A lifelong commitment to Toronto
I've spent most of my life working, volunteering, and organizing to make Toronto a better place to live.
For more than 20 years, improving our city has been a constant in my life, shaping everything from my education and career to how I spend my free time.
I grew up in Etobicoke and graduated from McGill University, where I studied Urban Systems and Sociology. My education brought together the social determinants of health, urban planning, architecture, and geography. Together, I studied how the places we build, the way we move around, and the economic and social conditions we live in shape our health, opportunities, and quality of life.
Building cities for people
For the past 16 years, I've put this knowledge into practice, working with all three levels of government, residents, planners, and decision-makers on major housing, transportation, and public space projects that are transforming Toronto. Throughout, my work has focused on helping communities navigate change and ensuring the people affected by these decisions have a meaningful voice in shaping them.
Some of that work has been on an enormous scale. At Waterfront Toronto, I helped engage communities in some of the most ambitious city-building efforts in Toronto's history: transforming former industrial lands into new neighbourhoods, parks and public spaces, and reconnecting our waterfront with the rest of the city. That included working with the TTC on early planning for the Waterfront East LRT, an important part of connecting these new communities to the wider city.
And I've brought that same commitment to work right here in Etobicoke Centre. In Councillor John Campbell's office, I helped residents navigate City Hall and worked on neighbourhood improvements, including the implementation of three Vision Zero school safety zones, the renewal of Rosethorn Park, and early planning for the Central Etobicoke Community Hub. I also worked alongside Metrolinx on the community working group for the Eglinton West LRT extension, ensuring residents' concerns and priorities were heard and reflected in the plans as they developed.
A passion beyond my career
My commitment to this work has never been limited to my career.
I've worked with Park People, conducting research to support TOcore, Toronto's 25-year downtown plan. I've also organized local community environmental cleanups, and helped deliver WalkShop programming for Jane's Walk, encouraging people to lead neighbourhood walks, connect with their neighbours, and learn more about the places they live.
I founded the Toronto Boulder Park Initiative to advocate for bringing climbing into Toronto's public recreation spaces. I've been on both sides of the public engagement process, and I know firsthand how much it matters for residents to feel heard and have a real opportunity to influence decisions about their city.
And here in Etobicoke Centre, I've worked on active transportation initiatives to make walking and cycling safer for children getting to school, giving families more safe and viable alternatives to driving.
I've also spent years volunteering on municipal election campaigns, supporting candidates whose vision for Toronto I believed in.
And when I'm not doing any of this, I'm reading about cities, following urban planning and transit projects, and learning from what's happening in other cities around the world — including through my urbanist book club!
Bringing that experience home again
I've spent my life paying attention to how our city works. I notice the little things that make a neighbourhood great, the things that aren't working, and the opportunities to make everyday life better.
I know what's possible for Etobicoke Centre, and I'm ready to get to work.