PROFESSIONAL LIFE:

In 2022, I founded Kind Society Yoga Collective, and in 2024 we became the first and only non-profit community-focused yoga studio in Nanaimo. Our priorities are to offer sliding-scale, inclusive & accessible yoga to everyone in Nanaimo.

Before founding Kind, I managed several yoga studios in both Toronto and Nanaimo, and before that I worked at the University of Toronto and at UBC, mostly in Student Life. In working as a Residence Advisor and Coordinator during the final few years of my degree, I discovered my passion for building community and helping people feel heard and valued. I want to bring that same passion to helping build a better Nanaimo for everyone who lives here.

PERSONAL LIFE:

I’ve lived on Vancouver Island most of my life, and moved to Nanaimo 12 years ago with my husband after living in Victoria, Vancouver, Guelph, and Toronto. My two kids attend school in South Nanaimo, and I am actively involved in our school’s PAC.

My priority as a parent have been to provide provide a home life for my children that is stable, and an education that moves beyond the school curriculum. We often discuss social justice, emotions, the environment, and human rights issues around the dinner table. It’s our goal to raise children who are equipped to thrive in a rapidly changing world, who feel empowered to stand up for what they know is right, and who actively take part in helping our communities thrive and making our world a better place to live.

EDUCATION:

I started my post-secondary education at UVic, doing two years in Physics and Biochemistry before transferring to UBC in Vancouver to complete a general science degree with a focus on Earth & Life Sciences. My classes in Biochemistry, Physiology, Ecology, and Psychology have given me an appreciation for how we as humans relate to ourselves, one another, and the world around us. I’m deeply interested in understanding how people think, what shapes our opinions, and why we value the things that are important to us.

My science degree taught me how to find and understand evidence, ask good questions, and re-evaluate my perspective when I’m presented with new information – all qualities that I consider essential when learning from and representing the citizens of a city.

INTERESTS:

LOCAL SUPPORT: One of my biggest passions is supporting local. Whether it’s buying local food from the farmer’s market (Island Roots is a fave, but when I’m in the mood for something special, we’ll take the trip to the Cedar Market), or supporting local businesses as often as possible, I try to make it a priority to keep our dollars in our city.

DOWNTIME: Nothing is better to me than a day free of plans when I get to spend hours with a good book. I love to read, and make it a habit to read every morning and evening – usually something non-fiction in the morning, and a novel in the evening. I love book recommendations, so feel free to send me yours! For a peek into what I’ve been reading lately, check out my Instagram

WELLNESS: I wouldn’t be much of a yoga teacher if I didn’t prioritize my own wellbeing. For me, this means practicing mindfulness daily (usually in the form of a short morning meditation), prioritizing plant-based, nutrient dense, foods (local whenever possible!) and prioritizing joyful movement.

I love to run by the ocean, and you’ll often find me on a (very slow) run along Nanaimo’s seawall. We also hike regularly as a family with our dog Nina (a big, anxious 4-year-old mutt – you can try to make friends with her but she’ll probably bark at you sorry!) and I roll out my yoga mat to practice in my living room as often as I can.