Stratford has been my home for more than 25 years, and my commitment to this city is deeply personal. In 1999, I chose Stratford as the place where I wanted to raise my family and build my small business. Since then, I have been proud to call this community home. Over the years, I have been actively involved in our community as a volunteer in many different capacities. In 2018, I stepped into public service as a Stratford City Councillor. I entered municipal politics because I believe government can be responsive, accountable, and work for everyone — supporting our safety, well-being, and quality of life.

During my eight years on Council, I have made it my mission to show up, do the work, listen to residents, engage with our community, and focus on delivering real results. As Mayor, I will continue that work with inclusive, transparent, and engaged leadership. I will focus on a few clear priorities, strengthen management and communication, and work to deliver visible improvements for the people of Stratford.

​

In my career, I’ve been a successful entrepreneur for over 30 years, and I have a deep understanding of the challenges and rewards that small businesses face. That translates into having a perspective that combines a day-to-day, real-world understanding of entrepreneurship with insight into ways that local governments and economic development organizations can provide support to local businesses. I've also worked alongside many local small businesses and organizations, especially in the arts and culture sector. 

 

At home, I'm the parent of three young adults who are making their way through university and into the world of adulthood. My kids attended Bedford Public School, Anne Hathaway Public School, Central Elementary and Secondary Schools, and Stratford District Secondary School. I was actively involved in the Parent Councils of these schools, with a focus on safe and active transportation and limiting screen use in the classroom. Currently, I'm getting real life, up-close experience with the challenges around housing and affordability for young people today. It's not an easy world for them and it's important to me that we have a community that supports and nurtures the next generation(s). I'm also the daughter of parents who are enjoying retirement locally, but also are facing the challenges of aging at home.

​

Community service has been central to my life here in Stratford. Over the years I have volunteered with numerous local organizations, including serving as a Board Member for Here For Now Theatre, Foundation for Education Perth Huron, Cycle Stratford, and Doors Open Stratford. I've volunteered for the Stratford BIA, Community Meal programs, The Local Community Food Centre, StopVAW Perth County, Soup's On Green Team and To Stratford with Love Christmas dinner. I've been the Captain of the Stratford Snow Striders, a Coldest Night of the Year team, for the past 5 years. Before becoming a City Councillor I also successfully delegated to the City for safer routes to school and eliminating the use of pesticides in public places where children and adults play. My community involvement has been recognized through nominations for Stratford's Optimism Place’s Woman of the Year Award in 2016 for Arts and Culture and, in 2020, and receiving their Allyship & Advocacy Woman of the Year Award for my work addressing anti-Black racism in our community.

​

In 2016, I completed a Master of Arts in Communication Studies at Wilfrid Laurier University, specializing in political communication. My thesis examined Canadian women in politics and their use of social media, and my research was published in 2017. Spending time learning, expanding my perspective and building on my communication skills has proven to be incredibly valuable in my work on City Council. I believe that building strong communication is vital for our municipality, and I'm confident that I have the skills to deliver consistent, understandable and reliable communication to the City of Stratford.​

​

Elected to Stratford City Council in 2018, I have served on all five of Stratford's Council Committees, and have leadership roles on the Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Committee (Chair, Vice Chair) and Planning and Heritage Committee (Vice-Chair), Chair for the Energy & Environment, and Active Transportation Advisory Committees and Chair of the MAT Ad Hoc Committee. I also serve as a Council representative Board trustee of the Downtown BIA, Gallery Stratford, and the Stratford Public Library. This experience has given me insight and an in-depth understanding of the services the City provides, what these services cost, and what is needed to create more efficient and effective municipal services.

 

Since 2020 I've been actively involved with Climate Caucus, a non-partisan Canadian non-profit supporting local elected leaders to advance climate policy and community resilience. I've been a member of Women of Ontario Say No since 2022, advocating to hold municipal elected leaders accountable for their behaviour in the workplace. I've also worked hard to build relationships with provincial and federal ministers and elected officials to ensure that Stratford's priorities and needs with upper levels of government. This advocacy and the relationships I've built position me well to advance the City of  Stratford's interests.

​

As a City Councillor, I have worked hard to make positive change. I helped to develop Stratford’s Transportation Master Plan with a focus on improving active transportation. I proposed and successfully championed the initiation of the City’s green bin program in 2019. I supported the declaration of a climate emergency in 2020 and helped to set carbon reduction targets and hire dedicated climate management staff. I initiated the Community Equity Action Team, a citizen's advisory team that worked with the Stratford Police Service. I supported and advocated for GO Transit service for Stratford, and for the development of PC Connect.

 

More recently, I advocated for a Recreation Master Plan and a new downtown parking study, since both will provide critical data for making informed decisions about the Grand Trunk development project. My motion in the fall of 2025 brought about the reinstatement of our Housing and Homelessness Task Force and adding some additional community groups to that task force. This subsequently led to the opening of an overnight warming centre to support those struggling with housing and other challenges.

​

I am a practical, thoughtful and forward-thinking leader. Throughout my time on Council, I have focused on collaboration, community engagement, and building strong partnerships to help Stratford take important steps forward. I am ready to bring that experience, education, and commitment to the role of Mayor. I am running because I care deeply about this community and believe in its future.

​

I believe Stratford has enormous potential. With focused leadership, strong management, and a commitment to working together, we can turn today’s challenges into real momentum and build a stronger, more inclusive future for our city.​