Jocelyn Strutt 

Professional background:

Jocelyn joined the City of Hamilton in 2003 as a policy and land use planner. She was fortunate to contribute to the City’s Urban Hamilton Official Plan, Hamilton’s Comprehensive Zoning By-law and the development of Secondary Plans. It was through her passion for planning that she gained a greater appreciation and understanding of public engagement. In 2013, Jocelyn joined the Neighbourhood Action Strategy team and provided on-the-ground support to numerous neighbourhoods in developing and implementing their Action Plans. Working directly with passionate residents, dedicated community partners and many colleagues across the City of Hamilton was one of Jocelyn’s greatest professional achievements. Jocelyn has over nineteen years’ experience contributing to and leading community engagement initiatives that address and improve health outcomes among Hamilton’s traditionally ‘hard-to-reach’ communities. Jocelyn is a Registered Professional Planner and proud member of the Canadian Institute of Planners.

Favourite part about CityLAB: The connection and collaboration with students! It is empowering to see their excitement, enthusiasm and creativity as a force for positive change in Hamilton. I also value the opportunity to continue to learn alongside faculty and other colleagues within the City to address challenges in our community.

Personal interests and hobbies: Traveling is a life-long passion, and I am excited to share that opportunity with my family. I also love crocheting, crafting, reading and gardening.

Zoe

Professional Background: Zoe is in her fifth year at McMaster University pursuing an undergraduate degree in Life Sciences with a minor in French. She is a CityLAB SIR alumna and is doing a yearlong placement with the program. She is hoping to pursue a career in Public Health once she graduates. Zoe enjoys dancing in her spare time and is currently the president of the MAC Dance Recreational team. She has also worked as an administrator at her old dance school for several years. She hopes to use these experiences to help create meaningful change for future students and projects. 

Favourite part about CityLAB: Having the opportunity to interact and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams who want to improve community engagement.

Personal interests & hobbies: Dancing with MAC Dance, hiking, exploring Ontario’s beautiful cities, and going to the gym.

Daphne

Professional Background: Daphne is in her fourth year at Redeemer University pursuing an undergraduate degree in English Literature and Media and Communications. She is hoping to pursue a career in digital marketing. She has experience in content creation, website development, and administration. 

Favourite part about CityLAB: Being part of a team that encourages students to engage with real-life problems. 

Personal Interests and Hobbies: Filming and editing videos, playing sports, spending time outdoors, and travelling.

Matt Bean, Internship Coordinator, Redeemer University

Professional background: Matt earned a BSc from Trent University and a BEd from Queen's University, and worked for more than a decade in private elementary and high schools, including 3 years at an international school in Singapore. More recently, he became a certified career development practitioner (CCDP), in his own private practice, Foundations Career Coaching, and at Redeemer in connecting students, faculty and organizations in the community.

Favourite part about CityLAB: CityLAB is a great way to apply learning, network with professionals in the community, and be part of relevant decision-making that affects our community.

Personal interests and hobbies: As a result of the Bean gene, Matt is competitive in board game play and enjoys playing sports with his three growing children.

Mikaela Van Pelt, Academic Development Manager, Redeemer University

Professional background: Mikaela has worked at Redeemer University since 2017. She began working at Redeemer while she was completing her master's degree at McMaster in Globalization Studies, and was a teaching assistant for the political science department. She completed her bachelor's degree in International Relations from Redeemer University, and previously worked at Cardus and the Christian School Foundation. Mikaela loves that she gets the opportunity to connect with the local Hamilton community through her job in a variety of ways, including being involved in such a great initiative like CityLAB!

Favourite part about CityLAB: CityLAB is a fantastic program because it gives students so many opportunities to connect what they are doing in the classroom with real world issues, and equips them with valuable skills in networking, teamwork, critical thinking and more.

Personal interests and hobbies: Mikaela enjoys travelling, playing ultimate Frisbee, music, volunteering with Hamilton youth, and visiting the many Hamilton breweries and restaurants!

Nicole Benbow, Academic Development Manager, Redeemer University

Professional Background: Nicole has been working at Redeemer University in various roles within research, academic development, and curriculum since 2020. She has taught at both the college and university level, and loves finding new ways to effectively engage students. She has a Masters of Arts in History from the University of Waterloo, and an Honours B.A. from Redeemer. 

Favourite part about CityLab:  CityLab gives students wonderful opportunities to learn about real-work project management, communication, and collaboration skills that they will undoubtedly use in the future. 

Personal interests and hobbies: Nicole loves to read, bake, work with kids and youth, and spend time with her three young children.