Meet the Max Bell School's 2020-21 Master of Public Policycohort:
Alexandra AgesEducation: B.A. in History and Applied Ethics - University of Victoria Nationality: Canadian Recent work experience: Constituency Assistant - riding of Cowichan—Malahat—Langford; Food Bank Operations Manager - University of Victoria Students' Society; Researcher for Good Food Challenge - Meal Exchange Canada Read moreAlexandra Ages currently lives in Victoria, British Columbia, where she serves as a constituency assistant in the riding of Cowichan—Malahat—Langford. Alexandra studied History and Applied Ethics at the University of Victoria, with a focus on the impacts of imperialism in the Middle East;she spent her spare time managing the student food bank on campus and researching sustainable food procurement with Meal Exchange Canada. Passionate about the Sustainable Development Goals, Alexandra has volunteered with the British Columbia Council for International Development,and she attended the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development at the United Nations in 2019. She enjoys writing, and her publications include “Canada at a Crossroads: Time to take action for climate migrants,” “Afghanistan: The Contemporary Consequences of Imperialism,” and “[You]th are the Problem: Ending the Intergenerational Blame Game to Achieve the SDGs.” Alexandra also loves dogs, and has two beautiful Bernese Mountain Dogs named Bella and Bear. |
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Danielle AppavooEducation: B.A.Sc. in Chemical Engineering - University of Toronto Nationality: Canadian Recent work experience:Logistics Scheduler, LPG - Elbow River Marketing Ltd.; Operations and Trading Analyst - Glencore Canada; Review Engineer Assistant - Ontario Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Read moreDanielle Appavoo has spent 3 years working in logistics and supply chain at commodity trading firms. Most recently, she worked on the Liquefied Petroleum Gases team at Elbow River Marketing in Calgary, Alberta, and, prior to that, on the Sulfuric Acid team at Glencore in Toronto, Ontario. Danielle completed her Bachelor of Applied Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Toronto in 2017. During her undergraduate degree, she completed a one-year internship at the Ontario Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, where she reviewed Environmental Compliance Approval Applications for air quality and airborne emissions. Having developed a keen interest in energy, resources, and the environment, Danielle is excited to explore the intersection of industry and public policy in these areas. Through the Max Bell MPP program, she hopes to build the skills needed to help drive positive change in these sectors. |
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Mariel AramburuEducation: B.A. in Political Science and International Development Studies - 鶹AV Nationality: Mexican and Canadian Recent work experience:Manager, Cross-Ministry and Intergovernmental Strategies - Advanced Education, Government of Alberta; International Business Officer, Alberta International Development Office - Economic Development and Trade, Government of Alberta; Ministerial Assistant to the Minister of International and Intergovernmental Relations - Government of Alberta Read moreMariel Aramburu is a policy professional interested in the complex intersections of the policy development process. She immigrated to Canada from Mexico City during her childhood and has explored policy contexts provincially, nationally, and internationally. Most recently, Mariel’s work has focused on the role of the post-secondary system in the research and innovation ecosystem in Alberta. She has advanced legislation on talent development in technology and provided project leadership to a public advisory council. Mariel also has experience supporting trade and development activities through the Alberta International Development Office. She has spent time in Washington, D.C., where she was engaged in inter-American policy, and in Panama with the United Nations World Food Programme's Regional Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean. Mariel is passionate about gender equality and women's empowerment, food security, and community engagement. She served as a project advisory group member with the YWCA, where she contributed to the development of training curriculum for agencies serving Latinx women dealing with violence. Mariel has also served as a board member for the Campus Food Bank at the University of Alberta and for her local community league in Edmonton. |
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Rudayna BahubeshiEducation: Bachelor of Humanities, Highest Honours, Minor in English Literature - Carleton University Nationality: Canadian Recent work experience: Program Manager, Canadian Women's Foundation; Manager of Stakeholder Engagement and Communications -Inspirit Foundation; Campaign Manager for Tiffany Ford, Candidate for Ward 7, 2018 Toronto City Council; Advisor, Premier's Council on Youth Opportunities -Ontario Government Read moreFor the last few years, Rudayna has worked in the philanthropic and non-profit sectorswith national organizations whose mandates include environmental sustainability, gender equality, and anti-racism. While in these positions, she also fulfilled key roles in organizing and volunteering, as well as in public appointments. This has included leading programming for a grassroots organizationadvancing the civic leadership of women, Two-Spirit, and non-binary peoples; advising a research think tank on a health equity project; and supporting visionary arts organizations. Rudayna is committed to equity, racial justice, and centring the leadership of those with both the expertise and lived experience of socio-economic inequality in building the path to a more just and sustainable future. Her interests are wide and varied, and include issues concerning affordable housing, transformation ofthe philanthropic sector, and health equity –particularly mental health. She has a Bachelor of Humanities, Highest Honours with a Minor in English Literature, from Carleton University, where completed an exchange at Jai Hind College, part of the University of Mumbai. She is a former DiverseCity Fellow and was named a Top 30 Under 30 in Canada by Corporate Knights in 2017. Outside of work, studies, and community involvement, Rudayna loves to read, be outdoors, write, travel, and go to concerts and theatre performances.. |
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Adele BrawleyEducation:B.A. Honours Specialization in Political Science - University of Western Ontario Nationality: Canadian andAmerican Recent work experience: Senior Account Manager, Public Relations - Rose PR Read moreAdele Brawley is a 2018 graduate of the University of Western Ontario, where she received a B.A., Honours Specialization in Political Science. Outside of the classroom, she worked as an analyst in Western’s Democracy Lab, a student-run research group publishing various political risk assessment reports on the multi-faceted consequences of government policy affecting foreign investment opportunities around the world. Since then, Adele spent two years working in public relations in her native Montreal, where she gained valuable experience in strategic communications, business development, crisis communications, and competitor analysis. Adele is motivated by helping othersand hopes to work towards breaking down the social and economic inequalities women and girls face in Canada. As a former competitive swimmer and swim team coach, Adele enjoys being outside and in the water. |
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Raphaela ChakravartiEducation:B.A. Middle East Studies – Brown University Nationality:American Recent work experience: Grants and Foundation Relations Manager – International Institute of New England; Pro Bono Coordinator – Hughes Hubbard and Reed LLP Read moreRaphaela Chakravarti lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been working in nonprofit development and immigration advocacy for the past few years. Most recently, Raphaela was responsible for researching policy trends and raising $600,000+ in private grants income for an immigrant-serving organization based in Boston. Previously, she worked at a New York-based law firm, managing pro bono cases for survivors of domestic violence and unaccompanied immigrant children, administering a legal clinic for those facing evictions, and operating an immigration hotline for clients detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. While pursuing a Bachelor’s in Middle East Studies at Brown University, she spent three months in Beirut, where she worked with a team to organize and deliver emergency relief to refugees in Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon. Her pursuits, both academic and professional, have been driven by a desire to understand how progress is defined and measured in efforts to effect social change. |
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Rebecca CharlesEducation: Bachelor in International Relations -University of Montreal Nationality: Canadian and Haitian Recent work experience: Case Manager, Analyst Supervisor - Canadian Red Cross; President and Christmas Market Organizer - Les Amis de la Culture de Rigaud; Touristic Agent - Quebec Ministry of Tourism; Read moreWhen they ask me about who I am, the first answer that comes to my mind is that I am a single mother, an involved woman who wants to contribute to the world and makes it a better place. In 2014, after officially moving to Canada, my first reflex was to go back to school, when I was six months pregnant. I enrolled in International Studies at the UniversityofMontreal, a place where I was actively involved on campus. I was the Vice-President of a campus association for two years, organizing conferences, cultural activities, and morefor the studentcommunity. When I lived in Rigaud, I was the President of''Les Amis de la Culture de Rigaud," where, for two years,I organized workshops and events such as the city's annual Christmas Market. Having served as a volunteer for the Canadian Red Cross since 2017, I decided to take on a full-timerole at the organizationafter graduatingfrom undergraduate studies. Today, as a Case Manager, I work with victims of flooding; thisexperiencehas revealed tome a flawed system rife with policy application failures. I hope to gain the tools necessaryto betterunderstand how policy is appliedand toprovide me withideasfor correctingsystemic failings. I am also interested in issues ofracism and gender equality. |
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Ricardo ChejfecEducation: B.A.& Sc. in Cognitive Science - 鶹AV Nationality: Mexican Recent work experience:Business Analyst - International Banking Systems, Scotiabank Read moreRicardo Chejfec is originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, but moved to Canada six years ago toattend 鶹AV and ultimately workas a Business Analyst. With a background in academic research, computer science, and data analytics, Ricardo is interested in contributing to the development of data-driven policy and its aiding protocols. Particularly, Ricardo is thrilled to learn about appropriate and efficient ways to tackle income inequality, as well as issues related to taxation and employment policy. |
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Chunhong ChenEducation: B.A. in Public Affairs and Administration - Rutgers University & Chinese Northeast Normal University Nationality: Chinese Recent work experience:Overseas Marketing Intern - NetEase; Public Policy Intern - Advocates for Children of New Jersey; Human Resource Assistant - Hangzhou XCGT State-owned Investment Holding GroupCo., LTD.; Volunteer - Building Bridges Read moreChunhong Chen, has double degrees from Rutgers University in the U.S. and Northeast Normal University in China, having majoredin Public Affairs and Administration. She currently lives in her hometown, Hangzhou, China, and she recently started an overseas marketing internship at NetEase. During the inspiring experience of volunteeringin a rural part in China, she served as a teacher, encouragingchildren’s enthusiasm for learning. She found, however, numerousproblems with the education system – not problemsthat could not be fixed in the classroom, but rather issues that would persist until their rootcause, lack ofeconomic development, was addressed. In light of this, Chunhong's wish isto become an economic policy adviser and fully devoteherself to bringing about change through thepublic sector. Seeking to learn how economic policies are created and implemented in the real world,and the challenges of putting them intopractice, she joined the State-owned Investment Corporation, and later took on a role withAdvocates for Children of New Jersey. Through these experiences, she became even more driven to do whatever possibleto contribute to economic development for society's least privileged.Her goal in pursuing an MPP is learn strategies and gaintools that will support herefforts to narrow the gap between the wealthy and the impoverished. |
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Rym CherietEducation: B.A. in Political Science and International Studies - University of Alberta Nationality: Algerian andCanadian Recent work experience: Manager, Government and Community Liaison - Association canadienne française de l'Alberta; Program Coordinator - Accès Emploi Read moreBorn in Algeria and raised in Canada, Rym was exposed at a young age to world politics. Rym has lived in Québec;Ontario;and, most recently,Edmonton, Alberta. She holds a B.A in Political Science and International Studies from the University of Alberta. Rym is passionate about translating broadideas into specific actions and outcomes, hence her interest in pursuing a career in public policy. For the past three years, Rym has been working for the francophone community in Edmonton, holding various roles in the not-for-profit sector. Most recently, Rym worked as a Government and Community Liaison Manager at the Association canadienne-française de l’Alberta, where she lobbied for francophone rights at the provincial and national levels. Having worked closely with government, Rym is eager to better understand how to create effective and thoughtful policies to solve complex issues that affecteveryday Canadians. In her spare time, Rym enjoys cooking, taking care of her plants,and photography. |
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Yuting FuEducation: B.A. in Public Administration - Rutgers University, Newark; B.A. in Public Affairs Management - Northeast Normal University Nationality: Chinese Recent work experience: Human Resource Intern - Porsche Consulting; ESG Analyst Intern - SynTao Green Finance; Data Visualization Intern - MyH2O Water Information Network; Fellow - China House; Part-time Assistant - Industrial Securities; Grant Committee Officer - Philanthropy in Motion Read moreYuting Fu, originally frommidland China, currently lives in Shanghai, where she is completing an internship at Porsche Consulting. She is agraduate ofRutgers University and Northeast Normal University. After the inspiring experience of being a grant committee officer in Philanthropy in Motion’s Model Foundation program, through which shesecured funds forsocial enterprises, she devoted herself to social enterprise development. In additiontoseeking out funds for social enterprises, she also decided to join one of them. She began working for MyH2O Water Information Network as a Data Visualization Intern, working to draw public attention to water security problems in rural Chinesevillages. From these experiences, she beganto realize the important effectspublic policy has on the work ofsocial enterprises. As an MPP student, she wantsto gain skills and knowledge to aid her workdevelopingsocial enterprises. |
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Henna HundalEducation: A.B. in Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology - Harvard University Nationality: American Recent work experience: Researcher - Harvard Stem Cell Institute Read moreHennagraduated from Harvard University with a bachelor's degree in Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology. She served as a researcher at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute and the Harvard Center for AIDS Research. Inspired by her health policy background,Hennaco-created the Bridging Borders Project, a multinational collaboration that brings Prime Ministers and Presidents together to share their COVID-19 response plans. The project has been utilized by heads of state and government across the European Union, South Asia, the Caribbean, Africa, and Oceania. |
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Haris JahangeerEducation: B.A. in Law and Political Science -Balkh University, M.A. in Post-war Recovery Studies -University of York Nationality: Afghanistan Recent work experience:Project Management Specialist -United States Agency for International Development, Kabul Mission Read moreBorn and raised in Mazar-i-Sharif, a city in the north of Afghanistan, Haris currently lives in Montreal. Throughout his career, Haris has worked in challenging settings for civil society organizations, the United States Government, the United Nations, consulting companies, private ventures, and think tanks. As a result, he has a solid grasp of adaptive project design and management. His multidisciplinary education and experience give him the skills and mindset to think about solving complex problems. Haris holds a B.A in Law and Political Science from Balkh University and a M.A in Post-war Recovery Studies from the University of York (United Kingdom). He is learning about the energy storage industry, particularly lithium-ion batteries. He considers himself a good walker. He is interested in walking as a mode of transport and philosophy. |
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Asif Imran KhanEducation: Master of Development Studies - University of Dhaka; B.S.S. in Media & Communication - Independent University, Bangladesh Nationality: Bangladeshi Recent work experience:Senior Manager, Advocacy and Campaign -Save the Children in Bangladesh; Advocacy Coordinator -CARE Bangladesh; Advocacy Coordinator, & Advocacy Officer -Concern Worldwide Bangladesh; Communication Officer -BRAC. Read moreAsif Imran Khan is a policy advocacy and campaigning specialist, who has been working for the past six years to bring the voices of the poor and marginalized communities to the forefront of policy agendas in Bangladesh. Having started his career at BRAC, he has served as the advocacy and campaign lead of international NGOs in Bangladesh such as Save the Children, CARE, and Concern Worldwide. In his role, Asif successfully advocated tokey government ministers, members of parliament, civil society actors and media for pro-poor policy and budgetary provisions on food security, gender equality, the climate crisis,and urban extreme poverty, among other issues. At this point in his career, Asif has grown a desire to be more than a policy advocate throughlearningabout and contributingto inclusive policy formulation and implementation. Asif is a certified scuba diver and loves to spend his free time on creative writing. |
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DorothyKwokDegree:BSoSc in Public Policy, Management and Politics - City University of Hong Kong Nationality:Chinese (Hong Kong) Recent work experience:Officer (Enforcement) - Estate Agents Authority; Court Liaison Officer - The Duty Lawyer Service; Summer Research Intern (Political Aspect) - Hong Kong Police Force; Summer Intern - Hong Kong Legislative Council Secretariat Read MoreDorothy graduated from City University of Hong Kong with a Bachelor of Social Science in Public Policy, Management,and Politics. The experience she gained from her exchange study in University of Warwick expanded her vision for the world and ledto her decision to pursue an MPP at鶹AV. Her previous roles in the HKSAR Legislative Council Secretariat, the Hong Kong Police Force, and the Duty Lawyer Service were gave her experience if a variety of domains of public service. Most recently, she served as as an Enforcement Officer in the Estate Agents Authority, contributing to theregulation of thepractice of local estate, in the interest of consumers. Both whileserving asa service provider and as a regulator, she saw the extent to whichher workcontributed to aharmonious and law-abiding environment. Dorothy now aspires to a career advancing firms' corporate social responsibility efforts to help address global social and environment challenges. |
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Jonathan LesargeEducation:M.A. in Political Science - University of Victoria; B.A. in Political Science - Western University Nationality: Canadian Recent work experience:Executive Assistant to the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry - Government of Ontario; Legislative Assistant to the Member of Provincial Parliament for Kitchener-Conestoga - Legislative Assembly of Ontario Read moreJonathan Lesarge currently lives in Toronto, Ontario, where he has worked full-time for the past three years at the Government of Ontario and Ontario’s Legislative Assembly. As the Legislative Assistant to the Member of Provincial Parliament for Kitchener-Conestoga, Jonathan successfully steered the research and development of a Private Member’s Bill entitled Bill 50, The Cutting Red-Tape for Motor Vehicle Dealers Act, 2018, which would save consumers time and money by allowing new automobile dealers to register newly purchased vehicles online. Similarly, in his recent role as Executive Assistant to the Parliamentary Assistant to Ontario’s Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, Jonathan advised on Ministry-related communications and policy objectives. Jonathan’s young career reflects his passion for politics, and his desire to harness public policy for the common good. |
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Camilla Shuang LiuEducation: B.A. in Communications and Political Science - Carleton University Nationality: Canadian Recent work experience:Senior Communications Advisor - Department of Employment and Social Development Canada - Government of Canada; Senior Parliamentary Affairs Advisor - Department of Shared Services - Government of Canada; Strategic Communications Advisor - Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development - Government of Canada Read moreCamilla Liu fell in love with policy communications ten years ago and never looked back. As a senior communications advisor for Employment and Social Development Canada, she informs the public and media about the Government's response to help vulnerable populations during COVID-19, and to shape their understanding of Canada's Homelessness Strategy that aims to reduce chronic homelessness. Camilla has assumed different communications roles in government departments. Whether it is organizing an awareness campaign about Canadian innovation, writing a speech for a Minister at a stakeholder meeting about poverty reduction, or running a Facebook Live broadcast for an announcement on a new citizenship policy, she does it with passion. Deeply concerned about COVID-19’s impacts on seniors in poverty, Camilla recently volunteered to raise donation as a digital content creator for a local charity in northwestern Cameroon that helps seniors to cope with the pandemic. She wants to find ways to reduce poverty in Canada and around the world, through public policy. |
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Juan Leonardo Lozano AmaroEducation: M.Sc. in Science, Technology, and International Development - University of Edinburgh Nationality: Mexican Recent work experience: Advisor - Secretariat of Energy, Mexico; Volunteer - Équiterre, Montreal. Read moreJuan strongly believes that science and technology have an impact onpublic policy, and vice-versa. Over the past eightyears,Leonardo has worked on the sustainable development of policies and science. His work focuses on social participation and dynamic networks for the creation and design of technologies and public policy. Leonardo is passionate about engaging with innovative and socially-oriented multidisciplinarygroups. Leonardo holds a B.A. in International Relations from the Tecnológico de Monterrey andan M.Sc. in Science, Technology, and International Development fromthe University of Edinburgh. After graduating he worked for almost five years as an advisor to the Mexican Secretariat of Energy. He later volunteered for Équiterre in Montreal, where he conducted research on potential partners’ Sustainable Development and Corporate Social Responsibility reports. Leonardo has knowledge and experience in international development, human rights, energy policy, and sustainable development. Leonardo’s work has focused onrenewable energy projects inFirst Nations communities, strategic planning, and international affairs. |
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James Samimi FarrEducation: B.A. in Religious Studies and English - 鶹AV Nationality: Canadian and American Recent work experience:Media Officer - U.S. Baha'i Office of Public Affairs; Freelance Writer, Copy Editor, Journalist; Senior Writer and Editor - Baha'i World Centre; New Media Specialist - Digital Opportunity Trust Read moreJames Samimi Farr has worked for the last three years as the media discourse officer for the U.S. Baha'i Office of Public Affairs. In this work, he collaborates closely with journalists, striving to understand the norms of American media and evolve them to be more just, inclusive, and unifying. To this end,he holds a regular roundtable with writers and editors from outlets such as The Washington Post, The Atlantic, HuffPost, Mother Jones, and others. He also advocates in the media for the persecuted Baha'i communities of Iran and Yemen, and hehas coordinated coverage on this issue with various outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, AFP, Bloomberg, BBC, and several others. He has also written op-eds for such publications as the Religion News Service. He grew up in Chelsea, QC, and is a semi-professional musician. |
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Gina MaldonadoEducation: B.A. in Management – Pontifical Catholic University, Peru; Diploma in Smart Cities;and Diploma in Project Management Nationality: Peruvian Recent work experience: Director –Sector3 Social Venture Group; National Coordinator of Business Management –Ministry of Production,Peru; Lead Consultant –Axus Advisory Group; Project Assistant – German Red Cross; Academic Assistant – Pontifical Catholic University of Peru; Volunteer –Make-A-Wish Peru Read moreGina holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Administration and Executive Management,with a minor in Social Management, fromthe Pontifical Catholic University of Peru. She also hasa diploma in Project Management (Peru) and an international diploma in Smart Cities (Argentina and Austria). With over nineyears of experience in project development management, public policy management, and social entrepreneurship, she has worked in Peru, Mexico, and El Salvador, pursuing her interests in entrepreneurship, innovation, and gender. |
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Shahid MehmoodEducation: M.Sc (Hons.) Agriculture Nationality: Pakistani Read moreAs a mid-career civil servant and public policy practitioner, I have chosen the Max Bell School MPP to complement my experience and prepare myself as aleader in public policy.My goal is to learn to create and expand the boundaries of what is possible. I aim to prepare myself to take on the public-policy challenges of the futureand contribute to solving real-world problems by developing impactfulpolicies. My particular areas of interest in policy are innovativeagriculture policy, environment and climate change policy, and emergency response policy. |
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Ines Atugonza MuganyiziEducation: BA. in Economics (Hons) and Environmental Studies - Connecticut College Nationality: Tanzanian Recent work experience: Research Consultant - The World Bank, Tanzania Office; Project Officer - Dalberg Global Development Advisors; Associate - Procewaterhouse Coopers Tanzania Ltd Read moreInes is originally from Tanzania,where she has been working in social development consulting and project implementation. Her experience has focused on process improvement and government service delivery systems. In her career, Ines has worked with over 20 clients, including ministries, local governments, NGOs, and donor agencies. She also possesses working knowledge of agriculture, transportation, and government sub-sectors. Ines hopes to acquire more robust and holistic skills and approaches through her time in the MPP program. She strongly believes developing countries, like her own, must aspire to solve systemic challenges in order to achieve stronger, equitable,and people-centriceconomies. Ines is also a 2019-20Obama Africa Leader Fellow, a distinctionthat has allowed her to access leadership coaching as well as connect with amazing change-makers across the African continent. |
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Emily NickersonEducation: Bachelor of Water Resources Engineering - University of Guelph Nationality: Canadian Recent work experience:Director - Publish What You Pay Canada; Director of Programs, Mining Shared Value Initiative - Engineers Without Borders Canada; Consultant - Pollen Group Read moreEmily Nickerson currently lives in Toronto, Ontario and has been working to improve how people and governments leverage natural resources for economic development over the last five years. At Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Canada, she has worked to increase transparency in the extractives sector, both domestically and internationally, in order to enable citizens to hold their governments to account for how natural resource wealth is managed. Previously at Mining Shared Value, she worked to promote local procurement of goods and services in countries that host mining activity. Building on her experience, Emily is keen to improve her understanding of how to create policies to manage and govern natural resources in an equitable and sustainable way. Emily also enjoys travelling and eating her way around Toronto with her partner. |
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Gulrukh Zafar QidwaiEducation: BSc (Honors) in Economics - Lahore University of Management Sciences Nationality: Pakistani Recent work experience:Business Analyst - Kearney; Process Development Intern - PepsiCo International Read moreGulrukh is a an experienced strategy consultant and policy professional with work experience spanning across the Middle East and Asia. Originally from Pakistan, Gulrukh is quite familiar with the various public policy challenges prevalent in emerging markets and is passionate about solving complex policy issues. She is particularly fascinated by the ongoing policy issues in the global technology space related to sustainability, cybersecurity,and data governance. |
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Ellen RoweEducation: B.A. (Hons) in History and World Languages - Queen's University Nationality: Canadian Recent work experience: Cyber Security Policy Analyst – National Defence; Research Assistant – Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy (鶹AV). Read moreEllen Rowe is a cyber security policy analyst for the Government of Canada (GoC). In 2017, Ellen commenced her career as a Queen’s University intern at National Defence. With an interest in research and writing, Ellen took on the task of writing quarterly and annual technical reports for key GoC stakeholders, while working in the Cyber Threat Reporting team (CTR). Her passion to educate others about cyber security led her to become a cyber security policy analyst. |
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Sarah A. SayaniEducation: MBA –Karachi Institute of Economics and Technology;BBA (Hons) – Karachi Institute of Economics and Technology Nationality: Pakistani Recent work experience: Consultant -Afghanistan-Ministry of Finance Afghanistan;Manager, New Initiatives-The First MicroFinanceBank;Assistant Manager Finance -Aga Khan Health Services Read moreSarah A. Sayani is asocio-economic development professional with almost seven years working experience with banks, having specialized in microfinance,and with healthcare institutions, where she managed theprovision of primary healthcare programmes in remote communities. She has accomplished demonstrable achievements in facilitatingstrategic collaborationand innovative interventions for economic resilience in war-stricken communities. |
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Amr SolimanEducation: B.SC in Petroleum Engineering - Texas A&M University;MBA - Swiss Business School Nationality: Egyptian Recent work experience:Engineering Researcher - Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting; Energy & Economy Adviser - Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Qatar; Petrophysicist - Schlumberger Read moreI am a proud Egyptian who left my beloved country at the age of 11 and settled with my family in Qatar. I completed my B.SC in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M in 2012, at which point I started my career by working in the oil industry for threeyears. |
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Nayantara SudhakarEducation: B.A. in Psychology and Sociology - University of British Columbia Nationality: Canadian and Indian Recent work experience: Support Worker - Atira Women's Resource Society; Community Resource Worker - Developmental Disabilities Resource Centre; Crisis Line Responder - Distress Centre Calgary and Canadian Suicide Prevention Services Read moreNayantara Melissa Sudhakar has been fortunate enough to grow up in various regions of the world, including Asia, the Middle East, and North America. Her experiences with different cultures and people have enabled her to build an awareness of intersectionality and its importance in advancing equal opportunities for marginalized individuals. To further understand this, Nayantara completed her Bachelor of Arts at the University of British Columbia, double majoring in Psychology and Sociology. Eager to apply her knowledge and uncover factors of marginalization at the grassroots level, Nayantara joined non-profit organizations aimed at empowering stigmatized individuals, including those with developmental disabilities and mental health illnesses. In her positions as Support Worker, Community Resource Worker, and Crisis Line Responder, Nayantara worked with individuals to understand their personal goals and consequently leveraged various provincial and federal policies available to assist in their realization. With a passion for social and health policy, she now looks forward to contributing to the creation of global policies promoting accessible mental health support. And amidst all this, Nayantara likes to immerse herself in dystopian literature, explore the night sky with her telescope, and discover new corners of our planet. |
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Seira Iwai(Tanaka)Education: Bachelor of Economics - Hitotsubashi University Nationality: Japanese Recent work experience:Deputy Director of International Affairs Office –Postal Services Policy Department. Read moreSeira Iwai(Tanaka) was born and raised in Japan and currently lives in Tokyo. She has always been fascinated with how public policy can havepositive effects on people’s lives. After she completed a bachelor'sdegree in Economics, she worked for theMinistry of Telecommunications and Postal Services of Japan as a public servant for seven years. She feels that the role of government has become increasingly complicated and diversified, especially in the field of information, communications and technologies. Having participated in international conferences such as the G7 and the G20 as agovernment official, she is interested in encouraging international cooperation regarding cross-border data flows and privacy policy. Outside of work, Seira likes playingclassical guitar and runningmarathons. |
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Noah TurnerEducation: B.A. (Hons.) in Criminology and Human Rights - St. Thomas University Nationality:Canadian Recent work experience: Intern - Department of National Defence; Outreach Coordinator - Conservation Council of New Brunswick Read moreNoah is from Steam Mill, Nova Scotia. He has a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Criminology and Human Rights from St. Thomas University in New Brunswick, and is nearing completion of a Master of Science in Criminal Justice Policy at the London School of Economics and Political Science in England. His dissertation is on Indigenous-specific drug policy solutions pertaining to the opioid crisis in Canada. During his undergraduate degree, Noah participated in the Students’ Union, Harvard National Model United Nations, an American Moot Court Association competition, and a legal aid mission in rural Panama. He worked with aMember of Parliament –servingon theFredericton Constituency Youth Council –and held term positions as an Outreach Coordinator and Intern with the Conservation Council of New Brunswick and the Department of National Defence. Guided by a strong sense of social justice, Noah’s aspiration is to work in Canada’s public sector to positively influence the development of public policy. His other interests include cooking, sports, and travel. |
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Udita UpadhyayEducation: B.A. in Economics - Banasthali University; MSc. in Economic Development and Policy Analysis - University of Nottingham Nationality:Indian Recent work experience: Senior Associate - EY GDS India Read moreUdita Upadhyay is originally from India but currentlylivesin Houston, Texas. She has fiveyears of work experience in public policy research and risk management. After graduating from Nottingham she started workingwith a public policy think tank in India. While in this role, she witnessed –andstudied– the failure ofa national policy, crippled byflawed implementation and a lack of accountability. She also volunteered for an educational institution for children in a small village in North India. A zeal to work in the private sector motivated her to move to Risk Management at EY (India). She spent a considerable part of her career with EY, where she worked on numerous projects, helping manage the firm’s risk. She assisted engagement teams to make decisions without compromising regarding compliance policies and the regulatory framework. Udita was been a part of a theatre group while pursuingher undergraduate degree.She is fond of travelling and is a novice painter. |
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Anil WasifEducation: H.B.A.Economics - University of Toronto Nationality: Bangladeshi Recent work experience:Senior Business Consultant & Advisor - Government of Ontario; Co-Founder - #BacharLorai Movement Read moreGrowing up in Dhaka, Bangladesh Anil was exposed to the socioeconomic realities of the global south and wanted to change the status quo in a meaningful way. He moved to Canada in 2013 to study Economics andPolitical Scienceat the University of Toronto. During his final year, Anil’s passion for public policy led him to advocate with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, supporting the Ontario150 program and moving on to manage stakeholders at ServiceOntario, the citizen service arm of the Ontario Government. In 2020, Anil co-authored an article on Digital Social Innovation for the Canadian Science and Policy Centre, reflecting on #BacharLorai – a social movement he co-founded to provide over $100,000 in COVID-19 relief in Bangladesh. He was recently featured by Global Citizen for initiating Toronto Talks Privilege, a non-black project for Black Lives Matter. He believes in grassroots efforts, practices urban photography, and enjoys writing on Sundays. |
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Suhara WijewardaneEducation:B.A in Political Science - 鶹AV Nationality: Sri Lankan Recent work experience: Intern, Division of Nuclear Energy - International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Communications Intern - United Nations Office For Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) Read moreSuhara Wijewardane was born in Sri Lanka, and has benefitted from an international background, having also lived in Malaysia, the United Kingdom, Austria, the US, and Canada. In 2018 she graduated from 鶹AV with a B.A. in Political Science with distinction. Currently Suhara lives in Vienna, Austria, where she completed a year-long internship at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in the Division of Nuclear Energy. She assisted in providing practical support on issues of stakeholder engagement to Member States embarking on nuclear power. Prior to that, she worked as a communications intern at the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), where she participated in Member State meetings on the development of outer space policy and helped to draft UNOOSA positions. Suhara is keen to further explore the challenges of policymaking at the international level. In particular, she looks to contribute to policy solutions that support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. |
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Yvette YakibongeEducation: B.A. in Political Science and International Studies - University of Alberta Nationality: Canadian Recent work experience: Case Processing Officer - Ministry of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada; Case Processing Agent - Ministry of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada; Citizen Services Officer - Ministry of Economic and Social Development Canada Read moreAs the child of parents who immigrated from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Yvette has always had a heart for helping immigrant communities in Canada, especially throughempowering youth and women. From a young age, Yvette has been involved in her community as a volunteer, particularly for Alliance-Jeunesse-Famille de L’Alberta Society (AJFAS), an organization committed to empowering francophoneimmigrant families in Edmonton. Yvette was also selected as a member of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO’s (CCUNESCO) Youth Advisory Group, where, for over twoyears she collaborated with other young Canadians on issues concerning youth in Canada. Yvette holds a B.A. in Political Science with a minor in International Studies. She has worked as a Public Servant for the Ministry of Economic and Social Development Canada and also for the Ministry of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, where she is currently employed. |
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Mikayla ZolisEducation: Bachelor of Business Administration - Brock University Nationality:Canadian Recent work experience: Associate - MaRS Solutions Lab; Coordinator - MaRS Solutions Lab; Organizational Performance Student - Niagara Region; Program Advisor - Ontario Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Read moreMikayla is a social innovator who bridges research, strategy, and design to address complex urban challenges. After graduating from Brock University with a Bachelor of Business Administration, she moved to Toronto and joined MaRS Solutions Lab, a social innovation lab where she tackled issues such as municipal data governance, transit-oriented affordable housing, and social procurement. She is passionate about sustainability and advancing the role businesses have in generating social and environmental impact. She is equally passionate about equitable city-building through large scale policy change and small scale community-led solutions and activism. She is born, raised, and currently lives in Hamilton, Ontario. She has previously worked in provincial and regional government and has volunteered with environmental groups, mutual aid response, food sovereignty, political campaigns, and student leadership clubs. She loves politics, improv, Tetris, and growing, cooking, and eating good food. You can usually find her at one of Hamilton’s parks, trails, or beaches with a good book and some music. |