Charmaine was born and raised in Northwestern Ontario and moved to Thunder Bay to pursue her degree in Political Science in 2008. She has held positions in recruitment, economic and community development, research and, before herprofessional career, everything from a gas attendant to an elementary teacher. Thunder Bay has been home for 10 years now (with a few adventures in between). She has always been an advocate for eliminating misconceptions through education. She was nominated for the Northern Ontario Visionary Award in 2014 for her capacity development work with First Nations. She and her partner own a home on Dawson Road and have three fur babies; their families are their hugest support and she plans on calling Thunder Bay home for many years to come.