The Ripple Effect Education (TREE), a core collaborator in the Kindred Centre for Peace Advancement, received the University of Waterloo 2023 CEE Employer Impact Award for their commitment to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion. During the Centre's Tuesday coffee break, Rachel Jenson, the Faculty Relations Manager from Co-operative and Experiential Education (CEE), had the pleasure of presenting the award to Laurel Boytim, the Executive Director and Lead Facilitator at TREE. Laurel Boytim encapsulated the culture at TREE when she shared, "Receiving this award speaks to the values and spirit of TREE. We seek to embody and 'be' what we teach others. We value and celebrate every diverse member of our team, including our University of Waterloo co-op students. Our team is collaborative, and each member brings their unique experience, identity, and ideas, enhancing and enriching our organization and work."
Laurel's journey with TREE started with a passion for offering meaningful education in Peace Building, Conflict Resolution, and Social Justice to a wide range of audiences, including children, youth, and adults. The Ripple Effect Education started in 2014 as a series of peace camps for elementary aged children created by Katie Gingerich and supported by the Grebel Peace Incubator. In 2019, Laurel graduated from the Conrad Grebel Master of Peace and Conflict Studies (MPACS) program and Katie passed the leadership of TREE to Laurel in 2022. Under Laurel’s leadership, TREE has grown to a staff team of 4 with 10+ volunteer facilitators, and multiple co-op, internship, and placement students. Newer programs at TREE include their Workplace Workshops and Training for Trainers.
CEE has a global network of over 7,500 employers in more than 65 countries and its employers offer quality work-integrated learning experiences and opportunities for growth, training, and development to over 25,000 students from the University of Waterloo. The CEE Employer Impact Awards recognizes employers for their industry excellence and the opportunities they provide to students. "We are extremely grateful to be acknowledged among such a wide array of employers," Laurel remarked, reflecting on the importance of this honour.
Zayna Shaikh, a past TREE co-op student now working part-time at TREE, shared her perspective on Laurel's leadership stating, "Laurel exemplifies what it means to create an inclusive environment, making her an outstanding candidate for this award. She not only recognizes the differences of everyone we work with but celebrates those differences." In their e-newsletter, the TREE team also expressed their gratitude for the recognition, stating, "It means a lot to know that our efforts in this area are being acknowledged, which invigorates us to continue growing in these areas as we move forward in our work."
As TREE continues to bridge the gap between education and the real-world, it stands as an example for organizations seeking to enhance their equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives. By fostering an environment where every voice is heard and celebrated, TREE prepares its students for the challenges ahead and enriches the communities they serve. Congratulations TREE!