Hey, I’m Olivia.

I work alongside communities, nonprofits, and local leaders to strengthen how we live, care for one another, and make thoughtful decisions that shape our city.

About
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What Guides My Work

Listen with Intention

I believe the best ideas come from paying close attention to lived experience. Listening carefully, especially to voices that are often overlooked, leads to stronger understanding and better outcomes.

Think Beyond Silos

Community challenges are rarely isolated. I’m guided by a systems-level view that looks at how policy, governance, and social infrastructure intersect to shape everyday life.

Act with Care and Accountability

Trust is built through consistency, transparency, and follow-through. I aim to approach community work with integrity, clarity, and a genuine sense of responsibility to the people affected by decisions.

These principles guide how I orient myself in community spaces and how I engage with the issues that matter locally.

My Approach to Community Leadership

In practice, my approach to community leadership focuses on listening, collaboration, and a clear understanding of how local systems actually function. My approach is grounded in practical experience, thoughtful policy analysis, and a commitment to working alongside people to navigate complex issues with care and transparency.

I’m particularly attentive to how local decisions affect people differently, and to the importance of bringing clarity and context to conversations that can otherwise feel complex or inaccessible. This approach reflects how I work alongside others in community spaces and how I engage in conversations shaping Burlington and the Halton Region.

Group of people in a community center, with some seated at a round table and others standing, wearing yellow vests with a Lions Club logo, engaged in a lively discussion or presentation. 
Photo Credit: Matko Photography
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    Apply Systems Thinking

    Local challenges rarely exist in isolation. I focus on how policies, governance structures, and funding decisions interact across municipal, regional, and provincial levels to shape real outcomes.

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    Lead with Listening

    Strong decisions start with understanding lived experience. I prioritize listening to residents, community organizations, and frontline partners before forming conclusions or proposing solutions.

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    Work Collaboratively

    Sustainable progress comes from working together. I value collaboration across sectors and perspectives, and I believe trust, clarity, and shared responsibility are essential to effective community leadership.

Community Work

Learn More About My Community Work

Nonprofit & Community Leadership

I’ve worked closely with local nonprofits and volunteer-led organizations to support governance, strategic planning, and sustainable service delivery. This includes board leadership, fundraising initiatives, and helping organizations navigate change while staying rooted in their community mission.

Group of people wearing blue and white shirts at an outdoor street festival, with tents and a residential building in background.

A snapshot of the core team working together to support community connection through the Appleby Line Street Festival.

Housing, Aging & Social Infrastructure

My community work and policy research focus on how housing, aging, and social supports intersect at the local level. I’m particularly interested in approaches that help people remain connected, supported, and housed as neighbourhoods evolve.

A group of five people smiling for a photo at a social event. Four individuals are wearing vests with Lions Club logos, and one woman is wearing a t-shirt with Carpenters Hospice logo. They are standing indoors in a room with beige walls and soft lighting.

Celebrating 100 years of the Burlington Lions Club by donating $100,000 to the Carpenter Hospice, Community Living Burlington, and Shifra Homes.

Civic Engagement & Local Governance

I’ve spent years engaging with residents, elected officials, and community partners around local decision-making. This includes participating in public consultations, supporting community initiatives, and staying actively involved in conversations about transparency, collaboration, and good governance.

Group of diverse people standing in front of a wall with the Feed Halton logo and slogan, some wearing yellow vests, at a community event.

Working alongside community partners at Feed Halton, learning more about the essential work they do to address food insecurity and support dignity across our community.

Stay Connected

I value hearing from people who care about our community. Whether you have a question, a perspective to share, or simply want to stay connected, you’re welcome to reach out.