What attracted you to your program of study at the BSIA?
I was drawn to the MIPP program because of its practical approach to policy education. The small, tight-knit cohort was a major draw for me. I wanted to be part of an intimate learning environment where I could build meaningful relationships with my peers and truly engage with the material, rather than getting lost in a large program.
What exactly do you do in your position?
At Sussex Strategy Group, I help clients build and strengthen their online presence to support their advocacy goals. Day to day, that means developing brand strategy, building websites, running digital advertising campaigns, and helping clients tell their stories in a compelling way online.
Before joining Sussex, I served as Deputy Digital Director for NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. In that role, I had the opportunity to support his work in speaking directly to Canadians on the issues that mattered most to them and helping fight for a better future. It was an incredible experience that showed me the power of strategic communications in driving real change.
What was the most impactful experience during your Master’s degree?
There are truly countless experiences at Balsillie that shaped me, both the professors I had the honour of learning from and the classmates who challenged and reshaped my perspectives. If I had to choose one, it would be my research on migrant care workers in long-term care with Professor Margaret Walton-Roberts. This work took on an entirely new dimension as COVID-19 began changing the way life operated. Decades of policy decisions in the long-term care space and in how Canada recruits and employs migrant workers were suddenly colliding with a real-world crisis. It was a powerful lesson in seeing the impact of policy in real time.
Tell us about your job, how are you making a difference?
Most recently, while working with Canada’s NDP, I had the honour of supporting the rollout of Canada’s dental care benefit, an issue New Democrats fought for tirelessly. I helped create the content that told Canadians about the program and helped them access it. At the end of the day, that meant little kids got the dental care they needed and older Canadians could get their smiles back. That’s the kind of work that reminds you that every little push matters.
What are the next steps in your career progression…where do you see yourself going?
My goal is to be of service and to be challenged in my work. No matter what the next step looks like, I want to make sure it’s meaningful and exciting. I’m driven by work that has a tangible impact on people’s lives, and I’m keeping my eyes open for opportunities that let me combine strategic communications with the public policy issues I care about most.
What advice do 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?
Lean into the community. The Balsillie School is small for a reason, so take advantage of it. Build relationships with your professors and your classmates, because those connections will shape your thinking and your career long after you graduate. Be open to having your perspectives challenged, say yes to opportunities even when they feel outside your comfort zone, and remember that the skills you build here, like critical thinking, communication, and understanding complexity, are valuable in more career paths than you might expect.