A dream...

My journey began growing up in the shadow of the Wiarton, Ontario Airport. Watching aircraft fly overhead everyday led me to follow my dream of becoming a pilot.  I trained as both an airplane and helicopter pilot, and by my 17th birthday I had licenses for both. 

I decided to pursue my passion for avation in my post secondary education.  Taking the chance to follow my passion and work hard for it taught me lessons I still carry today: work hard, stay curious, and give all you can to what you love.  

Most importantly, it showed me how a great education can open doors that once seemed impossibly far away. 

Building and Growing

I began my post secondary education with a college diploma in helicopter piloting from Candore College in North Bay earning my Commercial Pilot's License - Helicopter. However, getting a helicopter job as a 19 year old woman in a field that was nearly exclusively male at the time was a major hurdle. 

I decided to instead pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Science and eventually a Master’s degree in Human Factors through Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida.  During that time I also achieved my Commercial Pilot’s Licence - Airplane, with Multi-Engine and IFR ratings, and began interning with an major airline. I realized, however, that my passion for education nad knowledge had grown. 

Instead of pursuing a career as a pilot, I returned to Canada, and was hired as an aviation lecturer at the University of Western, Ontario. I completed my PhD, while working full-time, specializing in education, all while getting married and having my first two children with my husband. In fact, I defended my PhD three days after giving birth to my second child, ultimately earning my PhD in Education. 

My post secondary journey has shaped my belief that there is no single pathway to success—and that our education system should help every student discover the pathway that works for them.  

The University of Waterloo

After twelve years at Western University, I joined the University of Waterloo in 2016 as a tenured professor. I have had the privilege of teaching and mentoring thousands of students in the years that followed. Teaching remains one of the most meaningful parts of my career. 

In 2021, I received Waterloo's Distinguished Teacher Award, the University's highest recognition for teaching. 

My experience has reinforced something I believe deeply: students thrive when educators set high expectations, provide strong support, and make them feel that their success matters. 

WISA

In 2021, I founded the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics  (WISA) and continue to serve as its Executive Director. WISA is a major University institute, bringing together over 150 University of Waterloo Faculty to support regional and national businesses in connecting with research and ideas to help improve aviation sustainability around the world.

Building WISA has meant bringing people together across disciplines, organizations and perspectives around a common purpose. 

Through WISA, I have led major publicly funded initiatives, including a FEDDEV Ontario project valued at over $12 million dollars. I have built partnerships with government and industry, and worked with teams to turn ambitious ideas into measurable results. 

This work has taught me the importance of responsible stewardship, good governance, collaboration and accountability—skills I would bring directly to the role of school board trustee.

Global Impact

I have spent much of my career working with educators, governments, regional, national and global organizations to improve aviation and related education and to prepare the next generation for the future ahead. These experiences have shown me that while communities may be different, young people everywhere benefit from strong educators, meaningful opportunities, and an education system that helps them feel like the impossible isn't so far fetched.

Some of my global reach has included:

• International education leadership: I have worked with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the United Nations Special Agency that supports international civil aviation, on its Next Generation of Aviation Professionals initiative from 2015–2020, including as Vice-Chair, helping advance international efforts to attract, educate and prepare the next generation of aviation professionals
  
  

• Education reaching learners around the world: I created Aviation Fundamentals, a 10-module online course offered through a partnership between the University of Waterloo and ICAO. Since 2017, the program had been completed by more than 7,000 learners from more than 140 countries

• Expanding global
  e-learning: I have led the development of additional online programs in aviation sustainability and climate change, including three asynchronous courses of more than 20 hours each, building on decades of research and experience in online and technology-enabled education
  
  

• Author of the most Globally used textbook in my field: Fundamentals of International Aviation, soon to be released in its third edition, is the leading introductory aviation textbook for educational institutions. The book is currently printed in English, Mandarin, Korean and Turkish.
  
  

• Prolific aviation author and cited professional: I have also written  and/or edited several other books on aviation education and competency-based learning
  
  

• Current and previous leadership positions: Currently, I am a member of the National Research Council's Aerospace Advisory Committee in which I advise the national agency in terms of priorities, impacts and strategic decisions. I have previously served various board and board related roles with Air Georgia and the Initiative for Sustainable Aviation Technology.

• Speaker at major international event: I have delivered keynote addresses and other presentations around the world, including major aviation events in Madrid, Toulouse, Abu Dhabi, São Paulo, New Delhi, Doha, Singapore, Bali and across Canada and the United States. Topics have ranged from the future of education and workforce development to sustainability.
  
  

• International association leadership: I was previously elected President of the University Aviation Association, representing the interests of nearly 100 university-level institutional members and more than 500 individual members

Community Impact

Waterloo Region is home, and I have tried to use my career to create opportunities here—whether by bringing investment into our community, supporting young people, or contributing my time and expertise to local organizations and schools. I believe strong communities are built when education, government, industry and families work together.

Some highlights of my community engagement have included:

• Brought $9.17 million in federal investment to Waterloo Region: I led the successful proposal for a $9.17-million FedDev Ontario investment, towards a project valued at more than $12 million, to establish and grow the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics and strengthen the aerospace ecosystem centered around the Region of Waterloo International Airport

• Turned that investment into measurable local impact: The initiative supported 38 research projects, 93 businesses, 30 not-for-profit organizations and 28 new collaborations, while participating companies reported approximately $2.9 million in new sales and 132 intellectual-property outcomes.

• Helped build sustainable systems at the Region of Waterloo International Airport: Through WISA, I have worked to connect the University, the airport, local companies, researchers and students—working collaboratively to help establish the airport as a place for research, innovation, training and community partnerships 

• Speaking directly with young people: I have volunteered my time to speak with young people in Waterloo Region, including Air Cadet squadrons and Girl Guides, encouraging them to explore their interests, pursue education and imagine careers they may not previously have considered

• Supporting local schools: I frequently contribute to programs involving the Waterloo Catholic District School Board, sharing my experience as an educator and supporting opportunities that connect students with learning, careers and the wider community

• An active voice in Waterloo Region: I have spoken at local community events including the State of the Region, the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce's International Women's Day event, the Waterloo Innovation Summit, and numerous other student and community events

• Kearns Family Scholarships: Between 2021 and 2026, my family established scholarships to support aviation students at the University of Waterloo, donating $10,000 in total

Recognition

I am grateful to have been recognized for teaching, leadership and service throughout my career. To me, these honours are meaningful because they reflect the values I would bring to public education: commitment to students, excellence in teaching, thoughtful leadership and service to others. 

Included here are many of the recognitions I am very grateful for:

• 2018 - William A. Wheatley Award, recognizing outstanding contributions to aerospace education
  
  

• 2019 - Elsie MacGill Award - Education, Northern Lights Aero Foundation, recognizing outstanding contributions by Canadian women in aviation and aerospace
  
  

• 2021 - University of Waterloo Distinguished Teacher Award -Waterloo's highest teaching recognition
  
  

• 2021 - Women's Executive Network - Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women, Emerging Leaders category 

• 2022 - Dr. Ian McKenzie Award for Commitment to University of Waterloo Aviation Students 

• 2024 - Top 25 Women in Defence in Canada, Esprit de Corps — recognition for leadership and contributions in Canadian aviation/aerospace
  
  

• 2026 - Brandon Hall Group Gold Award, Best Certification Program - recognizing the ICAO–University of Waterloo aviation e-learning initiative for excellence in delivering a high-quality, globally accessible professional certification program 

Paying it Forward

I have been incredibly fortunate throughout my life to have people who believed in me, opened doors for me, challenged me, and helped me become more than I could have become on my own. My family, teachers, mentors, colleagues, students and community have all played a part in my journey, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunities I have been given. 

At this stage in my life, I feel a real responsibility to give something back - to use the experience I have gained as an educator, leader and community builder in service of the place I call home. 

Pope Francis said that “Education is above all a matter of love and responsibility handed down from one generation to another.” Those words capture what I believe about education and about leadership: we have a responsibility to help create the opportunities for the next generation that others once created for us. 

That is why I am running to serve as a Trustee with the Waterloo Catholic District School Board—to give back to my community, to support our students and educators, and to help ensure that every young person in our Catholic schools has the opportunity to learn, grow, discover their gifts and build a future filled with hope.