Parry Sound–Muskoka is my home, but I was born in Edmonton to a father who immigrated to Canada with very little in his pocket and a mother who was a journalist from Winnipeg. Together, they built a small construction business. They worked long hours, struggling through tough times, and doing whatever it took to put food on the table. From them and my Hockey Hall of Fame grandfather, I learned the meaning of ‘elbows up’: standing strong, pushing forward, and never backing down.

At 13, I got my first job cleaning toilets, which taught me the value of hard work and humility. While in university, I became the youngest hospital chaplain, working in pediatrics and supporting families in crisis. Sitting with parents as they faced unimaginable heartbreak gave me a deep understanding of what it means to listen, support, and lead with empathy.

I worked my way through school, earning an MA in Int. Business and Management, and built a successful career in film and television—writing, directing, and producing award-winning films and series that created jobs and generated millions in economic activity. Before starting my own business, I worked my way up from the bottom to become an executive at a media company—growing the business from five to 60 employees while overseeing hit series for Discovery. My work has taken me around the world, from the UK, where I worked at the BBC, to major international film festivals.