Simcoe County District School Board

If you could pick one woman who has been an inspiration to you, who would it be and why?
Kathi Wallace – she was the first female principal I worked closely with. She was the first time I realized as a student and educator that females had a possible space in education leadership.
Looking back from where you are today, what advice would you give your high school self?
Don’t worry about the small stuff.
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Night owl
Favourite artist/song?
Taylor Swift – Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me
Describe your leadership style in one word.
Action-oriented (hyphen allows for 2 words!)
Favourite subject in high school?
Physical education
When you’re not at work, what do you enjoy doing?
Reading
What unique challenges have you faced as a woman in educational leadership and how did you navigate them?
A dismissive response to my actions or contributions. I had to advocate for my work and my contributions to be acknowledged.
What early experiences did you have that shaped the leader you are today?
Understanding that putting in the extra hours, extra work, extra efforts are required but not always going to be recognized. You need to do the work for your own professional learning and understanding, not for anyone else’s.
If you could be the main character in a movie, what movie would it be and why?
R2D2 – Star Wars – goes towards challenges and danger and provides support for overcoming them.

If you could pick one woman who has been an inspiration to you, who would it be and why?

My mom and the women in my family. They taught me to stand up for everyone and take charge.
Looking back from where you are today, what advice would you give your high school self?
Calm down, slow down, take it in, and process. It’s important to learn to take time to slow down before reacting.
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Early bird – but only recently!
Favourite artist/song?
I’m a 90’s girl. Anything by Our Lady Peace, the Tragically Hip, and Sarah McLachlan 
Favourite subject in high school?
Politics 
When you’re not at work, what do you enjoy doing?
Camping and concerts. I’m happiest when I’m in the forest and by the water.
What unique challenges have you faced as a woman in educational leadership and how did you navigate them?
I don’t feel like I’ve been held back as a woman and would attribute that to the women who came before us who made it possible. I work in a male-dominated career and I don’t feel as though I’m held back in my career based on gender, in part due to how I was raised to take charge.
What early experiences did you have that shaped the leader you are today?
As the Chair of the Board, my early experience as a school council member inspired me to get further involved with the committee in the capacity of chairperson. From there, I got involved with the Parent Involvement Committee (PIC), which further aspired me to pursue other opportunities and look at how my contributions could be further utilized.
If you could be the main character in a movie, what movie would it be and why?
None, I want to be the main character in my own movie!

If you could pick one woman who has been an inspiration to you, who would it be and why?
One woman who has deeply inspired me would be my mom. She taught me resilience, grit, empathy, kindness, and the importance of never giving up. Her strength and heart continue to guide me every day.
Looking back from where you are today, what advice would you give your high school self?
Looking back, the advice I'd give my high school self is simple: "You've got this." Trust yourself, you're stronger than you know.
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Early bird.
Favourite artist/song?
A Song for Mama by Boyz II Men. 
Describe your leadership style in one word.
Transformational
Favourite subject in high school?
Geography
When you're not at work, what do you enjoy doing?
When I’m not at work, I love spending time with my husband and son. They truly are my world.
What unique challenges have you faced as a woman in educational leadership, and how did you navigate them?
One unique challenge has been pushing against long-standing stereotypes about women in the trades. There can still be a deficit lens placed on non traditional pathways, especially in tech and skilled trades in education. Navigating this requires persistence, advocacy, and a commitment to shifting mindsets around academic and experiential learning. It’s encouraging to now see greater recognition and opportunities for tech educators to pursue administrative pathways and leadership roles.
What early experiences shaped the leader you are today?
Early experiences that shaped my leadership include learning from strong role models, working closely with students and families, and being supported by my own family. These experiences taught me the value of leading with authenticity, empathy, and confidence, qualities that continue to ground my leadership today.
If you could be the main character in a movie, what movie would it be and why?
If I were the main character in a movie, I’d be Supergirl, always racing faster than a speeding train just to get everything done

If you could pick one woman who has been an inspiration to you, who would it be and why?
My greatest inspiration is my mother. She is a woman of incredible strength and courage. Despite facing many challenges throughout her life, she’s continued to persevere with unwavering resilience and determination. Her ability to keep going, no matter the obstacles, inspires me every day.
Looking back from where you are today, what advice would you give your high school self?
I would tell her that no matter how deeply you bury it or how far you run, the only way to truly heal from trauma is to ask for help, bring it to light, face it, and work through it. It won't be easy, but I promise it will heal your heart and make you stronger.
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Early bird gets the worm.
Favourite artist/song?
One of my many favourites is Creedence Clearwater Revival, Fortunate Son.
Describe your leadership style in one word.
Transformational
Favourite subject in high school?
Graphic design and art
When you're not at work, what do you enjoy doing?
When I’m not at work I enjoy spending time with my kids, Hudson and Nora.
What unique challenges have you faced as a woman in educational leadership, and how did you navigate them?
I have been fortunate not to face many of these challenges, and I credit the strong, determined women in educational leadership who have come before me and paved the way. We have come a long way. There was a time when women were only hired as cleaners, not custodians.
When I do encounter such challenges, I remain focused and resilient. I work diligently and allow my efforts to speak for themselves.
What early experiences shaped the leader you are today?
A lot of who I am as a leader comes from the people I worked under throughout my life. I’ve had the opportunity to experience many different leadership styles, and each one taught me something valuable. The good leaders showed me how important respect, support, and leading by example are. The challenging experiences taught me what kind of leader I didn’t want to be and how leadership decisions can affect morale and motivation. All of these experiences helped me grow, learn, and shape my own approach to leadership.

If you could pick one woman who has been an inspiration to you, who would it be and why?
It would be my mom.
First – I am in awe of her courage. Her courage to leave her home country, travel to Canada, a country unlike her own. Give up her career working and start fresh with little resources. She taught me to work with what I have, even in the challenges, she always figured out a way to get through it. And the other is to have a strong work ethic, always giving your best.
Looking back from where you are today, what advice would you give your high school self?
Don’t be afraid to speak up. Make your wants known.
I would have appreciated more confidence in just asking for things I desired, rather than sitting and being quiet and accepting whatever the status quo was.
If you don’t ask, how do you expect things to receive the things you really want. The worst thing that can happen is to receive a no – and the follow up question would be – how do I get a yes?
Are you and early bird or a night owl?
Definitely an early bird. I love the morning. I’m most productive then.
Favourite artist/song?
Artist – Whitney Houston
Song – You’re the Inspiration – Chicago
Describe your leadership style in one word.
Empowering – my role is to help others discover their potential – to help them find their power and develop powers in other areas they didn’t think were possible.
Favourite subject in high school?
Drama
When you’re not at work, what do you enjoy doing?
Shopping - my dream job would be a personal stylist.
What unique challenges have you faced as a woman in educational leadership and how did you navigate them?
I don’t know if these are unique, but I feel common to women in leadership:

1. The need to balance intensive work-life balance demands. As the primary caregiver, it was on me to manage the day to day for my family while taking courses and working full time. That can create quite a conflict.
2. Being penalized for either being too assertive or being too nurturing.
3. Being underestimated, either because of my actual stature/size or in some cases, the colour of my skin.

What early experiences did you have that shaped the leader you are today?
Growing up in an immigrant household meant stepping into responsibility long before most children today. With both of my parents working multiple jobs, our home relied on everyone contributing. I learned to manage chores, care for siblings, prepare meals, pack my lunches, and even get myself to appointments independently. At the time, it felt normal — simply what had to be done. But looking back, those early experiences fundamentally shaped the leader I am today.
They taught me self‑reliance, because waiting for someone else to handle things was rarely an option. They built resilience, because challenges weren’t obstacles — they were part of everyday life. They nurtured discipline and follow‑through, because I understood that my actions directly impacted the people around me.
Most importantly, being trusted with so much responsibility at a young age taught me empathy, humility, and the value of collective effort. I learned that leadership isn’t about authority; it’s about showing up consistently, supporting others, and doing whatever is needed to help the team — or family — move forward.
If you could be the main character in a movie, what movie would it be and why?
Bilbo Baggins in the Hobbit.
I can relate, not only to his height, but the transformation of a timid hobbit to a brave hero. It highlights his resourcefulness and his development in discovery the impact of his role in the journey. I kind of liken myself to this character.