I am currently a mental health and addictions worker and have spent 15 years working in this field of health care. Working with people who are marginalized, unhoused, stigmatized, and struggling with significant health issues has taught me a great deal of compassion, patience, and understanding of those in need. It has also taught me that mental health and addiction touch the lives of everyone in our society and that it takes a community effort to address them.

In 2014, I graduated from UVic with a double major in sociology and philosophy, and also began working for a national non-profit addressing environmental and animal issues across Canada. For the past 7 years I have volunteered as a co-founder and director of a provincial non-profit building community, creating events, fundraising tens of thousands of dollars for charity, and bringing people together.