Staff Directory

Tania Principe, KAIROS’ Executive Director, is a leader rooted in justice, collaboration, and community. She believes transformative change happens when people of conscience unite behind a bold vision. With a steady north star, strategic foresight, and deep experience in international feminist activism, Tania supports KAIROS in shaping movements that last. When she’s not building strategy and community, she’s likely out on a run, enjoying a strong cheese, or in conversation with her pets.

Alfredo collaborates with partners around the world, bringing the KAIROS Blanket Exercise to their territories. Together, they work to build relationships of solidarity for justice, truth and reconciliation. Born in Kuskatan, a Maya, Nahuat– Pipil, Lenca and Kakawira territory, known as El Salvador, Alfredo moved to Canada as refugee in 1985. Music as a tool for social change is an integral part of his life. Alfredo speaks Spanish and English. Honouring his ancestors and guided by Elder Native Nahuat speakers and educators, Alfredo studies Nahuat, the last remaining Indigenous language of Kuskatan.

Taylor is the KBE Training and Education Coordinator, where she develops training curriculum, materials, educational content, and scripts for the KBE Program under the guidance of the KBE Indigenous Advisory Circle. She is passionate about using education to uncover truth and advance reconciliation. With a background in teaching, Taylor holds two BA’s—one in legal studies and another in human rights & Indigenous studies—and a Master of Education with a focus on global education. Taylor is a mixed ancestry woman from Batchewana First Nation. Although she has spent most of her life living in southern Ontario, she now calls Treaty 7 territory home. Outside of her professional work, Taylor is on a journey of learning about her culture and is slowly learning Ojibway. Once an avid traveler who visited over 30 countries, she now enjoys gardening and baking in her free time.

In her role as Indigenous Rights Coordinator, Brandi supports initiatives that uplift Indigenous voices, strengthen rights advocacy and foster pathways of reconciliation through partnership and collective action. Brandi is most deeply connected to KAIROS’ mission of working together across differences for ecological justice and human rights. She is passionate about amplifying Indigenous perspectives and ensuring that healing, resilience and justice remain at the heart of this work. Her background includes extensive experience in curriculum development, program coordination and advocacy within Indigenous health, healing and rights-based organizations. Brandi brings both professional expertise and lived experience, grounding her work in compassion, integrity and a commitment to wholistic justice. Outside of work, Brandi loves to travel and explore hidden gems of the world. She also finds joy and strength in attending Indigenous ceremonies across Turtle Island, which grounds her in culture, spirit and community.

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As a Partnership Coordinator in the KAIROS Blanket Exercise program, Susan gets to interact with many different peoples across this land. Together they discuss bringing the important teachings of the truer history of where they reside, and of the impacts of colonization across Turtle Island to as many communities as possible. Susan is Algonquin, with a bit of French and Irish mingled in, and resides on the unceded and unsurrendered Algonquin Territory. She is happy and proud to be a member of Pikwakanagan First Nation where she is reconnecting to her community, language, culture and heritage. Being outside with nature is where Susan turns to for fun, comfort, joy and renewal.

Devora has offered her organizational skills and love of spreadsheets to several grassroots movements and non-profit groups in the arts and culture sector. A longtime activist, she feels privileged to work with a team committed to human rights and social justice. When she is not managing files, she is exploring hiking trails on both the traditional lands of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg — where she lives, and those of the Muisca Nation — on whose ancestral lands she was born. She is passionate about movement health and leads a weekly strength-training class at her local gym.

John supports KAIROS by shaping its online presence through websites, social media, graphics and video storytelling. With a background in IT and a passion for volunteering, he’s deeply committed to giving back and strengthening community connections. Born from Portuguese roots, John is fluent in English, French and Portuguese. He also teaches animation on his YouTube channel. Outside of work, he enjoys woodworking and creating lighthearted animated dad jokes, finding joy in blending craft and creativity from his Ottawa home office.

Shona is a Director of Operations focused on unlocking organizational potential. She creates liberating structures and processes, cultivating a diverse, agile culture centered on respect, learning, and measurable impact. Her guiding principle: “Change the culture – Change the world!”. Inspired by her Scottish and English heritage, Shona believes that if change is needed, it is your job to lead it, and that community is our greatest strength. This conviction has defined her career in Social Change and Social Justice, connecting people to their power to transform the world. Off the clock, Shona can be found on the water—in a canoe, on a paddle board, or any available flotation device. She also lives by the rhythm of life, never missing an impromptu dance party and always ready with the perfect soundtrack.

Rick is the administrative associate in the KAIROS office. He does all things administrative as well as processing charitable tax receipts, picking up occasional program work and general office management. He is drawn to KAIROS because “The Social Gospel and Liberation Theology transformed my life, and KAIROS gives this vision hands and feet.” He has had a career of progressive Christian and ecumenical leadership, rooted in solid Maritime upbringing and education. Rick identifies as a proudly queer Newfoundlander and Acadian. He is fluently bilingual, and he thrives on cooking, singing, writing, board games and time spent in dog parks. He pines for the east coast. Rick wants you to know that he has double jointed toes.

Fahira serves in donor relations at KAIROS, where she builds connections between generosity and lasting impact. She is deeply inspired by KAIROS’ dedicated donors and works to amplify stories of justice, dignity and solidarity. A lifelong learner, Fahira finds joy in taking courses that expand her knowledge, cherishing time with her family and reconnecting with nature through long walks.

Isabel joined the organization in 2018 as an intern and has since grown into the role of Finance Coordinator. Originally from Argentina, she brings more than ten years of finance and administrative experience to this country, where she managed all financial operations and worked closely with the company accountants. After immigrating to Canada in 2014 without speaking English, Isabel worked hard to rebuild her career, combining her professional expertise with new skills. She enjoys the challenges of finance and supporting programs to run smoothly. Outside work, Isabel loves family time, long walks along trails, movies, YouTube DIY projects, reading and spending time with her kids and husband playing family games.

Danielle is a progressive professional in project management in the international development sector, a young leader and advocate for youth empowerment, youth inclusion in the SDGs and governance, making waves for youth inclusive global development. As the Global Partnerships Coordinator: Africa and Climate Justice with KAIROS, she connects partners from across the continent to Canada and the rest of the world, and contributes to policy, advocacy, and capacity building around Human Rights and Development. She is responsible for the partnership, education and advocacy work related to KAIROS’ Africa partnerships, cross-cutting issues of climate change and global partnerships and supporting overall monitoring and evaluation reporting.”

Beth is a settler of Irish, Scottish and British descent living on the unceded territory of the Algonquin Peoples in the Kichi Sībī Watershed. With a background in international development and economics, she leads national climate justice campaigns, bridging faith-based advocacy with broader movements for social and environmental justice. An elder millennial who spans the analog and digital worlds, she brings systems thinking, compassion and a long view to her work. A mother and lifelong swimmer, Beth draws strength from water – holding fast to a steady hope for a more just and livable future.

Cheryl is a settler living in Tkaronto – the territory of Treaty 13 and the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Belt. She weaves words and strategies for KAIROS’ program pillars, from crafting letter campaigns to sparking conversations on Parliament Hill. She is passionate about ecological justice and human rights and believes that people, planet and well-being are inseparable. Cheryl is also an active volunteer. She founded the Toronto chapter of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby and continues to lobby Parliament for effective climate policies. An artist at heart, Cheryl writes short stories, plays and now screenplays. Her play Wonder Wonder, about a boy’s deep connection to nature, was produced by Carousel Players. In her spare time, she’s learning Spanish, walking in the woods, reading thought-proving books and spending time with her wife and friends.

Shannon is a bridge between the programs and the people, collaborating with all program pillars and many different networks of KAIROS supporters. She feels privileged to engage people of churches in faithful action for justice and peace. Shannon creates spaces, opportunities and resources to help people to be the change they want to see in the world. With an equal interest in all of KAIROS’s work, Shannon’s calling is to serve and equip the church to incarnate God’s justice and peace and to pass these gifts on to the next generation. Shannon is a settler of Germanic decent, who has finally started to call Tkaronto home after 30 years away from the prairies. Shannon has decades of experience in preaching, teaching, organizing and writing for young and old and everyone in between. Earning a Master’s of Divinity in the middle of those decades confirmed and enhanced her capacities. Shannon is not only a tree-hugger but learning to be a tree-listener.

Murray Pruden is Nehiyaw (Cree First Nations) from Goodfish Lake Nation, Alberta, now calling Vancouver, BC home. His journey has taken him from theatre stages to government halls to ministry circles — all grounded in his deep love for Indigenous communities, spirituality, and storytelling. He’s worn many hats along the way: public servant, union activist, and most recently, National Executive Minister for Indigenous Ministries and Justice with The United Church of Canada. Through it all, Murray’s mission has stayed the same — to lift up Indigenous voices, share stories of hope and humour, and remind us all of our sacred connection to one another and to Creation. At KAIROS, Murray is excited to keep weaving networks of justice, relationship, and reconciliation — with a good dose of laughter along the way. When he’s not busy storytelling or leading conversations on faith and community, you might find Murray diving into creative projects, enjoying theatre and film, or just sharing a good laugh over coffee. He believes joy is sacred — and that a great story can change the world.

As a supportive role within the organization, Connor holds many pieces in daily operations and HR system processes at all levels within the organization. As an Algonquin man from the Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn First Nation, Indigenous Rights is where Connor’s passion lies. Connor continues to reclaim his language, traditions and cultural practices. Involved with his community, Connor is grateful for the support given by them as he pursues his passion for oil and acrylic painting.

Caroline Sharp graduated from Trinity College at the University of Toronto in 2018 with a Master of Divinity. Her two areas of focus were on ecotheology and faith formation. After graduating she began pursuing a Master’s of Environmental Studies in Social and Ecological Sustainability at the University of Waterloo and plans on completing her thesis in 2022. Caroline enjoyed her position as a Teacher’s Assistant at UofW. Caroline is currently one of three Chairs for Social and Ecological Justice Huron (Anglican Diocese of Huron) and is the owner of greenUNITED Vegetable and Duck Farm (previously in Hamilton).

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Silvia Cristina Vasquez-Olguin (she/her) graduated with a Ph.D. from the Faculty of Urban and Environmental Change at York University, and her research focused on rural and peasant studies in Latin America. Gender Justice and Extractivism resonate with her approach to food sovereignty and environmental conservation, focusing on injustices, gender-based violence and their links to extractivist industries, patriarchy, and neo-colonialism. Her interest in urban agriculture came from an urgent call for food sovereignty that peasant organizations worldwide have raised in recent years, based on food access and food production in the city as well as the commitment and participation of community in envisioning new futures for a truly equal society. Silvia is part of the APG-GOPA Steering Committee. She participates as a member of the CNCA. In the summers, she teaches Urban Gardening and Sustainability in the Maloca Community Garden of York University on Keele Campus (Toronto, Canada.) https://www.silviavasquezolguin.com/

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Silvia Cristina Vásquez-Olguín se doctoró en la Facultad de Cambio Urbano y Ambiental, y su investigación se centró en los estudios rurales y campesinos en América Latina. La justicia de género y el extractivismo resuenan con su enfoque de la soberanía alimentaria y la conservación del medio ambiente, centrándose en las injusticias, la violencia de género y sus vínculos con las industrias extractivistas, el patriarcado y el neocolonialismo. Su interés por la agricultura urbana surgió del llamamiento urgente a la soberanía alimentaria que las organizaciones campesinas de todo el mundo han planteado en los últimos años, desde el acceso a los alimentos y su producción en la ciudad hasta el compromiso y la participación de la comunidad y los bienes comunes, pasando por la visión de nuevos futuros para una sociedad realmente igualitaria. Silvia es parte de APG-GOPA Comité Directivo, y en miembro activo de la CNCA. En el verano es profesora de Jardinería Urbana y Sostenibilidad en el Huerto Comunitario de Maloca de la Universidad de York, en el campus de Keele (Toronto, Canadá). https://www.silviavasquezolguin.com/

Liz keeps the wheels turning at KAIROS, working alongside the Executive Director and Steering Committee with a mix of precision and care for KAIROS programs. Born and raised in Venezuela, she practiced law before moving to Canada in 2014, where she’s built a new life rooted in community and connection. Liz is passionate about fairness and helping newcomers find their way. Outside of work, she’s a proud animal lover who dreams of a farm filled with dogs and birds. She once spun her way through pole dance workouts before embracing motherhood in 2023.

Rachel works with a small but mighty team to support global partners, including women’s organizations and movements, Indigenous groups, environmental groups, churches and human rights organizations, through advocacy, education and funding. These partnerships have inspired and kept her grounded and connected to ecumenical work for 30 years. She is passionate about gender justice, human rights and nature, puedo defenderme en español, is a proud mama of two daughters and devoted to her dog.