Sam Rockbrune
Executive Director
Hi, my name is Sam Rockbrune (She/her) and I am the Executive Director at KWIC.
I have a passion for coordinating projects and connecting people to achieve big goals, solve problems and build strong community. I am a graduate of York University's Master of Arts in Socio-Legal Studies in which my research took a critical stance on law and policy.
I also hold a BA Honours from Carleton University in Law with a minor in Women and Gender Studies. I have a wide range of work and volunteer experience in higher education and non-profit leadership. Since 2014, I have worked on many social justice issues applying an intersectional lens to fields such as gender-based violence, campus sexual violence, and increased access to mental health supports. I am a co-founder of Students for Consent Culture Canada, a national non-profit working to end campus sexual violence and promote cultures of consent.
Outside of my work, I can be found making art, reading books and trying to keep up to date with the latest TikTok and Instagram trends!
As ED at KWIC, I am excited to continue the amazing and important work of connecting global issues to local initiatives and encouraging lifelong learning, community involvement and activism. You can reach me at sam.rockbrune@kwic.info.
James Outterson
KWIC Administration Coordinator - Finances and Resource Development
Hi, I’m James Outterson (he/him), a settler and immigrant to Nogojiwanong/Peterborough. I’m the Administration and Resource Development Coordinator here at KWIC.
I have a background in politics and sustainability, graduating with an MA in Politics from the University of York and an MSc in Sustainability from the University of Dundee, both in the UK! Outside of academia I helped to run a community fridge in Dundee, that focused on reducing food waste, volunteered mentoring young adults, both in the UK and in Canada, and in my free time I love to walk and cycle, particularly in green spaces. I also really enjoy cooking meals for the people I live with and love to try making new dishes (with a variety of levels of success).
Sarah Forrest
KWIC Program and Outreach Coordinator
Hello! My name is Sarah Forrest (she/her), and I am a settler working and learning in Nogojiwanong/Peterborough.
As the new Program and Outreach Coordinator, I am excited to further KWIC’s contribution of common unity around global issues into local initiatives through discussions, workshops, and partnerships.
My background is in education, administration, and community engagement, where I have had the great honour, and pleasure, to collaborate with people from across the world. Throughout my experiences, I have witnessed the heart-felt impact of community, and how safe, welcoming spaces can nurture and actualize belonging for all.
Recently, I graduated from Trent University with a BA Honours in Indigenous Studies, and this fall, will begin part-time in the Master of Arts in Canadian Studies and Indigenous Studies program through the Frost Centre at Trent University.
Beyond work and school, I can be found cooking, baking, reading, and outside to hike, paddle-board, cross-country ski, or stargaze.
Please get in touch, if you have any questions or would like to know more about KWIC’s programs and outreach: sarah@kwic.info.
Miigwech for reading, and I look forward to meeting you!
Chloé Lapensée
Resource Centre Facilitator
Hi there! My name is Chloé (she/her) and I am the Resource Centre Facilitator at the Kawartha World Issues Centre. I am going into my third year at Trent University in International Development and Environmental Studies. As someone very passionate about environmental and social justice, I am grateful that I have the opportunity to explore its numerous intersections through my work at KWIC. In my spare time, I enjoy being outdoors and exploring new hiking trails!
I am thankful to be part of this team and excited to continue our work on global issues here in our community. If you have any questions or want to learn more about our KWIC E.Y.E Centre (ESC B101 at Trent University), feel free to email me at chloe@kwic.info.
Sara Bonnell
Summer Education Facilitator
Hi everyone! My name is Sara (She/Her) and I am a Summer Education Facilitator at KWIC. I am a settler in Nogojiwanong/Peterborough - I grew up in Pickering, Ontario. I completed my BAH in Gender and Social Justice at Trent University in 2022. I’m currently getting ready for my second year in Trent’s Bachelor of Education program! I have a deep passion for social and environmental justice within the local community and abroad. I’m also interested in how these intersections effect the education system and how students can get engaged in change making, whether they are just starting their school years or getting ready to graduate. I am so thrilled to be working with an amazing team this summer and learning more about the community and world around me through an intersectional lens!
Abbey McIntyre
SDG Education Facilitator
Hi! My name is Abbey (she/her), and I am a second year Trent University student in the program
Gender and Social Justice. I am currently in a co-op program and I am so thankful to have
gotten the chance to work with KWIC as my values very much align with this organization. I am
all about diversity, inclusion, and respect which I think KWIC really shines in these aspects.
Beyond work and school, I enjoy playing sports such as ultimate frisbee. I am very passionate
about and dedicated to social justice and gender equality, as well as helping others through
connecting those global issues to local initiatives. As the SDG Education Facilitator I am very
excited to be utilizing my knowledge as well as gaining insight from other communities and
peers in order to reach more audiences and educate people on certain issues. This way we can
apply an intersectional framework and include everyone’s voices so that together we can create
change!
Kelsey Roote
Indigenous Project Lead - Return to Mother Earth Project
Aanii my name is Kelsey Roote (she/her), and I am Anishinaabe and Dutch from Saugeen First Nation. I am currently in my fourth and final year of Indigenous Environmental Studies at Trent. As my program may hint at, I am passionate about achieving justice for the land and people of this land. Indigenous voices are so important in all that we do, especially when it comes to caring for Mother Earth- I hope to center this in all of my work. I love taking part in community initiatives and groups and look forward to the work that I can contribute to at KWIC!
Mauricio Interiano
TEACH Outside the Box Program Coordinator
Hi everyone! My name is Mauricio (he/him) and I am the TEACH Outside the Box Social Justice Certificate Program Coordinator. Originally from Honduras, I immigrated to Canada at the age of 16. I hold a Bachelor's degree in International Development and Sociology from Trent University, as well as a Master's degree in International Development with a specialization in Migration from the Graduate Institute of Geneva in Switzerland.
Throughout my academic and professional journey, I have been deeply committed to community development, research, communications, and outreach. With a diverse range of experiences, I am eager to apply my skills and knowledge as the TEACH Program Coordinator.
Outside of my professional endeavors, I find joy in simple pleasures. I enjoy coffee, cooking, reading, walking, and traveling with my friends and family. If you want to learn more about the TEACH Program, e-mail teachpeterborough@gmail.com.
Emma Donneral
Trent Oxfam Coordinator
Margaret Zou
Researcher/Project Coordinator
Hello Everyone! I'm Margaret (she/her) and I am passionate about engaging youth and students in the wider community. My interests include climate change, food security and health. Prior to joining KWIC, I worked at several NGOs in both the US and Canada. I started working with KWIC in May 2020 as a Researcher for the partnership project with GreenUP: Advancing the SDGs 2030 Agenda in Nogojiwanong | Peterborough, and developed a series of interactive workshops on the SDGs to engage students in our work. More recently, my work involves creating workshops for students covering the intersections of UNDRIP and climate action, as well as supporting KWIC's project on Advancing Gender Equality.
I hold an MSc in Environmental Management from the University of Liverpool and an MSc in Public Health, specializing in Environmental Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. In my spare time, I enjoy travelling and exploring new places.
If you'd like to learn more about the workshops we currently offer, please connect with me at Margaret@kwic.info I look forward to hearing from you!
Madison Laurin
Bookkeeper: Sustainable Trent, Trent Oxfam, TRACKS
Hi there! My name is Madison (she/her) and I am a settler-Canadian of British, French, Hungarian and
German descent living in Nogojiwanong. I am grateful to have lived and learned here for over three years,
during which time I have worked with TRACKS Youth Program and KWIC in various capacities. Currently,
I am the bookkeeper for TRACKS and two of the levy groups supported by KWIC, Sustainable Trent and
Trent Oxfam. I pursue this work on the side of a Master of Arts in Adult Education and Community
Development from the University of Toronto.