About Me

I’m grateful to have served this last term as one of your city councillors and regional district directors.  I grew up in Nanaimo, and as a new dad, I am pleased to raise my son here.

I have an educational background in biology and ecology and have worked studying nature and the human impacts on it.   I am also a registered clinical counsellor with a master’s degree and have previously worked in this capacity at the Brannen Lake Correctional Institute.  Building a more environmentally sustainable and inclusive community is important to me.

In 2013, I started up a tree service company and have owned and operated it ever since.  Recently I have turned it into a worker-owned cooperative.  

Prior to my election to Nanaimo City Council in 2018, I was a Regional District advisory committee member and helped to develop our region’s new solid waste management plan.   We set ambitious targets for our community to reduce its waste.  Since then I have helped to implement this plan as Chair of the RDN Solid Waste Select Committee.   We are very close to implementing some “First in Canada programs” that could bring the highest waste diversion from landfill in the country.  

I have also served at the city, regional and provincial levels on several other committees involved with environmental stewardship, economic development, climate action, solid waste, parks and trails and transit.   My work as a Director-at-Large on the Union of BC municipalities, and as First Vice-President of the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities, has allowed me to advocate directly to the provincial government for housing and the proper resources to address homelessness and climate change in our community.

I believe that success comes by working cooperatively and positively to overcome challenges and accomplish shared goals.  Over the past several years I have spoken across the country and overseas to help municipalities achieve the important change that Nanaimo has pioneered.  As city councillor, I would like to continue the work of helping Nanaimo to be a leader in taking action on the issues that matter.