CORE TEAM
Ryan Barnett (CREATIVE DIRECTOR) is an interdisciplinary cultural curator, producer and writer. Born and raised in Nogojiwanong, Ryan is a graduate of the PCVS Integrated Arts Program and holds a Master’s degree in Film Studies from the Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema at Concordia University. Throughout his career, he has worked across documentary production, public programming, and cultural engagement, developing projects that connect audiences with complex social, historical, and artistic subjects. His work has been installed in museums, featured on CTV, CBC television and radio, in The Globe & Mail, National Post, Canada’s History, and Canadian Geographic. He is also the author of two books: The Raftsmen (Firefly Books 2017 | Éditions Glénat 2021) and Buster: A Life in Pictures (2023). Ryan is passionate about nonfiction storytelling and believes that compelling narratives are the foundation of effective public education.
Kait Dueck (EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR) was raised as a student of ecology in the woods northeast of Nogojiwanong, and is deeply connected and committed to this community and place. An alumnus of the Integrated Arts Program at PCVS, Carleton and Trent Universities and Fleming College, their formal education has been focused on gender studies, world religion, the arts through a justice-based lens, political repression and science, and environmental and forestry studies. Kait is an accomplished artistic administrator and volunteer coordinator with two decades of experience in the field. They also have thirty years’ experience as a professional performance artist, most notably as an actor and musician. Outside of work and school, Kait adores her gorgeous family (both two and four-legged), transformative theatre, film, and literature, being in the forest, and all manner of bird-nerdery.
FESTIVAL & CONTRACT TEAM
Michael Goede (FINANCIAL CONTROLLER) has been offering bookkeeping and financial control services for ReFrame Film Festival for many, many years. He is the owner of Geode Business Services with clients in virtual reality software, film and TV production, construction, real estate, hospitality, retail, local non-profits and unions. For the last several years, Michael has enjoyed marrying theory and practice while teaching financial and managerial accounting in the School of Business at Trent University. Michael also coaches U18 Indoor Soccer and has been producing electronic music for over 30 years.
Michael Morritt (COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER) is a communications specialist and graphic designer with a background in film and animation. He has a deep connection to the arts in his hometown of Peterborough/Nogojiwanong. Drawing on his experience in arts education, film/animation production, and strategic communications, he delivers messaging that is fresh, creative and impactful. Michael has a long history of supporting community arts initiatives and fostering creative collaboration both at home and abroad, and is pleased to share his passion for storytelling, social justice, and accessible communication to his role as ReFrame’s Communications Officer.
BOARD MEMBERS
Mary Adams was born and raised in London Ontario, studying English, French and Film at The University of Western Ontario. She then went on to get her Bachelor of Education at The University of Toronto. Over twenty years ago, she and her husband moved to Nogojiwanong/Peterborough in order to more fully enjoy the outdoors. She loves spending time in nature paddling, camping, hiking, gardening and nordic skiing and is passionate about conservation and the environment. Because of the powerful impact ReFrame films have had on both her students and herself throughout the years, she is committed to the themes of social and environmental justice through film. Having retired from teaching after over thirty years, she is eager to give back to ReFrame by volunteering and helping as a member of the Board.
Spencer Allen (TREASURER) is a fourth-year Honours Bachelor of Business Administration student specializing in Accounting at Trent University, and also holds a diploma in Business – Accounting from Fleming College. Passionate about grassroots advocacy and community governance, Spencer brings experience in financial stewardship through their work with unincorporated associations and local volunteer boards. They are especially interested in how transparency, accessibility, and justice-oriented decision-making can support arts and culture organizations. A longtime resident of Nogojiwanong/Peterborough, Spencer is excited to support ReFrame’s mission and contribute their skills to a festival that aligns with their values. Outside of work and school, Spencer values spending time with community, supporting local initiatives, and being part of spaces that bring people together.
Melanie Buddle (CHAIR) is Principal of Peter Gzowski College at Trent University. She grew up, and now gratefully works and lives, in the traditional territory of the Mississauga Anishnaabeg, adjacent to Haudenosaunee territory and in the territory covered by the Williams Treaty. Melanie holds a PhD in History from the University of Victoria, MA from UNBC, and BA from the University of Guelph. She has worked at Trent since 2003 in various roles, and continues to teach courses in interdisciplinary humanities courses. An early interest in theatre and dance led to involvement in the Peterborough arts community. She loves working and living in a vibrant and arts-focused community and enjoys cycling and nordic skiing with her two young-adult kids and husband Drew.
Danielle Britton is a communications and community engagement professional with nearly two decades of experience at Trent University, where she has led alumni engagement, event coordination, communications, and partnership development. An experienced event organizer, Danielle has supported everything from Head of the Trent, convocation ceremonies, and national conferences, and has developed communications strategies that connect organizations with their audiences in meaningful ways. She is also an active union volunteer and has helped launch new 2SLGBTQIA+ alumni programming while championing community partnerships across campus and beyond. A devoted ReFrame audience member for many years, Danielle rarely misses a festival, famously booking annual vacation days for her “ReFrame Staycation” to immerse herself in documentaries that challenge, inspire, and spark conversation. She remains deeply involved in Peterborough’s local food community, supports area farmers through communications and social media, and is excited to help ReFrame continue building community through powerful documentary storytelling.
Simal Iftikhar (VICE CHAIR) has been deeply committed to her work in activism and social justice in the community of Nogojiwanong, Peterborough. Due to her experiences with immigration as a Pakistani-Canadian, Simal has recently completed her Master’s degree at Trent University in Education, focusing her research on supporting refugees resettling into Canada and better understanding the barriers newcomers face in the Canadian education system. Simal has also worked in the non-profit sector for almost 5 years, working in children’s mental health, health care programming, and child care. These intersectionalities have led to her deep passion for social justice and creating positive changes in our local community. Simal uses her privilege and voice to amplify the voices of marginalized individuals who deserve to have their stories heard.
Tanya Kranc is an educator with a global perspective and a strong community focus. Her passion for diversity led her to study International Development at Trent University; she currently works as a teacher supporting the learning and integration needs of multilingual learners and their families in Nogojiwanong-Peterborough and throughout the region. She has lived in Mexico and is fluent in Spanish. She has volunteered with local NGOs including the New Canadians Centre, Jamaican Self Help, the Peterborough Folk Festival and One Roof. Tanya is a strong believer in the power of food to develop community: in addition to gardening, she regularly organizes communal gatherings to make soaps and salves from local and organic materials. She also enjoys self-propelled outdoor adventures (biking, canoeing, Nordic skiing), and travelling with her husband and two young adult daughters.
Angeni Lovelady (they/them) is a mixed race, non-status person of Algonquin and Scottish ancestry, and identifies as Two-Spirited and non-binary. They have lived and worked in various parts of the Williams Treaty territory since they were a child, and have called Nogojiwanong home for the past 8 years. Angeni is a Trent alumnus and holds a BA in Indigenous Studies, which has been the basis of their work supporting Indigenous students with the First Peoples House of Learning. They are a poet, and have previously enjoyed playing as a percussionist in a concert band and a drummer in a jazz band.
Karleen Pendleton Jiménez is a writer, filmmaker, and educator. Her community and creative work centre on queerness, gender diversity, feminism, and Latinidad. She wrote the award-winning animated shorts Tomboy and The Butch and The Baby Daddy (also co-director). In addition, she is author of several books, Are You a Boy or a Girl?, How to Get a Girl Pregnant, Tomboys and Other Gender Heroes, and The Street Belongs to Us. She is professor of education, gender, and social justice at Trent University. Originally from Los Angeles, she is an immigrant to Canada, making her home here with her girlfriend and daughter.
Michelle Nguyen (SECRETARY) is a researcher, writer, and community builder working to empower people and support communities so that they can thrive. Inspired by her family history of migration from Vietnam, she is passionate about migrant settlement, identity, and belonging in Canada. Michelle has developed programming and mentored youth on social justice, civic engagement, and arts-based storytelling projects. She holds a BA in History and International Development Studies from Trent University and an MA in Immigration and Settlement Studies from Toronto Metropolitan University. Currently, she works at the New Canadians Centre, bringing together partners to implement a cross-sector strategic plan for immigrant integration in Nogojiwanong (Peterborough) and the surrounding area. In her downtime, she enjoys cooking, singing, and watching films from around the world.
Kayt Ward is a social work practitioner, educator, doula, and community engagement professional whose work focuses on Indigenous leadership, community wellness, and systems change. Kayt served as Community Impact Manager with White Ribbon, leading Indigenous-led initiatives, strategic planning, and educational programming on gender-based violence prevention, mental health, and anti-oppressive practice. Previously, she worked in Indigenous community engagement roles with Doula Canada and the Toronto Birth Centre, developing culturally grounded programming with Elders, community members, and partner organizations. A graduate of Trent University’s Bachelor of Social Work program, Kayt is also a writer, beader, and yoga teacher. She brings professional expertise and lived experience to her work as a queer, disabled person of mixed settler and Indigenous ancestry, and is committed to fostering belonging, equity, and meaningful community connection. When she’s not working, Kayt can often be found creating beadwork, writing, or spending time in nature.
JOIN OUR BOARD
Recruitment for our Board of Directors happens on an ongoing basis. If you’re a community-minded film and art lover with a commitment to social and environmental justice, we’d love to hear from you!