I’ve called Nanaimo home for over 20 years. It’s where I’ve raised my family, built my career, and become deeply connected to this community.
MeetKailey
A Little More About Me
Outside of my professional life, much of my time is spent with my family and in the community. You’re just as likely to find me at a soccer field, dance studio, at the beach, exploring nature with my kids, or joining in a game of dodgeball as you are at a community meeting or event.
Over the years, I’ve volunteered, coached soccer, managed hockey teams, helped with fundraisers and community events, and spent countless hours alongside other parents, coaches, volunteers, and young people.
I genuinely enjoy being involved and getting to know the people around me. Whether it’s cheering from the sidelines, helping organize a team, volunteering at an event, or simply spending time with kids and families, those everyday connections are a big part of what community means to me.
They’ve also reinforced my belief that strong communities are built through relationships; by showing up, listening, contributing where you can, and making people feel like they belong.
for me, community has always been about showing up, getting involved, and building relationships.
Lived Experience as a Parent
I’ve spent more than 15 years navigating the school system as a parent, including advocating for children with different learning and support needs.
Through that experience, I’ve seen how meaningful the right support can be and how challenging it can feel when communication breaks down, concerns are not addressed early, or families feel they are struggling to be heard.
I’ve also had the opportunity to see the school system from different perspectives within my own circle including through family members and friends who have worked in education.
That has given me a strong appreciation for the pressures and realities experienced not only by students and families, but also by teachers, educational assistants, support staff, administrators, and the many people who keep schools running every day.
Those experiences have shaped the way I approach advocacy. I believe strong schools are built when families and staff feel heard, concerns are addressed early, and people work together with respect, transparency, and a shared focus on what students and staff need to succeed.
Bringing the perspective of a parent who has spent years navigating schools, advocating for children, and working alongside educators and support teams.
Professional & Operational Leadership
Professionally, I work as a Regional Manager in the social services sector, overseeing community-based supports for for people with diverse and often complex needs.
My role involves leading large teams, overseeing 24-hour services, managing staffing and budgets, responding to health and safety concerns, navigating policy and regulatory requirements, and working closely with families, government funders, community partners, employees, and unions.
A large part of my work is operational leadership; taking broader organizational goals and making sure they translate into safe, effective, sustainable services on the ground.
That means balancing competing priorities, asking difficult questions, responding to complex situations, and making decisions that consider both the people receiving services and the people providing them.
I also work extensively in unionized environments. My experience is primarily from the management side of that relationship, and it has reinforced for me that strong labour relationships are built on respect, communication, consistency, trust, and a genuine willingness to work through challenges together.
That experience has shaped the way I lead. I believe in supporting the people doing the work, creating environments where concerns can be raised openly, addressing issues proactively, and following through on decisions.
As a trustee, I would bring that operational perspective to the Board of Education while understanding that trustees govern rather than manage day-to-day operations; and recognizing that board decisions have very real impacts on students, staff, families, and the people responsible for carrying those decisions out.
Experience leading people, programs, and complex operations with a focus on strong relationships, accountability, and practical solutions.
Your Voice. Our Kids.