EXECUTIVE PROFILE

I strengthen organizations by aligning governance, people, strategy, and purpose.

Throughout my career, I have helped organizations navigate complexity, strengthen governance, and build the capacity for long-term success. My experience spans executive leadership, finance, communications, higher education, research, and community development, providing a broad perspective on how organizations create lasting public value while remaining accountable to the people and communities they serve.

As Executive Director of the Canadian Mental Health Association of Northern BC, I provide executive leadership for a complex regional organization delivering integrated mental health, housing, employment, food security, and community services across one of British Columbia’s largest geographic regions. Working in partnership with the Board of Directors, I am responsible for organizational strategy, governance, financial stewardship, operations, human resources, enterprise risk management, and external partnerships. During my first year, I secured more than $500,000 in new funding while strengthening governance, advancing organizational sustainability, and positioning the organization for long-term growth.

My career brings together executive leadership, finance, communications, research, and social innovation, enabling me to lead organizations through growth, transformation, and change. Whether advising Boards of Directors, developing policy, building strategic partnerships, securing funding, or translating research into practical action, I focus on strengthening organizational capacity and creating sustainable outcomes.

I lead with curiosity, collaboration, and evidence-informed decision-making. I believe organizations are strongest when governance is clear, financial stewardship is sound, relationships are built on trust, and strategy is informed by evidence. By bringing these elements together, I help organizations strengthen performance, manage complexity, and deliver meaningful impact for the communities they serve.

LEADERSHIP APPROACH

I believe that strong organizations are built through sound governance, strategic leadership, and a culture of accountability. Executive leadership is about creating the conditions in which Boards, employees, partners, and communities can work together to achieve a shared purpose.

My leadership is grounded in stewardship. I work collaboratively with Boards of Directors to establish strategic priorities, strengthen governance, and ensure accountability while respecting the distinct roles of governance and management. I believe effective governance enables informed decision-making, responsible risk management, and long-term organizational sustainability.

I lead through systems thinking, recognizing that sustainable solutions require an understanding of the relationships between people, policy, finance, operations, and community. Rather than addressing challenges in isolation, I seek to understand the broader system, identify opportunities for improvement, and align organizational resources with strategic priorities.

Evidence-informed decision-making is central to my leadership. Drawing on experience in executive management, finance, communications, and research, I integrate quantitative analysis, stakeholder engagement, and lived experience to guide strategic decisions. This approach enables organizations to respond thoughtfully to change while remaining accountable to their mission.

Above all, I believe leadership is built on trust. Whether working with Boards, executive teams, governments, Indigenous communities, employees, funders, or community partners, I invest in relationships that strengthen collaboration, encourage innovation, and enable organizations to create lasting public value.

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

Executive Director

Canadian Mental Health Association of Northern BC | January 2024 – Present

Provide strategic and operational leadership for one of British Columbia’s largest regional community mental health organizations, delivering integrated mental health, addictions, housing, employment, food security, psychotherapy, and community services across Northern British Columbia. Accountable to the Board of Directors for organizational performance, governance, strategic planning, financial stewardship, human resources, enterprise risk management, and community partnerships. Lead a multidisciplinary team of more than 70 employees and volunteers while overseeing a multi-million-dollar operating budget and a diverse portfolio of provincially funded programs and social enterprises.

Executive Leadership

• Partner with the Board of Directors to translate strategic priorities into operational plans, performance measures, and organizational outcomes.
• Strengthen governance through Board development, policy modernization, enterprise risk management, and executive reporting.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and psychological safety.
• Build strategic relationships with Indigenous communities, municipal and provincial governments, health authorities, academic institutions, community organizations, and funding partners.

Financial Stewardship & Organizational Sustainability

• Direct financial planning, budget development, resource allocation, and long-term organizational sustainability for a complex, unionized nonprofit organization.
• Secured more than $500,000 in new funding during the first year of executive leadership through government, foundation, and community partnerships.
• Advanced a diversified funding strategy to strengthen organizational resilience and reduce dependence on single-source funding.
• Strengthened financial planning, reporting, and accountability processes to support informed executive and Board decision-making.

Operations & Organizational Performance

• Provide executive oversight for integrated mental health, addictions, housing, employment, food security, and psychotherapy programs across Northern British Columbia.
• Lead organizational change initiatives that improve service integration, operational effectiveness, and client outcomes.
• Oversee organizational risk management, quality improvement, policy implementation, and regulatory compliance.
• Guide senior leaders in workforce planning, performance management, succession planning, and organizational development.

Selected Executive Achievements

• Secured more than $500,000 in new funding to expand organizational capacity and long-term sustainability.
• Led the development of a comprehensive strategic planning process aligned with organizational priorities and community needs.
• Strengthened governance through enhanced Board engagement, policy development, and executive reporting.
• Expanded strategic partnerships with governments, Indigenous communities, health authorities, funders, and community organizations.
• Advanced research-informed approaches to organizational planning, program evaluation, and community engagement.

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

President & Principal

JAM Inc.

Provided strategic communications, organizational development, and stakeholder engagement services to nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, government agencies, and private sector clients. Partnered with executive leaders and Boards of Directors to strengthen organizational effectiveness, guide organizational change, and build public trust.

Selected Contributions

• Advised executive leaders on organizational strategy, stakeholder engagement, and change management.
• Developed communications strategies that strengthened organizational reputation and advanced strategic priorities.
• Facilitated consultation and engagement processes with governments, community organizations, and diverse stakeholder groups.
• Prepared executive communications, policy documents, strategic plans, and Board reports.
• Managed multiple client engagements while overseeing business development, financial management, and project delivery.

National Education Associate

Making the Shift (York University; Remote Contract)

Provided national leadership to advance knowledge mobilization and systems change initiatives addressing youth homelessness across Canada. Collaborated with researchers, governments, community organizations, and service providers to translate evidence into policy, practice, and organizational learning.

Selected Contributions

• Led national knowledge mobilization initiatives connecting research, policy, and frontline practice.
• Built cross-sector partnerships among governments, academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, and people with lived experience.
• Designed and delivered workshops, presentations, and learning resources for audiences across Canada.
• Supported the implementation of evidence-informed approaches to systems change and organizational capacity building.

Communications & Marketing Manager

Merit Contractors Association

Led strategic communications, marketing, member engagement, and public relations for a provincial industry association. Worked closely with senior leadership to strengthen organizational profile, member services, and stakeholder relationships.

Selected Contributions

• Developed integrated communications and marketing strategies aligned with organizational objectives.
• Managed publications, member communications, events, and promotional campaigns.
• Strengthened relationships with industry stakeholders, government, and association members.
• Supported executive leadership through strategic communications, speech writing, and stakeholder engagement.

Accounting & Financial Analyst

Merit Contractors Association

Provided financial analysis and accounting support for a membership-based organization, establishing a strong foundation in financial stewardship, budgeting, and organizational accountability.

Selected Contributions

• Prepared financial reports, reconciliations, budgets, and month-end financial processes.
• Supported financial planning, forecasting, and operational decision-making.
• Strengthened internal financial controls and reporting practices.
• Collaborated across departments to improve financial accountability and organizational performance.

RESEARCH, INNOVATION & SYSTEMS LEADERSHIP

Throughout my career, I have led research and knowledge mobilization initiatives that informed organizational strategy, public policy, and systems change. Working in partnership with governments, universities, community organizations, and people with lived experience, I have secured competitive funding, managed multi-partner projects, translated evidence into practice, and influenced organizational and policy decision-making.

My research is grounded in community-based participatory action research, ensuring that those most affected by complex social issues are actively engaged in identifying priorities, shaping solutions, and evaluating outcomes. This approach has strengthened my executive leadership by integrating evidence, stakeholder engagement, and strategic decision-making to support sustainable organizational change.

Selected Leadership Contributions

Postdoctoral Fellow – Carleton University

• Led national research examining housing discrimination, mental health, and social inclusion.
• Managed collaborative research partnerships with community organizations and academic institutions.
• Translated research findings into practical recommendations for policy and organizational improvement.

Doctoral Researcher & Sessional Instructor – University of Victoria

• Led an eight-year research program examining poverty discrimination within Canadian post-secondary education.
• Secured nationally competitive research funding and awards to support large-scale community-engaged research.
• Developed institutional policy recommendations and educational resources to address systemic barriers and improve equity within higher education.
• Designed and delivered undergraduate and graduate instruction while mentoring emerging researchers.

Principal Investigator & Instructor – University of Alberta

• Led interdisciplinary research exploring poverty, educational access, and social inequality.
• Managed research design, participant recruitment, ethics, budgeting, data analysis, and knowledge mobilization.
• Presented research findings nationally to academic, government, and community audiences.

SOCIAL INNOVATION

Founder

Shoestring Initiative

Founded the Shoestring Initiative to address systemic barriers experienced by students from poverty-class backgrounds in Canadian post-secondary education. What began as community-based doctoral research evolved into a national social innovation initiative that connected research, advocacy, lived experience, and institutional change. Working collaboratively with students, educators, senior leaders, community organizations, and governments, I translated research into practical action that challenged assumptions about poverty, expanded public understanding, and influenced institutional policy and practice.

Selected Leadership Contributions

• Founded and led a national initiative advancing awareness of poverty discrimination and educational equity across Canada.
• Built strategic partnerships with universities, colleges, community organizations, researchers, and advocacy networks to strengthen collaboration and collective impact.
• Translated research into practical resources, public education initiatives, policy recommendations, and organizational change strategies.
• Designed and facilitated workshops, presentations, and dialogue with institutional leaders, educators, students, governments, and community organizations.
• Created a trusted platform that amplified the voices of people with lived experience and informed institutional decision-making.
• Demonstrated entrepreneurial leadership by transforming an emerging area of research into a nationally recognized initiative that continues to influence conversations on educational equity and systems change.

GOVERNANCE, POLICY & BOARD LEADERSHIP

Throughout my executive career, I have partnered with Boards of Directors, executive teams, governments, and community stakeholders to strengthen governance, inform policy, and improve organizational performance. I believe effective governance establishes strategic direction, accountability, and oversight, while executive leadership is responsible for translating strategy into operational excellence and measurable results.

I work collaboratively with Boards to support informed decision-making, strengthen governance practices, and ensure organizational accountability through clear reporting, sound financial stewardship, enterprise risk management, and strategic planning. My approach is grounded in transparency, trust, and a clear understanding of the complementary roles of governance and management.

Governance Leadership

• Partner with Boards of Directors to establish strategic priorities, monitor organizational performance, and support effective governance.
• Develop governance frameworks, organizational policies, and accountability measures that strengthen organizational effectiveness.
• Support enterprise risk management, regulatory compliance, financial oversight, and continuous organizational improvement.
• Provide executive reporting that enables Boards to fulfill their fiduciary, strategic, and oversight responsibilities.
• Lead strategic planning processes that align organizational priorities with community needs and long-term sustainability.

Board & Committee Experience

• Executive partner to the Board of Directors, Canadian Mental Health Association of Northern BC.
• Director, Health Employers Association of British Columbia (Affiliate Member Representative).
• Director, Food Banks BC.
• Faculty of Graduate Studies Council, University of Victoria.
• Served on executive search, governance, and institutional advisory committees within the higher education and nonprofit sectors.

Policy Leadership

• Developed and implemented organizational policies supporting governance, human resources, finance, operations, and service delivery.
• Authored institutional policy recommendations addressing equity, accessibility, and poverty discrimination within Canadian post-secondary education.
• Applied evidence-informed policy development to strengthen organizational accountability, improve services, and support strategic decision-making.
• Collaborated with governments, health authorities, academic institutions, and community organizations to align organizational policy with legislative, regulatory, and sector expectations.

EDUCATION

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Education

University of Victoria

Specialization in educational leadership, organizational systems, equity, and community-based participatory action research. Dissertation examined systemic barriers affecting students from poverty-class backgrounds in Canadian post-secondary education, resulting in policy recommendations, institutional change initiatives, and national knowledge mobilization.

• Postdoctoral Fellowship

Carleton University

Conducted interdisciplinary research examining housing discrimination, mental health, and social inclusion, advancing collaborative research partnerships and evidence-informed approaches to public policy and community development.

• Master of Arts (MA), Sociology

University of Alberta

Specialized in social inequality, qualitative research, and narrative inquiry. Master’s research examined the long-term impact of childhood poverty on educational attainment, contributing to broader discussions on equity, access, and social policy.

• Bachelor of Arts (BA), Sociology

University of Alberta

Research focused on poverty, social inequality, and public discourse, including studies examining societal perceptions of poverty and barriers experienced by students from low-income backgrounds.

• Bachelor of Arts (BA), Theatre & English

Dalhousie University

Developed expertise in communication, critical analysis, storytelling, and audience engagement, strengthening the communication and relationship-building skills that continue to inform executive leadership.

• Diploma, Accounting

Grant MacEwan College

Established a foundation in accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, and financial stewardship that continues to support executive decision-making and organizational leadership.

• Diploma, Computer Information Systems

Lethbridge College

Developed practical knowledge of information systems, technology, and business operations, strengthening analytical problem-solving and organizational effectiveness.