As a child, my imagination would take me to a quaint little house nestled on the vast Canadian prairies. Born of Ukrainian and Irish descent, I was raised by a Belgian mother and a proud Metis father who enjoyed sharing the richness of his culture with me. It was he who instilled in me a profound appreciation for heritage, taking me from one museum to another. Inspired by his enthusiasm, I discovered a deep passion for understanding cultures and peoples across the ages, a passion that has remained with me to this day.

Author

Unlike those naturally gifted with a writers’ flair, I stand to the power of sheer persistence. In my work, Battleground Africa, a book about the tumultuous post-independence years in Congo in the 1960s, I illustrate how forces of nationalism mixed with the Cold War’s ideological struggle. Currently, I am collaborating with Hadish Mehari on a memoir that traces his pursuit of freedom, a journey marked by his daring struggles, persistence, and ultimately his remarkable escape from Eritrea.

Educator

For eight consecutive years, the students at Baton Rouge Community College have left me with invaluable lessons that transcend the boundaries of world history. Working alongside these passionate students, I have seen the struggles they face, and their determination to succeed, and in turn, they have shown me the significance of commitment in the face of adversity. They are a humbling reminder of the personal side of learning and striving for an education.

Volunteer

It is my conviction that without the safeguards of human rights we are stripped of our very humanity. In 2019, driven by my passion for education, I traveled to Tigray, Ethiopia, where I had the privilege of designing and teaching a high-school equivalency course for Eritreans living in U.N. refugee camps. Closer to home, I played an active role in the resettlement of Afghan refugees after 2021, helping them rebuild their lives. It was a profound honor to be named the 2022 CCUSA Volunteer of the Year and 2023 Louisiana Champion of Service, experiences that continue to fill me with a deep sense of humility and purpose.