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I always get a good laugh when people hear me on air and email in to ask where I'm from.

Maybe it's the last name, but I've been mistaken for being Irish, American - even Polish.

In actual fact, I grew up in the foothills of Calgary, Canada. I don't say "aboot" but do certainly fall into the national stereotype of loving snow and anything with maple syrup.

I made my presenting debut on World Have Your Say from New Orleans in 2010 where I spent a month reporting on the toll the Gulf of Mexico oil spill was taking on fishing families.

It was one of the most rewarding assignments of my career.

Growing up in a family of jazz and blues lovers, it also led to my most star struck moment as a journalist. While covering a protest against BP in Jackson Square, I found myself interviewing the legendary Dr John. I nearly fell down with excitement.

Before joining the Â鶹Éç, I was a journalist with the CBC in Canada.

My most (un)memorable moment happened while reporting from the Calgary Stampede festival and rodeo. As I was recording an interview, an 80-pound teepee pole fell on my head and knocked me unconscious.

My tape kept rolling throughout the whole incident and it's become famous within the CBC.

It's a horrible listen. When my husband first heard it, he turned a pale shade of green, gave me a giant hug and thanked the stars I wasn't more seriously hurt.

Outside of the office, I'm a food fanatic. , love discovering new restaurants and taking cooking courses.

I've recently mastered the art of Vietnamese summer roll, Cajun chicken and an Italian ricotta cake. My sushi-making skills, however, need a little fine tuning.

I'm thrilled to be joining the team as one of the new WHYS backup presenters.

As I learned from my time in Louisiana, hearing the stories of people directly affected by events is incredibly powerful. WHYS does this like no other programme.