Maytree Policy School

Program Alumni

The Maytree Policy School is designed to support policy professionals from the non-profit sector to build skills and resources to enhance their ability to influence public policy and strengthen the policy capacity of their organization. Meet the alumni and learn about their work.

Christine Alden (MPS '20)

Christine Alden (MPS '20)

Program Director, Lawson Foundation

Dina Al-khooly (MPS '21)

Dina Al-khooly (MPS '21)

Director, Research and Evaluation, Visions of Science Network for Learning

Lisa Ambaye (MPS '21)

Lisa Ambaye (MPS '21)

Executive Director, Rideau-Ottawa Valley Learning Network (ROVLN)

Micah Anshan (MPS '19)

Micah Anshan (MPS '19)

Director, Government Relations at Futurpreneur Canada

Former: Partnerships Manager, Canadian Programs, Right to Play International

Laura Arrell (MPS '20)

Laura Arrell (MPS '20)

Managing Director, The Arrell Family Foundation

Michelle Baldwin (MPS '19)

Michelle Baldwin (MPS '19)

Senior Advisor, Transformation, Community Foundations of Canada

Former: Executive Director, Pillar Nonprofit Network

Paul Bailey (MPS '20)

Paul Bailey (MPS '20)

Interim Executive Director, Black Health Alliance

Nigel Barriffe (MPS '21)

Nigel Barriffe (MPS '21)

President, Board of Directors, Urban Alliance on Race Relations (UARR)

Catherine Belshaw (MPS '18)

Catherine Belshaw (MPS '18)

Manager of Fund Development, Strategy, and Partnerships, Native Child and Family Services

Michèle Biss (MPS '20)

Michèle Biss (MPS '20)

Project Manager, National Right to Housing Network, Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness

Ekua Asabea Blair (MPS '18)

Ekua Asabea Blair (MPS '18)

CEO, Massey Centre

Alyssa Brierley (MPS '19)

Alyssa Brierley (MPS '19)

Executive Director, National Institute on Ageing (NIA), Toronto Metropolitan University

Former: Executive Director, Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation

Talia Bronstein (MPS '20)

Talia Bronstein (MPS '20)

VP Research and Advocacy, Daily Bread Food Bank

Graham Brown (MPS '18)

Graham Brown (MPS '18)

Former: Policy Analyst, John Howard Society

Janet Butler-McPhee (MPS '18)

Janet Butler-McPhee (MPS '18)

Co-Executive Director of Communications and Advocacy, Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network

Former: Director of Communications and Advocacy, Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network

Sibel Cicek (MPS '20)

Sibel Cicek (MPS '20)

Director, Government Relations, YMCA Ontario, YMCA of Greater Toronto

Beth Clarke (MPS '20)

Beth Clarke (MPS '20)

Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships, World Education Services

James Cohen (MPS '19)

James Cohen (MPS '19)

Executive Director, Transparency International Canada

Regini David (MPS '20)

Regini David (MPS '20)

Outreach and Law Reform Coordinator, West Scarborough Community Legal Services

Brian Davis (MPS '19)

Brian Davis (MPS '19)

Executive Director, Houselink Community Homes

Sané Dube (MPS '20)

Sané Dube (MPS '20)

Manager of Community and Policy, University Health Network

Geordie Dent (MPS '18)

Geordie Dent (MPS '18)

Executive Director, Federation of Metro Tenants’ Associations (FMTA)

Carissa Di Gangi (MPS '18)

Carissa Di Gangi (MPS '18)

Director of Operations & Government Relations, ABC Life Literacy

Francesca Dobbyn (MPS '19)

Francesca Dobbyn (MPS '19)

Executive Director, United Way of Bruce Grey

Lieran Docherty (MPS '19)

Lieran Docherty (MPS '19)

Program Manager, Women Abuse Council of Toronto

Judy Duncan (MPS '18)

Judy Duncan (MPS '18)

Executive Director, ACORN

Christine Durant (MPS '18)

Christine Durant (MPS '18)

Former: Director, Poverty Roundtable Hastings Prince Edward

Kay Dyson Tam (MPS '19)

Kay Dyson Tam (MPS '19)

Senior Strategy Manager, Service Design, Telus Digital

Former: Impact & Innovation Manager, Eva’s

Vanessa Emery (MPS '21)

Vanessa Emery (MPS '21)

Director of Legal Services, West Scarborough Community Legal Services

Randalin Ellery (MPS '20)

Randalin Ellery (MPS '20)

Director, Data Impact & Policy, Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness

Kate Fane (MPS '21)

Kate Fane (MPS '21)

Communications Manager, Canadian Urban Institute

Former: Communications Officer, The Stop

Max FineDay (MPS '19)

Max FineDay (MPS '19)

Former: Executive Director, Canadian Roots Exchange

Nathan Gardner (MPS '21)

Nathan Gardner (MPS '21)

Executive Director, Back Door Mission

Jake Tobin Garrett (MPS '19)

Jake Tobin Garrett (MPS '19)

Policy and Planning Manager, Park People

Katie German (MPS '18)

Katie German (MPS '18)

Director of Programs, FoodShare Toronto

Agapi Gessesse (MPS '19)

Agapi Gessesse (MPS '19)

Executive Director, CEE Centre for Young Black Professionals

Kat Hamilton (MPS '18)

Kat Hamilton (MPS '18)

Senior Manager, Ontario East & Government Relations (Ontario), CNIB

Terence Hamilton (MPS '20)

Terence Hamilton (MPS '20)

Policy Specialist, UNICEF Canada

Teshini Harrison (MPS '19)

Teshini Harrison (MPS '19)

Policy Development Officer, Confronting Anti-Black Racism Unit, City of Toronto

Former: Policy Analyst, Ontario Nonprofit Network

Lynette Katsivo (MPS '20)

Lynette Katsivo (MPS '20)

Director, Health Policy and Promotion at Ontario Medical Association

Former: Director of Public Policy, AdvantAge Ontario

Annie Kidder (MPS '19)

Annie Kidder (MPS '19)

Executive Director, People for Education

Amanda King (MPS '20)

Amanda King (MPS '20)

Director, Communications & Research, Feed Ontario

Devorah Kobluk (MPS '21)

Devorah Kobluk (MPS '21)

Policy Analyst, Income Security Advocacy Centre (ISAC)

Myna Kota (MPS '19)

Myna Kota (MPS '19)

Public Policy & Stakeholder Affairs Lead, Casey House

Former: Senior Manager, Advocacy & Girl Engagement, Girl Guides of Canada

Miriam Kramer (MPS '21)

Miriam Kramer (MPS '21)

Executive Director, Government & Corporate Relations, OCAD University

Jonathan Lai (MPS '21)

Jonathan Lai (MPS '21)

Executive Director, Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorder Alliance

Ilana Dodi Luther (MPS '21)

Ilana Dodi Luther (MPS '21)

Executive Director, Access to Justice & Law Reform Institute of Nova Scotia

Maggie MacDonald (MPS '18)

Maggie MacDonald (MPS '18)

Director of Communications and Government Relations, McConnell Foundation

Former: Manager, Public Policy, YMCA

Karen Madho (MPS '19)

Karen Madho (MPS '19)

Senior Coordinator of Public Relations, DeafBlind Ontario Services

Sasha McNicoll (MPS '19)

Sasha McNicoll (MPS '19)

Policy Manager, Prosper Canada

Former: Senior Specialist, Policy, Community Food Centres Canada

Dominica McPherson (MPS '21)

Dominica McPherson (MPS '21)

Coordinator, Guelph & Wellington Task Force for Poverty Elimination

Steven Meagher (MPS '21)

Steven Meagher (MPS '21)

Project Director, Centre for Refugee Children

Liv Mendelsohn (MPS '21)

Liv Mendelsohn (MPS '21)

Executive Director, Canadian Centre for Excellence in Caregiving, Azrieli Foundation

Former: Director, Accessibility and Inclusion, Miles Nadal JCC

Tesfai Mengesha (MPS '18)

Tesfai Mengesha (MPS '18)

Executive Director, Operations, Success Beyond Limits

Sara Middleton (MPS '18)

Sara Middleton (MPS '18)

Director, Community Impact, United Way Middlesex

Jessica Mustachi (MPS '18)

Jessica Mustachi (MPS '18)

Senior Research Analyst, Ontario Government

Former: Ontario Campaign 2000 Coordinator, Child and Family Poverty Campaign 2000

Shivanee Nadarajah (MPS '19)

Shivanee Nadarajah (MPS '19)

Director of Operations, Inner City Health Associates

Shelley Nicholls (MPS '20)

Shelley Nicholls (MPS '20)

Former: Executive Director, Sistering

Emily Nickerson (MPS '20)

Emily Nickerson (MPS '20)

Director, Publish What You Pay Canada

Christina Palassio (MPS '21)

Christina Palassio (MPS '21)

Director of Communications, Right to Play

Doug Pawson (MPS '21)

Doug Pawson (MPS '21)

Executive Director, End Homelessness St. Johns

Shawn Pegg (MPS '21)

Shawn Pegg (MPS '21)

Director, Social Policy and Strategic Initiatives, Community Living Ontario

Bruce Pitkin (MPS '20)

Bruce Pitkin (MPS '20)

Executive Director, Art Starts

Shelagh Pizey-Allen (MPS '19)

Shelagh Pizey-Allen (MPS '19)

Executive Director, TTCriders

Colette Prevost (MPS '18)

Colette Prevost (MPS '18)

Territorial Executive Director, Child and Family Services, Government of Northwest Territories

Former: Director, Advocacy & Communications, YWCA Toronto

Sharma Queiser (MPS '20)

Sharma Queiser (MPS '20)

Researcher and Policy Analyst, Social Planning Toronto

Melanie Redman (MPS '18)

Melanie Redman (MPS '18)

President & CEO, A Way Home Canada

Jasmine Ramze Rezaee (MPS '21)

Jasmine Ramze Rezaee (MPS '21)

Director of Advocacy and Communications, YWCA Toronto

Talya Rotem (MPS '20)

Talya Rotem (MPS '20)

Program Director, SmartSAVER

Suman Roy (MPS '21)

Suman Roy (MPS '21)

Former: Executive Director, Meal Exchange

Rekha Sadasivan (MPS '18)

Rekha Sadasivan (MPS '18)

Director, Marketing and Communications, Toronto Metropolitan University, Faculty of Law

Former: Director, Strategic Initiatives, Dignitas International

Ya’el Santopinto (MPS '18)

Ya’el Santopinto (MPS '18)

Director, Research and Partnerships, Centre for Urban Growth and Renewal

Leila Sarangi (MPS '19)

Leila Sarangi (MPS '19)

Director, Social Action, National Coordinator, Campaign 2000, Family Service Toronto

Jeffrey Schiffer (MPS '20)

Jeffrey Schiffer (MPS '20)

President & CEO, Thrive Youth Development Canada

Former: Executive Director, Native Child and Family Services of Toronto

Dusha Sritharan (MPS '18)

Dusha Sritharan (MPS '18)

Advisor, Policy and Constituency at the Office of Councillor Gord Perks

Former: Campaigner, Climate Change, Toronto Environmental Alliance

Sarah Stern (MPS '20)

Sarah Stern (MPS '20)

Director, Maple Leaf Centre for Action on Food Security

Jamie Stuckless (MPS '18)

Jamie Stuckless (MPS '18)

Former: Executive Director, Share the Road Cycling Coalition

Anjum Sultana (MPS '19)

Anjum Sultana (MPS '19)

Director of Youth Leadership & Policy Advocacy, Plan International Canada

Former: National Director, Public Policy, Advocacy & Strategic Communications, YWCA Canada

Saman Tabasinejad (MPS '21)

Saman Tabasinejad (MPS '21)

Project Manager, Progress Toronto

Elisa Traficante (MPS '19)

Elisa Traficante (MPS '19)

Manager, Spanning the Gaps, Ryerson University, G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education

Former: Director of Community Initiatives, Raising the Roof

Bronwyn Underhill (MPS '21)

Bronwyn Underhill (MPS '21)

Director of Health Promotion and Community Engagement, Parkdale Queen West CHC

Nithya Vijayakumar (MPS '18)

Nithya Vijayakumar (MPS '18)

Former: Senior Advisor, Transportation Policy and Planning, Pembina Institute

Sarah Watson (MPS '19)

Sarah Watson (MPS '19)

Director of Community Engagement, North York Harvest Food Bank

Victor Willis (MPS '20)

Victor Willis (MPS '20)

Executive Director, Parkdale Activity Recreation Centre (PARC)

Carol Zoulalian (MPS '20)

Carol Zoulalian (MPS '20)

Executive Director, St. Jude Community Homes

Hear from participants

“Maytree Policy School was an incredible program that has shifted my mindset and approach to advocacy and government relations work. The caliber of instructors and cohort members was exceptional. I highly recommend this program to non-profit folks looking to level up and deepen their policy knowledge to be more effective change leaders.”

Sasha Elford, National Manager, Public Affairs, March of Dimes Canada (MPS ’22)

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Hear from participants

“[Maytree Policy School] gave me excellent insight into the public policy landscape in Canada and an understanding of how decisions that impact me and my community are made, and how they can be influenced.”

Rebecca Stulberg, Board Director & Chair of the Advocacy Committee, The Neighbourhood Group (MPS ’22)

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Hear from participants

“Maytree Policy School is a must for leaders and activists looking to make greater impact to address the pressing issues in our communities.”

Pablo Vivanco, Executive Director, Albion Neighbourhood Services (MPS ’22)

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"Maytree Policy School was a fabulous opportunity to learn from and with peers in the non-profit policy sector. The connections made in the program have really advanced our work."

Senior Policy Advisor, Ontario Association of Social Workers (MPS ’22)

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Hear from participants

“Maytree Policy School is a deep-dive into public policy. It provides an environment of learning, networking and exposes you to critical insight into government decision-making. It was helpful at building individual and organizational capacity to advance public policy and strengthen your advocacy muscles.”

Michelle Westin, Senior Analyst - Planning, Quality & Risk, Black Creek Community Health Centre (MPS ’22)

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Hear from participants

“Maytree Policy School was an incredible opportunity to learn from exceptionally talented policy professionals and peers. The knowledge, tools, stories and inspiration will stay with me always and inform my work moving forward in meaningful ways.”

Janet McCrimmon, CEO, Strides Toronto (MPS ’22)

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“[Maytree Policy School] is professional development par excellence! Changing the world does take “relentless incrementalism” and this program should be mandatory for every leader.”

Bruce Pitkin, Executive Director, ArtStarts (MPS ’20)

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Hear from participants

“Maytree Policy School is a comprehensive package on all the nuts and bolts of policy advocacy for your organization. The faculty and speakers bring timely issues and real-world experience to illustrate how the complex world of policy advocacy works.”

Jonathan Lai, Executive Director, Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorder Alliance (MPS ’21)

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Hear from participants

"[Maytree] Policy School represents a rare opportunity to learn how to successfully advocate for policy change directly from folks who've done it before. The program is worth it for the content alone. But what really has me energized is the community that Maytree is building through this work. The insights of those in my cohort not only rounded out the learning experience, but will also offer a wealth of experience, advice, inspiration, and friendship for years to come."

Terence Hamilton, Policy Specialist, UNICEF Canada (MPS ’20)

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