I worked for the Resort Municipality of Whistler for 27 years, the last 16 as the Environmental Stewardship Manager. This was more than a job for me…it allowed me to express my core values of doing what I can to protect the natural environment and contributing to my community. I have a Masters in Environment and Management from Royal Roads University where my thesis topic was methods for improving riparian protection in the RMOW. During my time at the RMOW, I collaborated with AWARE on a number of projects including the Big Moves climate strategy communications, Project Now, and funding school programs. I also funded the Sea to Sky Invasive Species Council’s work in Whistler, plus undertook numerous projects to protect natural areas and understand our ecosystems better. I am a 40 year resident of Whistler and actually was an active member of AWARE in its early days by writing articles for the newspaper. Whistler is my home and I love it here. I want to continue to engage in work to protect the natural environment and AWARE’s mandate and on-the-ground engagement align with my personal goals and approach.

I am particularly interested in the climate action file and how to motivate citizens to take action. I loved working with the Whistler High School students as a mentor for Project Now and would like to continue with that. More broadly, I believe that my time spent working in local government and with provincial agencies has given me insight that will help AWARE lobby more effectively and understand where to most effectively insert itself for change in government processes. For disclosure purposes, I am currently the Executive Director of the Cheakamus Community Forest and will abide by the conflict of interest policy in any matters related to forestry or the CCF.