About Me

I have had the pleasure of living in Oak Bay for 33 years. My journey here has been an interesting one.

I was born in Sunderland, County Durham, England in 1959 and immigrated to Calgary in 1966 with my parents and 6 siblings (in 2017 I found out I had a seventh sibling which is a whole other story!). While in Calgary, I earned a Diploma in Geophysics from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, met my future husband Rod while studying at the University of Calgary, and worked in the “oil patch” as a junior geophysicist.

Rod and I were married in 1985 and in 1987 I took a one-year Mathematics Instructor position teaching undergraduates at the University of Lae, in Papua New Guinea (Rod taught computer science and accounting). After some additional time travelling in South East Asia we came to Victoria in 1988 and fell in love with the quality of life here. I took a position as a Senior Learning Specialist at Coast Capital Savings for 20 years and, in 2016 I joined United Way Greater Victoria as the Director, Community Campaign. Rod has recently retired from his role as COO/CFO at Victoria Hospice.

We have a daughter Lauren, who is 32 and attended Willows Elementary and Oak Bay High School.  She then went to the University of Waterloo where she received a Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology, a Master's of Accountancy, and a Chartered Accountant designation. Lauren currently lives in Squamish and comes back to Victoria every chance she gets.

Oak Bay Council - 2008 to 2011, 2014 - present

I feel honoured to have served as an Oak Bay Councillor for four terms - from 2005 to 2011 and 2014 - 2022.  In 2011 I ran for Mayor in what was one of the closest contests in the CRD. I was re-elected to council in 2014 and I am seen as a sound decision maker, a hard worker and a good listener – all attributes I will bring to the table again if re-elected.

DUTIES AND APPOINTMENTS WHILE ON OAK BAY COUNCIL:

• Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission Liaison

• Oak Bay Parcel Tax Roll Review Panel

• Oak Bay Receptions

• Oak Bay Tourism Committee Liaison - Alternate

• Business Liaison – Alternate

• Capital Regional District Inter-Municipal Climate Action Steering Committee

• Community Initiatives Committee

• Royal McPherson Liaison

• Receptions and Public Information

• Recreation Section

• Oak Bay Child & Youth Committee

• Oak Bay High School Re-Development Committee

• Finance, Regulatory, Community Service & Personnel Policy Section

• Provincial Court - Family Court Committee

VOLUNTEER BACKGROUND

• Director, AVICC (Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities)

• Vice-Chair, Kiwanis Pavilion

• Director, Oak Bay Tea Party Society

• Chair, Young Exceptional Star (YES) Awards

• Kiwanis Tea Room

• Sovereign Order of St. John, Victoria Commandery

• Oak Bay High School Fundraising Committee

• Monopoly Affair (BC Cancer Society)

• Oak Bay Community Initiatives Committee

• Chair, Leaders Committee, Greater Victoria United Way

• Secretary, Oak Bay Tourism

• Director, BC Soccer Board (2008-2010)

• President, Bays United Soccer (2003 – 2008, on board from 2000)

• Vice-Chair Victoria Highlanders Supporters Board

• Vice-Chair, Simunye Canada Board (supporting youth soccer in Zimbabwe)

• President, Willows Elementary School PAC

• Leadership Presenter, Section Chair, Employee Campaign Chair, United Way

• BC Paraplegic Association (Monopoly Madness)

• FIFA Women’s World Championships, U21 Women’s Gold Cup, Men’s U17 Gold Cup

• Canadian Cancer Society

• BC Children’s Hospital

• Coast Capital Savings Foundation Director and Education Awards Committee

• Operation Trackshoes

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