Current Board of Directors

Nicole Gagliardi: Chair
John Knight: Vice Chair
Grant Conrad: Treasurer
Christie Nash - Secretary
Lynn Boswer
Liz Maxwell
Jeff Bowman
Ryan Luscombe
Tessa Martin
Jessica Galarza
Janis Mansbridge
Helen Baulch

Bios

Grant Conrad, BCOM, MBA
Grant is a Management Consultant to small-medium enterprise (SME), currently working with a number of locally based firms on strategic and performance management, as well as continuous improvement initiatives. Grant's objective with KWIC is to lend his management skills to the effective fulfilment of the KWIC mandate of increasing community awareness of critical world issues, and affecting positive change. Issues of strong personal interest include the environmental sustainability of SME, and the role of SME in creating sustainable communities in Peterborough and the Kawarthas.

Lynn Bowser is a teacher at an alternative high school, and is passionate about social and environmental issues. Lynn was involved with KWIC youth programme and currently is chair of the KWIC Fundraising Committee.

John Knight, MBA
John has over 25 years of experience in Sales, Marketing and business planning working with Peterborough manufacturing companies, retailers and non-profit organizations. Since 2005 he has been a Development Officer at Trent University. John volunteers with several organizations. John's prime goal on the KWIC board is to offer his skills, experience and networking contacts to help build KWIC into a sustainable organization. Professional webpage - http://people.trentu.ca/johnknight/

Nicole Gagliardi
Nicole is a student in International Development Studies at Trent University, as well as the Youth Coordinator for the City of Peterborough where she spends her time planning barrier-free recreation opportunities for local youth. As a lifelong resident of Peterborough, Nicole has a deep passion for exploring and contributing to the potential of the community to learn and work together on issues of sustainability and social justice.

Liz Maxwell
As a newer resident of Peterborough, I am always looking for new ways to get involved in the community. A position at the United Way of Peterborough & District as the Youth Leadership Coordinator first brought me to the city. In that role I worked on a variety of community projects including, Coats for Kids, Backpacks for Kids, United Way Youth Grant program, as well as working with the committee to coordinate the KWIC Global Youth Day. Prior to my work with United Way, I worked as a teacher at an International School in Bangkok, Thailand. Currently, I am an elementary teacher with the Kawartha Pine Ridge School Board. I graduated from the University of Guelph with a focus on International Development and Canadian Studies, and received my Bachelor of Education at Queen's University.

Jeff Bowman, Ph.D.
Jeff is a wildlife ecologist with expertise in assessing effects of climate change and habitat fragmentation on biodiversity. Jeff is interesting in understanding large-scale processes that lead to environmental degradation, and also in identifying local initiatives that address these processes.

Christie Nash is currently a Projects Coordinator at the Trent Centre for Community-Based Education whose mandate is to bring local organizations and academic resources together to create community- inspired research projects. She has recently completed her M.Ed in Education and Community Development and Comparative International Development Education at OISE/UT, where she focussed her research on youth participation in democratic processes, peace building, social justice and environmental education. She received a B.A. Hon. In International Development Studies from Trent University. Her professional experience has taken her around the world, including Thailand, India, Nunavut, and other parts of Canada. Her interests include ultimate frisbee, ideas, and learning to play the mandolin.

Jessica Galarza was born in Mexico came to Canada 10 years ago to pursue an MSc and PhD in the Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program at Trent University. During the past few years, Jessica has volunteered and worked with KWIC. She was the KWIC Resource Centre Coordinator in 2008-2009 and continues to volunteer in the Centre. Jessica is looking forward to being part of KWIC Board because she believes education is the basis for any social or environmental change.

Janis Mansbridge brings nearly 20 years experience in the fields of personal development, psychology, spirituality and alternative healing to her passion to inspire and empower others to reach their greatest potential.   As a  life coach, natural empath and emotional intuitive, Jan uses the tools of body awareness, movement, guided imagery and meditation as well as her expertise with ancient wisdom teachings and universal laws, numerology, energy principles and metaphysics.

Helen Baulch is a postdoctoral fellow at Trent University studying links between climate change and water quality.  Her work has focussed on a variety of topics including drinking water safety and intergovernmental environmental policy.