2014 Winnipeg Civic Election

Why did you decide to run in the 2014 School Board Election?

I have been an active member and Chair Person of my daughter’s school's Parent Advisory Council and Lunch Program committee for many years. In my experience I felt the connection between the Trustees and the PAC to be lacking, and my goal is to bridge the gap between the community and the Board.

I believe Trustees need to be accessible, approachable and in touch with the every day concerns of parents and educators in order to make informed decisions that will make the greatest impact towards building a strong educational future.

What experience will you bring to compliment your role as School Trustee?

In my tenure as Chair of the LP we saw fiscal stability and accountability return for the first time in many years. I have experience working with multiple levels of Government to complete projects, 16 years of business experience as well as policy, procedure and budget writing.

My experience as Chair of multiple committees simultaneously will make me feel right at home as a Trustee, and I look forward to bringing my leadership skills to the Board.

I believe in strong communities above all else. This is why I have championed many community initiatives including, but not limited to leading a team to raise more than $16,000 for the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation, challenging the community to raise more than 12,000 pounds of non-perishable goods for Siloam Mission and running a toy drive to replace gifts for a family who lost all their Christmas gifts in a fire.

My ability to inspire groups of people to work towards a common goal for the betterment of their community is a huge asset, and will serve me well as a representative of Transcona.

Do you have any other comments regarding your candidacy?

To summarize who I am:

I'm a full-time single mother to a teenage daughter, and resident of Transcona since 2002.

I've played an active role in my community, coaching T-ball at Park City CC, held positions on 3 different committees within Bernie Wolfe Community School.

I've held the position of Recruitment and Enrollment for TPUE (Transcona Parents for Ukrainian Education) Chairperson of the Lunch Program Committee where I helped write the policies and procedures that currently govern the program today.

Most notably, I was Chairperson of the BWCS PAC spearheading the initiative behind the playground fundraiser leading a small group of parents to raise over $80,000 in one school year, successfully building a new structure for the community to enjoy.

I have always been a force to be reckoned with, raising over $100,000 for various organizations across the community, and city as a whole.

I know I will be an incredible asset and addition to the Board of Trustees as a fierce advocate for the residents of Ward 1, and the division as a whole.