Spring 2025 has brought another wave of renewal to the Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement, with new roles, returning participants, and exciting transitions. The Centre continues to be a dynamic space where community members grow alongside one another and deepen their impact.
Some familiar faces have returned this term with fresh responsibilities. Zelal Tutak, who has been involved with The Ripple Effect Education (TREE) over the past year and a half as a co-op student, part-time summer staff member, and volunteer facilitator during the school year, has now stepped into a permanent role as Manager of Children and Youth Programs. With a strong commitment to culturally responsive education, Zelal is passionate about empowering youth to think critically, act empathetically, and grow as compassionate peacebuilders.
Fiona Li is another returning face whose journey at the Centre continues to evolve. After her Map the System project on the over-incarceration of Indigenous women in Canada, Fiona continued her research through an internship and later a contract at MCC Ontario. Now, she has transitioned into the role of Indigenous Neighbours Engagement Associate with MCC, where she’s focused on reconciliation and education in the Waterloo Region, especially among youth. Fiona continues to use the co-working spaces at the Centre to stay connected, collaborate on community initiatives, and engage with others involved in peacebuilding.
Pinar Gurgen, an undergraduate Psychology student at the University of Waterloo, is back for another co-op term as our Program Assistant. After her previous term at the Centre was cut short, she was eager to return to the community she loved. With a growing interest in mental health and advocacy, Pinar is using this opportunity to explore how her academic background can intersect with peacebuilding and social change.
The Centre also welcomes back Leah Reesor-Keller as Artist-in-Residence. Leah, a Peace and Conflict Studies alum and transformative leadership consultant, first joined the Centre in 2023 to work on her book Tending Tomorrow: Courageous Change for People and Planet. Now published, the book reflects Leah’s decades of experience in social justice and faith-based organizations around the world. This spring, Leah is preparing a gallery exhibit at the Grebel Gallery in collaboration with photographer and Undergraduate Academic and Administrative Officer for Peace and Conflict Studies Ndagire Brendah, bringing the book’s themes of leadership, faith, and ecological responsibility into dialogue with the natural world.
Also returning this term are Sidra Khan and Moin Udden, both connected to Grebel’s Master of Peace and Conflict Studies (MPACS) program. Sidra, a recent graduate, is now volunteering with Peace for All Canada. She found this opportunity through the Ibtikar Conference, an annual summit focused on faith-based, Muslim-centered approaches to social issues. Moin, a current MPACS student, is completing his internship with Peace for All Canada as well, bringing valuable international experience in peace and governance to the team. Both are excited to support efforts that bridge multicultural communities and promote trauma-informed approaches to care and connection.
Finally, we are excited to introduce two student interns with Project Ploughshares. Tucker Finch, a current Master of Theological Studies Student, is helping raise awareness in churches of their important international research and advocacy work at this crucial time. Kathryn Barrett, a University of Waterloo student majoring in Political Science with minors in Legal Studies and Psychology, is working as the Summer 2025 Peace Research Intern. Kathryn’s research interests include international security, global governance, and the role of imagination in shaping policy, a perfect fit for the Centre’s collaborative, forward-thinking environment!
As always, the Centre for Peace Advancement thrives through the ideas, passions, and people who bring it to life. Whether returning or arriving for the first time, each person brings a unique voice and vision to our community. As responsibilities shift and new projects unfold, what stays constant is the shared commitment to peace, collaboration, and meaningful change.
By Pinar Gurgen