EMERGING BUILDER

BIOS

URBAN EXCHANGE

A Speed Networking Event

for University of Master of , Urban Studies & Ryerson Undergraduate Urban and Students. 30

A P R I L SPACES

180 JOHN ST.

1  ABEIR LITON Political Science & Human Geography - Abeir brings great enthusiasm and humor to his role, supporting the vibrant spirit that drives the work of Go Green and empowering youth. He embraces learning more about the world and is currently pursuing undergraduate studies at the in political science and human geography.

ALEXANDER BIMM Urban Studies and Sociology - My research interests include policy development, affordability and pedestrian safety. Living in Toronto has exposed me to a level of diversity and a variety of lifestyles which has led to my passion for urban change. I always enjoy the opportunity to inspire and impact change in the city.

ALEXANDER FURNEAUX Master of Urban Development - Alexander Furneaux graduated from the Master of Planning program at in 2019. He has a background in youth mentorship, and remains actively involved in creating space for children and youth to engage in conversations surrounding city-building as Director of Education at Small Print Toronto. Alexander is interested in , adaptive re-use projects, and the delivery of more inclusive, equitable, and creative public engagement opportunities. ALEXANDER WREFORD Master of Public Policy - Alec Wreford is a soon-to-graduate public policy student at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. He has experience interning with the Ontario Public Service Refugee Resettlement Secretariat as well as presenting at the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association after winning an urban policy case competition on afford- able rental housing. He is currently looking for a policy job in Ontario and is interested in expanding to the municipal sector. AMANDA LANE Master’s of Public Policy - Amanda is completing her Masters of Public Policy at the University of Toronto. Driven by issues of equity, she hopes to work in reconciliation, LGBTQ advocacy, anti-racism, accessibility, and/or anti-poverty. ANDREW CASTANEDA Urban & Regional Planning - Passionate about community building and innovative housing solutions. A professional communicator with a decade of experience working with small business owners. Finishing my BURPI from Ryerson in May, and working towards my Ec. D designation with a focus on local . I graduated with a BA in politics (Western ‘13) with a focus on municipal governance and housing policy, I’m very interested in the role planners and economic developers can play in strengthening participation in local government via the public planning process. ANDREW JOHNSTON Master’s of Public Policy

ANDREW HAAGSMA Master’s of Planning - Andrew is currently a graduate student at the School of Urban and Regional Planning at Ryerson University. Andrew holds a B.A. in Geography with a minor in Architecture from Calvin College, and has experience in various construction trades including flooring and masonry. Also a graduate assistant at Ryerson University, Andrew assists undergraduate students with hand drawn and graphic assignments. ARIELLE ZAMDVAIX Urban and Regional Planning - I am graduating May 2019 and am looking for professional experience in the planning field. I have 8 months of planning experience. 4 months working in the Private sector as a student consultant, and 4 moths with Halton Region as a Student Planner of Community Development. BLANCA GORNIK Urban Studies - I am a second-year student pursuing a double major in Urban Studies and Art History. I am interested in the private urban planning industry as well as real estate development, and intend to pursue a masters in urban planning after my undergraduate degree. I would love the opportunity to speak with individuals in these sectors to gain an understanding of how they have achieved their career aspirations.

 2 BREANNE BATEMAN Master of Public Policy - I am a recent graduate from the Munk School’s Master of Public Policy program with a collaborative specialization in Environmental Studies. I have won multiple awards for academic achievement, including a fellowship from the School of the Environment for a research paper examining municipal and provincial policy solutions concerning brownfield redevelopment in Ontario. I am primarily interested in urban policy, particularly municipal sustainability, governance, and urban renewal and hopes to continue exploring these topics in a municipal policy role. CATHERINE KABASELE Urban Studies - I am a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Toronto majoring in Urban Studies and Sociology. I am also a licensed Paralegal with the Law Society of Ontario. I gravitate towards research-based initiatives and policies that shape public housing neighbourhoods in North America. I want to direct my career path towards in- novative models of affordable housing and evidence-based strategies to create safe, healthy neighbourhoods.

CHI CHUNG JANSSEN WOO Human Geography & Planning - I am an aspire planner with big future city ideas that I would like to implement to im- prove urban life and experiences for everyone.

CHUN FU LIU Urban Studies - Currently a third-year student at University of Toronto, Chun Fu (Michael) is hoping to understand more about . He has spent most of his life living in three cities, which are Taichung, , and Toronto.

CINDY LAWRENCE Master’s of Public Policy - My name is Cindy Lawrence and I recently completed my Masters degree of Public Policy at the University of Toronto. The two key areas that enjoyed most from studying city building is stakeholder engagement and what the city can do for its residents. I see the potential to grow both these areas by increasing resident involve- ment. I would appreciate working in research and policy analysis in my career. CLARE MACDONALD Master of Public Policy

DANIEL BAILEY Master’s of Planning in Urban Development - Daniel Bailey is a Master of Planning in Urban Development candidate at Ryerson University, and holds a BSc in Biology from the University of Toronto and a certificate in environmental science from Ryerson University. He has a background in quantitative research and analysis in biology, environmental science and urban planning, and is currently an intern at the Canadian Urban Institute. His interests include low- and mid-rise housing development, complete communities and gentle intensification, active transportation infrastructure, and democratic systems of governance at all levels of government. His favourite Toronto Park is Trinity-Bellwoods and favourite ravine system is the Don Valley. DARYA SAUCHANKA Urban Planning - Fourth-year undergraduate student studying Urban and Regional Planning

DMYTRO KHARENA Urban Planning - Fourth-year undergraduate student studying Urban and Regional Planning with a Minor in Politics. Fluent in English and Russian, my experience in dealing with sensitive data and information to improve the public realm through work at various organisations such as Battaglia Architects, Housing York and Unison Health has shaped me into a flexible and accountable individual able to convert work based stress into positive and productive initiatives. GAURAV TYAGI Newcomer to Canada with Degree - I am a newcomer to Canada and have a masters in urban planning. I want to network and know about the field and opportunities for international planners.

3  HANNAH DOS SANTOS Urban Studies

HEEHO RYU Urban Studies, Political Science & Anthropology

HIBA SIDDIQUI Master’s of Public Policy - Master of Public Policy student at Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. I am pas- sionate about Urban Policy and in particular housing and global cities. JANE LAW Urban Studies & G.I.S. - Fourth-year student in Urban Studies and Human Geography pursuing community oriented work, with particular interests in building inclusive, equitable and accessible local food systems.

JUSTIN CHANDER Environmental Science & Human Geography - I am a recent graduate from University of Toronto in a degree emphasiz- ing Urban Planning in a Bachelor’s Degree and my interest lies strongly in . I would like to do my Master’s Degree in Urban Planning in the future.

JOLENE FUNK Master of Public Policy - Jolene is first year Master of Public Policy student at Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. She previously worked in community health in Neighbourhood Improvement Areas across Toronto. She holds a Bachelor of Health Studies from where she researched social determinants of health and chronic conditions. KAITLIN DE MENNA Master’s of Public Policy

KATERINA STAMADIANOS Master of Public Policy - Katerina is a graduating Masters of Public Policy student at the Munk School of Global Af- fairs and Public Policy. Katerina is interested in a wide range of urban issues such as affordability, arts and culture, the nighttime economy, and municipal finance. Her policy studies have taken her to Ottawa, where she worked as a Junior Analyst on Infrastructure Canada’s Data and Research Team, as well as Berlin, Germany, where she studied at the Hertie School of Governance. KEISHA ST.LOUIS-MCBURNIE Urban Studies

KUMAIL RAZA Master of Planning

LIZZY MARCUS Urban Studies, Human Geography & GIS

MARY SHIN Master of Public Policy

MICHAEL SAIKALEY Master’s of Public Policy - Soon to be graduate of the Master of Public Policy program with an interest in economic development and cultural policy at the municipal level.

 4 MICHAEL ZUSEV Master of Public Policy - Masters of Public Policy Candidate with experience in Access & Privacy, Strategic Communication, and Policy Analysis. NAPAS THEIN Urban Studies - I am a second-year undergraduate student at the University of Toronto. I am pursuing an undergraduate degree in Urban Studies and Public Policy. My university experience includes: HOSA debates, School of Cities working groups, and in-class assignments.

NICHOLAS RENZETTI Master of Public Policy - I am a Masters candidate in Public Policy at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. I have experience working in government and on political campaigns, and I am very interested in issues of sustainability, climate change, inequality, and urban policy. NICOLE WINGER Master of Public Policy

NINA MA Urban Studies & Environmental Studies

NURI KIM Master’s of Public Policy

PARASTOO POURREZAEI RANDA OMAR Architecture & Urban Studies

RUCHITA DESAI Newcomer to Canada with Degree - I am a newcomer to Canada and have a masters in urban planning. I want to network and know about the field and opportunities for international planners.

RYAN TAYLOR Master’s of Urban Development - I am a Master’s student interested in cultural planning, affordable housing, and ac- tive transportation. I am particularly interested in policy relating to the siting and operation of music venues and other cultural spaces. SARA FESHANGCHI Urban Planning

SARAH BAKER Master’s of Public Policy

SANDRA KOJOVIC Master of Public Policy

TARANJEET GREWAL Master’s of Urban Development

5  TOM PIEKARSI Master’s of Public Policy - Tom Piekarski is a budding policy professional interested in urban issues such as public space provision, resilience and green infrastructure planning, licensing and standards, municipal financing and the culture sec- tor. He has worked for the City of Mississauga on a Parkland Stewardship Strategy and the Canadian Urban Institute as a Research Assistant. He is currently completing his MPP at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy and serves as the President of the Master of Public Policy Student Association, a Producer for Beyond the Headlines and an Analyst for the Policy Innovation Initiative. Prior to his involvement in policy, he obtained Bachelor and Master degrees in Philosophy. TRAVIS VAN WYCK Human Geography & Planning

VICTORIA NIKOLTCHEVA Urban & Regional Planning

WAQAS AHMED Urban Studies & Political Science - My Name is Waqas Ahmad. I am in my second year at the university of Toronto studying the discipline of Urban studies and Political science. I have also attended college for 3 years prior to Uoft.

 6 PARTNERS

This program is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities