New Works was definitely a springboard for my career. As an intern in 2008, I was eager to learn it all—from grant writing, to board support, to volunteer coordination, artist contracts, and lots of miscellaneous tasks, I was a sponge! And it was just a phenomenal environment.

Barb Clausen was a nurturing incubator of talent for the artists on stage as well as us in the office.

She tried to pull out our best qualities, and encourage us as arts workers and administrators to also grow.

When I started in 2008, there were a lot of emerging companies and eager young dancers in Vancouver who needed help. And there was a lot of need for presentation series. We responded to whatever need was out there. It was thrilling to work with such a variety of artists on ambitious projects and plenty of touring activity. I began to notice how much joy it brought me to secure funding for these endeavours, and thus my love affair with fundraising began. I am proud to say I have been working as a professional fundraiser for a variety of non-profits ever since.