HCBN Staff

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Karl served on the HCBN Executive Committee in the Role of VP - Community.  He is also a former member of the Board of Directors.  He brings into the organization a lifetime of grass root community activism.  Politically active at protests and community benefits from a very young age, he also the proud son of the late Kate Andrus, a well-respected Hamilton Community Leader.  He served as the Co-Chair of the Stinson Community Association, one of Hamilton's 11 code red neighbourhoods.  He has lived and real experience in poverty and understands firsthand the challenges of mental health and employment.  He helped organize Hamilton's First Transgendered Job Fair, was instrumental in helping organize the Hamilton Transit Rider's Union. Serves as part of the national Keep Transit Moving Coalition (a national organization of unions and transit activists). Proud member of the Disability Justice Network of Ontario, assistant in their Caremongering Covid-19 mutual aid relief. Worked with local BIAs and the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce on supporting small business during the Hamilton LRT project. Was a leading organizer of the #yesLRT activist groups. Proud of his contributions to the #JustRecoveryHamOnt coalition and policy paper.   He is well known and respect among the many Hamilton Neighbourhood Groups/Associations. His works on poverty and politics are well published on Raise the Hammer, the Spectator and he has appeared in a pro-transit activist role on local radio am900, and Cable 14 TV.  

Mohammed Shalalfeh is a BA graduate in Political Science at McMaster University. He is a former board member of OPIRG McMaster, and a grassroots community organizer with the Palestinian Youth Movement. Mohammed has dedicated the last 4 years to providing essential services to Newcomer communities in Hamilton. He hopes to utilize his skills and experience towards equity-based community engagement that leaves no marginalized voices behind.

Katie King studied Geography and Urban Planning at Queen's University. She graduated in 2017 and moved home to Hamilton where she began to build community and organize primarily in environmental activism. She has worked various jobs including, treeplanting, farming, and as a letter carrier for Canada Post.  She is also a quarter-annual copy editor fo Broken Pencil Magazine. She always seems to find herself drawn back to geography and community, so is very excited to be working at the Organizing Coordinator with HCBN.