Alumni
Graduates of the Trudeau Centre have taken diverse and intriguing paths in their efforts to make a positive contribution to the global community. Their biographies reveal that they are already making outstanding contributions.
If you are looking for a particular graduate please check our bios page or check out U of T's Alumni website to search for a past graduate.
Quick Jump: alumni bios, mentorship program, in memoriam
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Recent alumni news
Jasmeet Sidhu (2010)'s article, How to Buy a Daughter, on the growing phenomenon of sex selection in the United States, was featured on the front page of Slate.
Featured Alumnus: Lloyd Hanoman
Since graduating from the Peace and Conflict Studies program, Hanoman has worked with 
UNICEF in Guyana, and on a project on war-affected children at the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade with Nobel Prize nominee Lloyd Axworthy. Most recently, Hanoman has been working as South Asia Program Director for Free the Children, implementing its tsunami recovery initiative. He recently issued a report from the field for the Free the Children newsletter that details the challenges of reconstruction.
- You can contact Lloyd at lloyd@freethechildren.ca
Melissa Abramovitz: Following graduation in 1998, Abramovitz traveled to Israel and Palestine where she interned for the Israel/Palestine Centre for Research and Information. Inspired by IPCRI's Peace Education program that brought Israeli and Palestinian youth together for intensive dialogue workshops, she returned home to pursue a Master of Arts degree at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE/UT). Currently, Abramovitz is a Continuing Education Instructor at Ryerson University, where she teaches courses on Conflict Resolution and Diversity and a Circle Trainer with Peacebuilders International.
Email: melissa.abramovitz@utoronto.ca
Bentley Allan: A native of Perth, Ontario, Bentley Allan pursued Peace and Conflict Studies because of its 
interdisciplinary nature and the opportunity to combine his philosophical interests with international relations. Allan is continuing his studies in a Political Science PhD program at Ohio State University. There, he will study the role of language in decision making processes from a constructivist perspective. Ohio State was a natural choice for Bentley, given that its IR faculty - including Alex Wendt, Ted Hopf and Richard Herrmann - utilize insights from other disciplines to illuminate the study of international relations. Bentley anticipates graduating in 2012 and moving on to teach and study in the field.
Matthew Boulos: Boulos graduated from the Peace and Conflict Studies program in 2005 after spending a year at M.I.T. on a Killam Fellowship. He is now in his final year of study of law at Harvard University where he is involved in indigent legal services and client advocacy in housing. His focus is on the way private enterprise affects social policy and the challenges these interactions produce.
Emails:
mboulos@law.harvard.edu
matthew.boulos@gmail.com
Kate Lazier is a lawyer at Miller Thomson LLP in Toronto, practising charities and not-for-profit law. Kate provides both general counsel and specialized tax advice to Canadian and international charities and not-for-profits. Kate's practice provides a broad range of services for her clients, from establishing and registering charities to assisting with compliance issues, such as governance, working overseas, receipting of gifts and the disbursement quota. A National Scholar at the University of Toronto, Kate was awarded at law school with the Martin J. Rochwerg Prize in Tax, Estates and Trust Law, the Centennial Prize in Lawyering Skills, and the Carswell National Tax Prize.
Email: klazier@millerthomson.com
Website: www.millerthomson.com
Cheshmak Farhoumand-Sims: After completing her Honours BA in Peace and Conflict 
Studies at U of T, Farhoumand-Sims went on to study at the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, Austrian Peace University, and the United Nations Graduate Studies Program. Her PhD dissertation at York University in Toronto examines how religion and culture are often used to prevent women's active participation in society and how this impacts peacebuilding and reconstruction efforts. Farhoumand-Sims has also worked with a number of peace and human rights organizations, including the Institute for Multi-Track Diplomacy in Washington DC and the International Service for Human Rights in Geneva, Switzerland. She has participated in the Commission on the Status of Women, Committee on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and has traveled to Afghanistan to provide training on gender/human rights and peacebuilding to women's NGO's, government employees and UNIFEM staff. Farhoumand-Sims is currently involved with the Canadian Voices of Women for Peace and sits on the Board of Directors of Peacebuilders International. Farhoumand-Sims is an active member of the Bahá'í community and is happily married and living in Toronto.
James Fraser: Following graduation in 1996, Fraser began work with Médecins sans Frontières.
In his role as logistician and coordinator for missions to Chechnya, Zaire, Afghanistan, and Colombia, Fraser secured supplies, water and sanitation; negotiated with armed groups and governments; conducted political analysis, inter-agency relations and communication; and was responsible for project security. In 2003, he founded Dignitas International, a humanitarian organization that treats AIDS patients in rural Africa.
Karen Frecker: Frecker was born and raised in Toronto, Canada, where she recently completed her Honours degree in Peace and Conflict Studies, with a major in Economics. A central theme of her studies has been the politics and economics of social and ecological sustainability, an interest which she continues to pursue. She currently works doing research and analysis in Ontario’s energy sector.
Shortly after graduating in 1994, Andrew Fulton moved to Cape Town, South Africa where he worked for an NGO as a lobbyist in the South African Parliament. He then completed an M.B.A. at University of Cape Town. Since then he had a brief stint exporting flowers, and is currently co-owner of a consulting firm called Eighty20. Eighty20 has developed a Consumer Information Portal that provides online access to statistics on the South African consumer market.
Email: andrewj@eighty20.co.za
Website: www.eighty20.co.za
Vindri Ramparass Gajadhar: Following graduation in 1996, Ramparass completed her Bachelor of Education at OISE/UT and began teaching World Issues and Economics at Eastern High School of Commerce in Toronto. In 2000, she married Terry Gajadhar and moved to Florida where she continued her teaching career at a private school in Tampa. At Tampa Catholic High School Ramparass taught World History and Psychology right up until the birth of her child Tevin, in December 2004. Ramparass continues to research and pursue greater understanding of her long-time personal interests in meditation, spirituality and nutrition.
Pierre Gemson: Gemson received an Honours BA in History and Peace and Conflict Studies
from the University of Toronto in 2002. After graduation, he worked as a research assistant to Professor Homer-Dixon. In 2005 Gemson completed an M.Phil in International Relations at St Antony's College, University of Oxford. His Master's thesis compared the approaches of the United States and United Kingdom to the International Criminal Court and was awarded a distinction. While at Oxford he was a founding member of the editorial board of the journal St Antony's International Review. Gemson has since returned to Canada, and is currently studying law at McGill University in Montreal.
Email: pierre.gemson@mail.mcgill.ca
Kristina Hemon: A Sarajevo native, Hemon graduated from the programme in 1998 and 
returned to Bosnia to be a part of post-conflict reconstruction and statebuilding efforts, where she focused on anti-corruption and justice sector reform. To cement her field experience with the leading-edge thinking on institutional change, she was awarded a Chevening Scholarship in 2003 to complete a Master's degree in international development at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Tamar Kagan: After graduating from Peace and Conflict Studies in 1998, Kagan was hired by Jewish Campus Services in Toronto (now known as Hillel) to develop their Arts and Culture program. During her time there, she created a four-day, multi-media students arts festival which included visual art, music, theatre, dance, spoken word, and film. Kagan went on to complete her Masters of Education in Adult Education and Community Development at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto. Since 2001, she has been working at the Counselling and Learning Skills Service at the University of Toronto, running workshops and working one-on-one with students. In 2003, Kagan completed her certification at the Adler School of Professional Coaching and started her own practice. Currently, she splits her time between working with students at U of T, building her private coaching practice, and being a mom to a very sweet and hilarious little boy named Zachary.
Naomi Kikoler: After completing a joint specialist degree in Peace and Conflict Studies and International Relations in 2002, Kikoler went on to pursue a Master's of Science in Forced Migration at Oxford University. At Oxford, she had the opportunity to research issues of most interest to her, including the role of the media in social movements, refugee issues, and human rights law. Her love of travel and interest in cultures has led her to work and travel extensively through many parts of the world. Most recently she worked as a legal intern for the Office of the Prosecutor at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. Kikoler is also very athletic, having been involved in varsity waterpolo and rowing and especially loves outdoor activities like hiking and rock climbing. Kikoler has returned to Canada and is currently pursuing a LLB/BCL at McGill University in Montreal.
Danielle Kotras graduated in 1999 and is currently the Senior Manager, Public Affairs and Stakeholder Relations at GlaxoSmithKline, one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies. Danielle is responsible for external relations within the Province of Ontario, including managing and fostering collaboration with the Government of Ontario, key public policy advisors, and stakeholder groups in Ontario.
Danielle has been actively engaged in politics in some form or another for more than 10 years. She worked with Attorney General Michael Bryant and Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Marie Bountrogianni, before joining the Paul Martin leadership and helping to coordinate his leadership convention. She then assumed the role of Director of Operations for Red Leaf, the national advertising consortium for the Liberal Party of Canada. Danielle was also the Director of Public Affairs and Communications for the Liberal Party of Canada and Vice President at Gandolf Group, a public opinion and research company.
Colleen Malone has worked in the development, peacebuilding and humanitarian fields for the past 14 years. Colleen completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto, in the Peace and Conflict Studies program, and her Master’s degree in conflict transformation at Eastern Mennonite University in Virginia, USA.
Colleen began her career with the Canadian International Development 
Agency in Sri Lanka, where she focused on human rights and peacebuilding programming. She later worked for several NGOs in the field of human rights and conflict resolution. Returning to Sri Lanka to work for CARE International, Colleen was a project director of several projects that focused on integrating peacebuilding within development initiatives.
Colleen has been with Save the Children for over 5 years, where she is currently a Senior Emergency Advisor. Colleen is based in Calgary, Alberta but regularly travels to Save the Children emergency response sites around the world to provide technical assistance and assess operational capacities. She has also led emergency response teams on behalf of Save the Children International.
Save the Children International implements emergency response programs around the world. This includes assistance to internally displaced children in the Democratic Republic of Congo, typhoon relief in the Philippines, earthquake relief in Haiti, and a range of other humanitarian programs aimed at assisting children affected by conflict and disaster.
Email: cmalone@savethechildren.ca
Website: www.savethechildren.ca
James Milner: Milner completed a degree in Peace and Conflict Studies in 1997. He later 
worked with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in India, Cameroon, Guinea, and in the Geneva Headquarters. He was subsequently awarded a Trudeau Scholarship, and completed his doctorate in development studies at the University of Oxford. He is currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Munk Centre for International Studies, University of Toronto. He is also Co-Director of The PRS Project, an international research project at Oxford that advises UN agencies, governments and NGOs on responses to protracted refugee situations.
Sharon Peake: After completing her undergraduate degree in Peace and Conflict Studies, Sharon Peake worked with the UNDP in Sri Lanka in post conflict reconstruction. Peake's interests lie primarily with HIV/AIDS and women in developing countries, particularly in Africa where she did volunteer work as an undergraduate student. She is currently completing an MA in National and Sub-National Aspects of Development at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs in Ottawa.
Edan Rotenberg: Rotenberg graduated from the Trudeau Centre in 2002. During his undergraduate years he conducted research for the Sierra Club of Canada and the Canadian Institute for Environment Law and Policy. Upon graduation he worked for an environmental think tank in Amsterdam, studying aspects of the Kyoto Protocol. He is presently completing graduate degrees in law and environmental policy at Yale University.
Email: edanrotenberg@yahoo.com
Mike Skinner: Skinner came into academia later in life, after spending decades in the music industry and employment with Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers. His passion for social justice came from his connection with the arts. Skinner has been a member of various performance organisations dedicated to promoting social justice and his experiences and profound interest in the topic led him to pursue a degree in Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Toronto. As an undergraduate student, Skinner organised and was involved with various extra-curricular programs including the Muslim, Arab, Jewish Dialogue held by the Peace and Conflict Society in 2004. Skinner was granted various academic Scholarships and awards throughout his undergraduate degree, including the William Beattie Award for the original research project he conducted in Guatemala in 2004. Skinner graduated from the program in 2005 and is currently pursuing an MA in Political Science at York University.
Jenna Slotin graduated from the Peace and Conflict Studies Program in 2002, where she focused on group identity and conflict. After graduating she worked on local governance and inter-agency coordination for the UN Development Programme in Kosovo and New York. During her time in Kosovo, Slotin worked on governance and economic development projects, which aimed to improve the transparency, accountability and efficiency of municipal governments. Slotin is now pursuing a Master's in International Affairs at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs, where she is concentrating in international security policy.
Email: jennaslotin@yahoo.com
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In Memoriam
In Memoriam: Robert Barrington Leigh
August 30, 2006
The University College community was deeply saddened to learn of the sudden death of Robert Barrington Leigh. Robert was a third-year math and physics student at University College.
In honour of Robert, the Barrington Leigh family has requested that donations be made in his memory to the Trudeau Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Toronto.
To donate, call locally: 416-978-2968 or toll-free: 1-800-463-6048
Donate online: www.giving.utoronto.ca
- Click the orange "Point, Click, Give" button at the top left.
- Enter the donation amount.
- Select "University College" as the Designation.
- Type "Robert Barrington Leigh Fund" in the other gift instructions field.
- Complete the forms and submit your donation.
Robert Barrington Leigh Fund
University College Alumni and Development Office, Room D-101
15 King's College Circle
Toronto, ON, M5S 3H7
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Mentorship Program
.Thank you for your interest in our Mentorship Program. Our mentors offer valued guidance to students in our program who have many questions about their studies, their careers and the ways in which they might contribute to their global community. Our mentors make a difference in the lives of intelligent, ambitious students, who are eager to make a positive impact on the world. Please consider becoming a mentor and taking part in this inspiring program.
Students in our undergraduate program and mentors who are accepted into the Mentorship Program are matched as partners on the basis of their interests and careers. Mentors who live in Toronto are asked to meet with their student partners for at least two hours every two months from November to May. Meetings can take place on the university campus, at a coffee shop, or at any mutually agreed upon public place. Mentors who do not live in or near Toronto are asked to correspond with their student partners by email a few times per month from November to May. All participants in the Mentorship Program, including mentors, students and program administrators, are invited to a reception at the Trudeau Centre.
- If you are an alumnus who would like to become a mentor, please fill out an application form (Word doc) and send it, along with a copy of your C.V., to pcj.programme@utoronto.ca
- If you are a student who would like to take part in the Mentorship Program, please fill out a student application form and send it, along with a copy of your resumé, to pcj.programme@utoronto.ca