I believe the degree to which our humanity is recognized, honoured, supported and celebrated is the degree to which we will rise to face challenges, stretch ourselves to fulfill our inherent potential, gain competency in skills, and make authentic, productive connections in personal, community and work relationships.I am passionate about cultivating the potential people hold in their volunteer experiences, and organizations hold in their constituents through professionally designed and implemented volunteer programs. I’ve landed in inaugural and founding roles often throughout my career. I was one of the inaugural staff for Project 81 for the Toronto Association for Community Living. As an inaugural staff for the Drug and Alcohol Registry of Treatment/Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline I was involved in everything from developing the referral agent training manual to coauthoring the agency policy and procedure manual. I was the inaugural Volunteer Program Manager at Habitat for Humanity London, and one of 6 Volunteer Engagement Specialist across Ontario hired to meet the changing volunteer needs of the Canadian Cancer Society. I always strive for excellence in the work that I do and achieved my Certified Information and Referral Specialist status while at DART/OPGH. I achieved Certified Manager of Volunteer Resources status in 2014. In 2017 I completed the Project Management Certificate program at Continuing Studies, Western University.In 2012 I edited a volunteer management manual on behalf of the Pillar Nonprofit Network and have designed and delivered a variety of volunteer management workshops for audiences across Ontario. I worked with the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club and Parkinson Canada to institute formal volunteer programs. Policy consulting work has included H.R policy integration during the merger of the John Gordon Home and the Regional HIV/AIDS Connection, and drafting policy for London CAReS while transitioning from a collaborative community initiative to independent nonprofit status.One of my proudest achievements has been as co-founder and past Chair of the Canadian Cancer Society Research Information Outreach Team. The team was established to help spread the word about the progress and promise in cancer research. It is an initiative which I am proud to say inspired the creation of teams across Canada.