About Me

Hi, I’m Emma. Nice to meet you!

As a currently elected trustee, I have championed student safety, equity, and human rights at every opportunity—including speaking out clearly when conduct at Board meetings or on public platforms creates an environment that is unsafe for students and staff. I believe that every child, regardless of race, religion, orientation, or gender identity, deserves to feel safe and supported in their school. I have consistently voted to uphold that principle, and I will continue to do so.

I work in the marketing and advertising industry and am currently an Associate Director of Strategy at a downtown Toronto media agency, where I have developed award-winning strategies for global brands. I hold an MBA, and my work has earned recognition including a Silver Cannes Lion, Gold CMA, and three Clio Awards. I have also been a college professor and taught strategy to advertising students. What does that mean for you? I am a crystal-clear communicator who cuts straight to the point. I make sure I don’t just look at behaviour—I look at the why behind it, because analyzing the why is what helps enact change. I’m a comfortable public speaker and will bring your concerns to Board meetings and enter into debates with confidence. I also have a high success rate at working with people and building bridges across differing perspectives.

I’m an active volunteer in the community. I was the Executive Director of Caremongers Pickering-Ajax, a grassroots organization that helps people who are isolated due to Covid, less mobile, or unable to afford gas get groceries. We also partner with food banks to provide pick-ups and deliveries. I was also a member and press liaison for EANAP while we fought to save provincially significant wetlands from being developed. I was honoured to receive both a Queen’s Jubilee Pin and a Pickering Civic Award in recognition of my community contributions.

I have a passion for public education that is deeply personal. It started with my own school journey—and it’s why I fought to become your trustee, and why I’m asking for the chance to keep fighting for your children.

I actually started in the private school system. I went to a small school which had such a limited social circle that it was impossible to get away from bullies, as there simply weren’t enough kids to find friends elsewhere. I spent much of my young childhood in the sick room. My second private school experience lasted only for the seventh grade. A girls-only school, I was regularly fielding four or more hours of homework a night. It was stressful and unhappy. But I discovered a love of technology, computers, and community engagement that stays with me to this day.

I entered public school in eighth grade and it was like a breath of fresh air. The academics were still rigorous, but achievable, and I was able to find not one but several groups of friends and have the space to make a variety of social connections. Many of my close friends today I met in high school, where I attended an alternate-attendance performance arts school. Sadly, my dream of working in musical theatre died because I am a truly terrible dancer—but the other classes I took prepared me for the advertising career I’d never even thought to pursue, and my theatre classes gave me strong skills in understanding different personalities and always building on others’ ideas instead of tearing them down.

Now, with two children of my own, putting them in the public system was a no-brainer. They have thrived there with excellent teachers and administrators.

I’m a proud supporter of teachers and have spent a fair amount of time at the picket lines over the past ten years as an ally. Our children’s education is only as good as the teachers who teach it, and we are so fortunate to have so many passionate and dedicated professionals here in Pickering. They deserve our unwavering support.

There have, however, been times where, as a parent, it’s been necessary to advocate for my children at school. There have been times where I’ve needed to work with trustees and superintendents to keep my children safe and thriving. And I promise I will take care of your kids with the same fierce dedication as I take care of mine.