Katrina is a young woman from Francophone Canada with a passion for human rights, gender equality, and linguistic rights.

With extensive expertise in youth peacebuilding in conflict-affected areas, Katrina has coordinated the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP)’s Young Women Leaders for Peace (YWL) program in Eastern Africa since 2016. This program was cited as a peacebuilding best practice by the UN Secretary-General in his first-ever report to the Security Council on Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS). As of January 2021, Katrina serves as GNWP’s YPS Policy Specialist, where she coordinates the organization’s global policy priorities that affect young people.

In Canada, Katrina is an advisor to the Board of Directors of the Manitoba Women of South Sudan. She provides strategic advice to the diaspora community members on peacebuilding and gender mainstreaming. She sits on the Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women (CRIAW) and the Canadian Voice of Women for Peace (VOW). Katrina also recently co-founded the Canadian Coalition for Youth, Peace & Security (CCYPS) and sat on the Women, Peace and Security Network – Canada (WPSN-C).

Katrina has spent years supporting local and international non-governmental organizations to grow their audiences and branding. As Communications Coordinator at GNWP, Katrina manages online content, translations, publications, and strategic communications. Katrina continues to consult with several small non-profits to support their organizational growth and overall image, both with direct graphic and web design services and overall brand advising.  

Katrina is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in conflict studies at Saint-Paul University, focusing on the synergies between the Women, Peace, and Security; and Youth, Peace, and Security agendas. She holds a master’s in peace and conflict studies from the University of Manitoba and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Winnipeg with a double major in human rights and conflict resolution.