My writings on leadership, serving the underserved, accessibility, volunteering, public service, journalism, and the things I care about.
A difficult work environment led to burnout despite strong performance. A career coach's reflective questions helped me gain clarity, and inspired me to become a volunteer coach myself.
On this day 20 years ago, I started my working life as a journalist, a career I had dreamt of since I was 14. The belief in service it gave me has never left.
A new entrant asked me this recently. After a moment's thought, I replied: 'Why? I love public service!' Two reasons, and the advice I would give my younger self.
Friends often ask why I volunteer as a career coach under the Public Service Career Coach Network. I compiled a Q&A for myself. It is a light-hearted read, and the reflection is real.
I did not have a noble purpose when I first joined. But fast forward many years, I am thankful that public service gave me what I was looking for, and also so much more.
A workplace experience where I was reprimanded for an error I did not commit, and what calmly standing up for what is right, with evidence, can do.
When I received the Exemplary Leader Award, I was both exhilarated and humbled. A part of me could not help but ask: how do I live up to this? A year on, here is what I have learned.
On making libraries truly inclusive spaces for persons with disabilities, and why it is not enough for good services to exist. People must also know about them and feel encouraged to use them.
One of the sweetest moments is hearing children excitedly shout those words when they hear our footsteps. After more than a year volunteering with kidsREAD@Home, here is what I have learned.
As a befriender at Camp X, an inclusive camp for persons with disabilities, I spent three days alongside a camper. On the final morning, a small gesture — a hard-boiled egg, freely given — moved me to tears and taught me what genuine inclusion feels like.
When New Life Stories sought volunteer illustrators for books written by incarcerated parents for their children, I signed up. It was harder — and far more meaningful — than I had expected.
From shelf-reading at a library to reading to children in rental housing through kidsREAD@Home, my volunteering journey began small and grew. Some thoughts on finding your way in — and why the joy matters as much as the service.