About Us

Our Organizing Committee

  • Ishana Gopaul, Special Projects Manager, Office of the Vice-Principal (Finance and Administration)
  • Jermaine Marshall, Inclusion and Anti-Racism Advisor, Human Rights and Equity Office
  • Luis Herrera Vanegas, Program Administrator, Smith School of Business
  • Catarina Chagas, Manager, Strategic Communications and Outreach, Vice-Principal Research Portfolio
  • Sumia Bushra, Office Coordinator, Queen's University International Center (QUIC)
  • Alla Kryachkova, Graduate Program Assistant, Department of Physics, Engineering Physics & Astronomy
  • Mingshan Gu, Administrative Assistant, School of English, Faculty of Education

Ishana Gopaul

Ishana is a proud mother who is happy to offer tips about family-friendly activities in the Kingston area. She is also an avid reader with a keen interest in global literature. Connect with Ishana to share experiences in parenthood and literary explorations.

Contact Ishana

Jermaine Marshall

Jermaine is a fount of knowledge on all things cultural - food, music, poetry, etc. Connect with Jermaine if you'd like to know the best spots in Kingston to spend a Friday evening.

Contact Jermaine

Luis Herrera

Luis is your go-to for any practical questions you may have - from housing to farmers' markets. Connect with Luis for information on life in Kingston.

Contact Luis

Catarina Chagas

Catarina is a writer, a singer, and a mother of two. For the past few years, she's been trying to figure out how to stay warm in the Canadian winter. While things have been getting easier each year, summer will always be her favourite season. Connect with Catarina if you want to explore hiking and picnic spots in and around Kingston.

Contact Catarina

Sumia Bushra

Sumia is a proud mother of two and is passionate about sharing her knowledge and experiences of parenthood. She is also a great resource for newcomers to Kingston, offering helpful tips on everything from international grocery stores to essential to-do lists for settling in Canada. Whether you're looking for practical advice or local resources, Sumia is happy to assist and support you on your journey.

Contact Sumia

Mingshan Gu

Mingshan is an enthusiastic professional with years of experience supporting international students and newcomers. She loves cooking and celebrating diverse cultures through food. When winter hits Canada, you’ll find Mingshan escaping to the beach to soak up the sun!

Contact Mingshan

Alla Kryachkova

Alla likes travelling and would be happy to share family-affordable options to visit the most famous tourist attractions across Ontario and Quebec. She is a proud mother of two sons and can share information regarding healthcare, education and volunteering resources in Kingston.

Contact Alla