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Ward 1 is where I live.
I’m a long-time Georgina homeowner, community volunteer and Ward 1 Councillor.
My background brings together tourism, entrepreneurship, training, human resources, business development and non-profit work. I’ve spent much of my career helping people, organizations and businesses solve problems, build relationships and move ideas forward.
I’ve also spent more than 20 years volunteering in the community, because I believe strong communities are built by people who care, show up and follow through.
I’ve served 5½ years on Council. That experience has given me a deeper understanding of how municipal government works, how decisions connect and how important it is to listen before acting.
My goal is simple:
Raise the standard. Protect what matters. Grow with purpose.
And through all of it, I try to live by one principle:
Leave it better than I found it.
-Charlene
Past Highlights
+20 years
Georgina homeowner & community volunteer
+5 years
Ward 1 Councillor. Half term 2017/18. Full term 2022/26.
Career
Tourism • Entrepreneurship • Training • HR • Business Development • Non-profit
Community
Accessibility • Food rescue • Arts & culture • Local partnerships • Community events
How I Work
Listen.
Good local government starts with listening, especially before an issue becomes a crisis.
Ground-truth.
Reports and plans matter. So does standing on the street, walking the path, visiting the park and seeing what residents see.
Work together.
A Councillor is one part of a much larger system. Good results usually involve residents, staff, Council, community organizations, businesses and other levels of government.
Follow through.
If I say I’ll look into something, I have to rely on a team of people. But I want to know what happened. If the answer is no or not yet, I want to explain why and help work toward a solution.
Be realistic.
Keep learning.
Not every request can be completed immediately. Some need design, approvals, funding or a future budget. Sometimes the answer is no. Sometimes the answer isn't under the municipality to take the lead. Sometimes it is not yet.
Keep learning.
Keep learning.
At the end of the day, the community changes.
Good leadership means staying curious, planning and adapting. Listen to the needs of people and connecting the dots.