Over the past four years, I have served on nearly every major board in our city, as well as regional and provincial committees. But I realize that many people in Airdrie do not really care how many boards you sit on. They care about whether life here is getting better. What matters isn’t the number of seats I have filled, but the impact that work has had on Airdrie families. My focus has always been on outcomes residents can actually see and feel in their daily lives.
Leadership at the Council Table
At Council, I have consistently brought forward ideas and changes that turned into real improvements for residents:
- Swim-Only Pass at Genesis Place: I advocated for the creation of a swim-only pass so families could access recreation more affordably, without being forced into all-inclusive options. While this has not passed yet, it is a small change I am passionate about because it would make a real difference for families.
- Inclusive Playgrounds: I brought forward a motion requiring that all newly built or refurbished playgrounds be designed to be truly inclusive. This ensures children, adults, and caregivers of all abilities have barrier-free access to play and gather.
- Accessibility Audit: I initiated a review of accessibility in City-owned infrastructure and amenities. While the process evolved, it moved forward in a way that will deliver tangible improvements as we design, build, and repair public spaces.
- Fair Fees: I championed reviews of user fees, including cemetery costs for children’s plots and small business license fees. These changes ensure City charges are fair, compassionate, and do not place unnecessary burdens on families or local entrepreneurs.
- Snow and Ice Control Policy Improvements: I brought forward a motion to review snow and ice control standards after hearing resident concerns. Council approved changes, including adding anti-icing measures and updating the Snow and Ice Control Policy so winter road maintenance is more reliable and safer.
- Transit for Post-Secondary Students: I raised the need for affordable and reliable transit options for young people pursuing education. This keeps opportunities within reach for students who might otherwise be cut off by cost or lack of service.
- Anti-Bullying: I put forward a motion in support of anti-bullying initiatives in schools and community spaces. This reinforces Airdrie’s commitment to a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for children and youth.
Boards and Committees
Serving on boards is about teamwork, patience, and persistence. I have consistently shown up, seen projects through, and helped move some of Airdrie’s most important initiatives forward. Here are just some of the highlights:
- Airdrie Housing Limited (Chair): We played a role in securing nearly $25 million in housing funding, oversaw the completion of the conversion of the former HomeStay on East Lake Boulevard to housing, and helped allocate $800,000 for future projects. This work gave more families a safe and affordable place to live.
- Airdrie Library Board: Actively part of the team advancing the new Airdrie Public Library and Multi-Use Facility on Main Street, which is one of the most significant community investments in our city’s history. The new library was delivered on time and under budget.
- Community Services Advisory Board (CSAB): Tackled Airdrie’s transit challenges, advocated for the Hello To Go program and pushed for improvements when it was oversubscribed, and advanced the Fair Access Program to make City services more affordable and equitable.
- Council Budget Committee: Brought fiscal responsibility to the table. In my first year, I voted against the proposed budget when I felt the tax increase was too aggressive, standing up for residents while calling for a more balanced approach.
- Public Art and Culture Committees (Chair/Co-Chair): Guided arts and culture planning and public art selections that make Airdrie more vibrant and connected, including helping to build and launch the Airdrie Arts and Culture Committee.
- Intermunicipal Committee: Saw through to completion a Joint Use Agreement that ensures municipalities contribute fairly to the cost of amenities. This protected Airdrie taxpayers while supporting shared regional growth.
- Calgary Metropolitan Region Board: Represented Airdrie’s interests in regional planning and growth management. Leveraged this role to help reverse closures at Airdrie Urgent Care during a local doctor shortage, protecting residents’ access to critical health services.
- Coalition of Inclusive Municipalities (Designated Ambassador): Supported efforts and initiatives to ensure a more cohesive community between all stakeholder cultural groups in Airdrie.
Recognition and Education
I have never pursued this work for awards or titles, but I am very proud that Airdrie residents and peers have recognized the results of my efforts. These acknowledgements reflect both community trust and my commitment to keep learning so I can serve more effectively:
- Community Recognition: Voted Best Politician in Airdrie (2025) by the Airdrie City View, and Amazing Advocate (2022) by airdrielife Magazine, by a poll of their readers. Nominated for arts and culture leadership through Airdrie Amazing Women and the Mayor’s Night of the Arts.
- Continued Learning: Completed the University of Alberta’s Elected Officials Education Program, finishing all seven courses in under four years! Completed the University of Alberta Indigenous Canada course. Achieved near-perfect results on Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB) training.
And this is only a tiny part of the learning I have pursued! I have managed to do this while also raising three kids, working full-time, and serving on Council. I have not had the luxury of stepping away from work to do the council role, but I believe that keeps me grounded in the realities Airdronians face every day. I know what it means to juggle competing demands and still show up.
Sharing your perspective matters because residents deserve leaders who face the same challenges and continually strive for improvement. Every bit of training I have taken has made me a stronger and more effective decision-maker for the families I serve.
Why This Matters
Committees and boards matter, but not because of the title beside your name or to insinuate that one council member works harder than another. What matters is results. Real outcomes like more affordable housing, a new library, fairer fees, inclusive playgrounds, stronger transit options, urgent care that stays open when we need it most, and community programs that actually work for families. Every achievement came from teamwork, but I never stopped pushing until we got results. That is the kind of leadership Airdrie deserves.