All graduates of Queen's University, as well as students who have completed one full academic year, are automatically members of the QUAA. We work to unite our diverse alumni community and celebrate our many contributions and achievements. Together, we advance the reputation of Queen’s as an exceptional research-based institution of higher learning.
Membership
A member of the Queen’s University Alumni Association is an individual who has received a degree or diploma from the University or has registered and attended classes for at least one full session (academic year or equivalent) and whose class has graduated.
Organization
The Alumni Assembly is the voting body of the QUAA - it is comprised of:
- All members of the Queen's University Alumni Association Board of Directors and its Executive Committee
- The President or delegate from each branch with a Signature Award (Calgary, Kingston, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, and Vancouver).
- Up to six additional Presidents or delegates from other branches.
- Up to four Reunion Volunteers (0-10 year Reunion Volunteer, 10-25 year Reunion Volunteer, 25-50 year Reunion Volunteer, 50+ year Reunion Volunteer).
- Up to two representatives from an official QUAA Chapter.
- One representative from an Alumni Booster Club or Team.
- One representative from a Giving Society or Committee.
- When necessary, up to two additional representatives from Faculties or Alumni Groups that are not otherwise represented in other positions (when necessary).
- The President or delegate of the Alma Mater Society (AMS).
- The President or delegate of the Society of Graduate and Professional Students (SGPS)
- The President or delegate of the Queen's Student Alumni Association (QSAA).
- The Queen's University Rector or delegate.
- One representative from the Varsity Council.
- The Principal of Queen's University or a delegate
- The University Council of Queen's University may appoint two Alumni Councillors.
QUAA Board of Directors
Allison Williams, Artsci ’09, President QUAA, Chair of the Board of Directors
Allison Williams, is a practicing lawyer at one of the province of Ontario's specialty community legal clinics, Justice for Children and Youth (JFCY). Originally from small-town Northwestern Ontario, Allison threw herself into student life while attending Queen’s. She obtained an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Studies with a minor in Women's Studies (2009); however is most proud of being honoured with the Agnes Benidickson Tricolour Award upon convocation for her distinguished service to the University in non-academic extracurricular activities. Allison went on to obtain her Masters of Arts from the University of Toronto (2011), before getting her Juris Doctor from Osgoode Hall Law School (2015). Allison was called to the Ontario bar in 2016. Prior to taking up the QUAA President's role, Allison served for four years as the QUAA Board's Director of Giving, promoting alumni philanthropy and giving through Queen's.
Leigh Kalin, Artsci ’92, Ex-Officio, Associate VP (Strategic Engagement)
Before her role as Acting Associate Vice-Principal (Strategic Engagement), Leigh was a member of Queen’s Office of Advancement executive team and played a leadership role in the university’s successful Initiative Campaign. Leigh was a key strategist and major gift fundraiser (leading the central development team) directly contributing to the $640M Queen’s Initiative Campaign.
During her six years at the University of Toronto, Leigh was involved in the $1B Great Minds Campaign — the largest campaign in Canadian history at that time — and subsequently serving as a major gifts officer at Upper Canada College.
She holds a BAH, Political Science, Queen’s University, 1992.
Angela Xu, Com ’22, Director
Angela is an Associate at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), where she works on diverse projects, providing strategic advice and solutions to clients across various industries such as Consumer, Financial Services, and Energy & Natural Resources. She graduated from Queen's University's Smith School of Business with a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) in 2022. During her time at Queen's, she earned various awards and scholarships for her active contributions to the community and her leadership roles, including involvement with Queen's Consulting Association, FreshSight Pro-bono Consulting, Smith Commerce Society, and QHacks. Angela also completed a semester abroad in Hong Kong and worked in various internships in management consulting, internal strategy, and e-commerce operations. She is committed to community service, serving as a board member at Junior League Toronto and volunteering as a newcomer mentor at North York Community.
In her free time, Angela loves to break a sweat in HIIT classes, belt out tunes at karaoke nights, and embark on culinary adventures exploring new restaurants.
Carolyn Desrosiers, Artsci ’06, Director
Carolyn is an executive advisor and transformation leader currently working in the health care industry. She has worked across a variety of industries establishing global project management offices, leading change management initiatives, and mobilizing leadership teams. Carolyn resides in Utah where her husband and two children. She formed the Queen’s Alumni Utah Branch in 2023 in an effort to meet other alumni based in the state. She is also a mentor in the Queen’s Alumni Mentorship Initiative, and she is passionate about encouraging other alumni to mentor current undergraduate students.
Carolyn enjoys the outdoor lifestyle that the Utah mountains provide. She regularly hikes, skis and competes in triathlons.
Cheryl Carver, MIR ’89, Director
Cheryl has over 30 years of combined leadership and consulting experience. During her career, she has built a reputation for operational excellence, innovative strategic thinking, and working with the highest level of integrity. She prides herself on creating and maintaining strong working relationships with all organizational stakeholders to provide solutions to meet their unique challenges now and into the future.
Cheryl currently works as a Consultant for Leduc Consulting, where she provides expert advice and guidance on various human resources topics. Before joining Leduc Consulting, Cheryl spent 18 years at the University of Saskatchewan in various leadership positions, most recently as the Associate Vice-President of People and Resources. In this role, she was accountable for development and execution of people and financial strategies that ensured the long-term growth and success of the division, university, and its faculty and staff. Prior to joining the University of Saskatchewan, she worked in Human Resources roles in both the manufacturing (Magna International) and healthcare (Dynacare Laboratories) sectors.
Her areas of expertise include labour relations and collective bargaining, total rewards strategy development, shared services delivery models, strategy and governance oversight, leadership development, and diversity and inclusion. She has both a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Masters of Industrial Relations Degree as well as holds a Certified Professional Human Resources designation.
Cheryl has served as a director on numerous boards including the Remai Modern, Cape Breton University, Out Saskatoon and Tamara’s House Women’s Shelter.
Cheryl is an expert human resources generalist and strategic leader who uses an “out of the box” approach to problem solving and who has consistently driven effective performance and cultural outcomes in the organizations where she has volunteered and worked. Today she resides in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
Galvin Niu, Sc ’19, Director
Galvin graduated from Queen's with an Electrical Engineering degree in 2019 with a specialization in the innovation stream. He was part of the inaugural class. During his time at Queen's, Galvin was involved in a number of clubs. Starting as a first-year representative at the engineering society council. And then holding roles such as the engineering external relations committee chair, and Queen's Global Innovation Conference Co-chair.
After graduation, Galvin did a 6-week backpacking trip before moving to Toronto for his full-time job with IBM. His professional career has allowed him to fine-tune his communication, long-term strategy, event planning, and relationship management skills. Ensuring the success of the portfolio.
With roots in Manitoba, Galvin loves the outdoors. When he's not working or helping out others, he's can be found enjoying nature.
Ghazal Abdullah, MIB ’23, Director
Ghazal is a recent graduate of a Double degree masters’ program in International Business and Management from Smith School of Business and University of Mannheim. Prior to this, Ghazal has interned with UNICEF, Apollo International Ltd. and led the Korean Film Festival Canada’s tour in Kingston.
Ghazal decided to continue her professional journey in Kingston as the Investment Outreach Coordinator for Kingston Economic Development. In her role, Ghazal identifies high potential companies to attract investment in the sectors of sustainable manufacturing and life sciences.
Ghazal likes to be involved within community through her formal role, organizing networking events for Kingston's young professionals. In her free time, Ghazal practices her piano skills, volunteers at local events.
Julie Nixon Rentsch, Com ’99, Director
Originally from Ottawa, ON, Julie is a BCom99 graduate, alumni of Bader College (1998), and longtime President of the QUAA Portland USA branch. After her time at Queen's, Julie ventured to Toronto, London, and New York where her experience included brand management for Kraft Foods (Kraft Dinner, Kool-Aid) and Scotch whisky maker William Grant & Sons (Glenfiddich, The Balvenie).
A resident of Portland, Oregon since 2008, Julie lives with her husband Robert, daughter Mirabelle, and dog Oskar in the city's vibrant south east side. As Business Development Director for the Oregon Dairy Council, she now works in agriculture, building trust and sales for local dairy foods and commodity products throughout the US and in export markets.
In her spare time, Julie is Founder and President of CISV Portland, a volunteer-run non-profit that provides cross-cultural peace education to youth ages 11 and up. She can often be found hovering over the cheese tray at social gatherings.
Kahir Rahemtulla, Sc ’17, Director
Kahir graduated from Queen's University in 2017 with a degree in Chemical Engineering, enriched by a dynamic professional internship in Calgary. He went on to earn MSc and MD degrees from the University of Alberta in 2019 and 2022, respectively. Now serving as a resident physician in his hometown of Edmonton, specializing in internal medicine, Kahir looks back fondly on his time at Queen’s, where he actively participated in Engineering Week, the Engineering Society, and Orientation Week. He is excited and grateful for the opportunity to give back to the Queen’s community through QUAA, recognizing it as a cornerstone of who he is as a professional, friend, and person today.
Kelly McKinley, Artsci ’91, Director
Kelly McKinley is the CEO of the Bay Area Discovery Museum, a children’s museum at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge in Sausalito, California. She previously served as Deputy Director of the Oakland Museum of California where she oversaw collections, conservation, curatorial, interpretation, exhibition design and production, and evaluation and visitor research. Other professional roles have included Executive Director of Education and Public Programming at the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto, Canada, and senior roles at Bruce Mau Design in Toronto and the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. Kelly has lectured internationally on museum leadership and taught in the graduate museum studies programs at the University Toronto, Bank Street College in New York, the University of San Francisco, and the graduate curatorial studies and criticism program at the Ontario College of Art and Design University in Toronto. She has served on the board of the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the Museum Education Roundtable and EdCom (the AAM professional network for museum educators) and the editorial board of Curator: The Museum Journal. Current board service includes the Association of Children’s Museums and First Five Marin. Her writing and work has been featured in recent publications including What is a Museum: Perspectives from National and International Museum Leaders (eds. Quinn and Peña Gutiérrez for ICOM-US); The Inclusive Museum Leader (eds. Catlin-Legutko and Taylor, 2021) and Museums Involving Communities: Authentic Connections (Kadoyama, 2018). Along with David Wistow, she is the co-author of the bestselling children’s book Meet the Group of Seven (1999).
Kelly received a BAH in Art History and French from Queen’s University in 1991, and a Master of Museum Studies from the University of Toronto in 1993.
Sarah Virani, Artsci ’11, Director
Sarah is a Toronto-based lawyer who advises hospitals and healthcare organizations on all manner of legal and risk issues. Originally from Vancouver, Sarah fell in love with Queen’s and moved across the country to pursue an Honours degree Health Studies and a minor in Spanish language. During her undergraduate career, she was an active member of the Queen’s Ismaili Muslim Students Association (QIMSA) and the Arts and Science Orientation Committee, holding multiple leadership roles in each. In her spare time, Sarah enjoyed trying all of the restaurants in Kingston and playing intramural volleyball. She graduated with honours and received the QIMSA Service Award for her distinguished service to the Queen’s and Kingston Ismaili Muslim communities. Sarah went on to obtain a Juris Doctor from Osgoode Hall Law School and was called to the Ontario bar in 2015. Prior to joining the QUAA Board of Directors, Sarah served for four years as a member of the Queen’s University Council.
Simon Marmura Brown, MA ’18, Director
Simon came to Queen’s to pursue a master’s degree in political studies. Finding campus life and teaching so rewarding, he elected to continue his education at Queen’s and completed his PhD in Political Studies in 2024. Throughout his work as a teaching assistant, teaching fellow, and graduate mentor, Simon has taught or mentored hundreds of undergraduate and graduate students at Queen’s.
Simon has also served on many departmental, university, and graduate student committees and boards, and is excited to continue working with the Queen’s community.
Stacy Kelly, Artsci ’93, Director
Born in Ottawa, Stacy grew up in the Outaouais region of Quebec. He earned a BA (Hons.) in Philosophy from Queen’s University in 1996 and was Manager at Trailhead Kingston (1996-2000). He then progressed through various roles at Queen’s, where he was Admissions & Recruitment Officer in the Office of the Registrar (2000-2003), Program Manager at Smith School of Business (2003-2006), Advancement Officer at Smith School of Business (2006-2008), and Senior Campaign Officer in the Office of Advancement (2008–2010). Relocating to Toronto in 2011, Stacy progressed through management roles in advancement at OCAD University, where he was Manager, Alumni Relations (2011-2013), Senior Manager, Alumni Relations & Annual Giving (2013), and Associate Director, Campaign (2013-2017). Stacy then served as Director, Philanthropy (2017-2022) at The 519, Canada’s largest and most prominent 2SLGBTQ community centre and service provider, before being recruited in August 2022 to be the Executive Director of the Community Foundation for Kingston & Area.
Devoted to community service, Stacy has served as a director of Aylmer Youth Theatre, Kingston Student Housing Cooperative, Queen’s ASUS Camps, Progressive Independent Community Press, Queen’s University Association for Queer Employees, Drop-in Centre Kingston, Inc, and Queen’s University Alumni Association. Currently, Stacy is co-founder and President of the Queen’s Queer Alumni Chapter, and is a mentor with the Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre.
Stacy has been recognized with an Ontario Volunteer Service Award from the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration (2017) and the Herbert J. Hamilton Volunteer Service Award from the Queen’s University Alumni Association (2019). Stacy lives in Kingston with his husband, Mark Julien, who is a writer and illustrator.
Toby Thomas, Sc ’85, Director
Toby has more than 30 years of experience generating growth, tackling complex strategic issues, and building world-class capabilities in leading companies.
Toby recently retired as President and CEO of Kinetico Incorporated, a leading global manufacturer and provider of residential and commercial water purification, water treatment systems and services. Prior to Kinetico, Toby was a Senior Partner at Monitor Group, a leading global strategy and growth consulting firm where he was responsible for driving growth and creating more effective commercial strategies for Monitor, and for leading companies. He was a founding member of Monitor's Markets practice building powerful, practical, and cost-effective growth strategies for world-class organizations across a wide set of industries. Toby started his career as a New Products Process Engineer, with Frito-Lay in their R&D group where he developed and brought new products to market.
Toby has a B.Sc. (Chem. Eng.) from Queen’s University, and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. He has served on the Board of Trustees and on the University Council of Queen’s University. He served as the President of the Water Quality Association (WQA), served on the WQA Board of Directors and Board of Governors, as a Board Member of the Greater Cleveland Partnership and as a Board member for the Water Quality Research Foundation.
Learn more about the QUAA
Learn more about QUAA membership, governance and it's voting body - the Assembly.
Learn more about the Annual General Meeting of the Alumni Association.
Volunteers are representatives of the university. Learn more about the QUAA standards of behaviour.
