I was born in the USSR, where I learned the value of: a) thriftiness; b) bargain-hunting; c) a dollar (about 5000 rubles); and d) using my elbows. All skills that prepared me for CHOICE.

Over the past four years I've been working as an investigative journalist specialising in consumer affairs and covering a broad range of legal and general issues. I'm particularly passionate about investigating concentration and misuse of market power, marketing and advertising and the Australian Consumer Law. I live the CHOICE values - nothing fires me up more than injustice, and I am currently entrenched in a battle with my bank over $2.50.

Prior to CHOICE, I was managing editor of the Australian Centre for Independent Journalism's publication reportageonline.com, a content specialist for ninemsn, and a journalist and features editor at Kamdha Media. I graduated with first class honours in journalism and law from the University of Technology, Sydney.