Program Team 2025-26
Each year, a new cohort of graduate students from the University of Toronto direct the program year at the Global Ideas Institute guided by our Advisory Council.
Shazma Nafis
Shazma is the Research Coordinator for GII 2025–26 and a first-year Master of Public Policy candidate at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Global Development Studies with minors in Economics and Political Science from the University of Toronto Scarborough. She previously worked as a Program Officer at the International Development and Relief Foundation, where she supported education, food and emergency programs in various countries in the Global South. Shazma brings experience in research, program coordination, and youth engagement, with a passion for helping students translate global challenges into practical, evidence-based solutions
Jeremiah Lau
Jeremiah is the Mentor Program Manager for GII 2025-26. He is in his second year of the Master of Teaching program at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. He has an undergraduate degree in Aerospace Engineering from the Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly known as Ryerson University). As a teacher candidate for the Intermediate/Senior (grade 7-12) stream and with former work experience as a tutor and curriculum designer, he has a strong background in education and utilising pedagogical practices to promote effective teaching and learning. Jeremiah is especially motivated to foster and empower the next generations by building students’ individual talents and skills, develop and help them recognize the importance of strong social-emotional skills, and encourage them to pursue learning as a life-long goal.
Maya Iskandar
Maya is the Operations Manager for GII 2025–26. She is in her second year of the Master of Global Affairs program at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, specializing in Global Development and Global Markets. She previously completed her undergraduate degree in Economics and Political Science at the University of Toronto. Most recently, Maya interned as a management consulting intern at Blackline Consulting in Toronto. She also brings extensive event planning and student engagement experience, gained through active involvement in several student clubs during her undergraduate and graduate studies.