Journalism is about giving citizens a voice in a way that balances government powers with the people they serve. Journalism is also about equipping people to make informed decisions. As a resident of Ontario, reporting requires work to further transparency in government, clarify residential challenges, and investigate growing crime rates. Misinformation is a concern, but what is more readily fixable is the problem of missing information. Do you know who you are voting for? Do you know what they are capable of? Journalism is focused on understanding people, what they do and why they do it.

I pursue journalism because I care about telling stories that give people a voice while connecting their experiences with larger conversations shaping the world. I believe the world is not as fragmented as it may seem, and there are voices out there that connect our experiences in a meaningful way. It is about telling beautiful stories, but it is also about creating understanding, and building trust within and between communities.

A primary focus of the media avenues I have worked with is to talk about what is happening in the world through the lens of people. Coming from a background in clinical science research where people tend to be included as statistical data in research findings was quite a contrasting transition into journalism, but one that is like complimentary opposites. Through clinical research I learned to deepen the significance of stories. As a journalist, I can qualify people’s perspectives with supportive evidence. I believe that is how we connect with what is happening outside of our own lives and softens the sense of indifference.