The Board of Directors is elected by the membership at an Annual General Meeting held in March. WPIRG is audited annually and reports to its membership at the AGM.

WPIRG Funding supports volunteer training, events and projects, maintenance of an office and library and two full-time staff. Funding is administered by the Board of Directors. Meetings occur on a regular basis – usually bi-weekly – and are open to the membership.

Current Board of Directors

Umar Aftab

There is so much we don’t understand about the world and human nature. This has been my inspiration for majoring in applied math with a joint honours in philosophy. Human beings are rational. Yet we live in world where irrationality prevails. I believe that social and environmental activism and outreach present ways to tackle some of the outstanding problems of today like war, poverty, human rights abuses and degradation of natural environment. I have been involved environmental activism and raising awareness about international development and social issues since I was 15, and with WPIRG since my first year of university. My interests are many, too many to list — recently I have taken to climbing trees. I can be reached at umaraftab@hotmail.com.

Sophie Cote (profile soon to come!)

Archana Datta

I am an environmental enthusiast. My interests are too many to list, but my studies concentrate on international development and global environmental governance.  I am completing a master’s degree in Environmental and Resources Studies at the University of Waterloo, and my thesis examines multilateral financing options for climate change. I stand by Mahatma Gandhi’s famous lines, you must be the change you wish to see in the world.  I believe in community involvement and active citizen participation in working towards our shared goals. My aspiration is to create communities where individuals have freedom and ability to choose and pursue their own lifestyles, in a manner that also produces strong and stable social systems. In this regard, I feel that WPIRG is the right institute to channel my interests and energy. I can be reached atdatta.archana.1@gmail.com.

Veronica Diaz

My dream is to see a network of artists, academics and activists collaborating on improving the health of their communities. I became involved with WPIRG’s Board of Directors to be able to reach my dream and to work towards battling all forms of oppression and ignorance in the university and in the Kitchener-Waterloo area I hope to be able to see people more connected to nature, food and to each other. Also, I would like to help many others to continue the movement of integrating different discourses and cultures in the social and environmental movements. I have two more terms to graduate from my undergraduate degree of Latin- American Studies & Environment and Resource Studies. I love art, photography, bike rides, naturalized landscaping, cultures and their stories, languages, music, design and food!  And if you ever want to chat, please send me an email at vero.guillo@gmail.com

Hausalya Kulanayagam

I’m an accounting student with a passion for social and environmental justice issues. From poverty, to food security, to labour and immigration policy, to just plain waste of the earth’s resources, as Martin Luther King said I believe that our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter. Before coming to WPIRG I didn’t know we had so many problems, but I also wasn’t aware that there were so many amazing and informed people working toward solutions in inclusive, creative, non-oppressive ways. Now that I’ve been able to learn a little, share a little, and get excited about making a small change every day even if it’s just by spreading the word about an event or an issue I’m ready to try my best to stay engaged and help start important dialogue about the things that matter. If you are interested in getting involved with WPIRG or taking action about the things that matter to you send me an email at hausalya@hotmail.com.

Ashling Ligate

Hey Folks! I am currently finishing my undergraduate at UW in Independent Studies on the possibilities of performative arts to destigmatize abortion and inspire dialogue about choice. I also work as a Public Educator at the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region. When I’m not leading feminism 101 workshops or organizing in the queer community, I can be found playing with my two cats, Tennessee Williams and T.S. Eliot. I am very thankful to all of those who have made it possible for me to live, work and play on this territory of the Six Nations of the Grand River. I am very much looking forward to supporting the organizational strength and capacity at WPIRG. You can reach me at ash.ligate@gmail.com.

Emily Pittman

I am in my fourth year of a joint honours degree in Political Science and History with a Specialization in International Relations and Global Governance and a Certificate of French Language. In high school, my interest in social justice was ignited by my involvement in Amnesty International and my art teacher. Striving to continue down the activist path, I joined WPIRG’s Free the Children in first year and today I continue to be involved with Food Not Bombs. My volunteer experience includes the World University Service of Canada; the Odawa Native Friendship Centre; and the UW Food Bank, International Students’ Office and Office for Persons with Disabilities. I am most passionate about displacement issues; women’s rights; issues in contemporary Native communities in Canada; workers’ rights; fighting indifference, defeatism, and overconsumption; and encouraging people to challenge the misinformation they’ve been led to believe. I enjoy creating and listening to music; dancing; art; reading and writing; children; nature; random acts of kindness; and impromptu conversations with strangers.

William Saunders

I am a second year Computer Science major from Waterloo who is actively looking for ways to use my skills to help solve the important problems facing the world. I am particularly interested in issues related to war and the politics of climate change in Canada. Shortly after entering university I became involved in the Amnesty International group at WPIRG, and in 2009 helped start the highly successful Climate Action Project. I also work for non-profit organizations doing web design and environmental public outreach. Activism has greatly expanded my horizons and helped me live out my beliefs, and I am excited about the potential for WPIRG to spark action within campus and the community. Outside of activism and studies, I enjoy reading in a broad variety of areas, science fiction/fantasy, and board games. You can reach me at william_r_s@sympatico.ca

To contact the board, email [ board at lists.wpirg.org ]