Table Officers are volunteer alumni leaders for the Board of the OISE Alumni Association. They set goals and objectives for the Board, help write bylaws, policies and procedures, and monitor the association’s financial activity. Together with the Office of Advancement & Externals, our Table Officers help maintain effective partnerships with other OISE associations and alumni governing bodies at the University of Toronto.
Jacqueline Karsemeyer, BEd '94 PhD '00
Since retiring in 2022, I have had the privilege of serving organizations whose vision and mandate I respect and can contribute to. Hence, my enthusiasm for strengthening engagement, building community and enriching opportunities for OISE’s alumni, students and friends.
My lifelong learning adventures reflect aspects of many students and alumni. I was born in Guyana, educated as a Francophone in Montréal, lived in India, worked with teacher educators in Beijing, studied in Guinée and Sénégal. My formative connection with OISE was right after high school, as French bibliographic searcher and I am continuously impressed by OISE’s international leadership reputation.
The Ontario College of Teachers and Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario honed my skills as a collaborative leader in visioning, planning and implementing initiatives. Certification in mediation underpins my strength in building consensus, while valuing multiple perspectives. Often drawing from the arts, I am skilled in creating opportunities that are accessible to all. Professor Emeritus David Booth was a key influence in my personal and professional growth. His maxim “Your time is worth more than money”, inspires my service as President of the OISE Alumni Association.
Ken Nakamura, BEd '81
I am a U of T Faculty of Education graduate from 1981. I have served as an OT with the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) for over 44 years. I earned my BA from York University in 1979 and a law program degree from Centennial College prior to joining OISE to study education. I have extensive certification in law, recreation, and the union field. As Vice-President (Internal), I enhance my metric capacities in the field and in OISE circles by serving our members to the best of my ability.
Monica Gutierrez, MEd '14
Monica has 15 years of diverse fundraising experience in the non-profit healthcare, arts, and education sectors. She currently works as a Senior Development Officer at the University of Toronto Scarborough Development and Alumni Relations Office, where relationship-building is integral to her work. In this position, she has learned the valuable interconnected nature of advancement and alumni relations. Throughout her career, Monica has built strategic and meaningful partnerships with private and non-profit organizations to secure sponsorships and donations. She has a Master in Adult Education and Community Development from OISE where she focused on social justice education and Popular Education. Monica strives to use her education, experience, and skills to leverage fund development for social change. Outside of work, Monica creates murals and public art installations. You may have caught glimpses of her work at a Nuit Blanche in the past!
Monica has a wealth of advancement experience to offer, fundraising knowledge, and knowledge of post-secondary administrative processes. As an alumni who has gone on to work in post-secondary, she provides valuable insight into the ways OISE can deepen alumni engagement locally, across Canada, and internationally. She is particularly interested in supporting efforts to celebrate alumni successes and contributions. Monica joined the OISEAA to strengthen her connection to OISE, which was pivotal in her career and professional advancement, and to give back to this institution. She fondly remembers her studies and professors and the relationships she built with other students.
Pui Yee Alisa Lee, MEd '23
Pui Yee Alisa graduated from the OISE MEd Curriculum, Teaching and Learning program in 2023. She is a CPA Canada Certified Internal Auditor and Project Management Professional. She previously worked as an audit manager and a L&D manager in PwC and Grant Thornton in Hong Kong. Now, Pui Yee Alisa works as senior accountant of ACMS where she provides accounting services to medical professionals. As a new member of the OISE Alumni Association Executive Board, Pui Yee Alisa says she strives to serve as Treasurer to the best of her ability so that all active members are well supported.
Alison D'Cruz, MA '22
Alison is an alumni of OISE where she completed an MA in Education in 2021. She is currently a third year PhD student in Higher Education at OISE where she specializes in Education Policy and International Comparative Education. She is Junior Fellow at Massey College and an Open Education Fellow at the Open Education Group. She serves as a chair and member of several education related national and international committees that include the Canadian Association of College & University Student Services, Internationalization of Student Affairs Community of Practice and CERIC's Research Committee. Alison has over 10 years of professional experience that include administrative and consulting roles performed in three countries in education and healthcare. Her professional experience includes creating community, connections, and space for alumni to stay engaged with their alma mater. In this regard, she has worked on several alumni engagement initiatives and events.
Nikoletta Papadopoulos, MEd '13
Nikoletta Papadopoulos is a higher education manager passionate about community building and connecting individuals with opportunities that contribute to their professional and personal growth. She graduated from OISE with a Master of Education in 2013. Since then, she’s worked in higher education with roles at Sheridan College, the University of Toronto, and is currently a Manager of Graduate Student Recruitment at the Ted Rogers School of Management, Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University). She's responsible for recruitment strategies and oversees admissions processes for graduate programs.
As a volunteer of the OISE Alumni Association, she has served as a Member-at-Large, Treasurer, Vice-President, Internal and President. As a Treasurer, she implemented an internal process to streamline incoming funding requests and ensure the proper management of funds. Additionally, she secured donations for a raffle at an Alumni Reunion event that raised money for the Professor David Booth Memorial Bursary, which supports OISE students in financial need. As Vice-President, Internal, she led engagement activities, including the launch of a survey to OISE alumni to capture their interests and areas of engagement with the association. She ran a focus group to reflect on the survey results with association members. Nikoletta has also represented OISE as a Member of the College of Electors, a group of University of Toronto volunteers responsible for electing the Chancellor and alumni governors of the Governing Council. In 2019, she was an Arbor Award recipient.
Outside of the alumni association, in 2021, Nikoletta Chaired the Canadian Bureau for International Education’s (CBIE) International Network of Tomorrow’s Leaders, a professional learning network made up of international higher education professionals from across Canada. As Chair, she worked with other lead members to facilitate networking and professional development opportunities for its members.
