OUR STAFF
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Colt Politte (he/they)
Colt Politte comes to Quadrangle after serving several years in different community agencies focused on supporting our most vulnerable neighbours. An experienced contributor in not-for-profit and charitable organizations that focus on access, equity, and social justice. Colt's background includes work in communication, education and outreach, strategic planning, and building strong collaborative teams. Previously he has worked with United Way Newfoundland and Labrador, End Homelessness St. John's, and most recently with Choices for Youth as Manager of Housing Services. Active in the community, Colt has served on the St. John's Food Policy Council, LGBTQ-MUN as Resource Director (now MUNSAGA), and most recently has volunteered with the Addictions Treatment Services Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (ATSA-NL). In his free time Colt enjoys photography, being creative in the kitchen, writing, and spending time with his close family and friends. He is excited to be joining Quadrangle as we enter this next phase of growth. Please join the board of Quadrangle in welcoming Colt as our new Executive Director.
Email: colt@thequadnl.com
PEER SUPPORT AND OUTREACH CENTRE COORDINATOR
Lena Kelly (she/her)
Lena is a transgender woman from Mount Pearl, Newfoundland and Labrador. Lena holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Folklore from Memorial University of Newfoundland, and is currently enrolled at MUN as a part-time student in the Bachelor of Education (Post-Secondary) as a Second Degree program. Lena has experience working with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, the disability community, and is passionate about human rights as well as diversity and inclusion. In her spare time, Lena enjoys hanging out with her Siamese cat named Sasha, thrifting for clothes, making casseroles, watching ghost hunting shows, and spending time with family and friends.
Email: lena@thequadnl.com
OUTREACH WORKER
Britt Brynes (they/them)
Britt is an experienced professional with a diverse background in community service, education, campaigns and research. They have worked with various local organizations offering community support, fund development, research, and peer support. They also have experience teaching English as a Second Language locally in a volunteer capacity and abroad as an ALT with the JET Programme Canada. With an educational background in gender studies and sociology their skill set includes effective communication, project management, and a strong dedication to promoting equity and inclusion. In their spare time they enjoy biking, gardening, and spending time at home with their partner and their puppy, Mango.
Email: britt@thequadnl.com
Fund Development and Communications Officer
Morgan Moakler Jessiman (she/they)
Morgan Moakler Jessiman (she/they) is a queer, multidisciplinary artist and communication specialist originally from Ktaqmkuk. After obtaining her degree in Communications (Intermedia) from Concordia University, Morgan has specialized in accessibility, diversity, equity and inclusion. Working for almost 10 years in the non-profit sector, they are excited to flex their communications skills in this new role. Morgan is a proud member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and in her spare time engages in advancing her education of queer rights, queer medial politics, and more. In the journey of always finding joy, Morgan has four beautiful fur babies, a voracious appetite for 2SLGBTQIA graphic novels, and a healthy fear of birds.
Email: morgan@thequadnl.com
TRANS NAVIGATOR
Neska Savage (they/them)
Neska (they/them) is a queer, transfemme nonbinary individual of white settler and Nunatsiavut Inuit heritage, born and raised in St. John’s on the island of Ktaqmkuk. Neska holds a BSc (Psychology) and a MSc in Medicine (Neuroscience), which allowed them to learn about the intricacies of human and animal brains, and also that academia was definitely the wrong career path for them! Neska has had goals of working with people in the mental health and wellness field since high school, and after their brief stint in academia they have been working frontline in the community sector since 2019. Their educational experiences provide them with a biological understanding of human behaviour and mental health, however they believe that the majority of their expertise comes from their extensive lived and living experiences in a number of marginalized identities. They wear their intersectionalities with pride, and enjoy voicing their experiences as a form of resistance against the stigma that these communities face. Their previous work focused on providing services and support for local sex workers, people who use drugs, and people living with poverty and homelessness. When Neska isn’t dreaming about dismantling the cis-heteronormative capitalism we all struggle under, they enjoy lying down and cuddling up with their partner and animal children to play video games and watch cartoons.
Email: neska@thequadnl.com
HOUSING SUPPORT WORKER
Serena Payne (she/her)
Serena, who identifies as lesbian/queer, holds a BA (Honours) in Sociology and a Bachelor of Social Work from Memorial University. She has spent many years working in community with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, in mental health, education and housing. Serena has sat on numerous boards throughout her career including currently sitting on the Mental Health and Addictions Recovery Council. Serena is passionate about equity for all and assisting individuals in reaching their own goals in life. She is an advocate first and foremost. When not doing the nine to five grind she can be found spending time with her wife and their two dogs, watching whatever sport is on TV or with her nose deep in a good book.
Result Based Management Coordinator
Jian Fu (he/they)
Jian is an Asian queer researcher. He holds a Ph.D. from the Department of Sociology at Memorial University of Newfoundland. His research interests encompass the globalization of sexuality, nationalism, LGBT activism, and political psychology, employing both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Jian's scholarly contributions have been recognized with acceptance for publication in the Journal of Human Rights. Passionate about evidence-based diversity, equity, and inclusion advocacy, Jian actively promotes these principles in his professional endeavors. Outside of work, he finds joy in exploring hiking trails and experimenting with diverse culinary traditions.
Community Advisory Board Coordinator
Diana Flemming (she/they)
Diana brings over a decade of community-based qualitative research experience, with a particular focus on gender equity and economic wellbeing. Diana holds a Master of Science in Applied Gender Studies with Distinction from the University of Strathclyde and a Bachelor of Commerce (Co-operative) from Memorial University. Diana is invested in disrupting inequalities, advocating for gender expansiveness and creating connections in community to further resources and shared goals.
Part-time Bookkeeper - Partnership with St. John’s Status of Women Centre
Michelle Brown (she/her)
Michelle is a financial administrative systems professional with over two decades experience as part of award-winning executive teams in private business and multiple gender focused nonprofit organizations. A passionate diversity, equity and inclusion advocate, she uses her experience and platform to create strategic collaborations and direct positive change in her community. Michelle functions on a ridiculous amount of tea and collects rocks, shells and plants.