Meet the Current Board of Directors

Jenn MacDonald (she/her) – Finance Liaison

Jenn MacDonald is a settler-Canadian with mixed European ancestry and is a Trent IDST Alumni who has called Nogojiwanong home since 2015. Jenn joined the Board in 2019 as Staff Liaison after developing a passion for OPIRGs mission during her time as a student staff member. Jenn currently supports the organization as the Finance Liaison.

Jenn has over 7 years of experience working and volunteering in the non-profit sector, currently working in fundraising and communications with Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region and supports the Peterborough Area Fundraisers Network’s (PAFN) executive and DEI committees.

As a board member, she hopes to continue supporting education and action in the local community and providing oversight on non-profit governance and financial sustainability. In her spare time, you can find her perusing the local thrift stores, cooking, spending time in nature, and playing with her cats.

Addison Clermont (he/they) – Provincial Liaison

Addison, originally from Tkarón:to, is a queer settler-Canadian with French and English ancestry. He first moved to Nogojiwanong in 2009 to attend Trent University, earning an H.B.A. in English Lit and Philosophy. They developed a passion for workers’ rights during their time in the construction and hospitality industries.

He cites an Indigenous Literature course with beginning his journey of accepting the responsibility inherent to his settler roots. Currently, he is President of the OPIRG Provincial Board and co-chair of its Finance and Administration Committee. He first joined the OPIRG Peterborough Board at the 2018 AGM after returning to Trent to pursue a degree in Indigenous Studies and Psychology. As a member of the board, he hopes to help navigate the administrative and financial complexities of non-profit work while pursuing meaningful actions related to his passion for Indigenous Sovereignty, LGBTQIA2s+ rights, and workers’ rights.

Ishita Gurav (she/her) – Outreach and Working Group Liason

Ishita is a 2nd-year Biology student at Trent University, born and raised in India. She is enthusiastic about environmental and social justice and wants to acquire more knowledge to contribute to the community. She is interested in understanding and inquiring about issues the community might face to live independently and try to resolve them to the best of her skills and knowledge. Ishita respects every race, gender and standard present in the community and strives to unite them so that they can communicate more easily, share concerns, and work as a cohesive unit to find solutions while maintaining a healthy and sustainable environment.

Pakin Pongpaiboon (he/him) – Special Events and Programming

Currently, a second-year student at Trent University majoring in Biomedical Science, Pakin is passionate about education, scientific communication, and public health issues. Originally from Thailand and having spent the majority of his life in India, Pakin is interested in the interdisciplinary application of science that can be used to benefit the community. Pakin has worked on projects such as a vaccination awareness campaign in rural India and a campaign to promote gender inequality in sports. Pakin aims to bring his life experiences as a TCK(Third Culture Kid) and his passion for translating academic knowledge to solve social and environmental issues to the team.

Kadence Buttery – Policy and Admin

Jessica Scott (she/her) – Board Liason

Ex-officio members

Nicola Koyanagi (she/they) – Coordinator (Staff)

Nicola Koyanagi is a fourth-gen Japanese Canadian with Irish, Scottish, German, and English ancestry, who grew up as a settler in Nogojiwanong on Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg territory. She is a learner and a lover moved by food, plants, art, and human connection. Through her community work and organic growing, Nico is interested in how we can live with more compassion, kindness, and care towards ourselves, each other, and the earth alongside challenging and resisting colonialism and capitalism in all its forms.

Nico is grateful for all the work OPIRG Peterborough does in the community and can’t wait to collaborate with you all towards our collective vision of transformation and liberation.

Robert Gibson (he/him)

Robert Gibson is a graduate of Trent University in the Environmental Science and Studies program who has an interest in local and provincial policy. Rob started volunteering with OPIRG Peterborough with the Green Dishes program. After seeing the social and environmental justice work in the community Robert joined the board in 2018 and served as Board Liason.