This year's Fellows
Each year we select 17 – 20 emerging leaders to become Action Canada Fellows. They are the top candidates from a nationwide call for applications, hailing from major cities and smaller communities such as Carcross, Yukon; Witless Bay, NL and Fermont, QC.
They represent all sectors, including business, NGOs, science, government and academia. What they share in common is a commitment to Canada and a demonstrated engagement with public policy.
- André
- Moreau
2023/24 Fellow
Originally from Penetanguishene, Ontario, André Moreau now proudly calls Iqaluit, Nunavut home. Currently serving as the Circumpolar Affairs Advisor in the Government of Nunavut’s department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs, André is an advocate for the interests of Nunavummiut at both the domestic and international levels. In his role, he acts as a policy resource to assist and advise the Government of Nunavut on a wide range of matters involving the circumpolar region.
André’s holds a B.C.L/LL.B. from McGill University’s Faculty of Law, where he earned the distinction of being selected as class valedictorian. Additionally, he holds an honours degree in Speech Communication and Business from the University of Waterloo.
Throughout his career, André’s work has largely reflected his commitment to community engagement and equity. For example, as the first-ever Indigenous Liaison Officer at the University of Waterloo, he pioneered significant changes in recruitment and admission policies to better serve Indigenous students and communities.
Presently, André actively contributes to his community as a volunteer with the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA), where he assists in search and rescue operations in Nunavut, and as a board member and volunteer at the Niqinik Nuatsivik Nunavut Food Bank.
- Dale
- Arcand-Morin
2023/24 Fellow
Dale Arcand-Morin is a proud nêhiyaw iskwew from kipohtakaw (Alexander First Nation, AB) in Treaty No. 6 Territory. She will complete her Indigenous Master of Social Work (IMSW) from the University nuhelot’įne thaiyots’į nistameyimâkanak Blue Quills in St. Paul this June. She completed her BSW from MacEwan University in Edmonton. She is a passionate advocate for iyiniw children in care and is a former child in care herself.
Dale’s aspirations include the creation of an organization in Alberta which will advocate for and empower iyiniw children, families, and their communities. Dale currently works for the Indigenous Knowledge and Wisdom Centre which provides second and third-level support services for band-operated schools across Alberta ensuring that iyiniw children learn their ways, their history, their customs, and their traditions.
Outside of school and work, Dale is a newly appointed kanawemawasîwapîwin Board Member for the maskêkosak newowacistwan nâtamâkêwin society which oversees the support services for children, youth, and families in maskêkosak (Enoch Cree Nation, AB). She is also a volunteer with Weaving Threads: An Indigenous Engagement Program with Kids Help Phone which aims to increase awareness of Kids Help Phone Services amongst iyiniw children and youth.
Dale notes that her greatest and most important role is that of a wife, mother, and grandmother. In her spare time, she can either be found in the bleachers of a hockey rink or a baseball field cheering on her children.
- Daria
- Hobeika
2023/24 Fellow
Daria Hobeika B.C.L., LL.B., MBA enjoys working on complex societal issues and steering organizations toward sustainable models. A generalist, deep thinker and committed doer, she is known for her sound judgment, straightforwardness, calmness, and rigour. She excels in complex and high-pressure environments and stands out for her ability to communicate clearly.
A former Chief of Staff to a minister of the Government of Quebec, Daria has intimate knowledge of the workings of the highest levels of policy and decision-making, as well as of the legislative and regulatory processes. She has led work on a cross-departmental portfolio of pan-Canadian issues and was instrumental in the elaboration and implementation of a new vision for this portfolio. She also served as the content director for an outgoing Premier during a provincial electoral campaign.
Today, Daria helps corporates, investors, and public organizations understand and manage their climate risks, including setting a climate ambition and governance structure and a disclosure strategy. Before founding Clearsum, Daria completed an Executive MBA (HEC Montreal – McGill). She holds bachelor’s degrees in civil and common law (McGill) and is a member of the Quebec Bar (2006).
In her free time, she learns through reading, volunteering, and travelling.
She also loves to dance.
- Deanna
- Starr
2023/24 Fellow
Deanna Starr is an Occupational Therapist and Artist living in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. She is a member of Little Pine First Nation in Treaty 6 through her paternal lineage. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sport, Health and Physical Education from Vancouver Island University, and a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Alberta.
Deanna is passionate about providing excellent Occupational Therapy Services and runs her own business. Miskihnak Occupational Therapy provides pediatric occupational therapy services to North Battleford and Northern Saskatchewan. Deanna is also the current President of the Saskatchewan Society of Occupational Therapists.
- James
- Chan
2023/24 Fellow
James Chan was born in Hong Kong, grew up in ‘the 905’, and has been a proud resident of Calgary, Toronto, and Ottawa. He currently lives in London (the one known as the ‘Forest City’).
James works with business, government, and community partners to understand the root causes of our complex challenges, and to shift our entrenched behaviours, cultures, and policies to create long-term change. His current professional and volunteer roles are focused on changing how investment and philanthropic capital can be directed in different ways in the pursuit of social equity and justice.
Outside of work, James is an outdoors enthusiast, rec league athlete, and couch potato in roughly equal measures.
- Japman
- Bajaj
2023/24 Fellow
Japman Bajaj is a modern, innovative, and experienced corporate and entrepreneurial executive, driven by society’s big opportunities and challenges.
Japman is passionate about learning and applying new skills, technologies, and frameworks to create more resilient, innovative, and valuable products, organizations, and systems. He is a past Board Member of the Trans Canada Trail and serves on a number of global committees related to education and skills development.
Driven by a more equitable, more accessible, and a higher quality of education, Japman focuses on enabling and empowering individuals through skills validation. Currently, Japman serves as Executive Vice President of Vametric Corporation, and is responsible for the overall growth and operationalization of the business.
Born and raised in Ottawa, Japman spent seven years living in Alberta, and now lives in Toronto. Outside of his work with Vametric, he facilitates real estate financing for large commercial projects, focusing on multi-residential housing amidst Canada’s current housing crisis. Outside of work, he’s most likely to be found on his bike, at a coffee shop, at a stand-up comedy show, or with family and friends.
- Joey
- Coleman
2023/24 Fellow
Joey Coleman is an independent journalist practicing in Hamilton, Ontario. As Canada’s first locally crowdfunded journalist, he specializes in coverage of municipal politics, civic affairs, and the Ontario Land Tribunal. Previously, he covered post-secondary education nationally. Joey was a Southam Fellow at Massey College in the University of Toronto during the 2019/2020 academic year.
A former Crown Ward, Joey’s life path has informed his journalism and community involvement. He plans to use the skills he obtains during the Action Canada Fellowship to improve his understanding of policy-making processes and solutions being implemented across Canada to the challenges he covers as a local journalist.
At one time, Joey was a member of a competitive pinball league, once ranking among the top 1000 players in Canada. He is presently rated 43720th in the world by the International Flipper Pinball Association.
Joey lives in Downtown Hamilton, Ontario, where people joke that his usual seat at the farmers’ market is his real “office.”
- Justine
- Lalande
2023/24 Fellow
Justine Lalande is currently a PhD candidate and lecturer in the Department of Social and Public Communication at the Université du Québec à Montréal.
Her thesis focuses on social representations of the ecological transition and their effects on the social acceptability of proposals related to this transition. Justine is the recipient of a doctoral research grant from the Fonds de recherche du Québec, société et culture (FRQSC). She also holds a Master’s degree in Administration (MSc), a DESS in International Development and Humanitarian Action Management and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Université Laval.
Before embarking on her doctoral adventure, Justine obtained the Jean-Charles-Bonenfant Foundation scholarship in 2017-2018, allowing her to complete a parliamentary internship at the Quebec National Assembly. She then worked until 2022 as a senior consultant in a public relations and government relations agency, working with clients in various sectors.
In addition to her work, Justine is involved in her community, as a member of various boards of directors in the past, she is now the general secretary of the Academy of Controversy and Sensitive Communication. She is also a member of the first cohort of the Natural Resources Canada’s Youth Council.
- Madison
- Rilling
2023/24 Fellow
Madison is Executive Director of Optonique, a nonprofit dedicated to growing Québec’s and Canada’s photonics community and leveraging the enabling capabilities of light-based technologies. She is a knowledge-broker between industry, academia and government, being involved in innovation, trade and workforce policy development, as well as diplomatic efforts at both the provincial and federal levels.
Madison holds a Joint Honours in Math and Physics (McGill University, 2014), Master’s in Medical Physics (ULaval, 2016) and a PhD in Physics (ULaval, 2020), after which she worked as a clinical medical physicist in radiation oncology. She was a student advisor to Québec’s Chief Scientist (2016-2019) and a member of Canada’s Chief Science Advisor’s inaugural Youth Council (2020-2023), acting as a strong advocate at the science-policy interface for the next generation of scientists.
As an Optica Pivoting Fellow, Madison pursues her commitment to building bridges between science & society. She contributes her expertise as board member, mentor, and dedicated volunteer within local and international scientific and policy-focused organizations. Over the years, Madison co-led several initiatives for girls and women in STEM within her community as well as creative science outreach projects like La Terrasse Optique. Born and raised in Québec City, Madison loves to be outdoors – either (ultra)trail running, playing beach volleyball, or cycling.
- Megan
- Johnson
2023/24 Fellow
Dr. Megan Johnson (she/her) is a researcher, program manager, and arts practitioner based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Her community-based research aims to mitigate the infrastructural barriers that prevent people from accessing artistic and cultural experiences and to mobilize innovations from disability culture to address issues of social inequality. Megan is an outspoken ally and a strong advocate for disabled artists and has published and presented internationally on topics related to disability arts, cultural ecologies, and accessibility.
Megan holds a PhD in Theatre & Performance Studies from York University. Currently, she is a Research Associate with Re•Vision: The Centre for Art and Social Justice at the University of Guelph, a research hub that uses arts-based methodologies to investigate the ways that the arts can advance conversations about systemic injustices across sectors (including health care, education, and the arts). At Re•Vision Megan leads projects focused on disability art and performance, critical access studies, digital pedagogy, and infrastructural politics. She is also the Reviews Editor for Performing Ethos: International Journal of Ethics in Theatre & Performance.
In addition to her academic work, Megan is a classically-trained mezzo-soprano. She sings across a wide range of genres with particular expertise in new music and expanded vocal techniques. Megan is an active community volunteer and serves as a board member for various community organizations, including Choirs for Change Association (since 2021) and Independent Living Nova Scotia (beginning in 2023).
- Melissa
- O'Rourke
2023/24 Fellow
Melissa is a community builder who is curious about people and passionate about sustainable development. Since 2019, Melissa has managed a series of collaborative innovation projects with a combined total value of $27 million (CAD). Melissa currently works at the Frank McKenna Institute for Digital Transformation in New Brunswick as a Strategic Program Director. Projects in her portfolio range from allocating funding for digital health research to building a public-private data trust.
Before joining the McKenna Institute, Melissa oversaw a portfolio of national ocean impact projects with Canada’s Ocean Supercluster and supported the growth of 40+ new ventures through the management of a business accelerator program. In 2017, she was a Global Accelerator Network Managing Director-in-Residence and spent three months working with ABC Accelerator in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Melissa holds a Master of Public Administration from Dalhousie University and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Mount Allison University. During her undergraduate studies, Melissa served as President of the Mount Allison Students’ Union and lobbied all levels of government on issues facing Canada’s post-secondary students.
Melissa lives in her hometown of Saint John, New Brunswick with her partner and their cat. In her spare time, Melissa enjoys connecting with nature through gardening, camping, and trips to the beautiful beaches throughout Atlantic Canada.
- Paul
- Bailey
2023/24 Fellow
Paul is a strategist, urban planner and Executive Director at the Black Health Alliance.
Paul has spent the last decade designing interventions focused on improving outcomes for Black children, youth and families as it relates to: health and well-being, community violence, mental health and addictions, and the social service sector. His work is currently focused on social planning, health equity, and addressing the causes of neighbourhood distress and inequality.
- Sophie
- Hamel
2023/24 Fellow
Sophie currently serves as a senior clinical evaluator at Health Canada. She joined the Federal public service under the Management Training Programme where she gained experienced in international health policies, risk management, emergency drug access and health crisis management. She had the privilege of acting as manager of the Medical Group at the Office of Clinical Trial during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Born and raised in Montreal, Sophie completed a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology/Immunology and a Master of Science in Experimental Medicine at McGill University. She holds a PhD in Cellular and Molecular Medicine from the University of Ottawa and attended a postgraduate externship in pharmacovigilance at Harvard University.
Globe-trotter passionate about community involvement, Sophie was the Canadian representative for the health science sector during a Rotary Exchange Program. She visited many hospitals and research centers in Rwanda and Gabon to discuss best public policy practices with the senior leaders of these two countries. Sophie sat on the Board of Director of various non-profit organisations in the sectors of education and community outreach and has been involved in numerous initiatives promoting women in STEM. As a second dan black belt martial art instructor, she founded a self-defence course for women in vulnerable situations. But most importantly, she is the devoted mother of two who hopes to leave a positive legacy for the next generation.
- Tiffany
- Prete
2023/24 Fellow
Apooyak’ii/Dr. Tiffany Prete (nee Hind Bull) is a member of the Kainai (Blood Tribe) of the Siksikasitapi (Blackfoot Confederacy), located in the Treaty 7 area. She is an assistant professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Lethbridge. Her program of work is comprised of implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action on the Blood Reserve.
Dr. Prete earned her bachelors of elementary education specializing in math and science and completed her Master of Education and Doctor of Philosophy in education at the University of Alberta. She held both a Social Science and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Postdoctoral Fellowship and was an inaugural recipient of the University of Calgary’s Provost’s postdoctoral award for Indigenous and Black scholars at the University of Calgary.
The University of Alberta recently awarded Dr. Prete the Alumni Horizon Award (2022) which recognized her research initiatives arising from her Truth and Reconciliation research, and its community implications as an outstanding professional achievement.
Dr. Prete’s background is in educational policy studies, specializing in Indigenous Peoples education. Her area of expertise includes: Indigenous secondary retention rates within the public school system, Blackfoot historical research, impacts of colonization, intergenerational trauma, and Indigenous research methodologies.
- Tesicca
- Truong
2023/24 Fellow
Tesicca Truong 張慈櫻 Trương Từ Anh (she/her) is a community engagement innovator, an anti-oppressive dialogue facilitator, and a serial changemaker. Her passions lie at the intersection of youth empowerment, citizen engagement and resilience building.
She co-founded CityHive, a non-profit on a mission to transform the way young people shape their cities and the civic processes that engage them. She also co-created the inaugural Vancouver School Board Sustainability Conference, currently in its eleventh year, and kick-started the Vancouver Youth4Tap Coalition, a city-wide campaign that led to the installation of new water fountains in every public high school in Vancouver. She has run for office municipally and provincially and has advised Ministers both federally and provincially. She currently works as the Program Manager at Environment Funders Canada.
Tesicca has served on the Mayor’s Engaged City Task Force, BC’s Climate Solutions and Clean Growth Advisory Council, and SFU Senate. For her work, she was awarded the SFU President’s Leadership in Sustainability Award and Vancouver’s Greenest City Leadership Award. Tesicca has also been named on Top 30 under 30 and Top 25 under 25 lists by Corporate Knights, North American Association for Environmental Education, and Starfish Canada. You can find her longboarding and biking through the city, swimming and kayaking in the ocean, rock climbing in the mountains, and exploring the woods.
- Michelle
- Bailey
2023/24 Fellow
Michelle is a proud public servant and policy professional with over 10 years of experience working for the Government of Canada. She is currently a Senior Policy Advisor at the Privy Council Office, providing advice on federal-provincial-territorial issues.
Michelle joined the federal public service through the Advanced Policy Analyst Program, a rotational development program that includes placements at the three central agencies. Over the course of her career, Michelle has had the opportunity to work on a wide range of files, including mental health, youth employment, pharmacare, and coordination of the federal Budget. In 2017, she was selected to participate in Canada Beyond 150, a Government of Canada leadership and skills development program, where she explored innovative policy tools through a project on reconciliation.
Michelle also serves as a Director on the Board of the Education Foundation of Ottawa, whose mission is to remove economic barriers to successful learning and participation in school.
Michelle holds a Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management from Carleton University and a Master of Public Policy from Simon Fraser University.
- Alexandra
- Nychuk
2023/24 Fellow
Alexandra Nychuk (she/her) is Michif and a Citizen of the Manitoba Métis Federation. She is a second year PhD student in the Department of Health, Aging & Society at McMaster University.
Drawing on Alexandra’s lived experience as a caretaker, her PhD research seeks to understand how colonization impacts Red River Métis health by exploring the connection between identity and Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Alexandra draws on Body Mapping, an art-based approach whereby participants create body maps to help them tell their stories, centering a relational understanding of health.
Having worked in governmental and non-governmental sectors, Alexandra is dedicated to using a strength based, rights based,community engaged participatory methods to improve Indigenous health through addressing anti-Indigenous racism in healthcare, reforming medical education, and designing Indigenous health policy.
She is a Board Certified Athletic Trainer and graduate from Minot State University and a Masters in Development Practice from the University of Winnipeg where she graduated with highest distinction. Alexandra speaks English, German and is an advocate for the Michif language. Alexandra is the current lead on the STEM Fellowship Indigenous Advisory Circle and serves as the McMaster University Indigenous Graduate Students (MIGS) Chair.
Alumni
The 300+ Action Canada alumni who are at the core of this engaged community are outstanding leaders in their own spheres who share a commitment to Canada and a demonstrated engagement with public policy. They represent all sectors, including business, NGOs, science, government and academia.
Following the Fellowship year, alumni have gone on to occupy the following positions:
- Vice President, CEO Support, Scotiabank
- Deputy Minister and Cabinet Secretary, Government of Yukon
- Minister of Citizens’ Services and Member of Parliament, Government of Canada
- President, Canadian Medical Association
- Partner, McCarthy Tétrault LLP
- Member of the National Assembly of Quebec
- Canada Research Chair in Injury Prevention and Physical Activity for Health
- Executive Director, Montreal Pride
- Global Policy Campaigns Strategy Director, Meta
Alumni events and conferences
Members of the Action Canada alumni community remain active and connected with each other, while building new relationships.
They do that by:
- Organizing an annual alumni conference;
- Attend virtual sessions for alumni on policy, leadership, and Canada;
- Convening local Action Canada alumni chapters for social gatherings;
- Attending or to speaking at program sessions/study tours during the current Fellowship year to meet the new Fellows; and
- Connecting with each other directly to start new projects, support each other’s work, and share professional advice or opportunities.
Award
Belzberg Blaney Award for Exceptional Service
In 2003, philanthropists Fran and Sam Belzberg and Simon Fraser University President Jack Blaney created the Action Canada Fellowship to support the next generation of Canadian leaders. As Mr. Belzberg said: “We want Canada to be the finest country in the world, and to achieve that we need outstanding leadership.” This award seeks to honour what they set in motion all those years ago, by recognizing an Action Canada alum whose contributions in their sector or community go above and beyond the day-to-day of their job.
The winner of this award also embodies the Action Canada ethos:
- Service to the country/community
- A leader who brings others along and works with others in their service
- Action oriented
2023 Winner – Kulvir Gill
Kulvir Gill is a leader who combines professional excellence with a commitment to public service. Kulvir is an accomplished business leader, with more than twenty years of experience in helping organizations build their growth strategies and develop their next generation of innovative leaders. He has worked directly with Fortune 500 clients across multiple industries including mining, oil and gas, heavy industrial, financial services, and retail.
Kulvir has also played a major role in driving several multi-stakeholder coalitions. He was the Founding Executive Director of the Development Partner Institute (DPI) to advance sustainability in the mining industry. Kulvir has also served as the Innovation Ecosystem Manager for the Canadian Mining Innovation Council (CMIC). He currently serves as a co-lead for The Nourish Movement which brings global leaders to empower human health through food, sustainably.
Kulvir has also made an indelible mark on his communities through a truly monumental commitment to community service. He is a co-founder and board chair of the Seva Food Bank in Mississauga. He also serves on the boards of the William Osler Health System, the Empire Club of Canada and the Sikh Research Institute.
Speakers and friends of Action Canada
Action Canada is eternally grateful for the support of leading Canadians who established the Fellowship, nurtured its growth and made it into the important leadership development organization and program it is today.
Founders and previous mentors and advisors
Sam Belzberg, O.C., O.B.C., President and CEO of Gibralt Capital Corp., Action Canada Founder Emeritus
Dr. Jack Blaney, O.B.C., President Emeritus, Simon Fraser University
David Aisenstat, President and CEO, The Keg Steakhouse and Bar
Fran Belzberg, C.M.
Marc de La Bruyère, Principal and Chairman, Maclab Enterprises
Richard Dicerni, C.M. Deputy Minister, Alberta Executive Council, Head of the Alberta Public Service
Clay Horner, Chair, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
Dr. Mark Winston, Founding Director, SFU Centre for Dialogue
Stella Ablett
Helen Augustin
Elodie Jacquet
Andrew Cohen, Professor, Carleton University
Eva Czigler, Former Senior Director, CBC Television
Bob Foulkes, Communication Consultant
Rae Hull, Principal, Rae Hull Media
Jim Mitchell, Founding Partner, Sussex Circle
Andrea Rose, Professor, Memorial University of Newfoundland Justice
Malcolm Rowe, Supreme Court Justice
Janet Smith, Federal Deputy Minister (retired)
Cathy Beehan, Action Canada Founding Chief Executive Officer Emerita
Lisa Belzberg, Founder and Chair Emerita, PENCIL
Ann Cowan, former Executive Director, Simon Fraser University
André Juneau, Federal Deputy Minister (retired)
Jodi White, C.M. Former Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister of Canada
Dr. Don Buckingham, President and CEO, Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute
Dr. Dion Martens, Office of the Vice-President Research, University of Saskatchewan
Brian Topp, PPF Fellow and Former Chief of Staff to the Premier of Alberta
Suzanne Vinet, Former Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Elaine Feldman, Former President of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Guillaume Lavoie, Action Canada Fellow ’06
Jane Taber, Vice-President, Public Affairs at NATIONAL
Dr. Mike DeGagné C.M., O.O., President and CEO of Indspire
Daniel Jean, former Deputy Minister of Global Affairs and National Security Adviser
Sarah Doyle ‘15, Policy Director, Brookfield Institute, Action Canada Fellow ’15
Sean Speer, PPF Prime Ministers of Canada Fellow and Fellow-in-Residence
Sunil Johal, PPF Fellow
Jake Hirsch-Allen, LinkedIn
Rachel Wernick, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Employment and Social Development Canada
Anjum Sultana, YWCA Canada
Andrée Loucks, Policy Lead, PPF
Zainub Verjee, Executive Director of the Ontario Galleries
Janice McDonald, Founder of The Beacon Agency Inc.