Having joined Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) in 1997, I acquired extensive experience and knowledge within Canada’s national housing agency. I worked in a broad range of roles including Executive Assistant to CMHC’s General Manager; Products and Services Administrator in CMHC’s Ontario Market Analysis Centre; and Professional Services Coordinator for Ontario in CMHC’s Community Development Centre. From 2011-2014, I was a member elected by majority to represent all Ontario staff in CMHC’s President’s Advisory Council. The Advisory Council plays an important role in ensuring CMHC remains an exceptional organization. The Advisory Council taps into the pulse of the corporation and helps the President anticipate and respond to workplace trends.

On April 30, 2014, The Character Community Foundation of York Region honoured me with a nomination plaque at the 8th Annual Character Community Awards that took place at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts. The nomination was accepted in the category of Business Person of Character - presented to an individual who demonstrates the York Region character attributes throughout their interactions in the workplace. The celebration is the Character Community Foundation’s signature event, which recognizes individuals, schools, groups and businesses across York Region that demonstrate the following exemplary character attributes: Compassion • Inclusiveness • Perseverance • Courage • Initiative • Respect • Fairness • Integrity • Responsibility • Honesty • Optimism

In September 2013, I raised $2,142.00 and received a Thank You Plaque for my outstanding support of the Shoppers Drug Mart® Weekend to End Women's Cancers™ from The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation UHN. I participated in this fundraising opportunity by walking 32 kilometres for 2 reasons: 1/to honour the life of my friend - a cancer survivor; and 2/to honour the memory my late friend who succumbed to cancer.

In 2009, I became Co-Chair of the Diversity Committee at the CMHC Ontario Business Centre in Toronto. At the end of the one-year term, I received a letter on behalf of the CMHC Ontario Management Team, where they expressed their appreciation for my dedication and support in my role as Co-Chair of the committee. They congratulated me for consistently bringing forward new ideas that served to raise awareness of diversity issues in the workplace and for being instrumental in keeping the committee on track and focused on its goals.

In 2003, I led a series of Focus Group sessions throughout Ontario for CMHC`s Market Analysis Centre. I then wrote and published a report on my findings. The report served as an instrument through which recommendations in the survey procedure were implemented.

Throughout my 18-year tenure at CMHC, I wrote numerous articles that were published in CMHC’s Regional News, in CMHC’s Perspectives Magazine, and in CMHC’s Conversations Magazine. Additionally, I have written articles that have been published in Snapd community newspaper, on the Volunteer Toronto website and in the Caribbean Current. As an active member of the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) for 8 years, I become an avid blogger for them. One of my blogs has had 13,581 views.

I serve as a dedicated volunteer for the Homeless Outreach Program run by the church where I congregate. On a quarterly basis, myself and other volunteers from In The Flame of The Holy Spirit Church offer 400 bagged lunches to the homeless people of Toronto. Along with the lunches, we bring the message of hope to these oft forgotten human beings.

I also volunteer for other community-based initiatives. In the summer of 2012, I facilitated a self-esteem workshop for Latina girls at a day camp run by MUJER. This multi-faceted summer camp program was offered to underprivileged Latina girls aged 13-21. It had three main components: Leadership, Health, and Creative Art Expression workshops, which addressed topics including self-esteem, bullying, body image and healthy relationships. The other place that is close to my heart where I volunteer at, is the Pregnancy Care Centre – a pregnancy crisis centre that offers direction to distressed women who feel alone in their pregnancy.

For my volunteer work, I received an Outstanding Volunteer Achievement Certificate from The Honourable Costas Menegakis, MP for Richmond Hill. Thus far, I have been honoured with 3 Plaques, 7 Volunteer Certificates, 15 Employee Recognition Awards and 25 Education Certificates.