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

Micah Anshan (MPS '19)

Micah Anshan (MPS '19)

Senior Manager, Government Relations, Futurpreneur

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

Laura Arrell (MPS '20)

Laura Arrell (MPS '20)

Managing Director, The Arrell Family Foundation

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

Michelle Baldwin (MPS '19)

Michelle Baldwin (MPS '19)

Executive Director, Pillar Nonprofit Network

Paul Bailey (MPS '20)

Paul Bailey (MPS '20)

Interim Executive Director, Black Health Alliance

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, 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)

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

Sibel Cicek (MPS '20)

Sibel Cicek (MPS '20)

Senior Manager, 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)

Impact & Innovation Manager, Eva’s

Randalin Ellery (MPS '20)

Randalin Ellery (MPS '20)

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

Max FineDay (MPS '19)

Max FineDay (MPS '19)

Former: Executive Director, Canadian Roots Exchange

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 Analyst, Ontario Nonprofit Network

Lynette Katsivo (MPS '20)

Lynette Katsivo (MPS '20)

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

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

Maggie MacDonald (MPS '18)

Maggie MacDonald (MPS '18)

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)

Senior Specialist, Policy, Community Food Centres Canada

Shelley Nicholls (MPS '20)

Shelley Nicholls (MPS '20)

Executive Director, Sistering

Emily Nickerson (MPS '20)

Emily Nickerson (MPS '20)

Director, Publish What You Pay Canada

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

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

Talya Rotem (MPS '20)

Talya Rotem (MPS '20)

Program Director, SmartSAVER

Rekha Sadasivan (MPS '18)

Rekha Sadasivan (MPS '18)

Director, Marketing and Communications, Ryerson 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)

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)

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

Jake Tobin Garrett (MPS '19)

Jake Tobin Garrett (MPS '19)

Policy and Planning Manager, Park People

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

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, Parkdale Activity Recreation Centre (PARC)

Hear from participants

“[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 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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Hear from participants

"Maytree Policy School is the perfect program to learn and enhance one’s skills and understanding of strategies to effectively influence government actions and decisions. Thank you to the fantastic faculty, superb speakers, and remarkable non profit colleagues for creating a vibrant community for growth and development."

Carol Zoulalian, Executive Director, St. Jude Community Homes (MPS ’20)

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"Maytree Policy School provided very practical tips and advice to effectively influence policy. Perhaps most importantly, the program connected me with a cohort of incredible peers that I can count on for mutual support as we continue our policy careers."

Talia Bronstein, VP, Research and Advocacy, Daily Bread Food Bank (MPS ’20)

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"A thoughtfully-designed program that provides access to an incredible group of faculty and subject-matter experts. A powerful experience that has improved my ability to influence."

Sibel Cicek, Senior Manager, Government Relations, YMCA Ontario, YMCA of Greater Toronto (MPS ’20)

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Hear from participants

"For grassroots and small non-profit organizations trying to enhance the scope and impact of their work through policy, Maytree Policy School is a powerful place to enhance the capacity of senior leaders to deliver results for the communities we serve. From the faculty to the Maytree Policy school peers, everything is designed to increase your impact."

Paul Bailey, President, Black Health Alliance (MPS ’20)

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Hear from participants

“Maytree Policy School completely surpassed my expectations. It's a course anyone should take who strives to be a strategic influencer at any level of government and regardless of who's in power.”

Brian Davis, Executive Director, Houselink Community Homes (MPS ’19)

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"Maytree Policy School brought together a highly skilled and generous group of instructors. My organization has gained new tools and resources, and connections to fabulous peers and organizations."

Shelagh Pizey-Allen, Executive Director, TTCRiders (MPS ’19)

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“Maytree Policy School was invaluable. It helped me systematize and move forward our policy work. The faculty were knowledgeable and engaging, and the other participants have now become a close network I can call on.”

Sasha McNicoll, Policy Manager, Community Food Centres Canada (MPS ’19)

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Hear from participants

“Having the focused time along with the incredible depth of knowledge from the presenters and other participants made this program worth every minute. The shifts in our approach and development of a policy strategy will have long-term impact for our organization and our mission at Pillar.”

Michelle Baldwin, Executive Director, Pillar Nonprofit Network (MPS ’19)

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Hear from participants

“Maytree Policy School brought together an expert faculty team who generously shared their wealth of knowledge and experiences. I really appreciated how each session was meticulously planned and specifically tailored for us in the non-profit sector.”

Tesfai Mengesha, Executive Director, Success Beyond Limits (MPS ’18)

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