Q: Where do you live?

A: I live on the ancestral and traditional lands of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), Stó:lō and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (TsleilWaututh) Nations, also known as North Vancouver.

Q: What is your position at RCCBC?

A: I am the Executive Director, Operations.

Q: What does that mean?

A: I work in partnership with Dr. Ray Markham to lead the organization. I get to support the team in their workplans, create strategies and walk alongside the physicians as they do their work. We hold the vision, get the right people in place, set them up for success, and then get out of the way (as best we can!).

Q: Describe RCCbc in three words. 

A: Relationships, partnerships, innovation.

Q: What motivated you to join RCCbc? 

A: My previous job was supporting rural maternity research and I have a real personal passion for women’s health and access to care and this role came up (10 years ago in August!) and I was hooked. My rural experience was living in Merritt and I felt more of a sense of community there than I ever have in an urban community. Rural is special.

Q: What do you like most about your job? 

A: Always and forever, the people. Our whole team is passionate, smart, interesting, thoughtful, creative and kind.

Q: What has been one of your proudest moments working at RCCbc?

A: I’m genuinely so proud of working here—a few things come to mind, but particularly, the growth over my time here. I’m proud of the opportunities that we’ve been able to step into due to our growth and the healthcare climate. Whenever I hear about RCCbc in a roundabout way (e.g., someone doesn’t know I work there or I hear about one of our programs) I’m so proud of the impact we’re having on rural communities and providers.

Q: What hashtags best describe your personality?

A: #crafty #allthefeelings #mommasuarus #sequins&leopardprint #roseallday (but not during the workday)

Q: What do you like to do on your days off?

A: Ideally sleep, but really, be with my 1 and 5 year-olds and my delightful French bulldog, Bacon, and husband.

Q: Where is your favourite place in British Columbia?

A: Tofino for the beaches and Whistler for the mountains and childhood memories. (Whistler from the 80s was another world!)

Q: What one thing we might be surprised to learn about you?

A: I am a sewer. I make modern quilts and have started sewing garments for myself. I think about sewing and fabric a lot!

Q: Pick one song that best describes you and why?

A: “Uptown Funk” by Bruno Mars calls my dancing feet; “Soil Soil” by Tegan and Sara comes from a corner of my heart; and “Landslide” by Dixie Chicks speaks to the road not taken.

Q: What one thing can you not live without?

A: Iced coffee made best by my husband.

Q: What is the next item on your bucket list?

A: Attending QuiltCon (modern quilting convention in the United States) and returning to southern Africa.

Q: Who would you choose to play yourself in a movie and why?

A: D’Arcy Carden. I think she’d be able to portray my sparkling impishness.