I’m an empathetic leader committed to strengthening the Guelph community. My passions—art, historical architecture, and restorative justice—shape how I see the world and how I choose to serve. I volunteer as a Community Mediator with Community Justice Initiatives, helping create space for accountability and healing. I also chair the board at Royal City Mission Church, where compassion meets practical action. Professionally, I work as a Director in the construction project management sector, bringing people and projects together with purpose. At my core, I’m driven by a desire to build connections, preserve what matters, and contribute to a more compassionate community.

I’ve called Guelph home since 1975, building a life rooted in hard work, service, and community. For forty years, I owned and operated Flying Dutchman Cleaning and Nika Sales. As a member of the Ontario Professional Carpet Cleaners Association, I served on its board for five years, including one year as President. My faith community at Water Street Church has shaped much of my journey, where I’ve served as an elder and chaired the Board of Stewards. One of my most rewarding roles was coordinating volunteers for a $5‑million renovation project, guiding more than 10,000 volunteer hours. I still volunteer today — and find time to help with my wife’s gardens and care for our family home.

My mother planted the seed in my heart to be helpful to immigrants and to people needing help in faraway lands. My involvement in Christian Cottage Imports prepared me for getting involved at the Mission Thrift Store. All the while I could stay home, teach and raise my family. It was a blessing to be part of the Mission Thrift Store, and rewarding in many ways. My training as a teacher and my musical interests were used in a variety of ways to contribute to the life of our local community. Now I am thrilled to help people that need help right in my city!

When I was young, my family of eight moved from place to place as jobs and housing changed, and I never knew how long we’d stay. That’s why 30 years in Old City Guelph feels like such a gift—I’ve been able to plant both flowers and roots here. Sidewalk gardening is my favourite way to meet neighbours. My life has woven together teaching, editing a magazine, curriculum design, and community service, from becoming Drayton’s (now part of Mapleton) first woman councillor, to serving Water Street Church as administrator and supporting fundraising for Farm Radio International in its early days. Through it all, family, faith and a love of growing things have shaped who I am.

I grew up in a family of immigrant farmers. My seven siblings stayed in farming, but I traded farm work for agricultural policy strategy. For more than four decades, much of it as a leader in the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario, I advocated for family farming, farmland preservation, environmental stewardship, and faith-informed public dialogue. I championed local food on the Toronto Food Policy Council, the Greater Toronto Area Agricultural Action Committee and on a decade of weekly Corner Post radio commentaries. My life’s work — creating space for people to flourish — has been honored by Calvin University’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2021. MyOwnPlace Guelph is the next chapter.