Born and raised in Sarnia, Ontario, Elise was introduced to volunteering at a young age. Her desire to have a positive impact on others and to build strong administrative skills inspired her to seek a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Hotel and Food Administration at the University of Guelph, from which she graduated with honours.

After meeting her Quebecois partner in Whistler, she began learning French and moved to Montréal. Their adventure had just begun when four years later they moved to Belgium, eventually landing in Québec City in 2014. The support Elise received from VEQ as a newcomer was a game changer! She was able to confidently hit the workforce and gain valuable bilingual work experience as a coordinator.

Being the proud parent of two young children, Elise soon found herself participating in the many Family Matters activities offered through the Wellness Centre. She became an active volunteer in the hope of bringing joy and support to local English-speaking families. She was able to work closely with the dedicated team at JH Partners through her involvement as a volunteer in helping to coordinate the Children’s Christmas Party three years in a row, among other events.

It is all these personal and professional experiences combined that led Elise to the opportunity to join the JH Partners’ team as the full-time volunteer coordinator in the fall of 2021. This job suits her perfectly because it means she can fulfill her passions of being part of a dedicated team, building excellent client relations, and supporting her fellow community members.

In her spare time, she enjoys experimenting with her green thumb through gardening, and being in the great outdoors with her family.