I grew up on a dairy farm in Stirling, Ontario; my grandmother taught me how to bake, but it wasn’t until later in life that I realized the joy of sharing a meal creates a sense of community. I later moved to Toronto and graduated from Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts with a Musical Theatre diploma. I have over a decade of professional experience in the tourism and entertainment industries. I am an accomplished and personable Emcee skilled in networking and relationship building. My diverse knowledge comes from experiences such as working on the Disney Magic or teaching in Amman, Jordan.
I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Tourism Management with a minor in Adventure Studies at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, British Columbia. Since starting at TRU, I have gained a Tourism Management diploma, Global Competencies certification, and completed at Study Abroad Tourism Program in Samedan, Switzerland.
During my time at TRU, I have taken an interest in research, with involvement starting in the Research Coach Project with Robin Reid in my first semester. During that course, we had Nancy Duxbury as a guest lecturer speaking on the Creatour Project in Portgual; safe to say, it sparked my curiosity in research. Shortly after that, I continued as a work-study student in the Research Department under the leadership of Sukh Matonovich. My research journey only accelerated from there, with stops along the way, as a Research Assistant and Apprentice to Dr. Kellee Caton, Research Ambassador and Community-Engaged Research Fellow. My interests involve agritourism, nature and community-based development, connection to place, and food tourism, to name a few.
Coffee beans transform when under pressure or put in hot water, not crumble, and I like to use them as a reminder in my daily life. I take great pride in grabbing a local cup of coffee; it helps me find a sense of community wherever I end up. With my advanced networking abilities and my strategic and tenacious nature, I look forward to continuing to gain expertise as a cultural explorer.