What attracted you to your program of study at the BSIA?
The Master of International Public Policy at the Balsillie School immediately stood out to me for several reasons. As a one-year program, it allowed me to launch my career quickly, while being located outside the “Ottawa bubble” offered a distinct perspective on global affairs. The Balsillie School is embedded in Waterloo’s dense network of intellectual institutions, including Wilfrid Laurier University, the University of Waterloo, the Perimeter Institute, the Centre for International Governance Innovation, and the International Migration Research Centre, to name a few.
Under Dr. Ann Fitz-Gerald’s leadership as Director, the Balsillie School is positioned at the forefront of technology governance, an area that felt both politically timely and cutting-edge. Just as importantly, the program struck the right balance between theory and practice. I had largely avoided statistics and quantitative economics during my undergraduate degree, and I knew that gap would eventually limit me in policy work. The MIPP pushed me out of my comfort zone and equipped me with analytical tools that I continue to rely on. Opportunities to collaborate with Global Affairs Canada through the Graduate Fellowship program and complete a United Nations internship through the United Nations Association in Canada further bridged the gap between academia and policymaking.
I also value being a big fish in a small pond. The program’s small cohort made it easy to engage in seminars, build relationships with faculty, and be treated as an emerging professional. That combination ultimately made the Balsillie School the right choice for me.
What exactly do you do in your position? (I’d be looking for some anecdotal info, something that will resonate with the reader, looks exciting or merely impactful)
I currently work as a researcher for Jim Harris, former Green Party leader, and as a Junior Research Fellow at the NATO Association of Canada—a role that felt like the right fit after returning to Canada from Fiji. I had just spent several months with the United Nations Development Programme’s Pacific Office, first as a Programme Assistant and later as an International Consultant with the Resilience and Climate Change team, and I came home with a very different understanding of security than when I first left.
In the Pacific, the environment determines whether communities have clean water, stable food systems, reliable infrastructure, and, in some cases, a future on their own land. Although my work with UNDP was formally focused on climate change, it was fundamentally human-centred. I supported over 25 climate resilience projects across 10 countries, with immediate consequences for people’s daily lives—from reclaiming coastlines to ensuring energy access during climate-induced disasters. Climate, governance, and security quickly became impossible to separate.
Back in Canada, amid shifting defence priorities, I was eager to apply that lens closer to home. At the NATO Association of Canada, I research and write on security issues, with a particular focus on the role of women in security and defence. As in the Pacific, women are central to resilience and response, even when their contributions go unrecognized.
What was the most impactful experience during your Master’s degree (MIPP or MAGG)?
The most impactful experience of my MIPP degree was the Technology Governance Policy Challenge between students at the Balsillie School and American University. It pulled us out of the routine of lectures and assignments and dropped us into a realistic policy scenario. It was as stressful as it was rewarding, and it sharpened how I approach complex problems, teamwork, and professional communication under pressure.
The Challenge brought together students from both schools for a two-day competition on disinformation and foreign interference in federal elections. Comparing approaches, swapping stories, and building friendships were highlights, and many of us are still in touch.
Feedback from judges such as Samantha Bradshaw and Wesley Wark was an invaluable part of the experience, and their insights have stayed with me. More broadly, the Challenge epitomized what I enjoyed most about the MIPP program. From weekly coffee chats to conferences and workshops, it’s worth stepping away from assignments occasionally to take advantage of experiences that don’t come with a grade.
Tell us about your job, how are you making a difference?
At this stage, I’m focused on sharpening how I analyze and communicate complex policy issues. Through my work with the NATO Association of Canada, I’m developing a clearer policy voice, particularly on security questions that have real human consequences, such as whose labour is recognized and whose risks are overlooked. In the meantime, I’m working toward a role in Canada that allows me to apply those skills more directly, in work that improves people’s lives at the intersection of climate, security, and governance.
What are the next steps in your career progression…where do you see yourself going?
I am ambitious about pursuing a high-impact role in policymaking where I can help shape decisions that materially improve people’s lives. My next steps are focused on building the experience and credibility needed to contribute authoritatively to policy design and analysis, particularly at the intersection of climate, security, and governance. While I intend to retain a global perspective, I care deeply about Canada and see my long-term career rooted in public service.
What advice to you have for a potential student looking to complete their master’s degree at the Balsillie School of International Policy or looking to work in Global Governance and International Policy?
Be bold and engage early. You are at the Balsillie School to learn, not to already have everything figured out, so don’t let uncertainty stop you from asking questions or taking on new challenges. Actively seek out opportunities beyond coursework, even when you don’t feel fully prepared. Waiting until you feel “ready” often means missing out. Finally, take advantage of the Balsillie alumni network. It is an exceptionally supportive community, and people are genuinely willing to help. I check my LinkedIn regularly and would be happy to connect.