We are thankful to be welcome on these lands in friendship. The lands we are situated on are covered by the Williams Treaties and are the traditional territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation, including Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi. These lands remain home to many Indigenous nations and peoples.

We acknowledge this land out of respect for the Indigenous nations who have cared for Turtle Island, also called North America, from before the arrival of settler peoples until this day. Most importantly, we acknowledge that the history of these lands has been tainted by poor treatment and a lack of friendship with the First Nations who call them home.

This history is something we are all affected by because we are all treaty people in Canada. We all have a shared history to reflect on, and each of us is affected by this history in different ways. Our past defines our present, but if we move forward as friends and allies, then it does not have to define our future.

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Maria Barrese

Business and Finance Co-ordinator

Maria is the initial point of contact for all ACE inquiries from customers, visitors and Ontario Tech University representatives. She provides support for ACE's day-to-day business operations to ensure immediate customer requirements are met.

Maria provides financial and business support while working closely with ACE's Executive Director, Business and Operations Manager, and staff as the primary planning resource for all events hosted at ACE.

Maria holds a Bachelor of Business degree and a Certificate in Human Resources Management from York University. She has worked at Ontario Tech University since 2010, initially in the Clean Energy Research Lab as part of the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science. She transitioned to ACE in 2013 as Administrative Assistant and became Business and Finance Co-ordinator in 2017.