I have always believed that the most meaningful work is rarely done in isolation; collaboration is a catalyst for lasting change. This belief has shaped my leadership within campus-based groups, local charities, and international non-profit organizations I have had the privilege of being a part of. 

The local and international service initiatives I have spearheaded have been elevated by strategic partnerships with hard-working, talented, mission-driven undergraduate students. The diverse

perspectives of my peers at Rotary International and Kiva have improved my understanding of the multifaceted challenges our initiatives seek to address. The unwavering dedication my peers have brought to their work with the Calgary Drop-In Centre and Compassion Calgary has amplified the tangible impact these projects have had on our community. I am deeply grateful for the connections I have built with others who share my commitment to serving our communities. 

Meaningful connection with those we serve is also essential to creating lasting, transformative impact. This is achieved through building genuine relationships that transform our work from transactional to transformational. My work as a youth football coach has been centered around this guiding principle. I strive to teach the young men I coach lessons that contribute to their development as both athletes and individuals, instilling essential values for success: self-discipline, respect for others, and resilience. In doing so, I strive to build connections rooted in trust and mutual respect; relationships that extend far beyond the field. 

Ultimately, relationships are central not only to collaboration with others, but also to forming meaningful connections with those we serve. It is through cultivating these connections that we are able to achieve our greatest impact on communities and individuals. 

I see connection as being central to my future work, guiding how I engage with the communities I serve. The placing of those I seek to impact at the heart of my efforts will be essential to achieving meaningful change. 

My future community-based work will involve prioritizing listening to local community members and leaders to better understand the root causes of disproportionate health outcomes among underserved and marginalized populations, such as addiction, mental health challenges, and houselessness. These insights will inform upstream interventions that address critical social determinants of health and help reduce health inequities in my community. 

I envision extending this connection-centered approach to international work, addressing healthcare disparities in under-resourced settings around the world. I aspire to collaborate with humanitarian organizations, such as Médecins Sans Frontières, to provide essential care to those in need. I also hope to partner with physicians and health leaders in low- and middle-income countries to drive systemic improvements in healthcare delivery in the developing world. I envision contributing to strategic partnerships with organizations dedicated to addressing pertinent global health challenges to develop sustainable, locally informed solutions that create a lasting impact.

In the future, I hope to embrace collaboration as a researcher by fostering impactful partnerships with scientists, physicians, and patients to advance diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life for those living with autoimmune conditions within a patient-centered system. 

Collectively, I envision a future where solutions to pressing health challenges are designed and led by those who live them. My commitment as a leader is to champion this principle of connection, creating lasting change where communities are empowered as partners in shaping their own health outcomes.