SYSTEMS CHANGE
My equity-seeking work involves researching, speaking up, taking action, and working within existing systems to make them more fair and inclusive.
Master of Arts — Leadership
In January 2020, I graduated magna cum laude from the Master of Arts in Leadership program through the School of Leadership Studies at Royal Roads University in Victoria, BC. This blended program consisted of two years of interdisciplinary study, which culminated in a community-based research capstone. In each year, we students focused on relevant, real world problem-solving projects grounded in a rigorous theoretical understanding of the nature of today’s organizations and the changing role of leadership within them.
Women Disrupted
My master’s research captured the stories of women aged 40-64 who had their careers disrupted due to gendered ageism. The purpose of the research was to generate insights regarding how they responded to that disruption, and identify how a local economic development ecosystem could positively support women with resources and supports. I’m proud to have been partnered in this research with YWCA of Hamilton and its CEO at the time, Denise Christopherson.
WOSEN - Women of Ontario Social Enterprise Network
As an Entrepreneur-in-Residence, mentor, facilitator, and coach, through the Start, Grow and Investment Readiness programs the WOSEN project reached over 700 women and gender-nonbinary social entrepreneurs and people supporting them across 120 Ontario communities. Collectively those who were preparing for investment raised $8.5M across 16 founders.
ENTREPRENEURS & STARTUPS
I have been supporting entrepreneurs and technology startups as a mentor, coach, consultant, ecosystem builder, and a strategist for over 25 years.
Techstars Toronto Accelerator
Few accelerator programs globally have the reputation that Techstars does. It was an honour to be invited to be a mentor as part of the inaugural cohort & launch of the Toronto program, and work with startups building in a variety of verticals.
Rise & Elizabeth Fry Society Toronto
I am incredibly proud to have supported this entrepreneurship program for five cohorts, put on in partnership between Rise & the Elizabeth Fry Society Toronto, a joint initiative of the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). Women identifying entrepreneurs face undue barriers to entrepreneurial success, and programs like these help women that have interacted with the justice system build and realize the entrepreneurial ideas that helps them realize independence and financial security.
RH Accelerator & RHA Ventures
Housed in a beautifully revitalized train roundhouse in London, ON, this program incorporates mentors, programming and networking with investors. As a mentor, I am proud to have been part of its launch and inaugural mentorship program that focused on building in the 519 and amplifying the success of Southwestern Ontario companies.
COMMUNITY BUILDING
Building and enriching communities happens both offline and online. I envision, create, and engage with my community through action and volunteering.
Blind Eye Stratford
Inspired by TED Fellow Candy Chang, this project was presented at Ignite Waterloo and Ignite Stratford. Working with photographer Elizabeth Davidson, we looked at brown spaces in the city, and engaged in a dialogue with its citizens. The results were entertaining and informative.
Ignite Stratford
Inspired by the idea of “enlighten us, but make it quick,” I curated and produced two Ignite Stratford events in Stratford, Ontario. There’s way more than just the theatre in this beautiful city. Hear these incredible storytellers, and get inspired.
WCT London
I am very proud to have been an integral part of the Board that envisioned and re-launched the London, ON chapter of WCT, which reignited and revitalized its local presence, and led to national recognition.