1. Share one specific personal or professional accomplishment that you believe qualifies you to represent Airdrie residents on Airdrie City Council.
I was recently in a master’s program for the last three years as a full-time student, while working full-time. It was the most challenging and rewarding time of my life while raising a family. There were many days that I was up until 3 am finishing papers and then going to work at 7 am. My weekends and evenings consisted of reading articles and working on assignments. I missed a handful of special occasions with family and friends, but I have the best support network I could ask for with my people, cheering me on. As a result, I became a social science practitioner, with a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, specializing in Regenerative Sustainable Community Development. I believe my commitment to learning and investing in myself as a leader to reinvest back into the community qualifies me to represent Airdrie residents on Airdrie City Council. I am a lifelong learner.
2. What are your top three priorities and why?
When I look at the top three priorities, I think about the everyday needs of residents first. The daily needs compound over time if not addressed or serviced, reducing quality of life. There are many competing priorities, but it will be important to listen to our community on immediate needs and build them into a realistic, actionable plan.
Top priorities would be:
Revise the Municipal Development Plan to strengthen neighbourhoods and business corridors. This is a document that focuses on policy direction to guide the city’s growth. It is currently being updated, and I would like to work with administration on growth management, economic prosperity, community design, sustainable transportation, infrastructure, and more. This document is considered the hierarchy ‘plan’ for city building as a guide and is important to focus on, laying out the next 10 years for Airdrie.
Strengthen Industrial and Commercial Business. By strengthening local community wealth with industrial and commercial businesses, it will create a more balanced and resilient economy and residential tax base. Airdrie can diversify revenue streams and reduce tax burden on residents by supporting zoning and land-use policies that make industrial and commercial development more accessible while investing in servicing lands for long-term growth. This term will focus on an updated Airdrie Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan. In addition, continuing to build regional partnerships and relationships with stakeholders, working with developer investment and industry, and other levels of government, in preparation for site selection and shovel-ready lands.
Build Community Capacity and People Power. Residents are a community’s strongest and largest asset. Building out capacity with residents is essential to fostering stronger, community-led solutions, in addition to empowering residents in building community events, programming, associations, organizations, groups, and more. By supporting a neighbourhood or community system within the city, they can provide structure, resources, and support for residents to become more engaged and connected. This approach strengthens people power by encouraging collaboration, amplifying local voices, and supporting grassroots initiatives that reflect community needs. Investing in these connections not only builds trust but also empowers residents to take an active role in shaping Airdrie’s future, leading to more resilient and inclusive neighbourhoods. It utilizes a bottom-up approach, connecting to top-down systems.