Board of Directors

I retired after having a dental practice in Cambridge for over 40 years. 

Looking for some effort to volunteer with, I joined a grassroots organization and that led me to become involved with the affordable housing and homelessness sector.  I started to meet a whole new group, for me, of wonderful people working to improve a segment of the population that themselves have their own stories.  When asked to become a board member of Cambridge Shelter Corporation I was thrilled to be a part of a wonderful organization doing great innovative things. 

Working in healthcare, I see daily the impacts of homelessness and precarious housing on physical and mental health and well-being.  Most people are much closer to homelessness than they realize due to job loss, relationship breakdowns, illness, or any other significant life situation.  We all need to work together to support people going through life’s big challenges, make sure there is a safe place for everyone, and care for our most vulnerable people. 

I am a professor in the Department of Criminology at Wilfrid Laurier University.  I have been doing research on homelessness for over a decade, focusing on how to create meaningful inclusion for people who have experienced homelessness, with the ultimate aim of preventing and ending homelessness in Canada.  I am excited to be on the Board of Director for Cambridge Shelter Corporation and be part of Cambridge’s journey to building a strong community for all.  

I am a young lawyer in Cambridge practicing in the area of civil litigation. I joined the Board of Directors in 2024. Legally, housing is common ground between the province, the municipality, and the federal government. This means it is often considered someone else's problem. Housing in Ontario has a growing and inflexible cost that makes most of us in Cambridge unprepared to deal with an unexpected expense. I believe we all deserve to be part of a community that is committed to ending housing insecurity in all its forms. The Cambridge Shelter Corporation addresses this common issue where it hits hardest in our community. I look forward to building up the relationships that meet this need. 

I am deeply committed to supporting individuals experiencing homelessness, and I am honored to serve on the Board of Governors for the Cambridge Shelter Corporation. I am currently pursuing a degree in Social Development Studies at the University of Waterloo, where I also work as the Administrative Officer in the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Anti-Racism (EDI-R) Office. My role in the EDI-R Office allows me to contribute to meaningful initiatives that promote inclusivity and equity on campus. Additionally, I teach healthcare administration at Conestoga College, where I share my knowledge and passion for creating positive change in the healthcare field. My experience in education, EDI, and community service drives my dedication to making a difference in my community, helping to support the lives of those who need it most. 

I have a lot of lived experience when it comes to the challenges of precarious work and raising a family.  I am passionate about advocating for those who struggle due to inadequate income and services.  In 2018 I took my first step into politics and remain active in the riding of Cambridge for the NDP.  I am a founding member of Rhythm and Blues Cambridge, working with community partners to create opportunities for our BIR communities, and I continue to be engaged in my community.  I currently serve on the boards of the Cambridge Shelter Corporation and ACCKWA. Today, I am employed as a Family Outreach Worker with the House of Friendship in Cambridge. 

I have worked as a health executive across the health care system, beginning at London Health Sciences Centre and working in acute, long-term care and home/community care over three decades.  I’ve also worked in patient services at St. Mary’s Hospital in Kitchener and Cambridge Memorial Hospital.  While working at the Ministry of Health (Hospital Branch), I received an Achievement, Commitment, & Excellence Award for my work during the 2003 SARS public health emergency.  I hold a Master of Heath Services Administration and a Master of Science in quality improvement and patient safety  I’m currently a member of Rotary and attend St. Clement’s Parish in Cambridge.  My interest lies in using research and evidence to address homelessness, provide housing and build wrap-around supports that house people first and, with kindness and empathy, address underlying social issues to support people to be as independent as possible.