I am originally from Calgary, Canada and a graduate of University of Calgary’s Faculty of Kinesiology (top sport science school in North America). I completed my BSc in Mind Sciences and MSc in Sport Psychology while working as a community events & marketing manager with Vancouver, Canada headquartered yoga apparel company Lululemon. It was through this work experience that I realized how fun it could be to combine my passion for sport and wellness with business and marketing.

I went on to pursue a PhD in Marketing at the University of Melbourne (top ranked university in Australasia) and called Australia home for almost 6 years. After completing my doctorate in 2014 I worked as a Lecturer at the University of Melbourne before moving to New Zealand in 2016. I am now a Senior Lecturer in Marketing at Auckland University of Technology.

My story also includes the beautiful country of Italy. I met my husband Stefano at the Australian Open, where I was doing sport marketing research and he was working as a private physiotherapist for a top ranked tennis player. We were married in his hometown in Tuscany and our now two year old son was born on the island of Sardinia. We lived in Sardinia then Barcelona, Spain while Stefano worked as the physiotherapist for America’s Cup sailing team Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli and I was on parental leave. Posso parlare Italiano e spero di diventare presto una cittadina italiana!

My primary scholarly research focuses on contemporary branding issues (e.g., brand activism and cancel culture), services and relationship marketing (e.g., service automation and retail theatre), and strategic sport marketing and sponsorship. I am passionate about translating my academic expertise and enjoy contributing regularly to media as a thought leader in marketing through TV, radio and print.