MY EXPERIENCE
PLANNER
July 2022 - present
Township of Esquimalt. I am responsible for processing applications and preparing reports for Official Community Plan amendments, rezonings, development permits, and development variance permits. With each application I undertake a thorough analysis and develop appropriate recommendations in my reports and presentations for various committees and Council. I use municipal maps and databases to answer enquiries, providing information related to: zoning and planning regulations, records, land use, Council policies, and design guidelines. I respond to the needs of my department and municipality by creating work plans, conducting research and compiling, analyzing and presenting information. I contribute to planning policy review and development such as Esquimalt's Official Community Plan.
PLANNING CONSULTANT
2022
LevelUP Planning Collaborative. Supported work on Metro Vancouver’s “Social Equity in Planning” spatial analysis case studies project for their regional growth strategy. 6 month contract.
PLANNING STUDENT
January - April 2022
Urban Systems is an interdisciplinary community consulting firm committed to supporting vibrant communities. I provided planning, research, policy development and engagement support for infrastructure development processes and community planning projects across Vancouver Island.
PLANNING RESEARCHER
October 2020 - April 2022
The Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Research Institute (MABRRI) is a centre for collaborative research, innovation, and knowledge sharing that elevates the relationship between people and nature on Vancouver Island. On the planning team I contributed to a broad range of activities for an Official Community Plan for a village on Vancouver Island and worked with teams across Canada to develop Impact Assessment tools for housing projects within the groundbreaking Indigenous Housing Innovation Initiative. Most notably, I led Port Alberni's Uptown neighbourhood revitalization strategy which builds upon best practices and community engagement sessions to find strategies for poverty reduction, crime prevention, and social and economic development. This project was the recipient of the Planning Institute of BC's Gold Award for Excellence in Planning, small towns and rural areas category.
RESEARCH COORDINATOR
December 2019 - September 2020
Community Social Planning Council of Greater Victoria
Coordinator for interdisciplinary, community-based projects on climate justice, gender equity, transportation, green economy and accessibility. Facilities Coordinator and Project Assistant for the Capital Regional District's Point in Time Homelessness and Housing Needs Count 2020.
INCLUSION FACILITATOR
September 2015 - August 2019
The BC Initiative for Inclusive Post Secondary Education
Over four years I worked to build the capacity of the campus community to include students with developmental disabilities as valued individuals in ways which were natural and typical to the university experience. I created plans and strategies to ensure inclusion and accessibility for students within multiple contexts on and off campus, including employment opportunities.
EQUITY & OUTREACH COORDINATOR
2013 - 2014
Gender Studies Department, University of Victoria
Coordinated student-driven committee focused on building community in the Gender Studies department and through programs and events.
CITY CYCLING GUIDE
May 2015 - August 2015
Lead multi-level cycling tours focused on connecting travellers to the local history, culture and people of Victoria.
VOTING POLL CLERK
2019, 2020
Local polling station clerk for Federal and Provincial Elections, assisting voters to participate in the democratic process.
MY VOLUNTEER BACKGROUND
2020 - 2021
PLACE21 CONFERENCE AMBASSADOR
PLACE is a national planning and geography conference that takes place each fall. Every year, PLACE brings together like-minded students, professionals, and others across Canada to present research and discuss topics in geography and planning. As an Ambassador I promoted this event through my networks and social media channels to garner interest and attendees.
September 2020 - 2021
STREETLIFE & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEMBER
Fairfield Gonzales Community Association
The Committee fosters and supports the development and implementation of street, neighbourhood, and community-wide activities and initiatives that reflect the Fairfield-Gonzales Neighbourhood Association’s values and objectives. The objectives of the committee are to build and strengthen community through participatory, collaborative, and inclusive practices to bring about safe, sustainable, lively and resilient neighbourhoods.
2017 - 2018
SEXUAL ASSAULT RESPONSE TEAM
Victoria Sexual Assault Centre
On the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) I provided immediate emotional support and information to people of all genders, 13 years and older, who had been sexually assaulted within the past 7 days.
The Victoria Sexual Assault Centre is a feminist organization committed to ending sexualized violence through healing, education, and prevention. VSAC is dedicated to supporting women and all trans survivors of sexual assault and childhood sexual abuse, through advocacy, counselling, and empowerment.
2014 - 2016
PROGRAM ASSISTANT
Power to Be
Power To Be is a nonprofit organization that empowers people living with a barrier or disability to explore their limitless abilities through adventures rooted in nature.
January - September 2012
HYGIENE RESOURCES
Our Place
Our Place is an inner-city community centre serving vulnerable people in Greater Victoria’s. I maintained the shower schedule, cleanliness and personal care resources.
October 2012 - June 2013
MENTOR
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria
The Big Sisters mentoring program provides girls and young women with a role model to talk to and share the experiences of growing up with. Through regular outings, a relationship is developed between the mentor and the mentee, which is built on trust and common interests, and is supported by our experienced case-workers.
October 2012 - June 2013
REMEMBRANCE & ACTION ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN COMMITTEE MEMBER
December 6 is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women in Canada. Established in 1991 by the Parliament of Canada, this day marks the anniversary of the murders in 1989 of 14 young women at l'École Polytechnique de Montréal. They died because they were women. At UVic, a committee is formed each year to plan a campus-wide event.
CERTIFICATES & TRAINING
TCPS Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans Course on Research Ethics (TCPS 2: CORE) (2020)
Emergency First Aid & CPR (2019)
Bystander Intervention Training (2015)
Naloxone, Harm Reduction & Overdose Response (2018)
Food Safe (2018)
EVENTS & PARTICIPATION
February 2021
PANELIST AT THE COLLABORATIVE APPLIED RESEARCH ENGAGEMENT SYMPOSIUM
As a panelist I had the opportunity to share my experience as a student researcher at Vancouver Island University. It left me feeling excited and fortunate to be (virtually) surrounded by passionate individuals and thankful to funders for supporting our work!
April 2021
PRESENTER - ISLANDS TRUST PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY
Pecha Kucha style presentation on my thesis work “Public Space & The Participatory Process: Enabling Placemaking in BC cities”
October 2021
VOLUNTEER - BC REGIONAL COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY PLANNING CONFERENCE
Notetaker for events during the annual CCP conference.
October 2021
FACILITATOR - CITY OF NANAIMO
Facilitator for the Downtown Nanaimo Business Improvement Association's "Help Plan Downtown Event." This event was part of the strategic planning for the new Business Improvement Association.
PROJECTS & WORK SAMPLES
To provide a tangible showcase of my work, I’ve included some of my most recent projects. Take a moment to explore below, and reach out if you’re interested in learning more about what I have to offer.
VITAL PEOPLE: PROJECT AIMS TO HELP WOMEN SUCCEED IN GREEN ECONOMY
"Although we get lots of support locally, we still see barriers to women.” The goal is to advance gender equality by identifying current and future barriers to financial inclusion in the low carbon green economy. The final report will include levers for change, enabling the project to shift economic, political, and social power, toward increased equality.