Education
PhD(abd), Wilfrid Laurier University
M.S.W, Wilfrid Laurier University - Social Work
B.A., University of Waterloo/St. Jerome’s University - Legal Studies
Courses taught in SDS
SOC 204R - Sociology of Adolescence
Research and teaching interests
- Non-profit organizations and the voluntary sector
- Community-based approaches to justice
- Structural determinants of health
- Social innovation and enterprise
- Arts-based research
Over the past decade, I have worked with a variety of public sector and not-for-profit organizations to develop and launch community-based justice initiatives. I have witnessed the positive impacts of these approaches as a counsellor, social worker, and project manager.
Through my experiences, I found my purpose working with youth and women in the community justice and mental health sectors. My passion for these sectors led me to complete a BA in Legal Studies from the University of Waterloo and a MSW specializing in community development from Wilfrid Laurier University. After working in prisons and parole offices for several years, in 2019 I returned to Wilfrid Laurier University to work on a PhD in Social Work where I share stories and build initiatives using arts-based research to support youth and survivors of trauma.
My research focuses on organizational development in human service organizations, with an aim to support outcomes that increase social innovation (including development of leadership capacity, organizational culture, and for-profit market-based activities), equity and inclusion, trauma-informed environments, and community-based approaches to justice (ex. restorative justice). I believe that it is critically important to empower marginalized groups to thrive.
Beyond work, my partner and dog bring me so much joy. We love gardening, hiking, and exploring the outdoors together. Day to day, I enjoy cooking, attempting to play my violin, and going to the gym to play squash.