MGA Student Ambassadors

Jordan Egan

Jordan Egan is a first year student in the Master of Global Affairs program at the University of Toronto. She completed her undergraduate degree bilingually at the University of Ottawa in International Development and Globalisation. During her undergraduate career she worked in the House of Commons and in the International Assistance branch of Global Affairs Canada as an analyst and junior program officer. She was also an avid participant in uOttawa’s Model UN Association. Her research interests include the humanitarian-development-peace triple nexus and she is interested in pursuing a career in project management for humanitarian aid. In her spare time she loves practising swing dancing, baking, and krav maga.

Antoine Fougere-Ramsamooji

Antoine Fougère-Ramsamooj is starting his first year in the Master of Global Affairs program at the University of Toronto. He graduated from McMaster University with a dual-honours undergraduate degree in Arts & Science and History as well as a master’s degree in History with a specialisation in European conflict and diplomacy. During his first master’s degree, Antoine did his major research project on the Treaty of Versailles and the public image of peace treaties within the context of international diplomacy and conflict resolution. Antoine’s passion for interdisciplinarity within his academic work reflects his ever-increasing research interests, which vary from popular fields like the history of European conflict to more obscure subjects, such as the colonial and post-colonial influences on traditional board games. A proud Franco-Ontarian and Torontonian, Antoine is excited to begin the next step in his academic journey at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy.

Yunji Hwang

Yunji Hwang is a first-year student in the Master of Global Affairs (MGA) program at the University of Toronto. She completed her undergraduate at University of British Columbia (UBC) in History and Law & Society. Upon graduation she worked for the Canadian Red Cross, in which she managed the Long-Term Health Equipment Loan program designed to provide free health equipment loans and maintenance to low-income seniors and people with disabilities. In her spare time she volunteered in multiple projects of which one was for the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs at UBC, where she organized a panel discussion on conflict-related gendered sexual violence in Asia featuring three human rights activists and scholars. She also manages the Instagram account, “Commemorating Comfort Women”, dedicated to remembering the stories of the survivors of the Japanese military sexual slavery system during WWII. Her research interests include global development & inequality, transnational justice, and human rights, specifically in relation to conflict and sexual violence. She is also pursuing the MGA/MBA joint program as she aspires to use business as an effective tool to address world challenges. She is a swimming and dancing enthusiast and a huge gastronome who loves exploring diverse cuisines. With the completion of the MGA/MBA degree, it is her long-term goal to establish an NGO that can contribute to tackling gendered violence not only in conflict, but also in our daily lives.

Husaina Mustafa Lakdawala

Husaina Mustafa Lakdawala is a first-year student in the Master of Global Affairs program at the University of Toronto. She completed her undergraduate studies at the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) in Economics and Politics. During her undergrad, she worked as a servicing mentor for the LUMS community service society and environmental action forum – both dedicated on improving the livelihoods of disadvantaged communities. She has work experience in designing e-learning courses and researching global information literacy for Edacumen, a multi-national educational consultancy focused on improving educational facilities in the world. Her research interests include innovation policy, South Asian politics and developmental studies. She is a fitness enthusiast and in her spare time she enjoys anything to do with the outdoors such as swimming, rowing and hiking. Currently, she is working as a communications and research assistant at the Innovation Policy Lab within the Munk School.

Ibtesaam Moosa

Ibtesaam (Ibtisam) Moosa is a first-year student in the Master of Global Affairs program at the University of Toronto. She completed her undergraduate at Northwestern University in Communication with a specialization in Film, Media, and Integrated Marketing Communication. As an undergrad, she undertook independent research and went to Malaysia to conduct interviews with Rohingya refugees who had fled there after facing violence in Myanmar. She also served as the Vice-President of the Student Government, serving as a liaison between the student body and the administration. Since graduating in 2018, she has worked as a Communication Specialist at Ogilvy in Doha, Qatar, serving clients across government, academia, and businesses. During her tenure, she most prominently worked for the Qatar Research, Innovation, and Development (QRDI) Council, supporting them with implementing a 10-year innovation strategy nationally. Her research interest includes cross-border innovation strategies, global media impact on human rights, media policy and regulation, and Middle Eastern and South Asian geopolitics. An avid bibliophile, she enjoys writing, photography, video editing, and listening to podcasts on everything from start-up culture to true crime. She hopes to pursue a career in policy-making and social research surrounding Innovation Policy, Global Justice, and Global Development.

Keziah Ofori-Atta

Keziah is a first-year student in the Master of Global Affairs program with a background in Politics and French. Having worked in the media space for 2 years, she hosted (radio) discussions about the impact of social issues on marginalised groups. She has also participated in various kidney health campaigns in rural Ghana and is a strong advocate for mental health and gender equality. As a policy maker, she aspires to explore Innovation in African states and how Institutions in Africa can be restructured to contribute to the continent’s development. She describes herself as a ‘people person’ who loves to travel when she is not questioning the status quo.

Jingyao Qin

Jingyao (Felicia) Qin is a first-year student in the Master of Global Affairs program at University of Toronto. She completed her undergraduate at Queen’s university, major in Applied Economics and minor in Mathematics. As an undergrad, she took part in an internship at KPMG in Nanjing, China in the summer of 2021. She participated in all phases of the audit, including planning, examining records, conducting fieldwork, completing audit working papers, and reporting. In 2020, She took an internship at economic and technical research institution, State Grid Jiangsu Electric Power Company. She involved in managements of scientific and technological consulting projects. Felicia is currently a member of event department of University of Toronto Chinese Graduate Association. In her spare time, she loves traveling and reading to explore this amazing world. She is looking forward to pursuing a career in market research and consulting.

Anukriti Randev

Anukriti Randev is a first-year student in the Master of Global Affairs program at the University of Toronto. She completed her undergraduate at Symbiosis Law School, Pune with a Bachelors in Arts and Law and has specialised in Public International Law. She has interned under the judge at the Supreme Court of India and has collaborated with various NGOs and think tanks to improve the status of civil rights in the country. She was the semi-finalist at the global rounds of the Monroe E Price Media Law Moot Court Competition, organised by Oxford University every year to raise the profile of freedom of speech and expression. She is a certified mediator and was the Vice President of an independent legal magazine’s networking division for two years. She is a certified yoga teacher who loves to travel and experience different cultures and food. She wants to pursue a career in human rights and undertake dedicated research in the area of women and child rights.

Grace Wang

Grace Wang is a first-year student in the Master of Global Affairs program at the University of Toronto. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Western Ontario with a specialization in Chemistry. During her undergrad years, she worked as an Analytical Chemist and also had the opportunity to study abroad in Konstanz, Germany to further broaden her understanding of German culture and improve her German language skills. Grace is currently working for the Canadian Armed Forces as a Military Officer, where she has held various positions over the past six years, contributing to Canada’s national security. In her second year, Grace will be taking MBA courses at the Rotman School of Management as part of the three-year combined MGA/MBA program. Grace is interested in learning about strategy, defense, and intelligence. She is happy to chat about the combined MGA/MBA program and her experiences so far in the MGA, specifically as someone coming from a physical sciences background.

Mina Zahine

Mina Zahine is a first-year student in the Master of Global Affairs program at the University of Toronto. She completed her undergraduate at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts in Anthropology with a focus on South Asia. While at Smith College, Mina channeled her passion for music into her weekly show at WOZQ, the university’s student-run radio station. She was also a member of EKTA, a South Asian unity organization. Mina has over five years of experience in strategic communications in both the public and private sectors, primarily in Afghanistan. Her research interests include human security, decolonization theory, intelligence gathering, and innovative governance practices. Her personal interests include curating the soundtrack to her life, seeing live music, and visiting museum and gallery exhibits. She is interested in a future career in development and security

Theodros Zeamanuel

Theodros is a Master of Global Affairs candidate at the University of Toronto's Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. His academic focus is mainly on Global Security. Since joining the Munk school, Theodros has been working on developing consulting skills participating in case competitions on affordable housing and healthcare access and outcomes with notable achievements such as advancing to the finals in the KPMG Public Sector Shift Case Competition 2023. Theodros is currently serving as a Policy Analyst for the Policy Innovation Initiative. Previously, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Toronto, where he earned accolades like the Kathleen Watson Memorial Award for academic excellence. He has a keen interest in political and philosophical topics and is passionate about learning diverse perspectives and cultural experiences.

Basmah Ramadan

Basmah is a second-year student in the Masters of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto. She completed her undergraduate at the University of Toronto in International Relations with a double minor in Political Science, and Critical Studies in Equity and Solidarity. Basmah has been part of the Muslim Students’ Association (UTSG) for numerous years and is currently serving as the President. She is currently working with Jumpstart Refugee Talent, a non-profit organization supporting refugees finding meaningful employment. One notable contribution is pitching two webinars with Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA) to discuss the importance of hiring refugee talent which attracted over 500 HR Professionals. 

Ananya Kaumudi Mallubhotla

Ananya is a first year Master of Global Affairs student. She completed an Honours Bachelor's program in Health Sciences and Public Administration at the University of Ottawa in 2019. She worked as an employee within the Canadian Federal Public service until 2023. She has worked as a Junior Business Analyst with the Department of Employment and Social Development where she gained expertise in program operations and the delivery of high-level grants and contributions for various social programs including the Women’s  Employment Readiness Program, Skills for Success, Future Skills, Supporting Black Canadian Communities etc. In the last few years she worked for the Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development as an Industry officer in the Life Sciences and Biomanufacturing Branch that aimed to promote economic development within Canada’s Life Science industry. She also wants to do a collaborative specialization in Public Health at Dalla Lana to continue nurturing her passion for STEM while pursuing the MGA. She decided to pursue the prestigious MGA degree to expand her knowledge of international relations, explore the unique work opportunities, and to enjoy the fun social environment that Munk and the city of TO has to offer! As an Indo-Canadian, Ananya believes that embracing her Eastern and Western roots is a foundational part of her identity. She is a trained Indian classical Bharatnatyam dancer, and a Carnatic music singer. In the past, she had the honour of representing the Canadian South Asian Senators for the 2016, 2018 South Asian Heritage Month on Parliament Hill. She also performed and MC'd, on other renowned platforms such as the Indo-Canadian Business Chamber of Ottawa, The Great India Festival, TD South Asian Fest. 

Maya Rotstein

Maya is currently a first-year Master of Global Affairs candidate at Munk. She completed her undergraduate degree in International Development at McGill University. Maya has a variety of interdisciplinary passions including refugee rights, sustainability, development aid effectiveness, and Indigenous rights. She currently carries out research regarding innovation in emerging tech sectors in Canada and encouraging collaboration with governments to boost economic growth, as well as tax policy reform for public service delivery in sub-Saharan Africa. More recently, she has become interested in pursuing a career that mobilizes increased private sector investment to work towards achieving the SDGs. Maya has had experience interning at the UNHQ, and currently is a Team Lead for the Public Good Initiative, Junior Associate for Consulting Careers Initiative, and a Policy Analyst at Indigenous Policy Initiative. In her spare time, she enjoys any activity outdoors, whether running, hiking, travelling, or swimming.  

Maya Gandhi

Maya is a second year Master of Global Affairs student, specializing in Innovation Policy and Environmental Studies. As a Jonathan Hausman and Lupina-Innovation Policy Lab Fellow at the Munk School, she is currently examining the efficacy and future implications of the City of Toronto's Fleet Electrification and Modernization Strategy. She is passionate about sustainability, social entrepreneurship, and collaborating with community driven organizations at home and abroad. Maya is also an avid runner and baker, and she enjoys trying new restaurants!

Glory Akoh

Glory is a second-year student in the Master of Global Affairs program at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy and is emphasizing in Global Development. She was born and raised in Nigeria and has lived and schooled in East Africa and North America. Prior to the MGA program, Glory completed her undergraduate studies at Seton Hall University (New Jersey, USA) with degrees in Diplomacy and International Relations, Modern Languages, and a minor in Economics. She completed her MGA summer internship at the Right to Play Headquarters, working with the Global Partnerships team on project proposals, GAC reports, and extensive research. Her academic and professional interests are heavily centered on development and education in West Africa. In her spare time, she enjoys photography, reading, learning new things, and spending quality time with friends and family. Glory is looking forward to using the knowledge and practice she has gained from the MGA program to make an impact in the international development field upon her graduation in June of 2024.

Ibukun-oluwa Saigbe 

Ibukun-Oluwa (Ibk), is a first-year candidate for the Master of Global Affairs (MGA) program comes with a background in Economics and Political Science. She currently serves as the Outreach Coordinator for the Global development Initiative and is the Equity advisor for the MGASA. Being an international student herself, Ibk is uniquely positioned to provide valuable insights and guidance on challenges that international students may encounter and how they can find their footing at the Munk School. Additionally, as an entrance scholarship recipient and Research Assistant for an Associate Professor at the Munk School, she can give tips and tricks on how to manage financial aspects during the program.  

Yashree Sharma

Yashree Sharma is in her second year in the Masters of Global Affairs program at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Minnesota. Most recently, she worked for Engineers Without Borders in the Policy and Advocacy team researching and writing policy briefs on the Loss and Damage fund, Public-private partnerships, and the increased need for transparency in the climate finance space. Fun fact – She grew up in Dubai, UAE, and can read and write in Arabic along with being fully fluent in English and Hindi. 

Mahjabeen Quader

Mahjabeen is a proud second year MGA student. Her academic and professional background is in International Development, Policy Reform, and Economic Diplomacy.  She is passionate about her work in the International Development field. She hopes her work in the field helps alleviate poverty and improves the quality of life for many people. If she accomplishes these goals, it would give her great joy and affirm the value of her work. Her research interests include governance, responsible business conduct and labour rights issues. She is excited to connect with the new cohort and share her insights about the MGA program.

Sifarath Parakot Salim

Sifarath is an LSE-Toronto dual degree candidate from India with a robust background in quantitative economics. He is particularly passionate about the international development space and has been committed to exploring education policy in academic and professional settings. Most recently, he was involved with the education policy team at UNICEF Cambodia evaluating the country's progress in achieving its SDG 4 goals. Apart from pursuing a degree emphasis in development, he has also been involved in multiple Student Leadership Initiatives at the school. His research interests primarily lie in the wider development economics space and has always loved to work with quantitative data. Born and raised in the Middle East, he is interested in working in the MENA region and looks forward to leveraging his skills to create data-driven, policy-relevant solutions that address the unique needs of the region. 

Claire Posno

Claire is a Master of Global Affairs candidate at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto, with majors in Criminology and Sociology. Claire's interests lie in the ways innovation and global development affect people at the community level. Unpacking how borders and surveillance will evolve in the Arctic and the implications this will have on Indigenous Peoples is a focus Claire is currently deepening. Her role as a policy analyst at Munk's Indigenous Policy Initiative allows her to improve her understanding of these complex dynamics. Claire's commitment to addressing the challenges faced by communities is evident in her research, where she has published work that discusses security measures against marginalized people at border crossings and intimate partner violence against women. Outside of academics, Claire enjoys being physically active. She currently volunteers at a yoga studio and was a gymnastics teacher for children after training for fifteen years in the sport.

Elyssa Pullella

Elyssa, is first year of the Master of Global Affairs program at the Munk School. She has a background in Commerce and is pursuing an emphasis in global markets and security. She is interested in both the complexities of global markets and understanding the dynamic nature of the evolving geopolitical landscape. At Munk, she is part of two student-led initiatives, the Mental Health Policy Initiative and PATH: Career Introduction & Exploration Series. Both these opportunities have helped her foster connections, develop her professional skillset and become involved in the vibrant Munk community. 

Claudia Velimirovic

Claudia is a first year student pursuing the combined Master of Global Affairs and Master of Business Administration. Her passion for topics in development and global affairs began at McGill University where she graduated with an honours degree in International Development Studies. At Munk, she looks forward to exploring the intersection between markets, security, and development. In her spare time, she loves watching movies, practicing ballet, and trying new restaurants in the city. 

Zoe Shore

Zoe is a first-year student in the Master of Global Affairs program at the University of Toronto. She completed her undergraduate degree at McMaster Univerity in the Integrated Business and Humanities Program. At McMaster, she volunteered with local organizations and non-profits such as the Hamilton Encampment Support Network, and 541 Eatery and Exchange. She also had the opportunity to travel abroad at the Univerity of Laussane in Switzerland, to study French and International Business. At Munk, Zoe is involved in the Global Development and Mental Health Policy student-led initiatives. Her areas of interest include global markets, international development, and social entrepreneurship.

Sydney Grad

Sydney is a second-year student in the London School of Economics and the University of Toronto's double-degree program for Master of Public Administration and Master of Global Affairs. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Honours in Political Studies with a minor in Classics from Queen’s University. Currently working in government relations and communications, she is dedicated to addressing and advocating for policy-relevant issues and creating positive, lasting impacts. 

Rubaiyet Binte Nazmul

Rubaiyet is a career diplomat from Bangladesh, having joined the Bangladesh Foreign Office in April 2019. She has worked in consular, administration, International trade, Investment & Technology, North America, and South America wings in the Ministry. She is in the first year of Master of Global Affairs at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy and was awarded the prestigious Prime Minister’s Fellowship by the Government of Bangladesh in 2023. She completed her MSc in Renewable Energy Technology from the University of Dhaka, following her earlier accomplishment of a BSc in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology in 2016. Her interests encompass climate change, sustainability, green energy, energy security, cyber security, global development, and human rights issues. She plans to return to her position in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh and to contribute significantly to her country and the global community by applying the knowledge and skills acquired during her studies at UofT.

Alexander Treasure

Alexander is a current MGA/MPA Dual Degree student with the Munk School and LSE's School of Public Policy, formalizing his education in tech policy. He has a background in computer science, working as a software engineer for 7 years prior, with a heavy focus on data. Alex's research interests include digital privacy, artificial intelligence and AI ethics, social media impact, voter representation, and computational linguistics.

Hunter Rynda

Hunter is a second-year Master of Global Affairs student at the University of Toronto specializing in human rights and global justice, and security. She works as a Junior Policy Analyst in the International Affairs Division at Public Safety Canada. Hunter completed her undergraduate degree in Political Science from McMaster University and brings a unique perspective from her years in Human Resources, focusing on policy development, DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging), and stakeholder engagement with Indigenous organizations. She is an active volunteer with Amnesty International Canada and leads two student leadership initiatives at the Munk School. She hopes to pursue a career in policy-making surrounding national security, human rights, continental defence, and disarmament

Autry Johnson

Autry is a first-year student pursuing a Master of Global Affairs (MGA) degree at Munk. He is an enrolled citizen of the Forest County Potawatomi who grew up on his father’s reservation in rural northern Wisconsin. Throughout his whole life, Autry has always challenged and questioned the nuances of colonialism and settler-colonialism in the context of his cultural background, as well as re-establishing Indigenous sovereignty in a global context. He completed his undergraduate degree at Michigan State University’s James Madison College, with a double major in International Relations and Comparative Cultures in Politics with a minor in European Studies. His goals and ambitions reiterate the question of Indigenous politics domestically and internationally while also challenging the global status quo on issues that cut across borders: human rights, social justice, climate change, and others relevant to the 21st century. 

Serene Chan

Serene is a first-year student in the Master of Global Affairs program with a collaborative specialisation in East and Southeast Asian Studies. Prior to this, she completed her undergraduate degree in Anthropology with a minor in Philosophy in Hong Kong. Since graduation, she worked in the field of communications and NGOs. Currently focusing on Global Markets and Innovation Policy, she is interested in pursuing a career in data-driven market research and consulting. At Munk, Serene is involved in Public Good Initiative and Policy Innovation Initiative. In her spare time, she loves reading and diving.

Xiangming Liu (Kosmo)

Xiangming Liu (Kosmo) is a first-year student in the Master of Global Affairs (MGA) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) joint program at the University of Toronto. He currently focuses on Global Policy and Global Security with a collaborative specialisation in Environmental Studies. He completed his undergraduate study at the University of Toronto with a major in Economics, Political Science and a minor in Slavic Language and Literature (Russian). He then served as a researcher at the G20 Research Group at the Munk School, University of Toronto. Prior to his study at Munk, he achieved a Master’s degree in International Political Economy at the University of Manchester in the UK. His research interests include Chinese politics, Japanese politics, Post-Communist East Europe, climate change, and ESG Investing. He is interested in a career in analyst or consulting. During his undergraduate years, Kosmo joined several student groups and organisations dedicated to helping new international students and had rich experiences helping newcomers from East Asia. During his leisure moments, he likes archery, recreational shootings, firearms, and gyms.