Our office, our people

Since its inception, the Grenfell Office of Engagement has established itself as a key player in supporting the rural and regional needs of western Newfoundland. Through outreach and grassroots engagement activities, the office has strengthened its presence, positioning itself and the campus as an integral part of the region's socioeconomic fabric. Impacts have been particularly felt in the areas of entrepreneurship support, regional and Indigenous engagement, industry engagement and applied research.

The staff of the Grenfell Office of Engagement continue to implement Memorial's Engagement Framework at Grenfell Campus, albeit it in a mostly hybrid online/in-person capacity, including community engaged learning, experiential learning, and the activities of the Navigate Entrepreneurship Centre.

As we move forward, our office is committed to fully realizing its potential as an engine of regional development. Now more than ever before our office can contribute to and support communities, organizations and governments as they adapt to the new reality presented to us. We must pursue opportunities to collaborate with others to enhance the economic, social and cultural vibrancy of its region. Fundamental to this vision is the successful preparation of students to become engaged citizens, dedicated to strengthening their communities in the wake of monumental change.

Our team:

Ken Carter
Director, Engagement and Research

Debbie Pike
Intermediate Secretary

Pamela Gill
Communications Manager

Jennifer Buxton
Engagement Coordinator

Kathryn White
Special Projects Co-ordinator - Harris Centre

Todd Hennessey
Director, Centre for Research and Innovation (CRI)

Felipe Hansted
Makerspace Manager

Diana Chisolm
Events Coordinator, CRI

Billy Newell
Director, Navigate

Brennan Lowery
Navigate Entrepreneurship Manager

Navigate Advisory Board

Adam Anderson, President/CEO, Resource Innovations (Chair & Navigate Alumnus)
Ken Carter, Director, Grenfell Office of Research and Engagement
Tanya Kelly, Campus Manager, CNA Corner Brook Campus
Billy Newell, Assistant Professor in Business, Grenfell Campus
Denise Gibbons, Instructional Coordinator, CNA Corner Brook Campus
Jen Shears, Owner, The Natural Boutique
Michelle Melendy, CEO, Western Group of Companies
Nigel Jenkins, Artist Manager & Record Label Owner, Laughing Heart Music (Navigate Alumnus)
Sharon Wright, Manager, Wright's Family Farm Ltd.
Steve Churchill, President/CEO, Phonetech

2023 Engagement Awards

The Grenfell Campus Engagement Awards are awarded annually to a student, staff member and faculty member to acknowledge their engagement in their communities. Our office was honoured to present five Engagement Awards in 2023. Pictured below, Dr. Ken Carter, left, director, Office of Engagement, and Dr. Ian Sutherland, former VP, Grenfell Campus, presented awards to students, staff and faculty.