Pickering has been home to my family since 1998, and I have lived in Ward 2 for more than 20 years. My husband, Kwesi, and I raised our two sons here. Like many residents, I want Pickering to remain a welcoming, affordable, and connected place to call home for years to come.
I have spent my career serving communities, managing complex responsibilities, and bringing people together to turn ideas into action.
As General Manager of Child, Youth and Family Development with the YMCA of Greater Toronto, I managed multi-million-dollar budgets and led programs and supports for children, youth and families across all municipalities in the Greater Toronto Area. This work required careful financial stewardship, strategic planning and strong relationships with municipalities, schools and community partners.
At the Durham District School Board, I served as Senior Manager of Early Years, Poverty Strategy and Partnership Development. My leadership included advancing the Board’s Poverty Strategy, supporting the implementation and rollout of Full Day Kindergarten, and helping grow childcare in DDSB schools from 11 programs to more than 230. These initiatives strengthened access to early learning and care and helped families connect with the supports they needed.
Today, I am the Executive Director of Ignite Durham Learning Foundation, a charity that removes poverty-related barriers so students can fully participate in their education. Every day, this work reinforces my understanding of the pressures families face and the importance of practical, coordinated community responses.
My governance experience includes serving as President of the College of Early Childhood Educators, working alongside government to support early learning and care across Ontario, and championing a workforce of 65,000 professionals. As Vice President of the Durham Children’s Aid Society Board of Directors, I have also contributed to governance, financial oversight, and leadership accountability.
Across these roles, I have developed and implemented strategic plans, aligned priorities with financial resources, overseen significant budgets and built partnerships that deliver results. I understand how to examine proposals, ask difficult questions and balance immediate needs with long-term responsibilities.
I am running because I care deeply about our community. Residents deserve to feel heard, understand how decisions are made and see their concerns reflected in the priorities of City Hall. I have always believed that if I want things to change, I must be willing to step forward and help lead that change.
As your Ward 2 City Councillor, I would bring proven leadership, independent judgment, financial discipline, and a collaborative approach. Above all, I would bring a clear commitment to listening, following through and putting people first.
