It’s me, Ché!

I excelled in this new environment with no stereotype of me tagging along. I got the chance to carve out my true identity and show it off. And show it off I did. My teen years in student council, science fair, public speaking, youth leadership, work and swim coaching established the foundation for the leadership style I use and lifestyle that I love today. I was able to emerge as ME, without my previous status and positioning impacting how others received me.

Once I started my post-secondary schooling, this trend became a norm. I longed for a school that would bring a sense of community - I needed to be engaged and participate in all things leadership. The smallness of my university felt like a home town. It felt similar to the benefits of country life, offering me connections, support, and the feeling of community. The learning I was able to do there also helped me to see the leadership opportunities business and government, could bring to a person and a community.

But my classes in International Development Economics truly set my mind on how economics and community intersects, beyond consumerism.

Leadership, that’s where.

What I learned about why certain areas of the world, or a region of a country, or a neighbourhood in a town don’t develop or aren’t thriving as much as others lies in in social realities. How we do business. How we take care of others. How others are viewed by those with power. It was about decisions. Everyday choices that make the difference in everyday lives.

Leadership is about choices. Choices and actions made on behalf of others, that impact others and the planet. I observed that it often came down to one leader, or a small group of leaders, who shaped so much for everyone else.

Leadership matters. Big time.

I can clearly see that when leaders are visionary, prepared, and lead from the back with a whole whack of values embedded into their choices, everyone can win.

Now that I have seen this, I cannot un-see it.

And when I can see the root of something causing harm, or presenting potential for positive radical shifts in the world we experience, I am like a dog with a bone.

I am in relentless pursuit of helping to create a world of courageous visionary leaders who act like activists in their roles everyday from the middle of nowhere.

What smaller communities have more than our urban and metropolitan counterparts, is the ability to narrow down to the local household and person-level context. We are small enough to care for everyone around us. We can live and see that impact right in front of our eyes, when they are open like our hearts. This is why I choose the country life, because we can keep it local and really make a difference in the lives of others and ourselves. (and well, all the natural goodies of open water, gardening, and community suppers, too)

To make this happen, I commit to work 3 leadership roles at a time:

one as an inclusive community development consultant,

one in youth sport and recreation programs, and

one in a local social sector employment role.

I take local employment roles to be able to build solutions that matter to my neighbours and learn about what is truly needed.

I take on consulting work to be able to bring what I learned elsewhere, sharing and building capacity for everyone involved.

I do the youth sport work because I love the power of inclusive sport for kids and the inspiration that the incredible teens that I work with bring to my life. They are my truest monitors of living my values - they keep me grounded and are the leaders of today, and tomorrow.

Now, as a woman in my 30s, I try to live mask-off, on my terms as often as possible in my smaller community, and I’ve helped some other women in leadership do this with me too.

I choose rural because despite my childhood experience of stereotypes, labels and isolation, I have seen first hand that you can live without limitations on your identity in smaller communities. It may not be easy to be different, but different is what we all need. Innovation requires diversity. Diversity, to be seen and valued, requires a mask-off way of living. Coming as you are and being part of a community is the truest version of belonging.

I am taking a stand, not a seat, in my roles as an Everyday Activist form the middle of nowhere.

l am doing to do what I do best - loving my community from whatever seat I can find and that will support me. 

Wanna join me?

Go get your soap box, loudspeaker, running shoes, pumped tires, poster boards and self-care.

My rebel heart needs your help, and we need all the action we can get. 

 Call me.