Meet Our Team
Laurel Boytim (she/her), MPACS
Executive Director, Lead Facilitator
Laurel is the mother of two daughters, is a settler on Turtle Island (Canada), and her ancestry includes Norwegian, Slovakian, Dutch, and English. Laurel earned her Master of Peace and Conflict Studies (MPACS) from University of Waterloo, and a Certificate in Conflict Management and Mediation from Conrad Grebel University College, University of Waterloo, including extensive mediation and Circle training. Laurel has a background in Restorative Justice, Mediation, Conflict Resolution, Conflict Coaching, Teaching, Circle Keeping, Leadership, and Entrepreneurship. She teaches trauma-informed yoga, mindfulness, and meditation at Grand Valley Institute for Women, Federal Prison. Laurel is the Executive Director of, and Lead Facilitator at, The Ripple Effect Education, providing Peace Building, Conflict Resolution, Social Justice, and Peace Innovation education to adults, youth, and children. She is on the Leadership Team of Gather The Women Canada, a Circle organization that provides Sharing Circles and mentorship for women across Canada, in order to connect, build community, share, and help women find their voice.
Zelal Tutak (she/her), BA IES
Manager of Children and Youth Programs, Lead Facilitator
Zelal Tutak is an educator and social justice advocate passionate about the power of education to create meaningful change. She holds a degree in International Education from Wilfrid Laurier University, where she focused on global studies, pedagogy, and anthropology. Zelal has worked closely with newcomers to Canada through conversational English tutoring, nurturing both language development and community connection. Her approach is grounded in culturally responsive education and a deep belief in inclusive, learner-centered spaces.
Zelal’s journey with The Ripple Effect Education began as a co-op student facilitating conflict resolution workshops. She later returned as a summer student supporting data collection, developing educational resources, and co-facilitating the Peace Innovators Retreat. Now, as Manager of Youth and Children’s Programs, she brings her academic background and hands-on experience to support youth in becoming compassionate leaders. Zelal is committed to fostering programs that inspire critical thinking, empathy, and community engagement.
Nadine Vanbreda(she/her)
Classroom Workshop Facilitator
I am in my fifth year studying Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Waterloo, and I am super excited to apply the peacework I have been learning about in a practical way. I am passionate about building safe spaces for children to be who they are, and in my own time I enjoy crafting in all sorts of ways.
Kaya Cikic(she/her)
Classroom Workshop Facilitator
My name is Kaya Cikic. I am in my third year in Honours Arts at the University of Waterloo. I love to play sports, like soccer and snowboarding! I love being outside and hanging out with friends. Volunteering is a big part of my life, especially within my Church and local community. My newfound passion for peace has led me to volunteer with The Ripple Effect Education. I am very grateful to be building peace from the ground up!
Robin Hoogstra (they/he)
Classroom Workshop Facilitator
Robin is a student at the University of Waterloo, completing a double major in Peace and Conflict Studies and Social Development Studies. They’re very passionate about the potential that liberatory educational practice has to improve students’ understandings of others, themselves, and the world as a whole! Robin is also an engaged activist, maker, learner, and the owner of a delightful cat named Goose!
Dima Dakour (she/her)
Classroom Workshop Facilitator
My name is Dima and I am in my final term of my legal studies major, with minors in sociology and philosophy. I am passionate about education and working with young people, which is what interested me in volunteering with TREE!
Sahaj Nagra (she/her)
Classroom Workshop Facilitator
Hi, I’m Sahaj (she/her). I’m in my third year of Psychology at the University of Waterloo. I grew up babysitting my neighbours’ kids, and that experience sparked my interest in developmental psychology. I am passionate about learning how children think and interact so I can best support them as they navigate the world. Outside of school, I’m involved in my community through music! I’m part of a club that hosts events for other musicians in my local community. I also play some guitar and collect CDs.
Working with TREE has been such an amazing experience; I’ve personally learned a lot about community building, empathy, and peacebuilding. All of which are developed better together! I’m glad to be giving back to my community and helping young people build skills that, in turn, strengthen our community.
Anna Wiebe (she/her)
Classroom Workshop Facilitator
Anna is in the fourth year of her undergraduate degree in Sociology at the University of Waterloo, focusing primarily on criminology from a decolonial, restorative justice framework. With years of experience in facilitating arts and museum education for children and youth, Anna is passionate about fostering creativity, building community, and transforming systems.
Katie Gingerich (she/her)
Founder
Katie Gingerich is a social innovator and educator, and gets excited when the worlds of peace and innovation collide. She holds a BA in Peace & Conflict Studies from the University of Waterloo, a certificate in Conflict Management and Mediation from Conrad Grebel University College and a Master of Education from Wilfrid Laurier University. With her expertise in peace education and design and passion to give youth the tools they need to transform conflict and seek justice, she founded TREE in 2016, and led the organization to become a registered charity working with youth across Ontario. She was the 2019 recipient of the Kitchener Youth Action Council’s Youth Ally award, and the 2021 of the Canadian Voice of Women for Peace’s Kim Phúc Award for Youth Peace Leadership.
Some of our incredible facilitation team!
