Luca Dannetta holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Studies from Queen’s University. He joins the Lab after a summer internship with the Ontario Ministry of Energy, in the Strategic, Network & Agency Policy division, where he worked on issues around electrification & energy transition, long-term energy planning, climate-resilient energy systems, and system governance. His urban policy interests include everything at the intersection of urban policy and climate action, especially low-carbon urban transportation systems, urban design and housing policy for low-carbon communities, and climate adaptation for urban infrastructure.
Brittany Barwise
Graduate Fellow (2022-23)Brittany Barwise holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in International Relations and Sustainable Development from the University of St Andrews in Scotland. Now in her second year of the Munk School’s Master of Global Affairs program, she joins the lab after completing a summer internship with Digital Public Square, tackling misinformation surrounding COVID-19. Brittany’s urban policy interests include building inclusive, innovative, and sustainable cities through climate resilience initiatives and addressing issues of social inequity.
Joanne Banh
Graduate Fellow (2022-23)Joanne Banh holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Diaspora and Transnational Studies, with minors in Environmental & Asian Geography from the University of Toronto, jointly completed at the National University of Singapore. Prior to joining the Munk School, Joanne worked in the international development, start-up, and non-profit sectors in cities across Canada and abroad. Now in her second year of the Munk School’s Master of Public Policy Program, she joins the lab after completing an internship with the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community, and Social Services. In this role, she supported policy files within the Community Services Policy Unit related to gender-based violence, violence against women, as well as the Indigenous Healing and Wellness Strategy. Joanne’s urban policy interests range from urban diasporic communities and placemaking, civic agency and participation, to the innovation economy, smart city development, and digitization.
Sean McGowan
Graduate Fellow (2021-22)Sean McGowan holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Science from Western University. Now in his second year of the Munk School’s Master of Public Policy Program, he joins the lab after completing his summer internship at the Local Governance Branch of Ontario’s Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. In this role, he worked on many files regarding local governance structures, municipal policy, and stakeholder consultations. Sean’s urban policy interests surround governance, economic development, and creating competitive, vibrant cities.
Erin Mierdel
Graduate Fellow (2021-22)Erin Mierdel holds a Bachelor of Arts and Science from McMaster University. Now in her second year of the Munk School’s Master of Public Policy Program, she joins the lab after completing an internship with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. This is role, she examined environmental stewardship policy in the agri-food sector, including opportunities for clean fuel use and circular economy strategies for agri-waste. Erin’s urban policy interests include clean energy initiatives, low-carbon design and environmental innovation.
Heba Al-Junaidi
Graduate Fellow (2021-22)Heba Al-Junaidi holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering with minors in Transportation Engineering and Entrepreneurship & Enterprise Development from the University of Calgary. Before joining the Munk School, Heba worked as a transportation engineer in training in Calgary for four years. Now in her second year of the Munk School’s Master of Global Affairs program, she joins the lab after completing an internship with the International Centre for Tax and Development, where she researched the role of blockchain technologies in addressing tax administration challenges in low- and middle-income countries. Heba’s primary urban policy interests include sustainable transportation, inclusive design and tactical urbanism.
Stephanie Bertolo
Graduate Fellow (2020-21)Stephanie Bertolo holds a Bachelor of Arts & Science with a minor in Community Engagement Studies from McMaster University. Now in her second year of the Munk School’s Master of Public Policy program, she joins the lab after completing an internship at Ontario’s Ministry of Infrastructure where she examined the economic and social impact of investments across infrastructure sectors, including long-term care, education, and transportation. Stephanie’s urban policy interests include public transportation, affordable housing, and safe street design.
Madison Leisk
Graduate Fellow (2020-21)Madison Leisk holds a Bachelor of Political Studies (Hons.) from Queen’s University. Now in her second year of the Munk School’s Master of Public Policy program, she joins the lab after completing a summer internship at the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI). Madison is a co-author of CUI’s ’COVID Signpost 100 Days,’ which examines the first hundred days of COVID-19 in urban Canada. Her primary urban policy interests include the future of work and the strengthening of local economies.
Sara Szot
Graduate Fellow (2020-21)Sara Szot holds a B.A. (Hons.) in Criminology and French from Western University. Now in her second year of the Munk School’s Master of Public Policy program, she joins the Lab after an internship at the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade in the Business Partnerships and Programs Division. In this role Sara worked to improve existing provincial policy that supports small and medium sized businesses and entrepreneurs, and helped evaluate how COVID-19 relief programming within North America and Europe was being implemented to support local economic ecosystems. Sara’s urban policy interests include affordable housing, inclusive city planning and local economic development.
Aidan Carroll
Graduate Fellow (2019-20)Aidan Carroll holds a B.A. from McGill University in Political Science, Anthropology and Communication Studies. He is currently enrolled in his second year of the Master of Public Policy program at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. Aidan joins the Lab from the Region of Peel’s Human Services department where he worked on the Housing and Homelessness Services Transformation project team. As a member of this team, Aidan researched and designed new client pathways including a coordinated access system for chronically homeless individuals and families. He also helped the team make recommendations on organization-wide policy and process changes based on jurisdictional research and stakeholder engagement sessions. Aidan is interested in the intersection between levels of government, streamlining service delivery and providing practicable policy solutions to pressing societal issues.
Joshua Cho
Graduate Fellow (2019-20)Josh Cho holds a B.A. in Political Science and International Relations from the University of British Columbia. Now in his second year of the Munk School’s Master of Public Policy program, he joins the lab after working for a year as a Policy Analyst for the BC Financial Institutions Commission and, most recently, completing an internship at the Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure where he worked on improving provincial support for municipal public infrastructure and assisted with the oversight of Infrastructure Ontario and Waterfront Toronto. Josh’s urban policy interests include public transportation, affordable housing and environmental sustainability.
Jolene Funk
Graduate Fellow (2019-20)Jolene Funk holds a Bachelor of Health Studies (Hons.) from York University. She brings with her several years of experience working in community health promotion in Toronto’s Neighbourhood Improvement Areas. Now in her second year of the Munk School’s Master of Public Policy program, she joins the lab and will be completing her summer internship at the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board developing the Sustainable Investing Report. Jolene’s urban policy interests include environmental policy and sustainability, the role of physical space in health and wellbeing, and the future of work in the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area.
Breanne Bateman
Graduate Fellow (2018-19)
Breanne Bateman holds a B.A. (Hons.) in History and English from Wilfrid Laurier University. Now in her second year of the Munk School’s Master of Public Policy program, she joins the Lab after an internship at the City of Mississauga, in the Transportation and Infrastructure Planning Division, where she conducted research on best practices in urban storm water and watershed management. Breanne’s urban policy interests include environmental policy and sustainability, particularly water and food policy.
Rebecca Hellam
Graduate Fellow (2018-19)
Rebecca Hellam holds a B.A. (Hons.) in Political Science from the University of Toronto. Now in her second year of the Munk School’s Master of Public Policy program, she joins the Lab after an internship at the Mowat Centre, where she used census data to study neighbourhood diversity and local socioeconomic conditions in Toronto. Her research interests focus on Toronto’s housing affordability crisis, and how technological and social innovation can be used as a tool for building communities.
Sam Jerez
Graduate Fellow (2018-19)
Sam Jerez holds a B.A. (with high distinction) in Sociology and Cinema Studies from the University of Toronto. Now in his second year of the Munk School’s Master of Public Policy program, he joins the Lab after an internship with the Region of Peel’s Housing Development Unit, where he assisted with the development and implementation of a Housing Master Plan to guide the region’s investments in affordable housing, including supportive and transitional housing. Sam’s urban policy interests include affordable housing, poverty reduction, neighbourhood equity improvement, and the role of artistic expression in promoting community well-being.
Matthew Plouffe
Graduate Fellow (2018-19)
Matthew Plouffe holds a B.A. (Hons.) in International Development and History, with a joint Certificate in Public Policy and Administration, from the University of Guelph. Now in his second year of the Munk School’s Master of Public Policy program, he joins the Lab after an internship at the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, where he researched best practices for climate adaptation and disaster risk management. Matthew’s urban policy interests include social service delivery, housing, resilience, and environmental sustainability.