Melanie Slimming recently graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University with a double major in Global Studies and Communications, with specializations in International Development and Media and Cultural Theory, respectively. As well as a research specialization, specific to her Global Studies degree.

Melanie has several experiences pertaining to community development and leadership training facilitation through participating in a variety of Laurier clubs and associations. Melanie also has a plethora of diversity and equity training from her previous work and volunteer positions through and outside of Laurier.
In 2019/2020, Melanie spent her final year of her undergraduate studies conducting a final research paper with Dr. Ehaab Abdou and associate Dean of Arts, Dr. Gavin Brockett on the International Student Overcoming War program at Wilfrid Laurier University, which focused on student leadership development and program logistics.

While at the Balsillie School of International Affairs, Melanie hopes to bridge her knowledge of international development and experience of leadership development programs to eventually assist in creating international development practices. Specifically, Melanie hopes to work towards gender equality by assisting women and young girls in education with the intention to contribute to the development and facilitation of women empowerment initiatives around the world.