Hometown: Merville, BC (the Gumboot Capital of Canada)
How long have you been a Vancouverite? Two years
Occupation:
By day, I am the Career Manager for UBC’s Early Career Masters program at the Sauder School of Business – my job is to help a diverse group of graduate students from a myriad of cultural and academic backgrounds find leadership opportunities in the world of work. Basically, I coach tomorrow’s world-changers and try to reveal their career potential.
By night, I am the Editor-in-Chief of the Daily Gumboot, Vancouver’s coolest community-minded blog that my parents read. Collaborating with 20 correspondents from around the world, we collect ideas from everywhere and use them to build community. Such ideas have included, but are not limited to: pirates, the HST, greenwashing, mortgages, dinner parties, the classroom, and sex robots.
I’m also on the Board of Directors for the East End Food Co-op, serve as a Book Reviewer for Activehistory.ca, and am the Research Chair for the Canadian Education and Research Institute for Counselling (CERIC).
Favourite place in the city:
Holy tough question, Batman! I love UBC because its geographic location is truly spectacular and it makes me feel like I’m in the heart of something really special.
But if I have to pick only one, I’ll go with The Drive, which is different and equally special. I love the amazing restaurants, unpretentious patios, and the true, passionate, urgent sense of community. The people-watching is also second to none. I also live on The Drive, so I’m totally biased. My love of this ‘hood is also a little ironic, as, when adorned in Sauder School of Business attire (ie. suit and tie), I am often called a “douchebag” or told to “go back to Yaletown.” As you can see, Commercial Drive has retained an important part of its edginess!
Best way to spend a Saturday in the city:
First, find some friends. Second, have breakfast at Pane Vero, Café Deux Soleils, Theresa’s, or the Charlatan (depending on your mood). Third, get bikes. Fourth, ride to Granville Island, a farmer’s market, or your favourite local grocery store (depending on how much you want to spend). Fifth, purchase seasonal food for a delicious dinner. Sixth, go on your favourite bike ride (Seawall, North Shore, Central Valley Greenway). Seventh, return home, open good wine, unwrap even better cheese, prepare and consume a delicious meal with friends. Eighth, go on an adventure: walk, ride (depending on consumption of good wine), or bus downtown. Ninth, partake in karaoke or spirited-discussion/dancing at a local pub. Tenth, if you live in East Van, make your way home via the Number 20; the 1am ride is a cultural experience that puts a lot of things in perspective when it comes to community.
Do you know someone who would be a great featured Vancouverite? Let us know in the comment box below!
