Edlene is the mother of a sibling group who joined her family at ages 6, 10 and 12. She has lived experience in older child adoption, complex trauma, advocacy within education and healthcare systems, navigating intercultural and interfaith dynamics as well as openness realities. She has over 10 years’ experience in administrative support both within the private and not-for-profit sectors. Currently, she sits on the Board of Directors of the Aurora Cultural Centre where she is the secretary of the Board Governance and Nominating Committee. She was a member of the Town of Aurora’s Anti-Black Racism and Anti-Racism Task Force. She was born in the Philippines, grew up in Hong Kong and immigrated to Canada at the age of 18.