Board of Directors

Jessica Galarza, Chair

Grace Salalila, Treasurer 
Tessa Martin, Secretary
Susan Manning, Director at Large

Susan Chow, Director

James Wilkes, Director and  Sustainability Committee Chair, TRACKS Liaison
Tessa Joseph, Director

Safo Musta, Director

Phil Abbott, Director

Nikky Gibson, Director

Jenny Santos, Director 

Jessica Galarza, Ph.D. was born in Mexico came to Canada 11 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.

Grace Salalida was born in the Philippines. She has been a Certified Public Accountant since 2000, working as an auditor in Thomson Reuters for 5 years. Grace was part of the New Canadians Employment Initiative at the New Canadians Centre where she worked as a Bookkeeper. Grace is the Office Administrator and Bookkeeper of the New Canadians Centre since 2007. Her strong financial background for non-profit organization will be her main contribution to the group.   

Tessa Martin, BEd is a math high school teacher at Kenner Collegiate in Peterborough.

Susan Manning attends Trent University where she is studying Women's Studies and International Development. She moved to Peterborough from her home in Newfoundland and Labrador to pursue her studies in 2009. She volunteered with KWIC through the SEEDS for Justice youth engagement initiative last year and is excited to continue her involvement with KWIC on the Board of Directors and as a member of the Global Youth Day Working Group this year.  

Susan Chow is currently an Environmental Consultant with CATALYST ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP. Susan brings experience in volunteer engagement and event planning; she has volunteered with the KWIC Climate Change Working Group and as the director of the Trent University Science Camp. Susan says, “I have participated in some of the incredible events and talks given by KWIC. Additionally, KWIC has helped me, the Trent University community, as well as the Peterborough community at large to become more aware of today’s global issues. I am an individual who believes that small community scale changes can impact on a global scale.  I also believe communication and education are power tools for change.” 

James Wilkes BA, MA is a cultural ecologist, activist and photographer with a passion for social and environmental justice, land protection, Indigenous rights and Canadian rights. His educational and experiential background is rooted in various understandings of the environment, coupled with interests in politics, science and spirituality. He has lived in remote communities and has traveled extensively throughout Canada, East Asia and South America. After completing his graduate degree at Trent University, James continues to work to support sustainability of ecological and cultural diversity in Canada and worldwide. He is currently employed as part of an Indigenous lands documentation project in association with Inuit communities and the Nunatsiavut self-government on Labrador’s northeast coast.

Tessa Maria Joseph is a third year international student at Trent, pursuing a joint major in Business and Computing Systems. She says, “ I firmly believe that everyone should be entitled to an education and because it plays a very important role in development, I have chosen to get involved with organizations which help promote educational initiatives.” Tessa is currently involved in the World University Service of Canada chapter of Trent within the Student Refugee Program as well as AIESEC Trent under the Outgoing Exchange Portfolio.

Safo Musta is originally from Albania and has a law degree from the University of Tirana. She earned an LL.M. from Temple Law School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and a second LL.M. from  Riga Graduate School of Law in Riga, Latvia. Before moving to Canada she worked on several development projects in Kosovo and consulted a number of association boards and non-profits on strategic planning and program development. Safo shares a passion for traveling and writing.. She currently works as the Research and Implementation Specialist for the Peterborough Partnership Council on Immigrant Integration.

Phil Abbott is in the second year of the PhD program in Indigenous Studies at Trent. He received his Masters in Globalization Studies from McMaster University in 2008 and completed his undergrad at Trent in 2005. During his undergrad he worked for KWIC as community liaison and participated in the Thailand year abroad program. Phil has also worked and traveled through South and Central America, Asia, Europe, and West Africa.

Volunteer Advisors:

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/

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.