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ABOUT ME

For the past 32 years, I have called Hamilton my home in many respects. I raised my family here in Ancaster and successfully ran family businesses in Hamilton and surrounding areas for 19 years before returning to my original love, academia, at McMaster University, Hamilton in 2010 for a second Masters in Globalization. In terms of experiences, I have been lucky enough to try my hand at various things from a young age. From channeling my athletic side with a position on my college-level basketball team to completing my Doctorate in Urban Geography while also teaching university-level courses, to being a Director of a corporation that owned and operated multiple businesses while simultaneously being a mom  - it has been an interesting journey. 

NON-PROFIT ADVOCACY & COMMUNITY ACTIVISM

As a passionate social justice advocate, I am part of the Board of Directors for organizations such as​:

Global Board Director, White Ribbon Alliance - An innovative, global organization working in 15+ countries around the world fighting for women and girls’ access to healthcare, education, employment, food security, housing and more. As a Global Board Director, I have worked together with Board Colleagues around the world to tackle health inequities in a post-COVID era.

Board Director, Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre - A state-of-the-art performing arts centre in the heart of Ancaster that is home to many of Hamilton's vibrant community arts groups, and also provides a venue for a series of performances and concerts within the community showcasing the talents of local, regional, and national performers in art, film, theatre, music, and dance. 

I have also previously been on the Board of Directors for many non-profit organizations including​:

National Board Director, Equal Voice Canada - As a National Board Director, I worked with my multi-partisan board colleagues on Equal Voices’ Fundraising Committee, EVE Award Committee and Chapters Committee, advocating for the equal representation of women in Canada’s Parliament, in provincial and territorial legislatures, and on municipal and band councils.

Board Director, Neighbour to Neighbour Hamilton - A multi-service organization that is dedicated to providing programs and services for poverty alleviation, education assistance, nutritional support, settlement services and community counselling, along with the Hamilton Community Food Centre (HCFC) on the West Mountain. In my role as a Board Director, I advocated for poverty alleviation through fundraising, strategic planning, partnership building, communications, and public engagement to promote social change.

Board Director, Ontario Council for International Cooperation - As a Board Director working on the Governance Committee, Fund Diversification, and Sustainability Committee, my efforts were geared towards supporting Canada’s Civil Society Partnership Policy by bringing together leaders from civil society organizations, academia and community groups working towards the realization of Agenda 2030: UN Sustainable Development Goals.

My passion for community engagement also stems from my past and ongoing involvement with community organizations such as:

Fieldcote Memorial Park & Museum Expansion Fundraising Committee - a community project in my hometown of Ancaster focused on creating an inclusive, culturally diverse, livable and walkable community. 

Hamilton Organizing for Poverty Elimination (HOPE)​

POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT: FEDERAL & PROVINCIAL

Former Federal Liberal Nomination Candidate for Hamilton Mountain in 2018-19 - a campaign that strengthened my public engagement, fundraising, community organization, and partnership building skills 

As an avid advocate for advancing women's civic leadership and political participation, I held the following positions:

Vice President, Ontario Women's Liberal Commission, South Central Region: Oversaw 17 ridings across Southern Ontario, from Halton Hills to Waterloo, promoting and amplifying women's voices on important policy issues, and helping them navigate the pathways to politics

President, Hamilton Region Women's Liberal Association: Inaugural president for this Ontario Women's Liberal Commission club founded in January 2020 with women from all five Hamilton ridings. HRWLA engages women in discussions on policy, youth engagement, mentorship and parity in politics.

Previously, I stayed politically engaged by working with both Federal and Provincial local Liberal Riding Associations for a number of years in the following fundraising and executive roles: 

VP Fundraising and Executive for the Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas Federal Liberal Association (Held riding for MP Filomena Tassi, Former Hon. Minister for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario) 

  • Gained valuable insights into the key steps of a campaign including the importance of canvassing, creating strong community ties, implementing effective communication strategies, and developing lucrative fundraising opportunities through partnerships with different stakeholders

  • Harnessed my business-oriented skills to help organize successful fundraising events such as a joint Hamilton Liberal Red Tie Gala for five Hamilton ridings and Donor Appreciation events for MP Filomena Tassi's HWAD riding

Fundraising Chair for the Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas Provincial Liberal Association (Former MPP Ted McMeekin's Campaign Team)

  • In this role, I organized lucrative fundraising events with guests such as David Herle and Jennifer Keesmat, connected with previous supporters, and built relationships with new donors to ensure that we exceeded our fundraising target

  • Furthermore, I successfully managed to enhance fundraising goals through community outreach and promoted the riding's digital presence through strategic social media planning and brand awareness

Director at Large for the Hamilton Mountain Federal Liberal Association

​​In addition to organizing various Liberal events locally in Hamilton, I was also able to strengthen my political awareness and public engagement skills by attending various events including both the Liberal Party of Canada Convention in Halifax and many annual Ontario Liberal Party conventions in Toronto and Mississauga, including the OLP Leadership Convention in March 2020 as an Ex-Officio Delegate for Ontario Women's Liberal Commission and December 2023 as the 2022 Immediate Past Candidate.

2022 Ontario Liberal Party MPP Candidate for Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas with a candidacy focused on improving healthcare, housing, and education, with economic and climate justice, and sustainable development at its core. Through this experience, I not only fostered meaningful relationships with thousands of constituents through door-knocking, phone calls, and email communications, but also enhanced community partnerships and collaborations through public appearances, stakeholder engagement, and constructive meetings with the leaders of academic institutions, grassroots and civil society organizations, councils and unions locally and across Ontario.

BUSINESS, FAMILY & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Before re-entering academia in 2010, I have been a business woman and a single mom while staying engaged in the local Ancaster, Dundas and West Mountain community through my past and ongoing volunteer work at:

Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre and Fieldcote Museum & Park in Ancaster

Neighbour to Neighbour & Community Food Centre at West Hamilton Mountain

Local organizations and McMaster University in Dundas/Westdale

For almost two decades since 1992, while raising my family in this riding, I was also the President of Richa Enterprises Inc., a private corporation that owned and operated businesses in the jewellery and luxury goods industry in Hamilton and surrounding areas

I gained an in-depth understanding of small business operations:

Developed and implemented action plans to create new initiatives for the businesses to increase profits

Promoted the businesses effectively to the local communities through extensive planning and results-driven marketing strategies

Instilled fair workplace policies to benefit employees and create an inclusive work environment, thereby enhancing proficiency and productivity

I am the Founder and CEO of Leadership for Equitable and Sustainable Future, a social advocacy and strategy organization that aims to advance transformational leadership by bridging the gap between academia, business, non-profits, legislature, and decision-making tables advocating for constructive law and policy reforms.

ACADEMIA, CONFERENCES & PUBLICATIONS

After obtaining a second Masters in Globalization Studies at McMaster University in Hamilton in 2011, I have been teaching at York University's Law & Society program while undertaking a research fellowship focusing on global social justice, law and public policy reforms since 2012

As an educator, I have gained the unique ability to connect with and understand the needs of youth while also inculcating dynamic leadership skills in them and promoting a strong work ethic 

During my time at York University, I was also fortunate enough to receive:

Helena Orton Memorial Award - Awarded by Osgoode Hall Law School for a research work that explores relationships between law and social equality, with particular reference to workplace issues of benefit to women

Penelope Jane Glasser Award - Awarded by the Faculty of Graduate Studies to a candidate returning to academia from a work or family career with a research  focus on interdisciplinary fields such as education and social inequalities

I have been a regular presenter at the Oxford Women’s Leadership Symposium, a global academic platform and conference at the University of Oxford, UK that brings together a group of participants who share their academic research from all corners of the world

I have been lucky enough to have the opportunity to attend global forums and international conferences each year that allow me to travel and widen my research horizons such as the L'Oreal UNESCO for Women in Science debate in Paris curated by New York Times, followed by "Stand, Speak, Rise Up”, a forum to support war rape survivors, organized by HRH the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg in collaboration with Mukwege Foundation and We are NOT Weapons of the War Paris - I attended both events at the invitation of Women’s Forum for the Economy & Society in March 2019

Writing remains one of my passions and some of my recent publications include:

​​​"Will the G7 be a breakthrough for gender equality and inclusive growth?" published by the Institute on Research for Public Policy on June 6, 2018

"Law, Equality, and Entrepreneurship Through a Gendered Lens: Bridging the Gap Between Academia, Legislature, and Politics" published in the book Critical Reflections and Politics on Advancing Women in the Academy, eds. Taima Moeke-Pickering, Sheila Cote-Meek & Ann Pegoraro, 2020

"Gender Dynamics in Family Entrepreneurship: A Socio-Legal Perspective" published in the Journal of Academic Perspectives Vol. 1, 2017

"Law, Equality and EntrepreneurshipThrough a Gendered Lens: Bridging the Gap Between Academia, Legislature and Politics"  in Research Anthology on Feminist Studies and Gender Perceptions, Editors: Information Resources Management Association, IGI Global, 2022.

Women Transforming the Future of Higher Education, Editors: Shubha Sandill, Sharon Lauricella & Taima Moeke-Pickering, IGI Global, 2025.

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