Candidate Profiles:
Maximillian Alvater
1B, Geography
My name is Maximilian Altvater, a first year student here at UW. I’ve been involved on the executive committee of SFPR (Students for Palestinian Rights) for two terms, and have been active in the PSAG (Palestine Solidarity Action Group), where I’m currently on the oversight committee. I originally hail from Waterloo, but have also lived in Spain, Germany, and briefly in Palestine. My interests revolve around social justice, music, cinematography/photography, journalism, et cetera. Celeste Alcena, a previous WPIRG volunteer, defines me in the following terms:
“Max is the epitome of a “team player”, able to nurture cooperation in group settings. Because he is so remarkably clever, he has a natural gift of looking beyond the surface. Max is able to challenge the status quo and when backed with factual knowledge and well thought out arguments, he isn’t afraid to speak up for what he believes in… Justice is something that is very important to him, and because of this, harmonious decisions are something that he strives for. Max can adapt to new surroundings at ease. With a tolerance for change and a craving for adventure, he is always open to discovering new ideas, trying new things, and exploring new interests (except for ketchup – he won’t give ketchup a chance). His devotion shines through when his motivation is fuelled by passion, something that is evident from his insane musical talents. Whether it’s a personal or professional encounter, Max always remains respectful and gracious.”
Dave Beverly-Foster
4B, Environment & Resource Studies
I’m Dave Beverly-Foster and I come from out in the country in the Saugeen Watershed about two hours North of here in Saugeen Ojibwe Nations’ traditional territory. I came to UW to study environmentalism (ERS) and I ended up writing my thesis on transformative learning and getting a diploma in ecological restoration. During my time at UW I volunteered with WPIRG in PSAG and Waterloo350. I also volunteered every week for about two years with the Aboriginal Student Association cooking the frybread for their weekly soup lunches and being a non-indigenous member of the ASA. By the time you read this I’ll have graduated and will be living seasonally between my home community and KW. While I won’t be in town full-time, I have made too many connections here to leave altogether and, while I’m around, I look forward to remaining involved with WPIRG. If I make it onto the board, I’ll be taking a leave of absence from April to June and might have intermittent absences until January, so keep that in mind if the board is too full and I’d be taking a seat away from someone who’s here more. That being said, I’m very excited about the prospect of continuing to work with WPIRG and especially pumped to see a resurgence in WPIRG’s indigenous solidarity work.
Amna El-Shatshat
4B, Biochemistry
No profile available.
Matt Feagan
Community Member
WPIRG’s work fits closely with my own interests in environmental sustainability and social justice. In my PhD in Communication and Culture, I explored the concept of ecological consciousness based in part on the experiences of an international group of graduate students and professionals seeking to use different research approaches to bring about a more equitable and sustainable world. I discovered some of the limitations built into how academic work is structured, but I also learned a lot about ways of confronting those limitations more productively, as part of an ongoing historical struggle to democratize our social relations. I am deeply interested in different pedagogical approaches, and how these can help bring to the foreground different kinds of knowledge that challenge dominant conceptions. As a new member of the Kitchener-Waterloo community, I am in the process of learning how this place works: getting my son into daycare, getting around town by bike and car, discovering the music scene, cafes, and market, etc. I believe this newcomer status can be turned into an advantage, as I can offer a fresh perspective on things that otherwise may be taken for granted. I bring experience with volunteer work: I worked with the Working Women Community Centre, teaching literacy and math skills to children in Toronto, and I was a member of the board of directors of a self-managed condominium. Since moving to Kitchener this past January, I participated in WPIRG’s No Action Without Inquiry conference and I have been involved with Cinema Politica. These experiences have been exciting and educational, and I really look forward to the opportunity to learn more about how WPIRG manages to do such thoughtful and rewarding work, hence my running for a position with the board.
Shalaka Jadhav
I’m hoping to run for the WPIRG Board of Directors, as I am deeply interested in leveraging my personal power into political power through community engagement. While this personal power is limited I recognize that it absolutely exists, as someone privileged enough to pursue an education at a post-secondary institution. Accordingly, I have found myself questioning the unwritten power structures in the various areas of our community. As such, I hope to investigate such structures and challenge people to address the elephant in the room regarding social justice and activism. I have fallen deeply in love with the idea that public health is the cornerstone of our communities and it is suffering social, political and environmental health are all hurting, and I’m keen to work towards an action oriented anti-oppressive means of community empowerment. In terms of my on campus and ongoing community work, I am currently co-leading a team of students to move the existing community garden at St. Paul’s College from its status as one of out school’s token community gardens, to a plot as part of a student-run farm, in Kitchener. This would connect studetns to urban agriculture through experiential learning options through training and direct employment. I also work as a residence don, volunteer at FNB and other pop-up community events.
Thank you for considering me as a candidate for the WPIRG Board of Directors. I welcome questions and any conversation. Find me at sjadhav@uwaterloo.ca
Brandon Love
4A, Geomatics
Hi, my name is Brandon. I am running for the board because I want to be closely involved with WPIRG as it helps to advance social and environmental justice on campus and in the wider community. While I have only been involved with WPIRG for this term, my short time in this community has been intellectually and emotionally stimulating. Meeting so many vibrant, intelligent and politically engaged individuals has been a valuable and experience for me. The organizing work I am interested in includes: Waterloo 350, PSAG and organizing campus wide solidarity to resist the authoritarian and corporate culture of the University of Waterloo. Thanks for listening and I can’t wait to see where WPIRG continues to go.
Angela Ko
No profile available.
Zainab Mahdi
1B, Health Studies
Zainab Mahdi is a first year undergraduate student pursuing her education in Health Studies. She initially became involved with WPRIG through her writing initiatives, namely her social-justice inspired poetry performances. Since the beginning of her first term, Zainab has been an active member of WPIRG, having attended many events throughout the term as well as joining the Palestine Solidarity Action Group in her second term. As a member of multiple visible minority groups, Zainab hopes to use her own personal experiences of injustice (whether racial, religious or gender-based) as a means of effectively representing other students and individuals in the community that have concerns similar to her own. Zainab’s main interests include feminism, as well as strengthening the fight against any and all forms of discrimination – racism, Islamophobia, homophobia etc.
Amal Sabrie
3B, Pyschology
My name is Amal Sabrie, I am a 3rd year psychology major and I’m particularly interested in social justice. I’m originally from Mogadishu Somalia but I lived in quite a few countries in Africa such as Uganda and the Central African Republic. Growing up with extreme poverty around me and yet living an extremely privileged life has made me very angry; I never knew what to do with that anger until I got involved with WPIRG. This organization has taught me so much and I simply want to express my devotion by joining the board. There is so much to learn and so little time since I graduate in a year! I hope that together we can keep things fresh.
Experience: I was part of the board in winter 2014 so I kind of know what I’m getting into. I have also interned for the United Nations Population Fund in Madagascar were I participated in the fistula campaign and helped organize the country’s first conference solely led by the Malagasi youth ( symposium des jeunes). I know that there is an HR section in the board and I’m taking a few HR courses so that’s got to count for something right?
-In short, should I be elected to the board, I vow to open my mind to new ideas and give 110% to every task I do.
Menaka Shanmuganatha
3B, Applied Health Studies
My name is Menaka Shanmuganantha and I will be starting my 4A term in Health Studies starting September 2015. I am very passionate about various social justice issues and have always found WPIRG to be one of the very few spaces on campus where my politics, views and humanity felt affirmed/validated. Being on the Board does seem intimidating to me; however, I ultimately feel like it would be a valuable opportunity. I know I will learn a lot, expand my politics, meet a lot of cool people and hopefully make campus a safer and more inclusive space. I would hopefully bring my enthusiasm, and passion for social justice to the Board.
