Dorcas Boakye Acheampong, a Master of Development Practice (MDP) student at the Balsillie School of International Affairs, is deeply passionate about how finance can be used as a force to drive rural development, reduce poverty, and promote environmental sustainability. Her MBA in finance research examined the impact of Rural and Community Banks on the socio-economic […]
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Sim Sitzer (he/him) is pursuing the Master of Development Practice at the Balsillie School of International Affairs and University of Waterloo. He acknowledges his role as a settler on the traditional territory of the Attawandaron (Neutral), Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples and strives to incorporate Indigenous knowledge and wisdom into his life and work. Sim holds
Ema Oro is a current graduate student at the Balsillie School of International Affairs pursing her master’s degree in International Public Policy. Ema graduated from Queens University in 2024, earning an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in History. Throughout her time at Queens, Ema had the opportunity to take classes
Shirin Akter is a researcher specializing in food security, agricultural economics, and governance. She is currently pursuing her PhD in the Global Governance program at the Balsillie School of International Affairs, with a research focus at the intersection of urban food security, sustainable development, migration, gender, and governance. Her academic interests particularly emphasize governance strategies
Harris Gowan is a graduate student in the Master of International Public Policy program at the Balsillie School of International Affairs. His research interests lie at the intersection of global governance, international political economy, and institutional design, with particular attention to how international institutions and global markets influence equity and justice across the Global South.
Combine tenacity, creativity, and fearlessness, and you have Bria. While serving as the Director of Commerce and Communications at Woven International, Bria took on challenging responsibilities, such as engaging Canadians with anti-human trafficking efforts in Southeast Asia and running a social enterprise selling goods handmade by survivors of exploitation. She is a master communicator, energizing
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Alan Knight is a student at the Balsillie School of International Affairs in the Masters of Arts in Global Governance Program. After completing a PhD in English Literature in the mid eighties he taught for a while at the University of Alberta and then McGill. He left academia when he became more involved in environmental
Matthew Sunil is a student in the Master of International Public Policy (MIPP) program at the Balsillie School of International Affairs, where he focuses on the intersection of conflict, security, and human well-being. His multicultural background, having been raised in Norway and Canada, informs his interest in international cooperation and global governance. He holds a
Manuela Garzón is a graduate student pursuing a Master of International Public Policy at the Balsillie School of International Affairs. Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, her passion for global politics brought her to study at the University of Western Ontario, where she graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Global Development Studies and a Major
Wisdom is a dynamic and interdisciplinary scholar whose academic and professional journey reflects a deep commitment to sustainable development, inclusive economic policy, and organizational effectiveness. He is currently enrolled in the Master of International Public Policy Program at the Balsillie School of International Affairs, Waterloo, ON, Canada. His research explores the intersection of sustainable development,
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Isabella Mena is a student at the Balsillie School of International Affairs, pursuing her Master’s degree in International Public Policy. She graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University in 2025, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, specializing in public policy with a minor in economics. Isabella’s areas of interest include environmental policy and international
Mary Harper is a Master of Arts in Global Governance candidate at the Balsillie School of International Affairs. She is a recent graduate of the University of Waterloo with an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Minors in Classical and Legal Studies. Throughout her undergraduate experience she explored and developed her interest in
