Dessa is an open data initiate, freelance writer, and self-described Renaissance woman. Born into a working-class family of amateur musicians, she has a passion for breaking down silos and engaging people of all backgrounds with arts and culture. 

As a graduate of Western University’s School for Advanced Studies in the Arts and Humanities (SASAH) (B.A. 2017) and University College London’s Institute of Archaeology (M.A. 2019), Dessa has had the privilege to work and volunteer with various nonprofits in both Canada and Britain. She currently lives in her hometown of Ottawa and works for the Canadian Association for the Performing Arts (CAPACOA) as a Digital Transformation Agent.