Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My Power Trio lol. I had a difficult pregnancy and as a result, after our son and I made it out healthy, as a result of the amazing care at Mt. Sinai, our little Family Triangle was complete! Hubz is a Professional Engineer (and I’m so thankful for his nomination), and our 9 year old son is the center of our universe. He is hilarious and smart and everything one could ask for in a little human!

Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I began Nursing right out of high school but only completed one year of post secondary. Fast forward to a change of career and I found myself in hospitality. After being a restaurant owner with a former partner, my heart still wasn’t full. Ten years later, I left it all behind to start over. I started nursing again at the age of 30 and finally became a Registered Nurse graduating with my BScN at 35. My Aunt was my inspiration. An ICU Nurse who herself, nursed people back to health in Toronto’s ground zero hospital through SARS It was always my dream job to work in Public Health. Sadly we lost my Aunt tragically just before I was hired to Public Health. I’m sure she had a hand in it somehow. I have to admit, the past 18 months have been difficult. MORE than difficult for everyone, but especially essential workers. The uncertainty of illness and mental health struggles, in addition to the issues and challenges parents faced with home-schooling has made it difficult at times, to remember WHY I became an RN: to make a difference. The privilege of intimacy with the human race is a gift that very few Professionals truly get to experience. THIS is what I remember when my heart hurts. That although it’s difficult at times, NOT EVERYONE gets the honour of helping others. Of them letting us into their lives. Of them trusting us and counting on us. I’m fulfilled in that regard with Nursing. I’ve always kept my hand in Pediatric Nursing in some regard. My home base Nursing position in Public Health is vaccinating the kids in Grade 7 through Secondary Schools. Having been redeployed last March to Covid Case Management was exhausting. After our first lockdown ended, I returned to my Private Sector nursing job to a Reader’s Choice Nomination! A completely organic show of appreciation that made my heart BURST. We’re all familiar with our healthcare system struggles. We don’t become RNs for recognition. So to return to the private sector and the knowledge that I was still being thought of and appreciated even when I couldn’t practice there was INDESCRIBABLY heartwarming.

Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Butchies. The Keg (it’s our go to with my besties) and I love me some Pub take out from Charlie Ronnicks!

Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
We moved to Whitby from Ajax 9 years ago.

Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Sooooo many. It’s been VERY interesting to see and realize how and who your tribe are throughout a crisis. We have a community RICH in female Entrepreneurs and I love that! Some of the notables I’d say for me are Councilor Rhonda Mulcahey.

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Punta Cana. It’s our go to. First couples trip there. Engaged, married, babymoon and first family vacay there.

Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Titanic. Schitt’s Creek Schitt’s Creek and Schitt’s Creek with a side of Outlander. Honestly, Schitt’s Creek was one of the few things that brought me pure joy over the past 18 months!

Q: What advice would you give to people?
Try to find the good in any situation. People will NEVER change for you and you cannot change other people. Don’t waste your time on people who would replace you in a split second. Be patient. And when you can’t be, get over it with sarcasm and dark humour lol (Nurses are a special breed for this 🤪)

Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A big ole Family Vacay. Us, my sister’s family and my parents.

Q: What is your go to band when you cant decide what to listen to?
Eclectic and strange mix you’ll think: Canadian Band The Tea Party or NKOTB (the nostalgia makes me feel so good! Donnie girl foreva! ) I actually did a whole VIP concert tour / whirlwind in Vegas for my 40th bday so yeah, I guess I’m an official ‘Blockhead’

Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Some of my favourite little entrepreneurs are Meerkat Sewing – Erin makes the most AMAZING masks that DON’T fog up lol. I absolutely OBSESSED with this as 1. A Nurse and 2. Someone who wears glasses and NEEDS no fog options. It’s the little things in life that I try to appreciate 🙂 Flowers at Home – another local small business owned by Trish Robinson is my fave for flowers. When I couldn’t see my mom, I used her subscription service to send mom scheduled flowers monthly so she knew I was thinking of her. Cathi from The Whitby Soap Company – I’m so sad she’s moving out west. Tara Macri Tara’s Custom Designs is my go to for customized gifts. I always try to support local whenever I can! I wish everyone would. We really are a rich community for Entrepreneurs! Brooklin Berry Co. and Olive & Brie for charcuterie. I mean who doesn’t associate food with heartfelt emotions and nostalgia?

Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
One of my besties is American. Lisa. We met through the previously mentioned fave Canadian band actually. She’s an honourary Canadian I say to her. We haven’t been able to cross border to see one another. We’d go to Butchie’s so I could show her some of our company’s tables on their patio!

Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
Again it’s got to be the strength in supporting local. I’ve never lived anyplace else with such a strong FEMALE ENTREPRENEURIAL presence! It’s amazing. You can LITERALLY find everything you need with a single post to our local Facebook Mom’s group!

Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Hard to say. I try to go with the flow. I’m very lucky to be e greenly happy with my life so as long as I’ve got my family around me, that’s where I’ll be.

Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
Oh gosh. *blushing* I was once voted Canada’s most eligible Single by LavaLife! (Before I got together with Hubz of course)

Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Kelowna, BC.

Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
June. Not too hot but warm enough to enjoy our pool. Christmas. December 3.

Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Everything about my Mom. My husband’s intelligence. He’s one of the smartest people I know.

Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Aside from Family being the obvious? My Aunt. My patients. My niece and nephew.

Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Lilacs. My Nana loved them too.

Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Love. Comfortable. Warm.