative housing solutions, increased transportation options, and creating an environment where small businesses can thrive. I will also work collaboratively across the North Shore to tackle our biggest challenges.
Every municipality in the Lower Mainland is facing similar challenges, largely related to increasing population, shifting demographics and aging infrastructure. I feel that my greatest strengths are my compassion for others, ability to listen, and my desire to connect with all types of people. I strive to ensure that everyone, residents and businesses, in our community feel heard and represented so that, together, we can work through the challenges we are facing.
I am particularly concerned about the ‘missing generation’, those between 20 and 40, who continue to leave the North Shore due to high housing costs. This has a negative impact on so many aspects of our community – it’s the number one issue for small businesses who struggle to find staff – and finding solutions must continue to be a priority. On the other end of the spectrum are seniors – a fast growing demographic – who want to stay in our community, but do not necessarily have the right type of housing or the services they will need into the future.
Local government has the greatest impact on our day-to-day lives. It’s important for Council to listen to the needs of the community by being extremely open and accessible, helping people at every opportunity, and being able to discuss, respectfully debate, and make decisions that are in the best interest of our community.
Throughout my time on Council I have enjoyed the opportunity to get to know my community on a whole other level, having served as the DNV Council representative on the North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, the DNV Library Board, as well as the Museum and Archives Commission. I also represented the DNV on the Metro Vancouver Industrial Lands Strategy Task Force.
Outside of Council, my “day job” is in advertising. My career in advertising sales started at the North Shore News, shortly after university, where I worked with a variety of North Shore businesses on their marketing campaigns. From community newspapers, I moved to broadcast media where I worked for 11 years as an account manager in radio and television advertising at Corus Entertainment (parent company to CKNW radio and Global Television), and I currently work for the Lamar Advertising Company in out-of-home transit advertising.
I have also had a passion for music and the arts my whole life, having sung in various choirs since I was five years old. I studied music education at UBC, completing my Bachelor of Music in 2007. While my entrepreneurial spirit has taken my career in a different path, I continue to have a passion for music and have been a member of the world renowned Chor Leoni Men’s Choir for over 14 years.
As much as I am passionate about the Arts, I also have a passion for active, healthy living and I am an avid cyclist and triathlete, having completed seven IRONMAN triathlons and over a dozen marathons.
My greatest strengths are my compassion for others and my ability to connect with all types of people. It is my passion for people and my community that allows me to be an effective voice for you on Council.
