October 09 - 14, 2018 CAN STUDY US Chicago, Illinois, USA 2 CAN STUDY US // US Midterm Election Tour, 2018

CAN STUDY US ORGANIZERS

Karim Bardeesy John Beebe Distinguished Visiting Professor / Special Senior Advisor, Democratic Engagement, Adviser to the President, Ryerson University Faculty of Arts, Ryerson University [email protected] [email protected] 416-556-1490 416-979-5000 Ext. 3454

SUPPORTERS

Mohammad Al Zaibak

CANADIAN ARAB INSTITUTE | INSTITUT CANADO-ARABE

Address Ryerson University

350 Victoria St, Toronto Ontario M5B 2K3 CAN STUDY US // US Midterm Election Tour, 2018 3

CAN STUDY US CONTENTS

Programming 04

Why Chicago? 05

Organizers 06

Veteran Change-Makers 08

Youth Leaders 10

Community Partners 16

Media Team 20

Behind The Scenes 21

Programming4 CAN STUDY US // US Midterm Election Tour, 2018 TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12

Arrive in Chicago Robert Rivkin, Deputy Mayor, City of Chicago

University of Chicago Institute of Politics Speaker PLACEMENTS with the Women’s March; Logan Series: Al Cardenas and Ana Navarro, moderated by Square Neighborhood Association David Axelrod

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13

Consul General John Cruikshank PLACEMENTS with the Women’s March; Logan Square Neighborhood Association Meetings hosted by the Mikva Challenge • Mischa Fisher, Chief Economic Policy Advisor to Governor Rauner SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14 • Neil Steinberg, news columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times (working lunch) Church service in the South Side • Chris Kennedy, businessman and Democratic politician PLACEMENT with University of Chicago Institute for • Mikva Challenge Workshop led by Meghan Golden Justice Clinic on Entrepreneurship stein, Senior Program Director, and Ken Porter, Teacher Based Programming Manager Return to Toronto

PLACEMENTS: Shadow Mikva canvassers and volunteers

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11

Workshop on “How Technology is Transforming Politics and Government” with Ben Rowswell, Co-Founder and President of Betterplace; Amy Deora, Director of Public Sector Analytics, Civic Analytics; and Martin Cuellar, tech lead for Indivisible Chicago

Meetings hosted by the McCormick Foundation • Working lunch with Jean Westrick, Director of Civic Engagement and Partnerships, Chicago Community Trust • Workshop led by Crystal Coats, Director of Civic and Campus Engagement, University of Chicago Institute of Politics • Meeting with Pat Brady, former Chairman of the Illinois Republican Party, and Eric Elk, former Chief of Staff for Mark Kirk in Congress and U.S. Senate • Meeting with Debbie Chizewer, Law Fellow at North Western University’s Environmental Advocacy Clinic, and Gina Ramirez, Southeast Side Community Member

Meeting with Khizr Khan, Gold Star father to Captain Humayun Khan, killed in 2004 during the Iraq War

University of Chicago Institute of Politics Speaker Series: Khizr Khan, moderated by Odette Yousef CAN STUDY US // US Midterm Election Tour, 2018 5

We Are Change-Makers

What is CAN STUDY US? Why Chicago?

A singular, hands-on opportunity for 25 youth leaders Chicago has a long history of civic leadership and to experience democratic engagement and outreach, community-based efforts to foster democratic engage- leadership and public policy development, on the eve ment. The parallels between Chicago and Toronto are of one of the most hotly contested midterm elections in fascinating. Both cities are immigrant cities, commer- United States history. cial capitals that have attracted people from all classes, ethnicities, and backgrounds in search of community The trip to Chicago and surrounding areas between and prosperity. Tuesday, October 9th and Sunday, October 14th will feature meetings with people doing the work including: This project creates an opportunity for young Canadian leaders to learn from practitioners and scholars and • Community organizers experience US political culture first-hand. Youth leaders • Political Operatives will learn about democratic engagement and outreach, • Journalists and leadership and public policy development. Taking • Senior policy advisors place against the backdrop of a dynamic city similar • Campaign and communication strategists to Toronto in size during a midterm congressional, • Scholars putting their work into practice gubernatorial and municipal election. By meeting with other young leaders, joining non-partisan outreach The last two days of the trip will embed youth leaders and educational campaigns, and hearing from some of with organizations engaged in voter outreach activities, the leading scholars and practitioners in the fields of providing them with an opportunity to put everything engagement, policy and leadership development, the they’ve learned about civic engagement at the beginning participants will gain important and actionable insights of the trip into action. about how to engage their communities.

US STUDY TOUR CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, 2018 6 CAN STUDY US // US Midterm Election Tour, 2018

ORGANIZERS : The Democratic Engagement Exchange and the Ryerson Leadership Lab are two Ryerson University-based initiatives with a shared commitment to strength- ening the foundation of Canada’s democracy. The Exchange does this by developing tools and resources, providing training and consultation and showcas- ing best practices of democratic engage- ment. The RLL does this by developing KARIM JOHN the capacity of future leaders through innovative educational programming, convening leading thinkers and prac- BARDEESY BEEBE titioners and providing meaningful Distinguished Visiting Professor and Senior Advisor, Democratic experiential learning opportunities. Both Special Adviser to the President Engagement Exchange initiatives will be drawing on an exten- sive network of Canadian and US based Karim Bardeesy is a public service John joins the Faculty of Arts, after organizations and leaders to support this leader who has worked at the intersec- leading community based outreach study tour. tion of public policy, politics, journal- programs for Samara Canada. At ism and academia for the last 15 years. Samara, John developed the Democ- This is the first such trip that either of He is a Distinguished Visiting Profes- racy Talks and Vote PopUp programs our organizations has undertaken in sor and Special Adviser to the Presi- that have been adopted by national this space. The combination of “learn- dent at Ryerson University in Toronto, and regional community organizations ing-by-listening” (through meetings and and Co-Founder of the Ryerson Lead- across the country and showcased as interactions with key changemakers) and ership Lab. He was previously Deputy an example of programs that work by “learning-by-doing” (through placements Principal Secretary for the Premier of the Canada’s Chief Electoral Officer in in non-partisan organizations working Ontario, the Hon. Kathleen Wynne, his report to Parliament. John began on voter outreach) will yield actionable and served as Executive Director of his career working for the US Con- insights for the youth leaders. Policy for Premiers Wynne and Dal- gress where he served as Chief of Staff ton McGuinty. He has worked as an to a US Congressman and worked on editorial writer at The Globe and Mail several political campaigns. He has and has a B.A. from McGill University, also worked as an educator and served and an M.P.P. from Harvard’s John F. on the board of the organization that Kennedy School of Government. successfully campaigned for the first system of public financing for state elections in the United States. John began his career working for the US Congress where he served as Chief of Staff to a US Congressman and worked on several political campaigns. CAN STUDY US // US Midterm Election Tour, 2018 7

MEL SHOAIB MICHAEL WRIGHT AHMED COOKE Facilitator, CANSTUDYUS Co-Founder, Ryerson Leadership Lab Former Editor of the Toronto Star and the Chicago Sun-Times Mel Wright is the former Chief of Staff Shoaib Ahmed has been working with for Intergovernmental Affairs to Pre- executives, students and change mak- Michael Cooke is the longest-serving mier Kathleen Wynne. In her role she ers to develop their programs and lead- Editor in the Toronto Star’s recent helped facilitate trade missions to Chi- ership potential at Ryerson University history. A visit to Toronto in 1975 na, India, Israel and several US states. since 2011. He co-founded the Ryerson landed him his first job at the Star, She served as Director of Tour on both Leadership Lab, where he continues working on the copy desk. He became of Wynne’s election campaigns and his work with Karim in developing assistant national editor before join- as Deputy Director of Tour on Justin leadership programming focused on ing The Gazette in Montreal, where Trudeau’s 2015 campaign. Mel worked on public issues that sparks action in he served as assistant city editor, city for the Ontario Liberal government the community and develops people at editor and co-managing editor. He since 2010. Some of her previous roles all ages and stages. At Ryerson he has later served as managing editor of the include Chief of Staff to the Minister headed Strategic Projects in the Office Edmonton Journal, as editor-in-chief of Economic Development and Infra- of the President and has served as a of the Vancouver Province, and helped structure, Chief of Staff to the Minister Special Projects Assistant to the Vice launch the National Post in 1998. In of Government Services, and Deputy President of University Advancement. 2000, he was named Editor-in-Chief Director of Communications to the Shoaib has an MBA in Global Man- of the Chicago Sun-Times. He became Minister of Finance. Mel has an Hon- agement and a BCom in Management Editor-in-Chief of the New York Daily ours BA from Dalhousie University in and Entrepreneurship from Ryerson’s News in 2005, returning to Chicago in Economics and International Devel- Ted Rogers School of Management. 2006 as Vice-President of Editorial for opment, and an MA in International He recently completed “Global Change the Chicago Sun-Times News Group Relations and Political Science from Agents: Crossing Boundaries, Building and later as Editor-in-Chief of the the Munk School of Global Affairs. Bridges and Leading Change” Execu- Sun-Times. tive Education course at the Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. 8 CAN STUDY US // US Midterm Election Tour, 2018

VETERAN CHANGE-MAKERS :

MITCH MOHAMMAD BEN FRAZER AL ZAIBAK ROWSWELL Chair, Government Appointee, Ryer- Government Appointee, Ryerson Uni- Co-founder, Betterplace son University and Partner and Chair, versity, Chair of the Board of Direc- Pensions and Employment Practice at tors, Canada Arab Business Council Ben Rowswell is a pioneer in the use Torys LLP and President and CEO of Canadian of technology to mobilize citizens in Development and Marketing Corpo- global affairs. By the time he left his His practice focuses on all aspects of ration last post as Canada’s Ambassador to pension, benefits and employment law. Venezuela in July 2017, Ben had spent He is the founder of the National Insti- Syrian-born Canadian entrepreneur more than twenty years supporting hu- tute on Ageing at Ryerson University’s Mohammad Al Zaibak is a co-found- man rights activists around the world. Ted Rogers School of Management, an er of several information technol- Ben has observed the power that mo- Adjunct Professor at the University of ogy-based companies in Canada bilized citizens can wield. In his first Toronto Faculty of Law and a former and abroad. He is a former Director collaboration with Farhaan Ladhani, Adjunct Professor at Osgoode Hall and CEO of Teramira Holdings Inc. he launched Cloud to Street, a ven- Law School at York University. Mitch and was the principal private-sector ture to connect Egyptian democracy publishes and speaks regularly on architect, co-founder and an officer activists with Silicon Valley technolo- pension, benefits and employment law of Teranet Inc., a pioneering private/ gists. Successive projects with Farhaan matters and has been interviewed on public partnership, which built, and have refined their shared knowledge of television, radio and in print. He is the continues to manage and operate one what citizens need to mobilize and stay author of “A Practical Guide to Private of the world’s most advanced and mobilized. Those insights led to the for- Pension Plans in Canada” published by sophisticated land registration in- mation of Betterplace in 2016, which Canada Law Book and the co-author formation systems and databases in Ben joined full-time in August 2017. with Ari Kaplan of the second edition the world (Ontario’s Electronic Land (The activities of Betterplace in no way of “Pension Law” published by Irwin Registration System). reflect he positions or the opinions of Law. Mitch was named by Lexpert the Canadian Embassy to Venezuela or Magazine as one of Canada’s leading the Government of Canada.) lawyers under 40 and was the recipient of one of Precedent Magazine’s Inau- gural Precedent Setter Awards. CAN STUDY US // US Midterm Election Tour, 2018 9 10 CAN STUDY US // US Midterm Election Tour, 2018

YOUTH LEADERS :

ADAM ADAM ANGIE CHEN ASMAR (DARSHANIE) Masters of Journalism Student, Fourth Year History Major and Politics Ryerson University Minor Student, Ryerson University BUDHWA

Prior to joining Ryerson, Adam Adam has spent his time at Ryerson Fourth Year Law and Business Major studied public policy and community being a part of the RSU and working and Criminology and Environmen- development at Carleton University, alongside the Ryerson Equity Service tal Studies Minor Student, Ryerson before moving on to finding a chain Centres, and maintaining an active University of community-focused restaurants in role in the Faculty of Arts post his Taipei, Taiwan. He has contributed tenure on the RSU. He is very passion- Darshanie “Angie” Budhwa aspires to to The Eye Opener, BuzzFeed, and ate about politics, especially American make a better society and create a bet- HuffPost Canada, and often covers politics, especially since the election ter tomorrow. She grew up in the GTA municipal issues, race, gender, margin- of President Donald Trump. He has and Toronto where she has learned alized communities, and technology. always been interested in municipal much from family and friends. Though Most recently, he finished a four- and provincial elections, having volun- idealistic, she firmly believes in justice month internship for HuffPost Cana- teered in campaigns at both levels of and the concept that laws are meant da, where he developed and executed Canadian politics. He is very honoured to be changed to reflect the changing their Twitter and Instagram strategies to be part of Ryerson’s Democratic Ex- values of society. Angie’s experiences at based on marketing fundamentals and change, having been given the privilege Ryerson have led her to make various best practices. For his Masters’ Major by them to watch the 2018 Provincial fond memories and join a variety of Research Project, Adam is creating a Leaders Youth Debate. In his person- clubs that allow her to give back. She community platform to highlight the al life, Adam is an amateur stand up hopes to pursue further education diverse perspectives of the East-Asian comic and also likes to bake and cook. down the road. Canadian populations of the GTA. He He believes it is important for youth will be using social media platforms, of all societies to engage in the polit- newsletters, and events in order to ical process, and hopes to advocate build engagement within the commu- in his community for increased social nity he comes from. involvement. CAN STUDY US // US Midterm Election Tour, 2018 11

ARJUN AYSHA BAHOZ MENON ANWAR DARA Fourth Year Ryerson History Major Second Year Professional Communica- Third Year Psychology Student, Criminology Minor Student, Ryerson tion Student, Ryerson University Ryerson University University Passionate in all things politics and Throughout her years at Ryerson, Born in India, Arjun moved to Manito- writing, Aysha recently completed a Bahoz has made the most of her time ba at the age of 2 where he completed four-month internship in the House by being highly involved; she was a col- his elementary and middle school. of Commons, where she worked as a umnist for the school newspaper, and Arjun is actively involved in the com- Parliamentary Assistant on Parliament the President of the Ryerson Liberal munity and has volunteered for many Hill. Finding herself immersed in the Arts Society. Here she created inclusive organizations including UNICEF, heart of Canada’s political climate, spaces, and fought for students. Beyond Salvation Army, and the Red Cross. Aysha developed both an appreciation the university, Bahoz was a campaign As the president of Brampton Young and stronger interest in the workings manager in the last provincial election, liberals and VP of Ryerson History of local, federal and global politics. She and now assists in the rebuilding of the Society, Arjun has taken an active role now sits as the Communications Chair Ontario Liberal Party. Bahoz feels that to incorporate youth into politics and in the constituency Youth Council of politics is in her blood, as a refugee of have their voices heard. Arjun has the Office of M.P. Deb Schulte, where Kurdish descent, she feels that it is her attended the Halifax and Winnipeg she works to be a change-maker in her duty to ensure there is fair policy in Liberal convention, where he had the community. Interested in the powerful place that allows for equal opportuni- opportunity to meet and work with intersection between digital commu- ty and growth within Canada. Bahoz the Honorable Jody Wilson Raybould, nications and social change, Aysha has is excited about fighting for the new Minister of Justice and Attorney Gen- also served as a Social Media Director wave of moral, and sustainable politics, eral of Canada, about issues surround- with Ryerson Me to We and a Market- and looks forward to supporting future ing Aboriginal Youth Incarceration. ing Associate with Ryerson SOS. change makers within Ryerson, and Arjun has recently been nominated for eventually in global communities. the Guy-Bordeleau outstanding Cana- dian Youth alum award for his efforts in raising funds and resources for the Kerala flooding. 12 CAN STUDY US // US Midterm Election Tour, 2018

CAJAANAN DANIELLA DANIEL LIS Fifth Year Politics & Governance JEYANATHAN ALTOBELLI Student, Ryerson University

Third Year Politics and Governance Third Year Journalism Student, Born in Toronto to parents who are Student, Ryerson University Ryerson University Czech immigrants, Daniel Lis has an incredible passion for civic engagement Cajaanan’s passion for politics began Daniella is studying a minor in Public and good governance. He has volun- at a very young age. After participating Relations because she is interested in teered with the Ryerson Democratic in Student Vote in 2008, Cajaanan de- all aspects of the field of Communica- Engagement Exchange to increase cided to get involved in his local riding. tions. She is passionate about effec- voter awareness during the 2018 On- Since that campaign, he’s helped on tive communication, leadership and tario Provincial Election, worked for over 40 campaigns from all levels of student engagement. Currently, she sits Elections Canada as a Poll Clerk, vol- government, including nomination as the Vice-President of Communica- unteered for a number of candidates and leadership campaigns. Over the tions for the Ryerson Communication seeking public office and took a year summer, Cajaanan was an intern in the and Design Society, a student society off from school to serve as an elected Office of the Honourable Bill Mor- that assists and finances undergradu- executive at the Ryerson Students’ neau, the Member of Parliament for ate student projects in the Faculty of Union (RSU) where he planned and Toronto Centre and Canada’s Minister Communication and Design. Daniella carried out a number of projects with of Finance. He is currently a member is currently bilingual, she is fluent in public and government consultation of multiple organizations including the both English and French. Upon grad- - including creating the RSU’s Centre United Way and serves on the Board uation, Daniella aspires to work in the for Educational Research & Policy of Directors of Willowdale Legal Clinic field of corporate communications and (CERP) and establishing the RU-Pass Services. He has also served on the Pol- eventually, she aspires to open her own which will provide all Ryerson students itics and Governance Student’s Associ- public relations firm. hundreds of dollars in savings on the ation as the First Year Representative Toronto metro. He has pushed the im- during the 2016-2017 academic year. portance of civic engagement to family and friends, and is happy to have be- come the go-to person for many people he knows when they need help trouble- shooting the voting process. CAN STUDY US // US Midterm Election Tour, 2018 13

JANA VIGOR KAITLYN KALEB Masters of Communication and Culture Student, Ryerson University HUNDT ZEWDINEH

Jana has extensive research experience Urban and Regional Planning Student, Third Year Politics and Governance relating to discourses surrounding Ryerson University Student, Ryerson University wellness, culturally competent mental health campaigns, as well as the histo- Kaitlyn Hundt is active in the future Kaleb plans to continue his post-gradu- ry of women’s psychiatric treatment. of city building. Through both her ate studies in the field of International She is particularly interested in public experience as a student at the School Relations. During the summer of 2018, policy concerning women’s repro- of Urban and Regional Planning, he worked at the African Union HQ in ductive rights, housing, and access to paired with her lived experiences as a Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. During his in- trauma informed care. Her research political advocate - She gets excited by ternship, he was able to gain in-depth on women, femme, and feminized peo- searching for solutions to the complex knowledge on how intergovernmental ple’s narratives of embodiment will be problems cities face; increased hous- organizations operate and was also displayed as a public sound installation ing inequality, limited public spaces, able to network and discuss important in Toronto in the summer of 2019. disproportional democratic represen- African issues with several African tation and increased environmental diplomats and Ambassadors. concerns. 14 CAN STUDY US // US Midterm Election Tour, 2018

KEYANN LAUREN MELISSA NEJAD DONALDSON SALAMO Second Year Poltics and Governance First Year Criminology Student, Third Year Journalism Student, Student, Ryerson University Ryerson University Ryerson University

Keyann is 19 years old and is part of Lauren grew up in Ottawa and recent- Melissa is from Aruba, a tiny island in both the Ryerson Campus Conversa- ly transferred from St. Francis Xavier the Caribbean, and moved to Toronto tives as well as the Politics and Gover- University in Nova Scotia. She hopes in 2016. She loves to dance, play tennis, nance Student Association. to head to law school after her under- act, do fun outdoor activities and tell graduate degree, focusing in Criminal stories. Melissa chose Ryerson because Law. She is a firm believer that to solve she knew she wanted to follow a career the everyday issues faced in society related to storytelling. Her Canadian such as inequality one must do so teacher back in Aruba suggested Ry- through political engagement. It is her erson’s journalism school as one of the mission to make young people under- best in Canada. She applied to several stand and get excited over the fact that other schools in the United States, but they can literally choose the exact lives in the end her heart followed Ryerson they want for themselves and their University and the city of Toronto. children. One day Melissa hopes to instill hope in others. She does not want to have just one occupation in her career, but wishes to do several things that will allow her to inspire those around her. CAN STUDY US // US Midterm Election Tour, 2018 15

OLIVIA SACHIN SHAWN PARSONS PERSAUD GAVIOLA Third Year Creative Industries Masters of Urban and Regional Fourth Year Commerce Student, Ryer- Student, Ryerson University Planning Student, Ryerson University son University

Olivia is specializing in Journalism A lifelong resident of north Scarbor- Throughout Shawn’s undergraduate and Storytelling in Media. Originally ough, Sachin is currently a graduate career, he has been fortunate to have from St. John’s, NL, Olivia is a proud student in the School of Urban and Re- been able to grow personally and pro- Newfoundlander who cares deeply gional Planning at Ryerson University. fessionally through his work terms and about connecting people through the He is proud to be a founding member extracurricular involvement. Shawn power of storytelling. She has had the of his program’s Equity, Diversity and has worked as a product marketing pleasure of working and volunteering Inclusion Committee (EDIC). This analyst, solutions architect, growth with many organizations including the summer, Sachin travelled to five cities analyst, marketing strategist, research Mental Health Commission of Canada, in North America and Europe as a assistant, and business intelligence YWCA, Rotary International and the Sidewalk Toronto Fellow, learning consultant. He had the opportunity to St. John’s International Women’s Film about smart cities technology, urban become an involved student leader by Festival. She is a storyteller, an activist, development and waterfront planning. being a part of the Mens Varsity Fenc- a feminist and a food blogger. In 2016 Sachin has completed internships with ing Team, being President of the Ryer- Olivia received one of 20 national the City of Toronto, Infrastructure son Consulting Association, as well as $70,000 TD Scholarships for Commu- Ontario and two Ontario ministries. playing different roles among various nity Leadership, which brings her to His professional dream is to become a social initiatives. Shawn is passionate Toronto. White House speechwriter and (unsur- about projects and companies that prisingly) his favourite television show work to affect social, economic, and is The West Wing. He enjoys taking political change. He aspires to one day long walks and playing softball. become a leader that engages, inspires, and mobilizes communities towards empowerment and well-being. 16 CAN STUDY US // US Midterm Election Tour, 2018

COMMUNITY PARTNERS:

ALI DAVID EFFIE VIACHOY- MANEK LE BLANC ANNACOS Executive Director, Assistant Director, Outreach and Lead, Engagement and Leadership, The Canadian-Muslim Vote Stakeholder Engagement, Elections Maytree Canada Coming from an entrepreneurial back- Effie leads Maytree’s work to build ground in which he transformed and David was part of the team that participation in, and the development grew a retail business through digiti- designed and delivered the original of, civic processes that include the zation and online marketing and sales, Inspire Democracy initiative in 2014. voices of people with lived experience Ali has built a career steeped in civic Prior to his time in Outreach, he led of poverty. Before joining Maytree, and community engagement globally. the International Affairs team at Effie worked as a consultant with Ali has travelled to over 50 countries Elections Canada. Before joining the Public Interest and with community around the globe, often supporting federal service, David worked on food organizations such as Scadding Court post-natural disaster rebuilding efforts, security and human rights in northern Community Centre. Effie has worked or expanding charitable efforts around Thailand. with many community-based groups education and infrastructure. Having including Tenants for Social Housing, led TCMV’s 2018 Ontario GOTV Toronto Community Benefits Net- efforts as its Campaign Manager and work, the Federation of Metro Ten- having previously sought a nomina- ants’ Associations and the Scarbor- tion himself, Ali has a wealth of skills ough Civic Action Network. She holds around organizing and managing a BA and a BSW from York University. large-scale campaigns. CAN STUDY US // US Midterm Election Tour, 2018 17

HARPRIT HUSAINATU JODIE GILL BARRIE RAWN Volunteer, Citizen Empowerment Volunteer, Citizen Empowerment Managing Director, the CivicAction Project Project Leadership Foundation

Harprit Gill grew up and continues to Husainatu Barrie is currently an un- Jodie Rawn is the inaugural Managing live in the Jane & Finch community. dergraduate student studying Political Director of the CivicAction Leader- She graduated from Ryerson Universi- Science at York University. She decid- ship Foundation – a first-of-its-kind ty with a Bachelor of Social Work with ed to join the Citizenship Engagement foundation that delivers world-class a minor in Sociology. Post graudation, Project Initiative to help improve the civic leadership experiences to diverse she started working with an organi- political education within her commu- rising leaders in the Greater Toronto zation called The Career Foundation, nity. & Hamilton Area. Prior to joining Civ- where she assists young people from icAction, she held progressively senior marginalized communities to secure roles in the Ontario government with full time employment. She also volun- a particular focus on communications, teers with the Citizen Empowerment strategy, organizational transforma- Project, a non-partisan grassroots tion and leadership development. Born organization that works in the Jane and raised in Southwestern Ontario, & Finch and Rexdale communities to Jodie moved to Toronto in 2007 and educate residents about the impor- quickly adopted the city as home (yes tance of voting and increasing voter – even its long-suffering sports teams). participation. This volunteer oppor- She has a Bachelor of Arts in Political tunity has led to a part-time position Science from Wilfrid Laurier Univer- as Executive Director, starting in the sity and is a graduate of the Ontario new year. Harprit and one of her close Public Service’s Leadership Develop- friends founded a non-profit organi- ment Program. She has also completed zation called Helping Neighbourhoods management certificate programs at Implement Change and a clothing line both the Schulich School of Business called Grandslammers. and Rotman School of Business. 18 CAN STUDY US // US Midterm Election Tour, 2018

NARJIS TOOTA RENALDO KARANI HASSANIEN BROWN Senior Accountant, KPMG LLP and Program Manager – Emerging Leaders Volunteer, Citizen Empowerment volunteer, The Canadian-Muslim Vote Network, CivicAction Project

Narjis Karani is a Senior Accoun- Currently working as CivicAction’s Renaldo Brown is currently in his first tant with KPMG LLP and volunteers Emerging Leaders Network Program year of Humber College for social with The Canadian-Muslim Vote. She Manager, Nihal Toota Hassanien service work and is a member of the graduated as a Top Scholar from UofT works to co-create engaging, cutting Citizen Empowerment Project. with a Bachelor of Commerce. Al- edge programming to amplify the though currently pursuing her Char- impact and capacity of diverse leaders tered Professional Accountancy (CPA) across the Greater Toronto & Ham- designation, Narjis is very passionate ilton Region. Toota has an honours about political and civic engagement, degree in Psychology from York as well as financial literacy and ac- University and a Graduate Certificate ademia. While working alongside in Human Resource Management. small medium businesses, NPOs, and Throughout her professional career individuals to provide audit, tax and she has refined the skills of Program accounting services, Narjis volunteers Design, Program Evaluation, Human at The Canadian-Muslim Vote. Narjis Centered Design, and Facilitation. She strongly believes that involvement has developed her skills and passion within the democratic process is essen- for city building primarily through her tial for minority representation within work in the Jane & Finch community, government, and aspires to be that with the Success Beyond Limits Educa- representation through her civic and tion Program. Toota aims to create the political engagement, with TCMV as conditions for others to realize and act well as the major political parties. on their potential. CAN STUDY US // US Midterm Election Tour, 2018 19

SAMANTHA STEPHANIE YARA REUSCH JEREMIE SALAMA Research and Evaluations Manager, Programs Manager, Apathy is Boring Volunteer, Canadian Arab Institute Apathy is Boring Stephanie holds a bachelor’s degree Yara is a passionate advocate for Samantha holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Montreal’s inclusive civic engagement and has from Concordia University in An- Concordia University. She joined the worked on several grassroots cam- thropology where she focused on the Apathy is Boring team in October of paigns, including the Canadian Arab intersection of identity, politics and 2016. Upon graduation, Stephanie Institute’s (CAI) YourVoice project and community. After completing her wanted to pursue a career in interna- Equal Voice’s Daughters of the Vote degree, she worked for several years in tional development. After completing initiative, to encourage youth, women, the private sector, working in market- a few internships abroad and working and ethnic minorities to enter formal ing and data analysis as well as project with a community-based organization political institutions and have a direct management. At Apathy is Boring, in Montreal, she decided to continue impact on improving both policy- she is happy to combine her love for in community organizing instead. She making and corporate culture in the data and impact analysis with her love enjoys the challenge at Apathy is Bor- private sector. She has been involved as for democracy and building capacity ing in creating programs to promote a volunteer and former intern with the among diverse voices in the political active citizenship amongst Canada’s Canadian Arab Institute and currently sphere. youth through change and youth mo- acts as the organization’s Youth Civic bilization in communities across the Action Ambassador. She looks forward country. to acting as a representative for the Canadian Arab Institute in the CAN STUDY US initiative. Yara Salama is currently completing her Honours Bachelor Degree in Political Science from the University of Toronto. She specializes in strategic government communications, political engagement, public policy research, and social me- dia management. 20 CAN STUDY US // US Midterm Election Tour, 2018

MEDIA TEAM :

LUKE CHRISTINE VILLEMAIRE UNG Videographer Photographer, CANSTUDYUS and Founder, Sondr Media and Design Luke Villemaire is an emerging film- maker, based in Toronto, Ontario. Christine is a freelance digital mar- From a young age, he has had a passion keter, specializing in website design, for the art of storytelling and is cur- graphic design, and corporate pho- rently in post-production for his first tography. She works with businesses feature film, Goliath; which he wrote, to reach their goals, building their directed & produced on a budget of brand, increasing sales, and everything $250,000. He has gained experience in-between. She is also currently a in marketing and film production Ryerson Student majoring in Market- through his past positions at IMAX, ing and minoring in Psychology. She is and Wear Your Label; a company that an active student leader at Ted Rogers uses fashion to create conversations School of Management, the Vice Pres- about mental health. He’s interested in ident of Marketing for the Ryerson further exploring the utility of film- Marketing Association, and working making, and determining how it can as the Marketing Coordinator for the be used effectively to promote action Ryerson Leadership Lab. around issues related to mental health, climate change, and politics. CAN STUDY US // US Midterm Election Tour, 2018 21

BEHIND THE SCENES : I AM A CHANGE- MAKER 22 CAN STUDY US // US Midterm Election Tour, 2018 CAN STUDY US // US Midterm Election Tour, 2018 23 Follow us @CANSTUDYUS