I was born in Stirling, Central Scotland, and grew up in a small town at the foot of the Ochil Hills as the eldest of three children. At 17, I moved to Glasgow to train as a nurse at the Western Infirmary. In 1999, I relocated with my three young children to Perth, Western Australia, where I pursued a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Edith Cowan University. This academic pursuit allowed me to connect my practical experience with theoretical knowledge and sparked a strong interest in the social determinants of health.
In 2005, I transitioned from the clinical setting to a role in the homelessness sector, where I found the values alignment, I had been seeking.
Throughout my career, I have held positions at grassroots, senior, and executive management levels across various sectors, including homelessness, justice, domestic violence, youth, and mental health services. This diverse experience has provided me with a comprehensive understanding of the complexities faced by those we support. I am deeply committed to social justice and the rights of all individuals to live meaningful lives with dignity.
In 2021, I joined the team at Richmond Wellbeing. While the work is often challenging, supporting a dedicated team to help individuals realise that recovery is possible and achieve their goals is incredibly rewarding.