Hi, I’m Clare!

Want to know a little more about me?

1. I finished high school in Costa Rica

My family moved to Costa Rica when I was 14, after a holiday turned permanent. I started in a local school without speaking a word of the language and then moved to the British School for the International Baccalaureate degree. Love Costa Rica so much and I go back every year!

2. I moved to the Middle East by myself at 19

I attended New York University Abu Dhabi on a full ride scholarship and lived a lifetime over those four years. To be so believed in and supported at that age is truly life-changing.

3. I studied Arabic (and the spoken dialect, Shami) for four years

I have a minor in Arabic Language (as well as minors in Political Science and History!) thanks to the years I spent studying the language. Part of this included a semester abroad in Amman, Jordan living with a host family who didn’t speak English.

4. I ride motorcycles

Alright, I don’t actually own a motorcycle at this specific point in time (having traded riding for babies) but I’m not ready to put this is past tense just yet. Started on a Ninja, crashed my CBR600rr a couple times on the track, and dreaming of a S1000rr. I also ran a somewhat popular #motogirl Instagram page at one point and dabbled briefly in influencer marketing.

5. I (kind of) almost joined the secret service, but chose journalism instead

I was in the second-stage assessment process for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, which was being held downtown across from the CBC News headquarters. As I was writing the test, I looked out the window at the newsroom and knew I wasn’t pursuing the path I wanted to be on. I got up and left the test mid-way through. Two months later, I got my badge at CBC.

6. I actually started my news career in radio

I was incredibly fortunate to receive the 2017 Read Mercer Foundation Fellowship Award after journalism school, which supported me in producing a five-part audio series about The Lost Art of Play for CBC Radio.

7. I love outdoor adventure sports

Rock climbing, mountaineering, surfing, running, hiking, skiing, all of it.

8. I’ve lived, studied, or interned/worked in 11 different countries

Canada (x2) , England (x2), Costa Rica, United Arab Emirates, Germany, Nepal, Jordan, Italy, Israel, Palestine, and the United States. Current location: Southern California!

9. I’ve won awards for my writing

I was part of the team that received the 2020 Excellence In Digital Journalism Webster Award for in-depth reporting during the COVID-19 pandemic. I also contributed to My Bill of Health for GoodRx, a series looking at the financial strain of healthcare, which was recognized with a 2024 Digital Health Award. You can read my story here.

10. I didn’t leave journalism entirely, I just apply it differently

Journalism taught me a lot (like how to ask the right questions, see the full picture, and write clearly). But, looking back, I no longer see it as the destination but rather the path to a new career. I love working in marketing for mission-driven organizations because of the opportunity to amplify impact and shape outcomes, and not just observe them.