Alumni to Lead Trent Board of Governors 

Doug Kirk ‘70 becomes new Board chair, Krista Scaldwell ‘86 to serve as a vice-chair, and nine additional alumni serve as members 

July 23, 2024

The Trent Alumni Family is well represented on the new University Board of Governors as the chair, a vice-chair, and nine members are all alum. Please join us in celebrating the following alumni who are serving their alma mater on the Board effective July 1, 2024:

Chair

Doug Kirk '70 (Champlain College) - Doug is president and founder of Durham Radio Inc., a member of Trent’s Philanthropic Advisory Council, and a Champion of the Campaign for Momentous Change. After graduating from Trent with an honours B.Sc. in Chemistry and Economics, he went on to a career in commercial lending at TD Bank and as an equities analyst at Burns Fry (now BMO Nesbitt Burns), where he climbed the ranks to become managing director in Investment Research. 

Vice-Chair 

Krista Scaldwell '86 (Lady Eaton College) - Krista is president of the Canadian Beverage Association with extensive senior experience in communications and public affairs. After graduating from Trent with an honours B.A. in Economics and Sociology, Krista went on to hold vice-president roles with companies including Coca-Cola Canada, Canada Life, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Group of Companies in Canada, and Bristol Myers Squibb Canada.

Members 

Yancy Craig '95 (Champlain College) - Yancy is vice-president Indigenous and Government Relations at Indspire and has 20 years of public administration and policy experience in the government and not-for-profit sectors. After graduating from Trent with a B.A. in Sociology and History, he went on to work with organizations including the Aboriginal Healing Foundation, Assembly of First Nations and the National Association of Friendship Centres.  

David de Launay '98 (Gzowski College) - David is Ontario’s former Deputy Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development and Mines. After graduating from Trent with a B.A. in Economics, he went on to a 30-year career in public service and is now president and chair of Ma'mo'weh Wii'soo'ka'tiwin Foundation to support the work of the Kenora Chiefs Advisory. 

Emma Kaszecki '16 (Lady Eaton College) - Emma is a Trent Ph.D. candidate in Environmental Life Sciences, president of the Trent University Graduate Students’ Association, and ambassador of the Campaign for Momentous Change. Emma recently graduated from Trent with a B.Sc. in Forensic Science with a specialization in Law and Policing. 

Matt Keefer '00 (Champlain College) - Matt is director of Enterprise Applications in the Information Technology department at Trent University, providing leadership and technical expertise to senior technology staff and managers. After graduating from Trent with a B.A in History, he went on work with the University in various roles including as manager of Information Systems.  

Valentine Lovekin '84 (Traill College) - Valentine is a practicing lawyer in Toronto and Newcastle specializing in real estate, estate administration, and corporate law. He graduated from Trent with an honours B.A. in English and Philosophy and was a student in T.H.B. Symons’ Vanier Seminar.  

Jennifer McGarrity '88 (Otonabee College) - Jennifer is vice-president Productivity at RBC and a seasoned business professional with more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. After graduating from Trent with a B.A. in Philosophy, she went on to a career in the financial services industry including roles such as vice-president Digital and Transformational Initiatives and vice-president Strategy and Enablement with RBC Insurance.  

Jaime McKenna '97 (Otonabee College) - Jaime is president of Fengate Real Estate and a chartered professional accountant. After graduating from Trent with a Bachelor of Business Administration, she went on to become Chief Investment Officer of Minto Apartment REIT before leading Fengate to grow its real-estate portfolio.

Peter Norman '87 (Julian Blackburn College) - Peter is vice-president and chief economist at Altus Group Toronto – a provider of asset and fund intelligences for commercial real estate. After graduating from Trent with a B.A. in Economics, he went on to work as an economist with the Bank of Montreal and vice-president of Clayton Research Associates Ltd. 

Dr. Stephen Stohn '66 (Champlain College) - Stephen is a member of the Order of Canada, Trent’s second alumnus Chancellor, a Trent honorary degree recipient, and Champion of the Campaign for Momentous Change. After graduating from Trent with a B.A. in Philosophy, Stephen went on to become founding partner in the law firm, Stohn Hay Cafazzo Dembroski Richmond LLP and is best known as the executive producer of the multi award-winning Degrassi television franchise.