About US

Equipping people, strengthening teams, transforming communities.

Born from challenge.Dedicated to change.

My Story

My work began long before I had a title or a degree—it began with lived experience.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been drawn to people and their strengths, their stories, and the spaces where they show up for one another in times of challenge and change. My own journey started with hardship: being separated from my family at a young age taught me resilience, self-reliance, and deep empathy for what it feels like to be on the “outside.”

As a young adult working as a youth worker in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, I witnessed the incredible strength and resourcefulness of people facing immense adversity. Those experiences shaped my lifelong curiosity about the issues and systems that impact people’s lives, and they taught me to approach every person and every story with openness, acceptance, and a commitment to seeking common ground over division.

For over 35 years, that calling has led me through a career in education, training, and nonprofit leadership,

supporting teams and organizations in building stronger connections and creating meaningful change in their communities. I’ve learned that learning only sticks when it’s practical, human, and grounded in real life. That’s why I design and deliver programs that meet people where they are whether it’s a frontline worker feeling burnt out, a leader shaping organizational culture, or a team rebuilding trust after a tough season.

A large part of my work focuses on helping organizations and communities respond to suicide and crisis with confidence and compassion. This mission is deeply personal.

Both in my life and in my work, I’ve seen how fear, stigma, and silence can create barriers to support even among trained professionals. I’ve learned that responding to suicide requires us to listen deeply, step into someone else’s world, and hold space without judgment. My approach has been deeply influenced by my partnership with LivingWorks Education, whose evidence-based, heart-and-head approach is a cornerstone of the training I deliver.

With a Master’s in Adult Education and decades of experience in instructional design and facilitation, I’ve led initiatives that bring together healthcare providers, educators, and community organizations to strengthen mental health supports, build resilience, and navigate change. Over and over, I’ve seen that growth begins with relationships, and real change happens when people feel seen, supported, and equipped.

At ConnectEd, I work alongside a talented team of facilitators to create safe, engaging, and practical learning experiences. Participants leave not just with new skills but with renewed confidence, connection, and the tools to create lasting change. Our mission is simple: to help organizations have the hard conversations, strengthen their teams, and build spaces where everyone can truly thrive.