One of Canada’s Most Influential Women Dalal Al-Waheidi Announced as Jack Matthews Fellow
Trent University, Canadian Canoe Museum and Lakefield College School partner to bring Trent alumna to Peterborough
The Jack Matthews Fellowship, a collaboration between Trent University, Lakefield College School, and the Canadian Canoe Museum, continues its tradition of appointing exemplary Canadians as fellows with the announcement of Dalal Al-Waheidi ‘98, Trent International Program (TIP) alumna, and one of Canada’s 100 most influential women, as the 2016 Jack Matthews Fellow in residence.
Ms. Al-Waheidi is the executive director of We Day Global, where she is responsible for leading the team that brings the power of We Day to cities in Canada, the US and the UK. Ms. Al-Waheidi joined Free the Children in 2002 after graduating from Trent with a degree in International Development Studies, and has held a variety of roles including international project director, chief operations director and executive director.
“Dalal truly embodies the uniquely Canadian values of global citizenship that Jack Matthews embedded in the institutions he established,” said Dr. Michael Allcott, director of TIP. “An immigrant to Canada, her extraordinary leadership and commitment to others is an example of the strength of the Canadian mosaic—her work so far has empowered thousands of young Canadians to engage civic discourse and service, and to begin changing the world for the better.”
As the 2016 Jack Matthews Fellow, Ms. Al-Waheidi will engage the Trent and Peterborough communities in a variety of free, public events, including:
- Public lecture and talk called “Living O(Y)ur Potential: A Journey to Changing the World” on Wednesday, January 27 at 3:00 p.m. in the Great Hall, Champlain College. During this discussion, Ms. Al-Waheidi will share her personal journey as a war affected child and teenager, the impact of these life experiences on her educational and career choices and how to be a positive agent of social change. During Ms. Al-Waheidi’s time at Trent, she will also be giving a guest lecture to a first-year international development studies class.
- “MY(Your) Journey to Global Citizenship " public talk at the Canadian Canoe Museum on Thursday, January 28 at 7:00 p.m. Details at http://bit.ly/1nlBFEM
- Ms. Al-Waheidi will also visit Lakefield College School on January 29, 2016 for a lecture, Q&A session, and classroom visits.
Born and raised in Kuwait, Ms. Al-Waheidi’s family fled to the Gaza Strip after the Gulf War. She witnessed the terrible impact of war on children, political instability, violence and conflict. These early experiences gave Ms. Al-Waheidi a unique understanding of the real costs of political and cultural division, and allowed her to place hope firmly in the value of cooperative peace-building.
Drawing on her experiences, Ms. Al-Waheidi has been a leading force behind Free the Children’s innovative initiatives, including We Day events, partnerships with school boards, and the highly successful O Ambassadors program through Oprah’s Angel Network. Ms. Al-Waheidi also designed and implemented Free The Children’s first girls’ education and empowerment program in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The Girls for Change program was implemented in the Gaza Strip and Tunisia.
Ms. Al-Waheidi’s exemplary leadership has been recognized by the Women’s Executive Network with Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women Award in the “Future Leaders” category, and by Trent University, with the Young Alumni Award for demonstrating extraordinary leadership early in her career.
About the Jack Matthews Fellowship
The Jack Matthews Fellowship honours the memory of the legendary Canadian who was a head of Lakefield College School, a founder of the Canadian Canoe Museum, and founder of the Trent University International Program. Previous fellows have included Wab Kinew, Shelagh Rogers, Joseph Boyden, Nicolas Dickner, Doug Blakey, and Mike Robinson.
About Trent University
One of Canada's top universities, Trent University was founded on the ideal of interactive learning that's personal, purposeful and transformative. Consistently recognized nationally for leadership in teaching, research and student satisfaction, Trent attracts excellent students from across the country and around the world. Here, undergraduate and graduate students connect and collaborate with faculty, staff and their peers through diverse communities that span residential colleges, classrooms, disciplines, hands-on research, co-curricular and community-based activities. Across all disciplines, Trent brings critical, integrative thinking to life every day. Today, Trent's unique approach to personal development through supportive, collaborative community engagement is in more demand than ever. Students lead the way by co-creating experiences rooted in dialogue, diverse perspectives and collaboration. In a learning environment that builds life-long passion for inclusion, leadership and social change, Trent's students, alumni, faculty and staff are engaged global citizens who are catalysts in developing sustainable solutions to complex issues. Trent's Peterborough campus boasts award-winning architecture in a breathtaking natural setting on the banks of the Otonabee River, just 90 minutes from downtown Toronto, while Trent University Durham delivers a distinct mix of programming in the east GTA.
For more information contact:
Kate Weersink, media relations & strategic communications officer, Trent University, (705) 748-1011 x6180 or kateweersink@trentu.ca
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