Student Profiles
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A
Pomme Arros
Hometown: Victoria, BC
Previous Degree: BA Geography and Environmental Studies Double Major ( Uvic)
Work Experience: My work experience includes a variety of projects in the environmental non-profit sector,most recently as an intern with the Canadian Youth Climate Coalition. Other projects include climate change related research, environmental education and public outreach. I have also participated in international environmentally-focused volunteer projects, including a conservation project with the Nga Kaitiaki Nature Project in New Zealand and an eco-development project with the Keystone Foundation in India.
Areas of Public Policy Interest: Environmental policy, with a focus on climate change adaptation, mitigation and climate justice issues.
B
Michelle Bailey
Hometown: Ottawa, Ontario
Previous Degree: Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management (BPAPM), Carleton University
Work Experience: Partnership and Research Officer at the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA); Research Assistant at Family Services à la famille Ottawa (FSFO); Junior Analyst at Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC)
Area of Policy Interest: Social policy, health policy, child poverty, youth and criminal justice, Aboriginal policy.
Sandip Basi
Hometown: Brampton, Ontario
Previous Degree: Hons BA Political Science, York University
Work Experience: Volunteer research assistant at the Ministry of the Attorney General Ontario. Completed a program evaluation of the accessibility coordinator program in Ontario courts.
Areas of Policy Interest: Social Policy, First Nations Policy and international development.
Carla Beak
Hometown: Vancouver, BC
Previous Degree: BSc (Hons. with Co-operative Education) Major in Cell & Molecular Biology, Minor in Criminology; Simon Fraser University
Work Experience: Client Service Manager for the Contract Assay Services department at StemCell Technologies Inc., worked with pharmaceutical companies to design and perform custom experiments to test the effects of their compounds in various cell based assays. Helped develop marketing material, quality assurance systems and business directives for the department. Also worked in the Research and Development department to develop novel media products and assay systems.
Volunteer Experience: Society for Canadian Women in Science and Technology (SCWIST), aiding in strategic planning and project execution for the Volunteers Committee and Immigrating Women in Science (IWIS) Committee.
Areas of Public Policy Interest: health care, science and technology, criminal justice, political reform.
Jennifer Blattler
Hometown: Richmond, BC.
Previous Degree: B.A., Psychology, Simon Fraser University
Work Experience: Research Assistant — Forensic Psychology Lab, and The Self in Social Context Lab — Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University; Member of the Board of Directors, Canadian Mental Health Association, South Fraser Region.
Areas of Public Policy Interest: Social policy, specifically in the areas of health care (especially mental health), inequality and intergroup relations, and the criminal justice system.
Mark Bryan
Hometown: Vancouver, BC
Previous Degree: BA in Philosophy (Anthropology minor), University of British Columbia. Mark also holds a Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Communications from Simon Fraser University and a Music Industry Arts (Production) Diploma from Fanshawe College, London, ON.
Work Experience: Researched & developed a university course, ‘Cognitive Liberty & Neuroethics’, for the Center for Cognitive Liberty and Ethics, a US non-profit working to preserve and enhance policies pertaining to freedom of thought. Prior to that, Mark had researched, designed & taught an upper level undergraduate course at UBC examining the clash between freedom of thought issues and drug policy in Canada. Student Union President at Fanshawe College.
Areas of Policy Interest: Climate change (particularly securitization & human vulnerability). Illicit drug policy. Energy & materials policy.
Michele Dawn Buckman
Hometown: Calgary, Ab.
Previous Degree: BA, Anthropology and Development Studies, St. Francis Xavier University (STFX).
Agencies: Centre for Education Research and Policy, Nunavut Planning Commission, Social Economy and Sustainability Research Network, STFX Aboriginal Student Office, Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society.
Areas of Public Policy Interest: Sustainable Community Development; Indigenous Self-Determination; Social Policies and Education Policies.
C
Amanda Card
Hometown: Golden, BC
Previous degrees: BA International Development Studies, BA History (Saint Mary’s University, Halifax/University of Calgary)
Work Experience: Project Coordinator- Communications, Research & Governance, Alberta Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies; Accountability Report Research Analyst, Mountain Equipment Co-op
Areas of Policy Interest: Social policy, particularly immigration and settlement.
Anthony Carricato
Hometown: Sault Ste. Marie, ON
Previous Degree: Joint Honours undergraduate degree in History and Political Science from the University of Ottawa.
Work Experience: Anthony Carricato brings to the program a wealth of parliamentary knowledge and his passion for Canadian politics. Prior to pursuing his Masters in Public Policy at Simon Fraser University, Anthony worked on Parliament Hill as the Communications Officer for the Office of the Speaker of the House of Commons. Anthony had the privilege of writing speeches and working for the Honourable Peter Milliken, former Speaker of the House of Commons, as well as the joy of working alongside Audrey O’Brien, Clerk of the House of Commons – two of the most skilled procedural experts in Canada.
Anthony is fluently bilingual and has a . He speaks German, and spent a year living in northern Germany as a Rotary Youth Exchange Student in 2003-2004. Anthony returned to Germany in 2006 as an undergraduate student and spent a semester during his third year studying at Universität Konstanz.
Areas of Policy Interest: Senate reform, taxation policy as well as parliamentary democracy and electoral reform in Canada.
Tessa Cheng
Hometown: Oakville, ON
Previous Degrees: BA (Hons.) Philosophy (Classical Studies Minor, Acadia University
Work Experience: Research assistant at UBC's Culture and Self lab, Distress Crisis Centre, Needle Exchange Volunteer with Vancouver Coastal Health
Area of Policy interest: Social and health policy, human rights
Geetanjali (Joey) Chopra
Hometown: Delhi, India/Vancouver, BC
Previous Degrees: BA, International Relations and Communication from Moount holyoke College, Massachussetts.
Brief Work Experience: Indian Society of International Law, UNHCR Cyprus, Freeze Frame Media Arts Centre for Youth (Winnipeg), CUSO-VSO West (Vancouver)
Area of Policy interest: International/Foreign Policy, Media and Communication, Youth and Immigrant Engagement, Human and Women's Rights.
Tabrina Clelland
Hometown: Vancouver, BC
Previous Degree: B.A. Political Studies (Trinity Western University) & Certificate in Leadership and Applied Public Affairs (Laurentian Leadership Centre)
Work Experience: Tabrina has worked most recently in the legal services industry. Previously, she was a parliamentary intern for the Honourable John McKay, MP (Scarborough-Guildwood) as he focused on Bill C-300, the Responsible Mining Bill. Tabrina has volunteered on various humanitarian missions including building a house in Ensenada, Mexico, Hurricane Katrina disaster relief in New Orleans and leading a team of university students to volunteer in a Chicago homeless shelter, soup kitchen and inner-city elementary school. During university, she spent her summers directing a day camp for a non-profit organization.
Areas of Public Policy Interest: Social Policy, specializing in Urban Poverty & Corporate Social Responsibility
Tara Cooper
Hometown: Edmonton, Alberta
Previous Degree: BA (Hons), Political Science and International Relations, University of British Columbia
Work Experience: Tara has been working since 2006 with the Human Security Report Project (HSRP), the NGO that produces the Human Security Report and Human Security Brief series, reporting on armed conflict and political violence around the world. Tara has also worked with various Africa-focused NGOs in the Lower Mainland over the last several years. In 2008, she co-founded a project to raise money for specialised software for a school for the visually impaired in Togo, which included a trip to Togo in the summer of 2009 to deliver the funds and visit the school.
Areas of Policy Interest: Foreign policy, Development Assistance policy, International Organizations, Aboriginal policy, Immigration policy, Environmental policy.
Connor Curson
Hometown: Innisfail, AB
Previous Degree: BA Honors Political Science (Calgary)
Work Experience: For many years I was an athlete on the national team in the Olympic sport of Whitewater Slalom Kayaking. I followed that experience by working as a coach for both the Alberta and Canadian slalom kayaking teams with highlights being coaching for the Canadian National team at the 2010 World Cup series, and the Canadian National Junior team at the 2010 World Junior Championships in France. I have served for many years as an executive member on the boards of Alberta Slalom Canoe-Kayak, and Canoe-Kayak Canada. I also had the privilege of being a Research Assistant for Dr. Antonio Franceschet (Calgary) on a project investigating international law and the European encounter with Aboriginal peoples.
Areas of Public Policy Interest: Economic Development, International Relations, Canadian Foreign Policy, Environmental and Energy Policy.
D
Kacey Dalzell
Hometown: White Rock, BC
Previous Degree(s): BA (Psychology/ Criminology) Simon Fraser University, Grad Cert. Child and Youth Mental Health, Thompson Rivers University
Brief Work Experience: Kacey has recently worked as a Coordinator with the Vancouver Psychology Consortium on projects for the BC Ministry of Health, with the Early Psychosis Intervention Program (Fraser Health Authority) in both research and clinical roles, and conducted research for the Mental Health Commission of Canada.
Areas of Policy Interest: Mental Health Policy, Health Policy, Social Policy.
Jessica Davies
Hometown: Vancouver BC
Previous Degree: B.A. History (Honours) from University of British Columbia. My graduating thesis looked at the involvement of women, specifically indigenous women, on the burgeoning National Parks in late 19th century America.
Work Experience: I have worked since 2007 as a Border Services Officer for Canada Border Services Agency at Vancouver International Airport. Working more in the immigration side of operations, I have become increasingly familiar with the various immigration programs and pilot programs instituted by both provinical and national governments.
Areas of Policy Interest: Immigration policy, female labour-driven migration, refugee processing, foreign affairs, aboriginal issues and public parks and environment usage.
Stefanie de Best
Hometown: Vancouver, BC
Previous Degree: Bsc Biopsychology, University of British Columbia
Work Experience: Stefanie has worked with children, youth and families in various capacities including as a Youth Worker in a Child & Youth Mental Health Program with Sources Community Resource Centres, a Camp Counselor for children of incarcerated parents with the Elizabeth Fry Society, volunteer work with the Kidstart Mentoring Program of PLEA BC and at a orphanage in Costa Rica. Stefanie has also been involved in research at the Department of Psychology at UBC, working as a Lab Manager and Research Assistant.
Areas of Policy Interest: Children & Families, Social Policy, Health Policy, Community Development, International Development.
Stephanie Donovan
Hometown: Ottawa, ON
Previous Degree: Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHSc) with a minor in Public Administration, University of Ottawa
Work Experience: While completing her undergraduate degree, Stephanie worked as a research assistant at the Population Health Improvement Research Network (PHIRN), which is housed within the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Ottawa. She has also worked as a Youth Facilitator at Ottawa Public Health for a program whose aim was to change the perceptions of high school students about impaired driving. She also volunteered as a Nutrition Team Peer Educator at the University of Ottawa Health Promotion Centre.
Areas of Policy Interest: Health care reform and health equity
Lucas Dorn
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
Previous Degree: Bachelor of Arts, Political Science and Industrial Relations, University of Toronto
Work experience: Several retail and manufacturing positions
Areas of Policy Interest: Arctic sovereignty, defence policy, electoral reform
E
Brock Ellis
Hometown: London, Ontario
Previous Degrees: M.A., History, University of Alberta. B.A. (Hons), History, University of Western Ontario.
Previous Work Experience: (Nothing particularly relevant to public policy) Retail Management
Areas of Public Policy Interest: Environmental policy and sustainable urban development as well as the influence of environmental scarcity on foreign policy and international relations
F
Patrick Forseth
Hometown: Edmonton, AB
Previous Degree: BSc Mechanical Engineering (University of Alberta 2004)
Work Experience: Pat has worked as an Engineer with the National Energy Board (Government of Canada) for the past 5 years where he conducted pipeline incident investigations, field inspections and audits, and regulatory project management.
Area of Public Policy Interest: Climate Change, Environment, and Energy Policy
Claire Havens
Hometown: Vancouver, BC and spent much of her life outdoors in the mountains and on the coast, gazing into tide pools and Previous Degree: BA (History and Biology), SFU
Work/Volunteer Experience: Took advantage of SFU's International Program and spent a year in the Galapagos Islands studying ecology and working for the Charles Darwin Foundation. She has since been teaching English around the world, experiencing different cultures in South America, Asia and most recently Europe, in Munich, Germany.
Areas of Policy Interest: adaptive capacity of communities reliant on natural resources, finding options for countries dealing with internal migrants, and exploring issues relating to new immigrants and climate change refugees. She hopes to be involved in projects to develop policy to both protect Canadian economic (green technology!), environmental and cultural capital, as well as to address our responsibilities as an immigrant country in a globalized world.
Meredith Haaf
Hometown: Vancouver, BC
Previous Degree: BA, Sociology (UBC)
Previous work experience: Several years of work in the customer service industry; volunteer positions with local organizations including the Vancouver Rape Relief Shelter and the Downtown Eastside Women's Centre.
Areas of Policy interest: Social and health policy; education policy; community development; the impact of social policy changes on children from low-income families.
I
Scott Ireson
Hometown: Penticton, BC
Previous Degree: BA in Sociology with a focus on research from the University of Victoria.
Previous Work experience: Educational director for the Access Association of Disabled Students, Legal Advocate for the Together Against Poverty Society, research and development of educational materials for the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society.
Areas of Policy Interest: Disability Policy with a particular interest in mainstreaming disability in the policy process and social assistance for people with disabilities, poverty issues, interactions between the public and non-profit sector.
J
Kaleigh Johnston
Hometown: Belleville, Ontario
Previous Degree: BA Major in Criminology and Minor in Sociology, Simon Fraser University
Work Experience: Throughout her undergraduate degree, Kaleigh has worked in various roles for the department of Residence and Housing at Simon Fraser University, as a Legal Assistant for a family law office, and as a Practicum Student, at the Legal Services Branch of the Ministry of Attorney General. Currently, she is a Research Assistant for the Child and Family Services Unit of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.
Volunteer Experience: In the past few years, Kaleigh has volunteered as a Classroom and Program Assistant at Burnaby Youth Custody Centre and has had various roles at Vancouver’s Carnegie Community Centre.
Areas of Policy Interest: Social Justice, Aboriginal Self-Determination, Community Development and Capacity Building, Child and Family Services and Education.
Jesse Joice
Hometown: Wolfville, Nova Scotia
Previous Degree: BS Honours in Economics, Dalhousie University
Past Work Experience: Research Assistant, The Atlantic Provinces Economic Council. Research Assistant, Dalhousie Faculty. Environmental Auditor/Policy Reviewer, Dalhousie University. Research Assistant, The Ecology Action Centre.
Areas of Policy Interest: Trade Policy, Issues in Poverty & Inequality, Public Finance.
Baljeet Judge
Hometown: Abbotsford, B.C.
Previous Degree: B.A. Political Science, Simon Fraser University
Work Experience: Prior to entering the MPP program, Baljeet worked for the Accommodation and Real Estate Services division of the Ministry of Labour and Citizens’ Services. While completing her undergraduate degree she worked as an Ethno-cultural Relations Officer for Elections Canada, a Research Assistant for a study commissioned by Heritage Canada, and a Youth Worker for a community-based Special Needs Activity Program/Easter Seals Summer Camp/ Language School.
Areas of Policy Interest: Community development /outreach in relation to issues involving immigration, healthcare, labour relations, public service accessibility and political representation.
K
Brittney Kerr
Hometown: Vancouver, B.C.
Previous Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (University of British Columbia)
Work Experience: Brittney most recently worked as Director of Operations for the Liberal Party of Canada in B.C. where she played a key role in political operations, risk management, logistics, communications and media relations. During the 2011 federal election, Brittney served as B.C. Coordinator for the Leader’s National Tour of the Liberal Party. Prior to politics, Brittney worked in the not-for-profit sector in community granting. During this time, she worked with low-income persons with disabilities, community groups, the B.C. Ministry of Children and Family Development, and Ministry of Housing and Social Development. In her personal time, Brittney is a committed volunteer with organizations both locally and internationally.
Areas of Policy Interest: Intergovernmental relations, federalism and fiscal policy, and health policy (particularly relating to mental health).
Navi Khind
Hometown: Surrey, B.C.
Previous Degree: Bachelor of Arts, Major in Criminology, SFU
Work Experience: Has been working as a Border Services Officer, in both the Customs and Immigration functions, with Canada Border Services Agency since 2006. Throughout her undergraduate degree, Navi has also worked for a criminal law firm and the Immigration and Refugee Board.
Areas of Policy Interest: Human smuggling and trafficking, Energy and environmental policy, Urban development, Immigration policy, Social Justice and international relations.
James Knowles
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
Previous Degrees: MSc in Systematics and Evolution, University of Alberta; BSc in Biology, Queen’s University
Work Experience: Genetics Researcher, UCLA; Teaching Assistant, University of Alberta; Laboratory technician, Queen’s University
Areas of Public Policy Interest: Renewable energy, climate change, environmental preservation and conservation, natural resource management, public health, cyber warfare and security
Deborah Kraus
Hometown: Vancouver, British ColumbiaPrevious Degrees: B.A. (First Class Honours, History), McGill University; LL.B., Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, Toronto Work experience: Extensive experience in policy analysis and research on housing and homelessness as an independent consultant for clients including Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, BC Housing, City of Vancouver, Vancouver Coastal Health, Fraser Health, and BC Non-Profit Housing Association. Recent projects include developing plans to address homelessness and investigating the “housing first” approach, particularly for homeless people with health challenges. Also served as Executive Director, Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association, and provided housing policy and research services for the City of Ottawa, Regional Municipality of Peel, Ontario Home Builders’ Association, and Association of Municipalities of Ontario. Areas of Public Policy Interest: Housing, homelessness, social policy, mental health and addictions.
Lynette Krebs
Hometown: Vancouver, BC
Previous Degree(s): BA Health Sciences (Honours), Simon Fraser University
Work Experience: Intestinal Disease Research Programme, McMaster University; Oral Cancer Community Control Outreach (OCCCO), BC Cancer Agency; Mental Health Commission of Canada
Areas of Policy Interest: Domestic Health Policy and International Trade Agreements impact on Health.
L
Francisco Gallegos-Lemos
Hometown: Quito, Ecuador
Previous Degree: BA in Political Science and Communication, Simon Fraser University
Work Experience: For the past year and a half, worked as a Career Advisor in the Work Integrated Learning Unit at Simon Fraser University. During my BA, had the opportunity to work as the Special Project Assistance with SFU's Career Services and the Arts Co-operative Education Program, developing a Communication plan for both units. Was also the Program Assistant for Volunteer Services at SFU, where was responsible for the creation of the unit's e-Newsletter as well as the liason with different contacts inside and outside the University. In the Summer 2008, worked as a business consultant through the EDGE program at Glasgow-Scotland. Also worked at different departments at SFU, providing important services for the students.
Areas of Policy Interest: International Development and Public Policy, Public Health, and Government and Communication Policy.
David (Ta-Wei) Lin
Hometown: Vancouver, BC
Previous Degree: B.A. History, Minor in Philosophy, University of British Columbia
Work/Volunteer Experience: I have diverse interests, which are reflected in my various work and volunteer experience. I was the VP Technology for the Club for Undergraduate Biomedical Engineering at the University of Toronto, a software developer for the Interactive Media Lab there, a transcriber for the Navigating Information Space Project at the University of British Columbia, and an editor of The Atlas: Undergraduate Journal of World History. Most recently, I was a volunteer and freelance contributor at the Center for Chinese Studies at the National Central Library in Taiwan, where I assisted in editorial duties and began writing book reviews.
Areas of Policy Interest: science and technology, information policy, historical research in policy analysis.
Mark Lombard
Hometown: Corberrie, NS
Previous Degree: Business Administration from Acadia U. Specialization in Finance.
Work Experience: Research assistant, NS Dept of Finance. Worked on the Maersk/SeaLand Superport bid management team responsible for all aspects of the proposed development of a $500 million port infrastructure project in Halifax. Small business owner and operator, Dawson City, Yukon. Owned and operated a contracting company employing 1-3 tradespeople.
Areas of policy interest: Environmental policy, energy policy, fiscal policy and taxation policy.
Robert Lutener
Hometown: Edmonton, AB
Previous Degree: B.A w/ Distinction, Political Science, SFU.
Work Experience: Former owner operator of several small business, manager of several others, operational security for a hedge fund.
Policy Interests: Interested in Health, Taxation and Aboriginal Policy.
M
Conrad Earl P. Malilay
Previous Degree: BA, Double Major in Economics and International Relations, UBC
Work Experience: Over three years combined experience in non-profit and public organizations with postings at the Career Axis Program of the Immigrant Services Society of BC, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Service Canada - HRSDC
Areas of Policy Interest: Employment and Social Security, Taxation, Transportation, Foreign Affairs, Immigration, Trade and Industry.
Kelly Morgan
Hometown: Gitwangak BC, Canada (north central coastal BC)Previous Degrees: I completed a two year Administrative Management Diploma in 1981at BCIT. Finished my BA at SFU in Aug 2005.
Previous Work Experience: Worked as a financial controller/manager for 7 years (including 2 years management) for small Native Bands in my area and found the politics disruptive andonly worked half the time.
Area of Policy Interest: Kelly is interested in the development of Aboriginal policies. Although there are a lot of studies, maybe Kelly's background can help develop policies. An ideal may be to elevate the aboriginal population to have the same opportunities as other Canadian and maybe recognition of the economic policies that have led us to this stage and maybe develop some policies that will lead to equitable wealth distributiion. Another goal could be the effecient use of capital or freeing the lost capital on reserves to create wealth.
Amy Morris
Hometown: Alton Bay, NH USA and Montreal, QC Canada
Previous Degree: BA Specialization in Sociology, Concordia University
Work Experience: Since finishing her degree, Amy has worked as an ethical standards auditor for a private company. This entails traveling to factories in the US and Canada and auditing for both local health and safety code and labor code, ensuring that all social and ethical standard requirements are met.
Areas of Policy Interest: Animal welfare policy, criminal policy, economic and trade policy.
Jeanette Moss
Hometown: Burnaby, BC
Previous Degree: BA, Communications (SFU); Graduate Certificate, Community Economic Development (SFU)
Previous work experience: For the past 4 years I worked at Vancouver Foundation as Manager of the Giving in Action Society (individual, disability-related funding programs). Prior to that I worked at the BC Schizophrenia Society, providing program support and volunteer coordination at their provincial office. Volunteerism: Director on the Salsbury Community Society Board and Jacobs Well Board of Directors (non-profits in East Vancouver), leadership training, summer camp director, and family support worker.
Areas of Policy interest: Disability, Health, Mental Health, and Social Policy.
N
O
P
Jacquelyn Pichette
Hometown: Ottawa, Ontario
Degree: BAH Political Studies major / Philosophy minor, Queen’s University
Work experience: Spent this summer as research analyst (Canadian Border Services Agency, National Security Screening division) and have experience as a bar tender, sales representative, and administrative assistant. Have volunteered at the office of the Hon. Peter Milliken (MP for Kingston and the Islands), as Big Sister with Big Brothers and Sisters, and as a Coach with Kid’s Fest Run and Read - a program designed to help underprivileged children improve academic achievement, physical fitness and social interaction.
Areas of Policy Interest: social policy and the problem of political apathy in Canada (especially among youths).
Darius Pruss
Hometown: Omaha, Nebraska
Previous Degree: BA Sociology with an emphasis in Organizational Sociology, University of Nebraska at Omaha
Work Experience: operations production worker at Goodwill Industries, various volunteer work involving fund-raising and organizing youth service activities
Area of Public Policy Interest: civic engagement, government accountability, Canadian-American relations, and poverty
Q
R
S
Megan Scott
Hometown: Kamloops, BC.
Previous degrees: B.A. in History and Kinesiology from SFU (1998) and a B.Ed. from the University of Calgary (2002).
Work experience: Megan's experience includes 5 years as a high school social studies and physical education teacher, as well as 11 seasons as a forest firefighter and crew leader with the BC Forest Service. She has also worked as a historical researcher. My policy interests are in the areas of democracy and education.
Areas of Policy Interest: Democracy and education.
Alanna Schroeder
Hometown: Richmond, BC
Previous Degree: BSc in Global Resource Systems (with a focus on First Nations)from UBC. Alanna also participated in a summer field school in Pangnirtung, Nunavut through University of Manitoba's native studies.
Work Experience: For the past three years Alanna has been working as a management consultant at MNP, primarily in the Aboriginal Services practice. In this position she has worked on a variety of projects for First Nations and Aboriginal Organizations throughout BC and Canada. Projects included program evaluations, strategic planning, feasibility studies, and governance for First Nations economic development. In this role, Alanna also researched and wrote a best practices report on First Nations consultation and accommodation commissioned by the New Relationship Trust. She has also worked on consulting engagements for non-Aboriginal organizations in both the public and private sector, including developing project management plans for a $6 billion P3 transportation infrastructure project in BC.
Areas of Policy Interest: Sustainable community planning; Indigenous self-government and self-determination; Treaty settlements; Human rights and Indigenous rights; Conservation and Natural Resource Management; Co-management regimes; Climate Change, energy and environmental policy; Northern and Arctic issues including food security; and various elements of social policy.
Tricia Serquina
Hometown: Calgary, Alberta
Previous Degree: Bachelor of Arts Degree in Law and Society. Minor in Social and Cultural Anthropology; University of Calgary. Visiting Student at the University of British Columbia.
Work experience: Worked in office administration with the Alberta Health Care system, customer service, and voluntary research with the University of Calgary Anthropology Department.
Areas of Public Policy Interest: Human rights, social inequalities particularly women's rights, Aboriginal health care, and immigration policy.
Peter Severinson
Hometown: Port Coquitlam, B.C.
Previous Degrees: Bachelor of journalism with a double-major in mass communication (Carleton University), diploma in media arts (Capilano College)
Work Experience: Assistant editor, BCBusiness magazine; temporary positions and internships working as a reporter for the Vancouver Province, the Kingston Whig-Standard, the Ottawa Citizen and the Langley Advance
Areas of Interest: Economic inequality, well-being measures, innovation
Afifa Shahrin
Hometown: Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Previous Degrees: MSS (Economics), University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
BSS (Economics), University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Work Experience: Lecturer, Department of Economics and Social Sciences, BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Research Associate, Centre for Policy Dialogue, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Areas of Policy Interest: Trade Policy, Poverty and Inequality, Immigration, Health and Education Policy.
Carlos Sketchley
Hometown: Surrey, B.C.
Previous Education: B.A. Political Science First Class Honours, 2010, Simon Fraser University
Work Experience: Piano teaching; Volunteer experience in the area of social justice with the Access Pro Bono Society of British Columbia; and Volunteer experience promoting healthy living by instructing 10Km and Half Marathon running clinics from the Running Room in South Surrey.
Areas of Policy Interest: Harmonizing Immigration and Foreign Policies with Canadian National Security Policy to protect Canadians at home and abroad; identifying unintended harmful consequences of Educational, Environmental, and Energy policies on the health of Canadians; and integrating each policy's objectives in order to improve the outcome for the public.
Kat Sorfleet
Hometown: Vancouver, B.C.
Previous Degree: B.A. in Political Science, with a minor in History from the University of British Columbia.
Work Experience: Office administration and management. Volunteer experience with STAND (Students Taking Action Now: Darfur) UBC and WILLA (Women Involved in Legislative Leadership Association) UBC.
Areas of Policy Interest: Social Housing, Addictions, Mental Illness, International Development and Human Rights.
Toby Stewart
Hometown: Vancouver, BC
Previous Degree: BA in Sociology (minor Psychology), UBC
Work Experience: While my work experience is not directly related to policy, I have worked extensively with children and youth in a variety of contexts. I coached soccer for a number of years with older teenagers and ran sport and recreation camps with younger children. I have also worked in various after-school childcare settings, particularly with younger children.
Areas of Policy Interest: Childcare policy, sport policy, social policy
T
U
V
Anna Vorobyova
Hometown: Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine, but spent the last six years in Vancouver.
Previous Degree: received an MA degree (2009) from Simon Fraser University and a BA honours degree (2005) from Kyiv-Mohyla Academy in Political Science.
Work Experience: Anna has mostly concentrated her studies and work experience in the subjects of post-communist transition, immigration and health care policy. She is currently a part-time Research Assistant with the Institute for Intersectionality Research and Policy at SFU, directed by Dr. Olena Hankivsky. Anna is fluent in Ukrainian, Russian and English.
Areas of Policy Interest: immigration and health care policy
W
Eric Warren
Hometown: Swift Current, Saskatchewan
Previous Degree: BA Public Administration, University of Saskatchewan
Work Experience: Research assistant at the Johnson-Shoyama School of Public Policy. Worked on issues surrounding the governance of science and technology in Canada with specific focus on Genome Canada practices.
Area of Policy Interest: Environmental Policy; valuation of ecosystem services.
Dana Wilson
Hometown: New Westminster, BC
Previous Degree: B.A. in Political Science (English minor), Simon Fraser University
Work Experience: summer intern at BC Blind Sports, settlements associate at Ritchie Brothers Auctioneers, and a sales clerk at Chapters and Black Bond Books
Areas of Policy Interest: International and foreign policy, women’s rights, social policy, and education policy
Patrick Wruck
Hometown: North Vancouver, BC.
Previous Degree: B.A. in Political Science at the University of Victoria.
Work Experience: Worked for five years as a lifeguard, swimming instructor and daycamp leader at the Harry Jerome Recreation Centre and Queen Mary School. In addition, worked for two years as a Student Border Services Officer. During this past winter, attended the National training centre for Border Services Officers in Rigaud, Quebec. Now employed with the Canada Border Services Agency as an Indeterminiate Officer and currently taking a leave of absence to pursue the MPP.
Areas of Policy Interest: homelessness, the issue of gender, childcare, the environment, First Nations and Canada/American relations, and Immigration policy.
X
Y
Z
