Team

Executive Comittee

Jack Coen

Vacant

President

he/him

president@seuo-uosu.com

Hi! I’m Jack, and I’m a fourth-year Political Science student and your Student Union President. When I’m not working later than I should, I love reading about sad Irish people, watching basketball, playing cards with my friends, and discovering restaurants. I grew up in Stouffville, Ontario, and am very grateful to have been raised by parents who always emphasized the importance of supporting your neighbours, collective action, and social justice. During my gap year, I had the incredible opportunity to work for my local member of Parliament which showed me first-hand how impactful working in public service can be on the lives of those around you.  

After spending a few years working in federal politics, I had the most incredible experience of my professional life thus far — working under our amazing former President Delphine Robitaille as her Deputy and Chief of Staff. From this last year and a half working in the UOSU Executive Office and learning from Delphine, I got a great sense of how students can work together to support one another, whether through fighting food insecurity or supporting our peers in times of financial and emotional hardship.  

 As Student Union President, I promise to work as hard as I can to represent the voices of our members and to make sure that we are spending their money as responsibly as possible. Facing a cost-of-living crisis, global conflicts with huge impacts both on campus and abroad, and deep social alienation coming out of the pandemic, it is not an easy time to be a student. I truly believe that organizations like your Student Union exist to advocate on your behalf on issues that your other elected representatives won’t, and to build an organization that ensures that all student funds go towards the central mission of making life more affordable, safe, and rewarding on campus.  

I love the UOSU, but like any organization I am aware that we are always a work in progress. Whether you have questions, criticisms, or new ideas that you think the Union should implement, I would love to hear your thoughts! Please come to my office hours or to send me an email anytime!

The President is the chief spokesperson for uOttawa undergrads and the overall leader of the UOSU. They ensure student voices are heard loud and clear by the University administration. Responsible for the management and supervision of the Union’s affairs and operations, they are also expected to lead collaboratively and provide support to the other members of the Executive.

Management and Human Resources

  • Chief Executive Officer of the UOSU
  • Strategic direction of the organization
  • Fulfillment of UOSU’s mandate
  • Project and crisis management
  • Institutional knowledge and transition

With the Operations Commissioner

  • Supervising the Executive Director
  • Managing the Union’s human resources
  • Signing officer (contracts and payments) and oversight of financial administration

Relevant Staff

  • Executive Director
  • Director of Labour Relations and Human Resources
  • Deputy to the President & Chief of Staff

Relevant Committees

  • Finance Committee
  • Governance Committee (Chair)
  • President’s Round Table (Co-Chair)
  • Ombudsperson’s Advisory Committee
  • Library Advisory Committee

Governance

  • Chair of the Executive Committee
  • De facto Chair of the Board of Directors
  • Ensure compliance with the Constitution and policies
  • Coordinate General Assemblies
  • Support and accountability to the Board of Directors
  • Liaison with legal counsel

Spokesperson and Communications

  • Official representative and media liaison
  • Overseeing all communications to the student body
  • Relations with external organizations funded by the UOSU

Representation and Leadership

  • Maintain relations between the UOSU and Recognized Student Governments (RSGs)
  • Supporting Commissioners

With the Advocacy Commissioner

  • Lobbying and campaigning government
  • Maintain relations between the UOSU and the uOttawa administration
  • Campaigns and advocacy to the uOttawa administration

Ève Tremblay

Vacant

Francophone Affairs Commissioner

francophone@seuo-uosu.com

Hi! My name is Ève and I'm pleased to be your Francophone Affairs Commissioner for the year 2025-2026. I'm entering my 5th year in communications and sociology with a COOP option. I grew up in Cornwall, Ontario, and moved to Ottawa in 2021 to pursue my studies in French.

I've held various positions related to community involvement, including at ACFO SDG, uOttawa’s Entrepreneurship Hub, and in the public service. On campus, I've been involved in several clubs, including UOSU’s first run club, uOttaRun, which I helped found. I was also part of the varsity equestrian team for 4 years. I started working at UOSU in 2023 as the human resources supervisor for Foot Patrol. Afterwards I worked at the reception, and I am now in the executive office.

Inspired by the University of Ottawa's diverse and vibrant francophone community, I want to strengthen the presence, visibility and accessibility of the Francophonie on our campus. My goal is to foster an inclusive environment so that every francophone or francophile student feels fully integrated into our university community. If you have any ideas about francophonie on our campus, I'd love to hear from you! Please feel free to send me an e-mail or drop by during my office hours.

The Francophone Affairs Commissioner defends the interests of Francophone students at the world’s largest bilingual (English-French) university. They oversee programming for Francophone students, ensures that the services and programs of the Union are bilingual, and protects Francophone rights.

Programming

  • Events and activities for Francophone students
  • Community-building for Francophones and Francophiles
  • Administer the Francophone Affairs Fund

Relevant Staff

  • Translators

Relevant Committees

  • Francophone Affairs Committee (Chair)
  • Francophone Affairs Round Table (Chair)

Internal

  • Active offer and bilingual access of services, activities, and documents
  • Compliance with bilingualism mandate and relevant policies
  • Bilingualism-related student complaints

Advocacy

  • Relations with the Office of the Vice-President, International and Francophonie
  • Spokesperson for Francophone students and media liaison
  • Relations with Francophone student groups and organizations
  • Student representation on University Committees
  • University-level policy review, lobbying, campaigns for Francophone students
  • Bilingualism-related student complaints

Elnaz Enayatpour

Vacant

Operations Commissioner

she/her

operations@seuo-uosu.com

Hey! My name is Elnaz and I am the Interim Operations Commissioner. I'm heading into my fifth year of International Development and Globalization and I'm originally from Calgary, AB. I speak English, French, Farsi, and love to learn new languages.  

I come from the research and activism world, having co-ran the uOttawa NDP campus club this past year, organizing campaigns for transit and housing, and working on UOSU's Student Housing Exploratory Caucus (SHEC) to stand up for student tenants to the University and the City of Ottawa. I also used to work for the uOttawa Free Store, which I never stop talking about, and am known to be a Model UN enthusiast.  

I want to help push our Union forward, expand our purpose and engagement, and have the numbers and funds to back it all up. If you ever have questions about our Union's operations, I'm only an email away! 

The Operations Commissioner keeps the UOSU running smoothly and transparently. They work with the President, Executive Director, and senior management to direct and oversee the internal operations of the Union, including finances and human resources.

Management and Human Resources

  • Supervising the Executive Director  
  • Hiring, firing and discipline of staff
  • Labour relations
  • Periodical salary review
  • Internal management committees

Finance

  • Chief Financial Officer of the UOSU
  • Budget management & revision
  • Audit management & revision
  • Compliance with financial policies
  • Transfer of levies to Recognized Student Governments and external organizations
  • Financial accessibility and literacy
  • Regular financial oversight & risk management, including for UOSU businesses
  • Health and dental insurance administration
  • Signing officer (payments)

Relevant Staff

  • Executive Director  
  • HR Manager
  • Deputy Commissioner (Governance, Data Management, and Administration)  
  • Director of Finances  
  • Director of Business Development

Relevant Committees

  • Finance Committee (Chair)
  • Services Committee
  • Money Round Table (Chair)

Internal Affairs

  • Administrative tasks
  • Systems management
  • Signing officer (contracts)

Emilia Bah

Vacant

Student Life Commissioner

she/her

studentlife@seuo-uosu.com

Hello everyone! My name is Emilia, and I am your new Student Life Commissioner.

I am currently in my third year of a Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a minor in Geography. Over the years, I have been actively involved in various initiatives on campus, including serving as Vice-President of Francophone Communications for the Geography, Geomatics, and Environmental Studies Students Association. I’ve also had the privilege of organizing bilingual events, promoting inclusivity, and helping students feel connected to campus life.

As Student Life Commissioner, I am passionate about fostering an environment where every student feels supported, included, and engaged. I am excited to work on upcoming projects that will bring even more positive energy and fun to our campus life.

Feel free to reach out to me or stop by during my office hours, I look forward to hearing your ideas and working together!

The Student Life Commissioner works to make your experience at uOttawa a memorable one. They organize social and philanthropic events on campus, such as 101 Week and Relay for Life. They also manage relations with Recognized Student Governments and oversee the administration of funds and scholarships.

Social Events

  • 101 Week oversight, planning, and execution
  • Inclusive event planning
  • Support for student group and UOSU service-led events (i.e. Black History Month)

Relevant Staff

  • 101 Week Crew
  • Deputy Student Life Commissioner
  • Director of Communications & Administration

Relevant Committees

  • Student Life Committee (Chair)
  • Clubs Committee
  • Funds and Scholarships Committee (Chair)
  • Communications and Engagement Committee
  • Social Round Table (Chair)
  • School Spirit Council
  • Philanthropy Round Table (Chair)
  • President’s Round Table (Co-Chair)

Philanthropy, Funds and Scholarships

  • Shine Day planning and execution
  • Relay for Life planning and execution
  • Funds and scholarships design, promotion, and administration

Campus Life

  • Relations with Recognized Student Governments
  • Wellness and mental health initiatives

Alex Stratas

Vacant

Advocacy Commissioner

she/her

advocacy@seuo-uosu.com

Hello ! My name is Alex and I am currently serving as your Advocacy Commissioner at the student union. I am honoured to have been elected in this role by the student body and I aim to represent students in the best way possible to make their day-to-day lives better. I am currently in third-year taking Political Science and Communications, you might have met me at IPPSSA events taking pictures or videos as I resided on the communications committee last year. Or through my work with Climate Justice Climatique uOttawa, a grassroots student-led action group that aims for complete fossil fuel divestment at the University of Ottawa. It is also possible we have seen each other on-campus for any Palestinian activism and organizing in the past, from facilitating teach-ins, protests, and vigils for the student body.

Over the summer, I worked for Horizon Ottawa where I was one of the lead organizers for the “No Cuts to Transit” and the “Ban Misleading Fossil Fuel Ads” campaigns, where we went door-to-door, made phone calls, and organized actions for students to express their dissent at City Hall. It is here, I learned the functions of municipal governance and made connections to organizers in Ottawa who strive for a more accessible and equitable city.

I believe there is no stronger tool against the systems that oppress us than our ability to build community. It is the collective that keeps people educated, that keeps people safe, and that opens people to change. I strive to build the foundations of an active student body that is unafraid to demand for what they want, and act on it by mobilizing their friends, their peers, and the new people they meet along the way. 

I encourage you to email me, DM me on Instagram at @alex.stratas.seuo.uosu, or stop by my office during my hours if you have any questions or ideas—I would love to talk.

The Advocacy Commissioner is your advocate to people in power. They raise issues faced by students to municipal, provincial, and federal levels of government, through campaigns, lobbying, and more. They also assist the President in engaging directly with the uOttawa administration.

External & Government Affairs

  • Federal government relations
  • Relations with the Undergraduates of Canadian Research
  • Intensive Universities (UCRU)
  • Provincial government relations
  • Relations with the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA)
  • Relations with City Council and Sandy Hill community
  • Policy-writing, lobbying & campaign organization

Relevant Staff

  • Deputy Commissioner (External Affairs)
  • Campaigns Coordinator

Relevant Committees

  • Advocacy Committee (Chair)
  • Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA)
  • Undergraduates of Canadian Research-Intensive Universities (UCRU)
  • Sandy Hill Town & Gown
  • Equity Committee
  • University Affairs Round Table (Chair)
  • Interunion Coalition of the University of Ottawa (ICUO)
  • Council on Undergraduate Studies
  • Nominating Committee for the Council of Undergraduate Studies
  • Nominating Committee for the Senate Appeals Committee

University Affairs

  • Relations with student representatives on the Board of Governors & Student Senate Caucus
  • Student representation on University Committees
  • Relations with professors’ and uOttawa employee unions
  • Campaigns and coalition-building with advocacy-centric student clubs
  • Administer the Campaigns Fund
  • Defend academic and student rights

With the President

  • Relations with the University of Ottawa
  • University-level research, advocacy projects, and campaigns

Kaitlin Ma

Vacant

Communications Commissioner

she/her

comms@seuo-uosu.com

Hello! My name is Kaitlin, and I am currently serving as your Communications commissioner. This year, I’m entering my third year of studying Political Science with a minor in Management.

I’ve been actively involved in Greek Life as a member of Alpha Phi since Fall 2023, and I also served a term on the Greek Council as Vice President of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Outside of Greek Life, I have been involved in a variety of campus activities. I served as the Director of Partnerships for the Asian Canadian Association Ottawa (ACAO), participated in MPSP, and volunteered as a 101 Week guide.

Before joining UOSU, I worked for my family business, where I gained experience in developing internal and external communications strategies, creating marketing materials, and managing digital and social media content.

I believe that clear, accessible, and transparent communication is essential to building a strong student community. As Communications Commissioner, I am committed to improving how UOSU connects with students, enhancing engagement, and ensuring that every student feels informed, heard, and included.

If you ever have any questions, ideas, or concerns, feel free to send me an email or DM me on Instagram @kaitlin.seuo.uosu

The Communications Commissioner manages the UOSU’s communication strategies, shaping its public image. The role involves overseeing social media and online content, ensuring consistent messaging across platforms. The Commissioner is responsible for keeping students informed and engaged with Union activities, maintaining transparent and effective communication with both students and external stakeholders.

Communications

  • Overseeing all communications to the student body
  • Plan and execute communication strategies for reaching students
  • Manage official communications to ensure clarity and consistency
  • Updating the website and providing accurate information
  • Public relations and brand image
  • Develop initiatives to increase student participation
  • Collaborate with student groups
  • Plan events for a vibrant campus community

Relevant Staff

  • Communications Coordinator
  • Translators
  • Receptionists
  • Web Coordinator
  • IT Coordinator

Relevant Committees

  • Communications and Engagement Committee (Chair)
  • Communications Round Table (Chair)

Outreach

  • Build and maintain relationships with external organizations
  • Coordinate outreach efforts to involve the broader community
  • Communicate effectively with external partners and sponsors

Internal

  • Improve internal communications
  • Maintain documentation and archives
  • Manage SharePoint and oversee IT

Ombudsperson

Philippe Giguere

Vacant

Ombudsperson

he/him

ombudsperson@seuo-uosu.com

Philippe was appointed the first UOSU ombudsperson for a two-year term on May 1, 2024. He is a uOttawa alumnus and has displayed a commitment to fairness and human rights, including as legal counsel at the Canadian Human Rights Commission and the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal.

He also brings extensive experience in labour and human rights arbitration and conflict resolution. He has worked closely with complainants, employers and unions in mediations and arbitration to help resolve workplace conflicts and disputes. He has represented clients and the public interest before human rights and labour tribunals and both Federal Courts. He has also worked in a neutral capacity at the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board and the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal.

Philippe is also fluent in French, English and Portuguese.

The Ombudsperson serves as a vital link between the UOSU members and the broader governance structures. This role is designed to uphold the principles of fairness, equity, and justice within the UOSU. Operating independently and impartially, the Ombudsperson addresses systemic issues and provides confidential support and resolution for conflicts and concerns brought forward by students, staff, and other stakeholders.

  • Investigating and proposing solutions to systemic problems within the UOSU.
  • Chairing the Appeals Committee to ensure fairness in the appeals process.
  • Maintaining confidentiality of all parties involved unless express consent is given.
  • Providing regular reports to the Board of Directors on activities, trends, systemic issues, and recommendations.

Executive Office Team

Matthew Edginton

Vacant

Deputy to the President and Chief of Staff

he/him

deputy-pres@seuo-uosu.com

Olivier Baril

Vacant

Deputy Student Life Commissioner

il/lui

deputy-sl@seuo-uosu.com

Audrey-Ann Messier

Vacant

Student Support Coordinator

she/her

student-support@seuo-uosu.com

Carly Huber

Vacant

Campaigns Coordinator

she/her

campaigns-coord@seuo-uosu.com

Vacant

Communications Coordinator

comms-coord@seuo-uosu.com

Jan K.

Vacant

Human Resources Administrator

she/her

admin-hr@seuo-uosu.com

Management Team

Meredith Kerr

Vacant

Executive Director

she/her

executive-director@seuo-uosu.com

Vacant

Director of Programs

dir-programs@seuo-uosu.com

Merissa Cowell

Vacant

Director of Labour Relations and Human Resources

she/her

hr@seuo-uosu.com

Hamza El Hariri

Vacant

Director of Business Development

he/him

dir-business@seuo-uosu.com

Niba Suh

Vacant

Director of Finance

he/him

dir-finance@seuo-uosu.com