Who is Debbie?

I have had the honour to serve as Kitchener's Ward 9 City Councillor since 2018.

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I grew up in Kitchener, completing my primary and secondary school education here, and my first university degree at WLU. I proudly live in Ward 9 with my husband, Peter, where we raised our family together. Most of our lives have been spent in Kitchener working and studying. 

I currently teach at Wilfrid Laurier University in the Departments of Political Science and Global Studies. I have been actively involved in the local area both as a leader and a participant.

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To the table I bring knowledge and experience from a variety of endeavours. These include having been operations manager at one of the largest wholesale gift and craft companies in the country, a university instructor of courses that  include urban politics and sustainability, the president of a neighbourhood association for 5 years, and member of several different City of Kitchener community advisory committees and board member of several local organizations. In addition, I have engaged extensively with a variety of different ethno-cultural communities in the Region.

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These involvements have given me a broad understanding of the diverse aspects of life in the City. In particular, my understanding of inclusion and equity goes beyond words and is based on action. As your City Councillor I have drawn on these experiences to represent Ward 9 to the best of my abilities over the past four years. Upon re-election, I will continue to seek to involve all members of our community in decision making and change. 

An Extensive History of Community Involvement

• Kitchener Housing Inc., board
  member

• Downtown Business Improvement
  Area, board member

• Multicultural Centre of KW, board
  member

• Environmental Advisory Committee, Kitchener

• Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee

• Grand River Hospital, board member

• Heritage Kitchener Committee

• Horticultural Society Kitchener, board member

• Downtown Action Advisory Committee, Kitchener

• Cherry Park Neighbourhood Association, Former President 

• Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee, Kitchener

• Cycling and Trails Community Advisory Committee, Kitchener

• Waterloo Regional Labour Council, WLUFA Delegate

• iHelp International, Board of Directors and Consultant

• Spanish Cultural Society of Waterloo Region, Member

• UNESCO Chair on Food, Biodiversity and Sustainability Studies' Advisory Committee

• ​PhD in Political Science
  Western University, London (2009)

• MA in Political Science

  York University, Toronto (2002)

• BA in Political Science/Sociology

  Wilfrid Laurier University (2001)

Education