 Between 1999 and 2004, she was involved with the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe as a public information officer for their missions in the Balkans.In 2003, she was awarded a Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal (Civilian) for her efforts in Macedonia.With her husband, Mike McIvor, she moved to British Columbia and settled on Quadra Island where they started their own business, Start Communicating Strategies.