I was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta. I completed my Bachelor of Science (BSc), Master of Public Health (MPH) in Health Policy & Management, and Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) at the University of Alberta. After dental school, I pursued a one-year General Practice Residency (GPR) at Vancouver General Hospital and the University of British Columbia. Following that, I worked for two years as a rural general dentist in Ponoka, Alberta. My passion for working with children led me to specialize in Pediatric Dentistry at the Eastman Institute for Oral Health in Rochester, New York. During my time there, I also completed the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) Fellowship at the University of Rochester, where I gained deeper insight into advocacy for individuals with developmental disabilities.