I am a first term as Strathcona County, representing Ward 8 in Sherwood Park.

My husband Darryl and I, bought our first home in Strathcona County in 2001, shortly after being married. Together we have two children, 13 year-old Layla and 11 year-old Dylan.

I attended University of Alberta and earned a Bachelor Degree in Physical Education with a major in Adapted Physical Activity. While at the University, I also earned a National Championship with the Panda’s Rugby team in 1999.

I worked for several years as a Recreation Therapist and Manager at long-term care and assisted living facilities in Edmonton. I then carried on her career, as a retail manager. Employed as a District Manager for more than four years, covering 12 to 18 stores in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

I learned from a very early age that giving back to your community only makes you a stronger person. This continued when I moved to Strathcona County with multiple groups and associations within the community.

How will you support the Strathcona County's competitive advantage and market affordable housing? How do you see fees, levies, taxes and municipal cost control playing a role in housing affordability? Note: CHBA-ER refers to “market affordable housing” as housing that is market priced and meets the general requirements of affordability based on household income. Market affordable housing may include market rental housing and market home ownership.

I am the Vice Chair of Heartland Housing Foundation and newly elected Board of Director for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), representing urban municipalities in Alberta, where I sit on the Social Economic Development Standing Committee. I have direct experience with affordable housing and a special interest with adding more options, across the county. Strathcona County has a significant lack of affordable community housing options for young adults and families. I would like to see partnerships with developers and affordable housing providers created, so affordable homes are integrated with developments at the start of projects, not an after thought.

What steps do you believe are necessary to reduce red tape and support business investment in the residential construction industry?

Working closely with Planning and Development department to streamline getting ACP and ASP to council. I have heard directly from different developers that they have been hung up or delayed because of additional steps there were added. Open and direct communication with developers, will allow us to share our vision and strategic plan, but also helps to work with the builders of our community to truly make us Canada’s Most Livable Community.

Do you support welcoming a diversity of housing types throughout Strathcona County?

Is there anything about your platform that you think CHBA-ER members should know?

I am committed to community and dedicated to accessibility. Strathcona County is an amazing community to live in and be part of, I would like it to be even better and accessible for all.