Alexander Carter holds a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Systems from McGill University. Currently, Alexander is in his second year of the Master of Public Policy Program at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. He completed an internship at the Ontario Government within the Ministry of Infrastructure, where he served as a Research Analyst in the Broadband Data and Monitoring Unit. In this role, Alexander supported data management, modeling, and analytics. His policy interests encompass urban design and planning, the intersection between physical and social infrastructure, and the creation of healthy, vibrant communities.

Tasha Romeyn holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (with Distinction) and a Social Justice Certificate from Simon Fraser 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 Beam Group, where she conducted research and analysis to help organizations address strategic, operational, and public policy challenges. Tasha’s urban policy interests include climate resilience, social infrastructure, and building inclusive cities.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.