This Year’s Fellows

Alexander Martin is a Ph.D. candidate in science and technology studies at York University, where his research focuses on information integrity, digital governance, and digital communication infrastructure in Canada. He is deputy editor at Open Canada, working with authors on Canadian foreign and technology policy, and a Digital Policy Hub doctoral fellow at Centre for International Governance Innovation. He has previously held policy and strategic communications roles at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Office of the Chief Scientist and the United Nations Information Integrity Unit, focusing on mis- and disinformation and hate speech in peace operations. His work examines how public-interest digital infrastructure and governance can strengthen democratic resilience and digital sovereignty in Canada.

Alexia Cousins is an Inuk leader, knowledge holder, and advocate for Inuit employment, committed to strengthening representation and promoting culturally grounded approaches within public institutions. Born and raised in the North, her work is rooted in lived experience, community connections, and a deep respect for Inuit knowledge systems.

She serves as a Senior Advisor with the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor), where she supports Inuit employment strategies, workforce development, and initiatives aligned with Article 23 of the Nunavut Agreement. She has advised and supported multiple federal departments and agencies operating in Nunavut, helping translate policy into practical, community-informed approaches that strengthen Inuit recruitment, development, and retention.

Drawing on experience across communications, human resources, and pre-employment training, she bridges policy and practice to improve how systems serve Inuit.

In 2025, Alexia completed the Aurniarvik Inuktut language program at the Pirurvik Centre. She also shares Inuit knowledge through qulliq lighting and cultural demonstrations, bringing teachings of balance, care, and responsibility into leadership spaces.

Her work focuses on building clear, supported pathways for Inuit to lead and thrive.

Alisha Verano is deeply interested in the places where policy, community, and leadership intersect. Based in Treaty 7 territory in Calgary, she currently serves as a Policy Analyst at Natural Resources Canada’s Office of Energy Research and Development, where her work focuses on Indigenous, Northern, and remote energy.

Alisha also facilitates the Indigenous Youth Roots Policy School, supporting young Indigenous leaders through curriculum design, weekly sessions, and mentorship leading up to a national policy hackathon.

Her past work includes co-founding the National Indigenous Advocacy Committee through the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations, where she helped advance federal policy changes expanding post-secondary funding for Indigenous students. She has also served as Vice President Student Life at the University of Calgary Students’ Union, on the board of Calgary Outlink, and as a participant in Indigenous Clean Energy’s Generation Power program.

She holds dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in International Indigenous Studies and Urban Studies from the University of Calgary. Alisha is at her best when helping others find their voice in rooms where decisions are made.

Attou is the Civic Engagement and Leadership Program Officer at the Quebec Black Youth Forum (Forum Jeunesse Afro-Québécois). A lawyer by training, she has been a member of the Quebec Bar since December 2024 and holds a Bachelor of Civil Law, a Juris Doctor, and a minor in Gender, Sexuality, Feminist, and Social Justice Studies, all awarded by McGill University in May 2022. Attou is deeply interested in human rights advocacy, both within and without institutional justice mechanisms.

Committed to the civic participation of Quebec youth, Attou was involved for eight years with the Quebec Youth Parliament (Parlement jeunesse du Québec), a non-partisan parliamentary and journalistic simulation for youth aged 18 to 25.

In her free time, Attou writes poetry to create spaces for reflection and healing.

Cassandra (Cassie) Hill is a Haudenosaunee scholar, educator, and doctoral researcher whose work focuses on Indigenous education, digital safety, trauma-informed learning, and the ethical implications of emerging technologies in online spaces. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education in Distance Education at Athabasca University, where her research explores how technological systems, including AI and online learning environments, impact Indigenous women’s safety and wellbeing in higher education.

Cassie’s work is grounded in Haudenosaunee knowledge systems, relational accountability, and Indigenous research methodologies. Alongside her doctoral studies, she teaches Indigenous Studies courses and contributes to curriculum development, policy work, and community-based initiatives focused on equity, inclusion, and Indigenous resurgence.

She is also the co-developer of Echoes of Us, a trauma-informed digital platform designed to support Indigenous learners and survivors through culturally grounded and ethically guided technology. Through her teaching, research, and community engagement, Cassie advocates for digital futures that prioritize sovereignty, care, accessibility, and meaningful relationship-building.

Dana Cramer is the Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of the Young Digital Leaders of Canada. She is a PhD Candidate at Toronto Metropolitan University researching the future of multistakeholder Internet governance. Dana was a 2025 Rising30, recognizing the Top 30 Under 30 in Canadian public affairs.

She is a nationally and internationally awarded researcher and writer. She was the youngest winner of the CRTC’s Prize for Excellence in Policy Research in 2020, and the first person to win the same prize a second time in 2025.

Dana has worked with think tanks, areas of the Government of Canada, in the private sector, and with international organizations. Professionally, she specializes in international relations and digital governance.

Dana coordinated the World Summit on the Information Society Youth Caucus in 2025, which led to youth recognized in the United Nations WSIS 20-Year Review as a distinct stakeholder group. She was a member of the Government of Canada’s Official Delegation to the World Summit on the Information Society High-Level Event in 2025.

Isaac Barkhouse is a Co-Founder and the inaugural Chief Technology Officer of Victory Advanced Technologies, a Saint John company building electric powertrains for heavy industry. Under his technical leadership, Victory has raised over $3.5M, built an advanced manufacturing facility, and developed production-candidate motors in partnership with the National Research Council and Canadian universities.

Before Victory, Isaac co-founded Potential Motors, where he served as the Chief Technology Officer and developed the vehicle architecture that led to a $2.5M seed raise. He continued as an advisor through the company’s acquisition in 2025.

Isaac began his career at Bosch in Germany, working in electromobility and sensor characterization. He holds an MEng in Technology Management and Entrepreneurship and a BScE from the University of New Brunswick. He was named to Atlantic Business Magazine’s Top 30 Under 30 in 2023 and has been an InnovateNB finalist in several categories, including the Emerging Innovator Award.

Isaac sees the current energy transition as a generational industrial opportunity for Canada and its regions, a topic he is keen to explore during the fellowship. Off the clock, he supports a local race team, mountain bikes, and plays hockey.

Jean-Paul R. Soucy is a data scientist at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre in Montreal, where he supports hospital operations and research. Originally from Fergus, Ontario, he holds a PhD in epidemiology from the University of Toronto with a collaborative specialization in public health policy, as well as degrees from McGill University and the University of Ottawa.

Jean-Paul has helped build communities around open data and public health, and is a committed advocate for transparency in government. His work has focused on how evidence is produced, shared, interpreted, and used in public decision-making. He serves as membership committee chair for the Canadian Open Data Society and creates art by restoring archival images.

Jonathan Parenteau is an Indigenous strategist working at the intersection of governance, finance, and institutional design. He is Director at a 100% Indigenous-owned engineering and consulting firm, focused on Nation Building.

Previously, Jonathan supported First Nations pursuing Financial Management System certification under the First Nations Fiscal Management Act and served as Chief Administrative Officer for Paddle Prairie Métis Settlement. He also contributes to national accountability conversations as a member of the Indigenous Advisory Group to the Public Sector Accounting Board.

Jonathan is a Professor at the University of Ottawa and the author of Indigenous Intelligence: Relational Economics for a Living World. He holds an MBA in Ecological Economics and a Bachelor of Management, and is completing an LLB. Jonathan is a member of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries.

Outside of his professional activities Jonathan is a musician who enjoys translating modern songs into his Indigenous language. He speaks Mandarin Chinese and English, and is working on French and Nehiyawewin. Jonathan is the producer of an Indigenous film entitled Guitar Lessons – The Movie.

Jude Obidiagha is an economist and public policy professional based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He serves as a Senior Policy Analyst with the Government of Manitoba, with experience working across diverse policy, legislative, and strategic initiative files within the Departments of Education, Health, and Families, as well as the Executive Council Office.

Beyond his professional role, Jude leads community-driven projects inspired by lived experience and societal gaps, with a focus on fostering belonging, dignity, and connection. He serves on several nonprofit and public boards, including the Winnipeg Public Library Board, Resilia Community Wellness Centre, The StoryBridge Network and IPAC-Manitoba.

Jude enjoys advancing public policy solutions and community actions that sits at the intersection of social impact, systems change and fostering meaningful connections.

Born and raised in outport Newfoundland, Kristine saw first-hand the impacts of public policy on individuals and communities, having grown up during the repercussions of the 1992 Newfoundland cod moratorium. This experience instilled in her a passion for leveraging innovation and entrepreneurship as a way to solve complex social and environmental challenges.

She holds a Bachelor’s of Engineering from Memorial University and a Master’s of Applied Sustainability from Queen’s University. Her career to-date has ranged from clean technology development, corporate innovation, sustainability consulting and academia.

Kyle Rowe is a sports business professional based in Vancouver, British Columbia, currently serving as Lead, Partner Strategy & Insights with Canucks Sports & Entertainment. In this role, he develops commercial growth opportunities across six professional sports and entertainment properties, connecting companies with one of the largest fanbases in Western Canada.

Previously, Kyle built his career scaling early-stage professional sports organizations. His work has focused on introducing new sports properties into communities, building fan and business ecosystems from the ground up, and creating initiatives that strengthen local communities through sport. Among the projects he led was the traditional naming ceremony of Sp’óq’es, a professional sports mascot whose name was gifted by the Kwantlen First Nation in collaboration with local Indigenous leaders.

A proud member of the Manitoba Métis Federation, Kyle is passionate about Indigenous representation, mentorship, and leadership. His civic engagement spans Indigenous mentorship with Indspire, supporting seniors programming, and serving in leadership roles focused on entrepreneurship and inclusion.

Kyle holds a bachelor’s degree in Global Business and Digital Arts from the University of Waterloo, where he was named the 2021 Faculty of Arts Valedictorian.

Laurence Hamel is a senior ethics and compliance advisor and a lawyer admitted to the Barreau du Québec. She is also a lecturer in professional ethics at ÉTS, where she teaches engineering students.

At WSP, she advises leadership on governance, integrity, and risk in major infrastructure and public procurement projects across Canada. Her work focuses on embedding ethics into business decisions, particularly in high-stakes environments involving conflicts of interest and reputational risk, while navigating complex regulatory and public policy landscapes.

Laurence is actively engaged in her professional community, serving on committees of the Barreau du Québec and the Barreau de Montréal, and contributing to broader conversations on ethics and governance in the Canadian context.

She is passionate about redefining ethics and compliance as strategic drivers of value and impact. Through her work, she seeks to foster a culture where integrity, accountability, and responsible innovation guide decision-making in organizations and society.

Michael is a Vice President at Ironbridge Equity Partners, an investment firm focused on partnering with and providing capital to private Canadian businesses. In his role, he focuses on private equity investments in the Canadian middle market and supports existing portfolio companies and management teams on strategic transformation initiatives and projects.

Previously, Michael was a consultant with BDO’s M&A advisory team where he worked with deal teams to support Canadian businesses and entrepreneurs seeking liquidity solutions.

Michael holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a specialization in Management Economics and Finance from the University of Guelph. Michael is a CFA charterholder and a qualified Chartered Professional Accountant.

Rignam Wangkhang is the first AI Advisor at CBC News, where he leads the integration of generative AI across Canada’s national newsrooms. An award-winning producer, he spent years as a Community Producer at CBC Toronto and led the CBC Creator Network before moving into AI strategy.

Rignam co-founded the Canadian AI Journalism Network to bridge the gap between technologists and newsroom leaders, and as a Fellow at CUNY’s AI Journalism Lab, he collaborates globally to develop ethical frameworks that ensure AI transformation strengthens community trust.

He is also co-founder of The Chyssem Project, a community oral history initiative publishing a hardcover book marking 50 years of Tibetans in Canada, and is recognized as an Ontario Community Changemaker by 8 80 Cities.

Sabrina Grover is a Senior Advisor at NorthStar Public Affairs, a national public affairs firm with expertise spanning government relations, strategic communications, and campaign management across federal, provincial, and municipal levels.

Sabrina’s career sits at the intersection of politics, policy, and advocacy. She has worked directly with First Nations leadership on crisis response, UNDRIP submissions, and federal engagement; supported major international development investment cases through organizations including Nutrition International and the ONE Campaign; and served as a Commonwealth election observer in Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka.

She has led federal, provincial and municipal political campaigns, developed national communications strategies, and built advocacy plans that have driven measurable policy and funding outcomes.

She brings particular depth in translating complex policy files into compelling public narratives, whether navigating government processes, engaging media, or mobilizing stakeholders. Her clients have spanned non-profits, First Nations, and corporate organizations.

Sabrina also serves as the Vice President of the Public Affairs Association of Canada and sits on the boards of Homespace Society and the Sled Island Music Festival.

Sandrine Kaké is a social impact entrepreneur and committed philanthropist who has helped improve the lives of more than 8,000 people in Canada and internationally.

For over seven years, she has developed expertise in fundraising, strategic planning, and philanthropic communications, while also serving on the Board of Directors of the Association of Fundraising Professionals – Quebec Chapter.

Professionally, she brings over eight years of experience in regulatory affairs within the pharmaceutical industry. As the founder of two nonprofit initiatives, the DAKS Foundation and Moms in Shape in Mirabel, she aspires to dedicate herself fully to the field of social impact.