KWIC Staff and Team

Sam Rockbrune (she/her)
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 in the garden!

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.

Bethan stands in the foreground in front of Lake Louise wearing a pink sweater and a blue winter coat.

Bethan Bates (she/her)

KWIC Administration Coordinator - Finances and Resource Development

Siwmae! My name is Bethan and I am the Administration Coordinator for Resource Development and Finances here at KWIC.

I am an immigrant to Canada having come initially on an exchange year from Prifysol Abertawe (Swansea University). Since graduating with a BA in English Literature and History in 2022 I have been working in the non-profit sector. I was drawn to KWIC due to my interest in social justice and intersectionality and have previously been involved on the Board of Directors and Programming Committee. I am passionate about education and how education can look beyond the classroom and into the community. In my spare time I enjoy reading (especially romance fiction), watching hockey, and cuddling with my cat Smokey.

You can reach me at bethan@kwic.info or finance@kwic.info!

Sarah Forrest (she/her)

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 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.

I graduated from Trent University with a BA Honours in Indigenous Studies, and am attending part-time the Master of Arts in Canadian Studies and Indigenous Studies program at the Frost Centre, Trent University.

Please get in touch, if you have any questions or would like to know more about KWIC’s programs and outreach: sarah@kwic.info.

I look forward to meeting you!

Chloé Lapensée (she/her)

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.

Julia Lowe (she/her)
BSW Placement Student

Hello! My name is Julia and I am in my third year in Trent’s Bachelor of Social Work program. I am currently doing a placement with KWIC in support of their International Women’s day event in March and very excited to be a part of an organization with such an amazing history of work in Nogojiwanong/Peterborough. In my free time I enjoy reading, writing poetry, and making jewelry!

Mauricio Interiano (he/him)
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

Hello! My name is Emma (she/her) and I am this year's Oxfam Coordinator! I am from Collingwood, Ontario but have lived in Nogojiwanong for the past three years while pursuing my degree. I'm in my fourth year of a joint major in Gender & Social Justice and Indigenous Studies. I love the outdoors, gardening, reading, crystals, making jewelry, cooking, music, and being with the people I care about. Above all else I love to look for and create positivity in the world around me. In this search I've found many causes deserving of justice and will work towards equality, intersectionality, and diversity in efforts for a brighter safer world in both my role within Oxfam and in my daily life. I am passionate about inventing a positive world that sees value in difference and celebrates diversity through inclusion and collaboration!

Oxfam strives to build up local activist voices through educational, charity, and confidence building events and workshops that cultivate strong leaders and community members through these experiences. It is a beautiful group to be a part of as our mandates of Gender Justice, Food and Housing Security, and Climate Justice encompass so many areas of activism and social justice. I am so looking forward to the upcoming year and have big plans to work closely with the community on events and contribute to the justice causes that need attention.

If you're interested in getting involved email me at trentoxfam@gmail.com or find us on Facebook and Instagram @trentoxfam !

Flip Walker
Sustainable Trent Coordinator

Portrait of TRACKS Bookkeeper- Madison Laurin

Madison Laurin (she/her)
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.

Connecting for Change!