personal
My personal projects are driven by a desire to connect people, build community, and give back in creative ways. Whether through fashion, food, or fundraising, each initiative has been about turning ideas into meaningful experiences.
The Closet Collective
My closet has always been a revolving door—pieces borrowed, shared, and passed on between friends. There’s something satisfying about knowing that something you once loved is being worn and appreciated by someone else. Pair that with my love for vintage and secondhand fashion, and I saw an opportunity to turn this mindset into something bigger—something that could give great clothes a second life while supporting a cause I care about.
That idea became The Closet Collective, a clothing pop-up fundraiser in support of the Ottawa School of Art. More than just a sale, it introduced a new kind of shopping experience—one where guests could pay by the bag, filling it with as many finds as they liked. This approach made it feel more like a treasure hunt than a typical retail experience. The event transformed an entire floors of art studios into a beautifully merchandised concept store, featuring thousands of pre-loved pieces donated by local tastemakers.
Courage Brand
When I was asked to join the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation’s fundraising committee, I was inspired to find a way to contribute beyond traditional fundraising efforts—something that connected with my skills and the community I was part of. I wanted to create a tangible way for people to support cancer care and research, which led to Courage Brand—a handcrafted bracelet line where 100% of proceeds went directly to the foundation.
I personally made every bracelet was by hand, using only donated materials to ensure that all funds supported cancer patients and research initiatives. What started as a personal project grew into a larger effort, with Courage Brand sold online, in independent boutiques across Canada, and through a pop-up at Holt Renfrew.
The Ottawa Foodie Challenge
A summer job at the Ottawa Food Bank answering phones and organizing files opened my eyes to the reality of food insecurity in my own community. At the same time, my love for food—restaurants, cooking, and hosting—was a constant in my life. Finding a way to connect these two things felt important, and that’s how the Ottawa Foodie Challenge was born.
The first year, it launched with nothing more than a tweet to my local community, inviting food lovers to take part in a city-wide photo scavenger hunt, exploring the culinary scene while raising funds for the Ottawa Food Bank. Each year, it expanded, evolving into large-scale programming with major sponsors, organizing events, and a city-wide competition that brought food lovers together for a good cause.
It was my first philanthropic endeavor, where I saw the power of tying fun, engaging experiences to giving back—something that has shaped how I approach community-driven projects ever since.