
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, making weird art, singing or frolicking with friends.




Ash
Community Engagement 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!
Lara
Vice President (2024-2027)

Passionate about connecting kids to the great outdoors, Lara Purvis (they/she) has worked in the field of therapeutic outdoor education for many years. They have BA in Child Development, a BEd and a MA in Global Development, and a background that includes social justice communications and public education.
Lara is a parent and educator that has worked and played alongside children in classrooms, community centres, parks, forests and canoes. She believes in the magic of camp, and believes that we all need to play outside.
As Founder and Director of Out to Play, Lara heads up the Forest and Nature School organization in Ottawa that centres connection to the land and each other, in children’s mental health and wellbeing. Lara grew up in South Africa and loves to tell stories, sometimes made-up and sometimes true, about snakes and mountains and how we get found after we get lost.
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
Secretary (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.
Colin
Director (2024-2027)

Colin (he/him) grew up just outside the Toronto area and opted for a more serene environment, moving to Carleton Place in 2010. As a Certified Sustainability Practitioner as well as holding many certificates as a DEI professional, Colin brings a wealth of expertise from his current role as a DEI & Sustainability Manager in the private sector.
Passionate about the intersection of camp and queer life with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Colin is dedicated to fostering queer representation as well as opportunities for youth development and environmental stewardship. Throughout his career in Human Resources and Compliance he continuously identifies the need for building safe and equitable queer spaces through Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and committees and advocating for representation at all levels of corporate life.
Colin’s commitment to these causes is driven by a deep belief in the power of community and the importance of nurturing both people and planet.
Paul
Director (2024-2027)

Paul Parker (He/They) is a Partner in an international service design firm and focuses on building solutions for people living with complex care needs or rare disease conditions. Past experience in the not-for-profit sector included lead fundraiser for a Greater Toronto Area youth advocacy charity and President and Chair of a daycare in the city of Toronto. Identifying as gender queer and bisexual, 2SLGBTQIA+ advocacy is close to Paul’s heart and he hopes his lived experience and knowledge can help make a better world for Ten Oaks youth and families. He loves the outdoors, is a dedicated cyclist and is proud to be a part of the Ten Oaks board and community.
Samantha
Director (2024-2027)

Sam (she/her) is a therapist and sex educator with a passion for community-building. Growing up in Newfoundland, she learned the power of a good story and the potency of a good joke. She strives to stay connected to that east coast spark now that she lives in Ottawa. As a long-time supporter of Ten Oaks and a Project Acorn alumni, she is thrilled to be a TOP board member.
In her free time, Sam is often spending time with her partner and two small kids. She also enjoys reading, travelling, and baking delicious cakes.
Lifetime Members
Thank you to our dedicated Sponsors & Partners!
Without supporters like you, none of the safer spaces we create for our kids would be possible. Our supporters give more than financial contributions. Our supporters are champions and allies of 2SLGBTQ+ communities. Thank you to the foundations, community groups, companies and organizations who give such outstanding financial and in-kind support of the Ten Oaks Project.
Our Sponsors Include:







Interested in becoming a sponsor or partner? Get in touch!