BACKGROUND
WORK
My job history reflects my ability to take
on a leadership role, assume responsibility, and to work with creativity and
flexibility. I have strong communication, organization and business skills.
1998-2011 Spring Health Foods – Business
Owner
I owned and ran a health food store in
Invermere for 12 years. The business continues to thrive today under new
ownership. I understand the challenges and rewards of running a business, and
appreciate the pivotal role small business plays in a healthy community.
2008 – 2014 District of Invermere – Town
Councilor
I served as councilor for the District of
Invermere from November 2008 to November 2014. During those years, I was
well-supported by the electorate. I have a solid understanding of many of the
issues and concerns important in our region, and a working relationship with
key decision makers. During my terms on council, I was particularly concerned
with community sustainability, the environment, equality and inclusion, and
accountability. I was closely involved in the development of Invermere’s
Integrated Community Sustainability Plan, and then its integration with the
Official Community Plan. In addition, I served as chair of Integrated Community
Sustainability Plan Implementation Committee and the Fire Department Liaison
Committee.
2013 – 2016 Evolve Fine Used Furniture –
Business Partner
I am partner in a used furniture business,
where I assist in marketing, bookkeeping and technology. We source and up-cycle
or restore quality used furniture to re-sell. Our goal is to divert ‘waste’
which may otherwise end up in the landfill, and provide a creative, affordable,
renewable option for furniture seekers.
EDUCATION
I believe education is an enjoyable,
enriching, life-long process of learning and growing. It is also my belief that
continuous learning maintains an open, dynamic mindset – an asset in the sometimes-stagnant
world of politics and bureaucracy. Throughout my life, I have taken many
opportunities to expand my knowledge, some formal, and some informal. I have
participated in continuing education courses, online learning, workshops,
lectures, and self-directed learning. I am an avid reader.
Sept 2014 – Present Athabasca
University
I am currently enrolled in the 4 year
Bachelor of Arts in English through Athabasca University, an online institute.
I am approximately halfway through the program. Athabasca University programs
are designed to accommodate mature students who are in the workforce. I look
forward to continuing with my education, even if it is one course at a time.
2013 University
of Toronto Continuing Education
Completed four Creative Writing courses.
1997 University
of Saskatchewan
Horticulture Certificate Distance Learning
program
COMMUNITY
I look for opportunities to contribute to
my community on a volunteer basis. I have been involved in numerous efforts, in
varying capacities. I enjoy the chance to network with like-minded people,
while putting my skills to work.
Access in the Community for Equality
From 2007 to 2014 I was chair of Access in
the Community for Equality (A.C.E.), a non-profit group advocating for improved
accessibility and inclusion in the Columbia Valley. During that time, A.C.E.
completed several accessibility assessments to benefit local decision makers,
procured and donated adaptive equipment to the community, hosted Rick Hansen’s
25th anniversary celebration in Invermere, and supported work to
improve access in the community.
Slow Food Columbia Valley
In 2014, I was honoured to travel to Turin,
Italy, to represent the Columbia Valley at Terra Madre, an international
gathering of Slow Food proponents. The Slow Food movement encourages local
economies based on food production, democratic access to good food, and the
protection of traditional and indigenous food sources. Recently, I was a member of the team that
planned and hosted the Slow Food Canada Summit for 2016 - an extremely
successful event that highlighted the food culture of the Columbia Valley to
delegates from across Canada, the United States, and Italy.
My interest in healthy, nutritious, organic
food has been a life-long pursuit. I believe that food security is an
increasingly important consideration as our region moves towards a greener
economy. Local and regional small-scale agriculture will help our communities
provide meaningful work for our citizens, better nutrition for our population,
and increased self-sufficiency for our communities. The Slow Food Movement is
one important way to support these ideas.
In Addition...
I have also participated in numerous
advisory panels and ad-hoc community groups.
They include:
·
East Kootenay Humanity Network
since its inception in 2011, by assisting in planning and hosting events,
participating in round-table discussions, and promoting the network in our
region. In 2013 EKHN hosted internationally known anthropologist, author and
speaker Wade Davis. The East Kootenay Humanity Network is a group of
organizations in the East Kootenay interested in working together to promote
ideas of inclusion, acceptance, and human rights.
·
Columbia Valley Community
Foundation’s Vital Signs project advisory panel. Vital Signs is a current project
to gather information about the quality of life in the Columbia Valley – its
strengths, and where it needs to be improved. The results will be compiled and
shared with decision-makers and funders, to help inform their processes. The
advisory panel provides input and guidance to the project’s coordinator, based
on our knowledge of, and experience in, the community.