Staff and Board - Ten Oaks Project

IN THIS SECTION: About

Camp Ten Oaks has shown me that I can be whoever I want to be. And, nobody can ever judge me for that.

Camp Ten Oaks camper

The sense of belonging and community that I get from Ten Oaks is something that I can feel year-round.

Camp Ten Oaks camper

As staff, we create an intentional space for our campers where for one week, they don’t have to be afraid or ashamed of anything about themselves.

Camp Ten Oaks volunteer

I can credit the beautifully diverse chosen family that I now have to Ten Oaks. It’s filled a great void in the community for me.

Camp Ten Oaks camper parent

Being a camper has opened my eyes to the diversity within the LGBTQ+ community, to the diversity of the group I’m a part of.

Camp Ten Oaks camper

When I left Project Acorn, the world was a different, more magical, and more manageable place.

Project Acorn participant

The best part of Project Acorn for me was seeing how much love and support is built in such a short span of time.

Project Acorn volunteer

At Project Acorn, I realized that I can have a powerful voice.

Youth Advisory Committee member

our people

The Ten Oaks Project is a community-based, charitable organization led by a small staff team and volunteer board of directors.

Board of Directors

Christian – President
Gabriela – Vice-President
Miguel – Treasurer

Rena -Director
Natasha – Director
Paige -Director

Staff

Kymani

Executive Director

Kymani (any pronouns) is a Black, queer immigrant who is committed to the messy work of community building and repair. They are currently the Executive Director for the Ten Oaks Project. After working in the youth recreation and camping worlds for 15 years, Kymani now works to ensure children and youth from 2SLGBTQIA+ identities, families, and communities have the resources and support they need to thrive. Before stepping into his current position, he was the Programs Manager for Ten Oaks for three years, where he gained a deep knowledge about how to transform ideas into material benefits. With a political science and education background, Kymani uses their teachings and life experiences to change our ways of thinking and engaging with the non-profit and camping sectors. Having lived and worked in Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Switzerland, Canada, and the US, Kymani has gained expert knowledge in working with various communities. In his free time, he enjoys video games, painting, unsuccessful baking, and reading Black feminist authors.

Jordyn

Programs Manager

Jordyn is a mixed-race lesbian-identifying queer person raised between two lower-income households by three lesbian parents all around Toronto, who has called beautiful Montreal home for over 7 years now. Having grown up as a Girl Guide heavily involved in summer camps, their background includes a wide range of youth facilitation, administration and marketing work at various companies and non-profit organizations, often ones specifically serving 2SLGBTQ+ communities. Some other categories of theirs: Sociology and English Lit grad, Libra, neurodivergent, Wikipedia fangirl, ENFP; jack of all trades, master of none. In her free time, Jordyn enjoys playing games of all kinds, eating a delicious meal at home or in a cosy restaurant, diving into a book, soaking up the sun, and dancing (just for fun).

Jesse

Project Manager

Jesse (he / him) is a queer & trans fella, proud parent, bringer together of people, and purveyor of joyful shenanigans. He got involved with Ten Oaks in 2012 and rocked many volunteer roles over the years from workshop facilitator to programming coordinator. Jesse specializes in design, communications and project management with a strong background in queer youth and community empowerment. He’s always busy whether it be finding ways to express his chaotic creativity, losing at board games, discovering local history, volunteering and singing in the gay men’s chorus or frolicking with friends.

Ash

Community Programs Coordinator

Ash (They/Them) is a trans, non-binary, queer person who grew up in a rural community and now resides in Ottawa on the unceded and unsurrendered land of the Anishinaabe Algonquin People. Ash recently completed the Social Service Worker program at Algonquin College, and works part time as a youth worker for BGC Ottawa. Before stepping into the Community Program Coordinator position they were a placement student with Ten Oaks Project for just under a year. Ash is passionate about 2SLGBTQ+ youth having access to programming, support, and community. In their spare time Ash enjoys reading, drawing, video games, and playing Dungeons & Dragons with friends.

Board of Directors

Christian

President (2021-2024)

Christian (they/them) is a trans non-binary and queer settler on unceded Algonquin Anishinaabeg territory. In the past, they founded and led Rainbow Ottawa Student Experience (ROSE), a 2SLGBTQIA+ youth activism non-profit, and presently work in restorative and rehabilitative justice programming supporting women and non-binary people. Christian has a passion for abolitionist justice, empowering queer and trans youth to be leaders, the intersection of faith and queerness, and queer mutual aid!

GaBRIELA

Vice-President (2022-2024)

Gaby (she/her) grew up going to camp every summer. She fondly remembers showing up to camp shy and cautious, and leaving with new-found confidence and energy. Gaby truly believes in the magical powers of play and the importance of having a safe space to try. She also remembers being one of the only kids of colour at camp, and how queerness was never something that was discussed and celebrated. As an adult, Gaby still holds onto her love of outdoor adventures, while also being committed to supporting the reframing of these spaces, by challenging our ideas of what they look like, who has access to them and who continues to be left out.

As a communications professional, Gaby has spent her career focused on amplifying voices and finding unique ways to communicate complex ideas. She has worked in the non-profit and private sectors, supporting organizations to shape their voice, expand their reach and grow their communities. She is thrilled to join the community at the Ten Oaks Project as a member of the Board, and to contribute to their efforts in providing a kind of space she would have cherished as a child.

miguel

Treasurer (2021-2024)
Miguel (he/him) is a Franco-Ontarian that has always called Ottawa his home. He joined the Board in the Fall of 2021, motivated from his experience of attending several camps in his childhood and working as a camp counsellor throughout early adulthood. Miguel is an active in several Ottawa-based inclusive organizations, including being a member of the Ottawa Wolves inclusive rugby club, the Ottawa Queer Softball League, and Gay Ottawa Volleyball. Professionally, Miguel works as policy analyst for the federal government and holds a B.Hum in Humanities and Religion, and M.A. in International Affairs. He is also a proud father of two.

rena

Director (2022-2024)

Rena (she/her) grew up in Sudbury and lived in Scotland and China before making a home in Ottawa. Having been previously active in Ottawa’s anti-violence community, she is committed to working with community organizations that centre an intersectional approach to social justice. As a later in life queer person, Rena is deeply committed to all things 2SLGBTQ+ and working towards a world that meets the needs of marginalized communities and celebrates diversity. Making space for children and youth to explore their identities, be who they are, and access the care and resources they need is a vital step towards this goal, and one that Ten Oaks takes seriously.
After playing soccer for most of her life, Rena now spends her days in the gym lifting heavy barbells and on campus as a professor at Carleton University. As a member of the Carleton Trans Advocacy Group, Rena is pushing for a safer and more respectful campus experience.

natasha

Director (2023-2025)

Natasha (she/her), originally from the GTA put down roots in Ottawa in 2005. She has been involved with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community since the mid-80s and remembers when Pride marches were more protest than celebration.

She has supported Ten Oaks for several years and is committed to ensuring 2SLGBTQIA+ children, youth and their families have safe, welcoming, loving, and supportive spaces to grow, thrive and most of all have fun!

Natasha has had many careers, including several years in Broadcast Journalism, but now spends her days as a Content Strategist in the high-tech sector. She was fortunate enough to volunteer on her workplace’s Pride Network for seven years, including organizing participants in the Capital Pride Parade.

Natasha’s favourite things include, baking sweet treats, playing music, solving puzzles and jumping into a cool lake on a hot summer day.

paige

Director (2023-2025)

Paige (she/her) grew up in the small village of Killaloe, on the unceded and unsurrendered land of the Anishinaabe Algonquin People. She believes in the magic of camp, community, creativity and connection. You will likely find her with a canoe paddle, ski poles, hiking map or paint brush in hand.

She has worked as an outdoor educator, utilizing her passion for the environment and education to inspire and educate young people facing barriers in mainstream education. Her experience as a whitewater canoe guide fostered her leadership skills, ability to navigate challenging situations, and commitment to outdoor adventure. Currently, she works with The Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa as a Community Care Coordinator, supporting previously unhoused youth in Ottawa.

She is passionate about advocating for the rights and well-being of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. She actively engages in initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, striving to create a more accepting and supportive environment for members of marginalized communities. Paige believes in the power of community and its ability to foster growth, support, and understanding. Her appreciation for the magic of summer camp underscores her belief in the transformative impact of experiential learning and communal experiences.