This Year’s Fellows

Chris Caputo is an Associate Professor of Chemistry and Tier II Canada Research Chair in Main-Group Catalysis and Sustainable Chemistry at York University. His research focuses on developing Earth-abundant catalysts that reduce the environmental impact of chemical manufacturing and support the advancement of new technologies. Born and raised in Windsor, Ontario, Chris earned his BSc from the University of Windsor, completed his PhD at the University of Toronto, and was an NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow at Harvard University.
 
Chris brings a unique perspective on research, innovation, and entrepreneurship, having led the R&D at the Toronto-based startup, Inkbox, which was acquired by BIC in 2022, where he continues to advance technology development. He is passionate about science policy and civic engagement, he co-founded ElectSTEM, an organization to share stories that encourage more scientists and engineers to get involved in politics. Further, he serves on the organizing committee for Science Meets Parliament, a program run by the Canadian Science Policy Centre to facilitate discussions between researchers and elected officials in Canada. 

Fergus leads the Dialogue on Technology Project (DoT), housed at Simon Fraser University’s Wosk Centre for Dialogue. At DoT, he works with diverse stakeholder groups and directly with the public to advance more inclusive, accountable and participatory approaches to AI governance. His past work has included co-founding a national climate governance initiative, researching democratic resilience in both Canada and Uganda, and publishing on the intersection of technology and politics.

He holds degrees from Simon Fraser University and the University of Oxford.

Gigi is a public servant passionate about serving local communities and building international co-operation. In 2024, Gigi co-founded a community centre offering programs for at-risk youth. Internationally, Gigi was a researcher at the Health Systems Trust (South Africa) and developed Digital Service Standards for the Municipality of Dhangadhi (Nepal). As the Value Management Lead for the Employment Insurance on Benefits Delivery Modernization Programme, Gigi supports the government in consistently delivering secure and accessible digital services.

Gigi was a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholar at the University of Toronto, and most recently was a youth delegate to RightsCon 2025 in Taiwan.

Jenny Albers is an accomplished community builder and strategic leader with expertise in the public sector and civic engagement. With over 15 years of diverse municipal experience with the City of Edmonton, she has driven public-facing programs, including waste reduction initiatives, legislated voting processes for Edmonton Elections and the City’s United Way fundraising campaign. Most recently in Traffic Operations with the City of Edmonton, she increased the vibrancy and liveability of public streets, sidewalks and alleyways through active transportation, curbside management, urban placemaking and regulatory permitting initiatives. 

As well, as the Chair of the City’s Community Service Advisory Board, she provides advice to City Council and administration on community services and funding for social services in Edmonton. Beyond her professional achievements, her passions include cycling, thrifting and enjoying local theatre. 

Jimmy is an Economist at Finance Canada, where he leads analysis on trade policy and Canada’s response to international tariff measures. His current work focuses on supporting Canadian businesses through global economic disruptions and developing innovative policy solutions. He has held key roles across the federal government, including at Global Affairs Canada and the Privy Council Office, where he managed economic and foreign affairs files and contributed to Canada’s pandemic response and recovery.

As a first-generation Canadian, Jimmy’s journey through Vancouver, Montreal, and Ottawa shapes his approach to bridging economic policy with community impact. He is committed to rethinking established practices and amplifying underrepresented voices to drive meaningful, systemic change.

Previously, Jimmy held research and advocacy roles with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, the Economist Intelligence Unit, policy think tanks, and non-profit organizations. Outside government, he chairs the Ottawa LSE Alumni Association and leads community and wellness initiatives. He holds an MSc from the London School of Economics and a BA from McGill University.

Joseph Tootoosis is a proud member of Flying Dust First Nation, and the Lands & Economic Strategy Advisor for Kihew Consulting & Research. He is a First Nations lands and economic development strategy specialist with over 10 years of experience working with and alongside Indigenous political, government, non-profit, and corporate organizations. Joseph has a passion for using his personal, communication, negotiation, presentation, and project management skills to lead teams toward organizational goals and objectives; he also specializes in development of strategies, plans, governance structures, and business models for First Nations and their corporate arms. Joseph has experience in the Additions-to-Reserve (ATR) process in the Saskatchewan Treaty Land Entitlement (TLE) Framework, and in British Columbia on unceded First Nations lands.

Joseph is well trained and experienced in the ‘Harvard Project’ on Indigenous Governance and Development school of Nation-Rebuilding, and is always looking for comparative examples to help First Nations build their own unique governance models. He also builds bridges by utilizing his network within the academic and professional world to continuously stay up to date on new research and practical examples of successful Indigenous governance and economic development models.

Leif Douglass is currently working as a Policy Advisor with the BC Green Caucus on issues related to climate, energy, housing, and economic development. He is also completing a Master of Public Administration at the University of Victoria, where his thesis examines the public fiscal implications of decarbonization in BC, and more broadly, on how the current moment in the province’s political economy is shaped by its identity as a resource-extracting region. He holds a Graduate Certificate in Evaluation and brings experience in policy analysis, community engagement, and utilization-focused evaluation. 

Leif serves on the board of IPAC-Victoria, leading communications and organizing programming that connects and supports public servants. He is also a member of the UVic Coastal Climate Solutions Leaders program, an NSERC-funded initiative bringing together graduate students from diverse disciplines to advance applied climate solutions.  

Leif has worked in both municipal and provincial government, including roles with the City of Victoria and the BC Ministry of Forests. Prior to graduate school, he spent seven years as a campaign organizer with the Thompson Rivers University Students’ Union, advocating for policy change across all levels of government—experience that continues to shape his pragmatic, implementation-focused approach to public policy.  

Raised outside Lillooet in British Columbia’s south interior, Leif has a strong interest in rural public policy, climate action, and how governments can better engage communities in shaping their futures. 

Magnolia is the Director of Strategy and Partnerships at the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA), where she leads national initiatives to support Indigenous economic development and entrepreneurship. She holds a Master’s in Indigenous Nationhood from the University of Victoria and a Graduate Diploma in Indigenous Policy and Administration from Carleton University. Originally from Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory and a proud member of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, Magnolia brings a deep understanding of Indigenous governance, self-determination, and community-driven policy. Her work is grounded in advocacy, research, and the development of innovative programs that respond to the unique needs of Indigenous communities across Canada.

Maha Achkar was born in Lebanon and moved to Canada as a teenager. A graduate of McGill and the University of Montreal, Maha specialized in political science and international studies. Her professional journey started in 2012 when she became a COOP student at the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in Ottawa. Her passion for public service led her to dedicate over 10 years to it, working at the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner since 2015. Maha is passionate about politics, current events, and the machinery of government. Throughout her career, Maha has helped implement numerous data-driven policies. She is very proud to work for an institution that strengthens democracy and public trust. She enjoys traveling abroad with close friends, running and crafting clever political theories to make sense of today’s headlines.

Nadia Green is a Saulteaux First Nations Registered Nurse from Berens River First Nation, Manitoba, dedicated to advancing Indigenous health and well-being through research, education, and policy change. Currently a Doctoral student in the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Alberta, her research centers on First Nations digital health care experiences. Nadia’s academic foundation includes a Bachelor of Nursing from the University of Manitoba and a Master of Nursing from the University of Toronto, reflecting her commitment to advanced nursing practice. Nadia currently teaches nursing at the college level with previous teaching experience at the university level. She recently fulfilled her role as Co-Chair of the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing’s (CASN) Advisory Committee for revising the Nursing Informatics Entry-to-Practice Competencies for Registered Nurses, and previously chaired CASN’s Digital Health Interest Group. She was recognized with the inaugural Canadian Nursing Informatics Association Award for Diversifying & Strengthening Nursing Informatics and the Digital Health Canada Steven Huesing Scholarship. She was also a recipient of the Canadian Nurses Foundation, Frances Moran Award and AbSPORU Graduate Studentship in Patient-Oriented Research.
Nadia aspires to educate future nurses and influence digital health care policies that improve access and care for Indigenous People in Canada, especially those living in rural and remote northern communities.

Rafaël brings over ten years of diverse professional experience. Since 2022, he has served as Executive Director of ENSEMBLE for Respect for Diversity, a Canadian organization that combats bullying across the country. Leading a team of around twenty professionals, he stands out for his compassionate and mobilizing leadership. Recognized among the 15 most influential LinkedIn creators in Quebec, he was named one of the top 4 young managers in Quebec by the Regroupement des jeunes chambres de commerce and is listed among the top 20 nonprofit executive directors. In 2025, he was also honoured as a Young Leader by the ESTim Awards.

A committed speaker and columnist in Quebec media, Rafaël is deeply passionate about people, social justice, and communication, which he places at the heart of all his work.

Rizwan is an educator and public servant with a strong background in teaching, leadership, and policy. He currently serves as a Senior Policy Advisor at the Ontario Ministry of Education, where he manages a portfolio of over $45 million and supports major initiatives that impact students across the province. Rizwan has taught in both Toronto and the United Arab Emirates, designing inclusive and culturally responsive programs for diverse learners. He also serves on international school accreditation teams. Rizwan has helped organize and raise funds for local and global causes through community events. He has been honoured with several awards, including the Patrick Solomon Memorial Award in Urban Diversity and the Governor General’s Bronze Academic Medal. 

Sweta is a dynamic policy professional with experience in public policy, civic engagement, and nonprofit leadership. Originally from Mauritius, she has called Prince Edward Island home since 2016. She currently serves as a Senior Policy Analyst at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) Faculty of Medicine, where she supports policy development, strategic planning, and accreditation processes.

Previously, she held key roles in federal politics, including as a Policy Advisor and as a Legislative Assistant on Parliament Hill. Sweta also led the PEI Coalition for Women in Government (now PEI Coalition for Women in Leadership) as Executive Director, championing equity, diversity, and inclusion in political leadership.

She holds a Master’s in Political Management from Carleton University and a Bachelor of Science with Honours from UPEI. A recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal, Sweta is also an active media contributor and community leader. Her work has been recognized for its impact on gender equity, student advocacy, and inclusive governance at all levels.

Taylor is a proud Dene and Dunne Zaa woman from Fort Nelson First Nation with paternal roots in Prophet River First Nation, both signatories to Treaty 8 in Northeastern British Columbia. Raised in her traditional territories, she grew up immersed in her culture and language, guided by the teachings of her grandparents and the strength of her ancestors.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in Health and Physical Education and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Indigenous Land-Based Education at the University of Saskatchewan.

Taylor is a dedicated community leader and youth advocate. She served as the Female Youth Representative for the BC Assembly of First Nations and Co-Chair of the AFN National Youth Council, where she represented First Nations youth at national and international levels, including United Nations forums. In 2022, she was part of the delegation that met with Pope Francis to discuss the intergenerational impacts of Indian Residential Schools.

Currently, Taylor serves as an elected Councillor for her Nation and works full-time as the Community Liaison for Tu Deh-Kah Geothermal. In these roles, Taylor champions climate action, youth leadership, food sovereignty, and meaningful community engagement.

Terri Cardinal (Nayawatatic) is a nehiyaw iskwew (Cree Woman) from onihcikiskwapiwinihk (Saddle Lake Cree Nation), Treaty 6 territory. She is a proud mother of two and walks in the roles of wife, sister, daughter, and friend, grounding her professional work in relational accountability and community responsibility.

Terri is an alumna of the Master of Indigenous Social Work program at University nuhelot’įne thaiyots’į nistameyimâkanak Blue Quills. She also holds a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Regina, a Social Work Diploma from Blue Quills, a Leadership Certificate from the Coady Institute, and a Level 3 Early Childhood Development certification from the Government of Alberta.

She serves in the Faculty of Social Work as Practicum Coordinator and Course Instructor, where she is committed to strengthening Indigenous-led education, ethical supervision, and land-based and relational approaches to social work practice. Terri is also the Chairperson of the Wahkohtowin Society Board of Directors, working to advance community wellbeing grounded in kinship, responsibility, and collective care.

An Esquao Award recipient for her work with children and community, Terri carries a deep love and passion for supporting children, families, and Nations through culturally grounded, strengths-based, and community-driven approaches. 

Thomas is focused on contributing to the reform of the institutions that underpin our economy so society can better operate within planetary boundaries. He brings a systems-thinking mindset shaped by experience across corporate and grassroots settings. He is Vice President of Sustainability at Power Sustainable, an investment firm owned by Power Corporation of Canada. In this role, he works closely with investment teams and portfolio companies to embed sustainability considerations into decision-making.

Previously, Thomas was a strategy consultant at Deloitte, supporting large-scale transformation projects across public and private sectors.

Outside of work, he contributes to climate action at the community level by facilitating workshops that build climate literacy and motivate collective engagement. He also serves as an advisor to McGill’s Sustainable Growth Initiative.

Thomas holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from McGill University.

Wilma Shim is a Commissioner with the Alberta Human Rights Commission and a sports law instructor in the Faculties of Law and Kinesiology at the University of Calgary. She holds an LLM in Sports Law (DMU) and a Juris Doctor from the University of Calgary. Called to the Bar in 2011, she previously worked for Alberta Justice as a Prosecutor and Barrister and Solicitor for 10 years. 

Wilma is a University of Calgary Senator, a Special Olympics volunteer and coach and a Board Director with Sport Calgary, Alberta Lawyers’ Assistance Society, Association of Women Lawyers and Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (Western). Recognized for her leadership and teaching excellence, Wilma is a Lexpert Rising Star, part of Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 under 40, a University of Calgary Teaching Award recipient and was inducted to the Order of the University of Calgary. She was appointed King’s Counsel in 2025.