Conference Schedule
20 November 2025
Join us for an exclusive conference where thought leaders gather to share insights and innovations.
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Registration
Registration
10:00 AM – 10:15 AM
Featuring
Reach Alum, Ashesi University
Opening Remarks
Featuring
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Christian Fiergbor
Reach Alum, Ashesi University
Christian Fiergbor
Reach Alum, Ashesi University
Speaking Engagements
Featuring
Reach Alum, Ashesi University
Featuring
Reach Alum, Ashesi University
Reach Researcher, Ashesi University
10:15 AM – 11:00 AM
Featuring
Head of Asia Pacific, The Earthshot Prize
Reach Researcher, Tecnológico de Monterrey
Reach Researcher, Tecnológico de Monterrey
Reach Researcher, University of Toronto
Climate Resilience and Ethical Innovation for Sustainability: Empowering Communities in a Changing World
Featuring
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Sarah Cragg
Head of Asia Pacific, The Earthshot Prize
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Pamela Guzmán
Reach Researcher, Tecnológico de Monterrey
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Santiago Colín
Reach Researcher, Tecnológico de Monterrey
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Ashna Jain
Reach Researcher, University of Toronto
Sarah Cragg
Head of Asia Pacific, The Earthshot Prize
Bio
Sarah is a sustainability leader and impact strategist dedicated to scaling solutions that regenerate our planet. As Head of Asia Pacific for The Earthshot Prize, Sarah accelerates groundbreaking innovations tackling climate and environmental challenges. With a background spanning Conservation International, Ben & Jerry’s, Unilever, and Virgin Unite, she has mobilized multi-million-dollar partnerships, shaped industry-leading ESG initiatives, and driven systemic change. Originally a qualified lawyer, Sarah brings a strategic lens to sustainability—bridging policy, finance, and innovation. Passionate about unlocking capital for climate solutions, she champions bold action for a thriving future.
Speaking Engagements
Featuring
Head of Asia Pacific, The Earthshot Prize
Reach Researcher, Tecnológico de Monterrey
Reach Researcher, Tecnológico de Monterrey
Reach Researcher, University of Toronto
Pamela Guzmán
Reach Researcher, Tecnológico de Monterrey
Speaking Engagements
Featuring
Head of Asia Pacific, The Earthshot Prize
Reach Researcher, Tecnológico de Monterrey
Reach Researcher, Tecnológico de Monterrey
Reach Researcher, University of Toronto
Santiago Colín
Reach Researcher, Tecnológico de Monterrey
Speaking Engagements
Featuring
Head of Asia Pacific, The Earthshot Prize
Reach Researcher, Tecnológico de Monterrey
Reach Researcher, Tecnológico de Monterrey
Reach Researcher, University of Toronto
Ashna Jain
Reach Researcher, University of Toronto
Speaking Engagements
Featuring
Head of Asia Pacific, The Earthshot Prize
Reach Researcher, Tecnológico de Monterrey
Reach Researcher, Tecnológico de Monterrey
Reach Researcher, University of Toronto
About the Session
Featuring newly launched Reach Alliance research on climate resiliency and sustainable ethical innovation, this session opens with expert framing, followed by brief presentations from Reach researchers. A moderated discussion and audience Q&A will explore shared insights, challenges, and opportunities for impact.
Related Information
11:00 AM – 11:25 AM
Featuring
Vice-President, International, University of Toronto
Reach Researcher, University College London
Reaching Marginalized Women in Peri-Urban India for Gender-Inclusive Climate Action
Featuring
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Joseph Wong
Vice-President, International, University of Toronto
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Megha Zavar
Reach Researcher, University College London
Joseph Wong
Vice-President, International, University of Toronto
Bio
Joseph Wong is Vice-President, International, University of Toronto, where he is also a Professor of Political Science. He held the Canada Research Chair in Health, Democracy, and Development for two terms from 2006 to 2016, and the Roz and Ralph Halbert Professor of Innovation at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy from 2013 to 2023. Prior to being appointed Vice-President in 2021, Professor Wong was the U of T’s inaugural Associate Vice-President and Vice-Provost, International Student Experience, and before that, the Director of the Asian Institute, Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. He is the author of many academic articles and several books, including the latest From Development to Democracy: The Transformations of Modern Asia in 2022, published by Princeton University Press. His academic articles have been published in The Lancet, Perspectives on Politics, the Annual Review of Political Science, the Bulletin of the WHO, Comparative Political Studies, Governance, among others. Professor Wong has had affiliations with Harvard, Oxford, Fudan University in Shanghai, Seoul National University and the Institute for Policy Research in Taiwan. He has advised governments on matters of public policy in Asia, Europe, Africa and the Americas, as well as the UN and the WHO. Inspired by the Sustainable Development Goals, in collaboration with the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, Professor Wong founded the Reach Alliance. The Alliance comprises eight university partners, including Tecnológico de Monterrey, University of Oxford, University College London, University of Melbourne, Ashesi University, the University of Cape Town and Singapore Management University.
Speaking Engagements
Featuring
Vice-President, International, University of Toronto
Reach Researcher, University College London
Megha Zavar
Reach Researcher, University College London
Speaking Engagements
Featuring
Vice-President, International, University of Toronto
Reach Researcher, University College London
About the Session
This moderated conversation brings together stakeholders for an in-depth discussion on addressing climate challenges through a gender-inclusive lens to help hard-to-reach populations, all grounded in recent Reach Alliance research. Through an “in-conversation” format, panelists will share perspectives from policy, practice, and research, exploring the implications of the findings and identifying pathways for action and collaboration.
11:25 AM – 11:45 AM
Break
Break
11:45 AM – 12:15 PM
Featuring
Associate Professor, Department of Earth, Environment, and Equity, Howard University
Maternal and Newborn Health Epidemiologist (Consultant)
Reach Researcher, Howard University
Reach Researcher
A Holistic Approach to Maternal Health
Featuring
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Amy Yeboah Quarkume
Associate Professor, Department of Earth, Environment, and Equity, Howard University
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Elizabeth Lubinda
Maternal and Newborn Health Epidemiologist (Consultant)
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Madison Winfield
Reach Researcher, Howard University
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Josephine Agbakpe-Kafui
Reach Researcher
Amy Yeboah Quarkume
Associate Professor, Department of Earth, Environment, and Equity, Howard University
Bio
Amy Yeboah Quarkume, Ph.D., affectionately known as Dr. A, is a daughter of Africa, a scholar, filmmaker, data scientist, and Associate Professor of Africana Studies in the Department of Earth, Environment and Equity at Howard University. She holds a Ph.D. in African American Studies, two master’s degrees in Sociology and African American Studies, and certificates of Data Analytics from Harvard Extension School and the University of Massachusetts. Quarkume is an Andrew Mellon New Direction Fellow, a National Center for Atmospheric Research Innovator Fellow, and a White House Initiative HBCU All-Star Campus Mentor.
Speaking Engagements
Featuring
Associate Professor, Department of Earth, Environment, and Equity, Howard University
Maternal and Newborn Health Epidemiologist (Consultant)
Reach Researcher, Howard University
Reach Researcher
Elizabeth Lubinda
Maternal and Newborn Health Epidemiologist (Consultant)
Elizabeth Lubinda
Bio
Elizabeth Lubinda is a maternal and newborn health epidemiologist and demographer committed to advancing evidence-based interventions that improve pregnancy outcomes across sub-Saharan Africa. She holds an MPH in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from the University of Cape Town and a BA in Demography from the University of Zambia. A fellow of the Africa Leadership in Health Research and the USAID Youth Lead Programme, she has led research on antiretroviral therapy among pregnant women with HIV, stillbirth reduction, and neonatal survival. In collaboration with the South African Medical Research Council, she co-leads multi-country research on preventing the progression from gestational diabetes to type 2 diabetes in resource-limited settings. Her work in Zambia examines aflatoxin exposure in pregnancy, linking agriculture, health literacy, and policy to improve maternal and newborn health.
Speaking Engagements
Featuring
Associate Professor, Department of Earth, Environment, and Equity, Howard University
Maternal and Newborn Health Epidemiologist (Consultant)
Reach Researcher, Howard University
Reach Researcher
Madison Winfield
Reach Researcher, Howard University
Speaking Engagements
Featuring
Associate Professor, Department of Earth, Environment, and Equity, Howard University
Maternal and Newborn Health Epidemiologist (Consultant)
Reach Researcher, Howard University
Reach Researcher
Josephine Agbakpe-Kafui
Reach Researcher
Speaking Engagements
Featuring
Associate Professor, Department of Earth, Environment, and Equity, Howard University
Maternal and Newborn Health Epidemiologist (Consultant)
Reach Researcher, Howard University
Reach Researcher
About the Session
This moderated conversation, grounded in Reach research, brings together stakeholders for an in-depth discussion on approaching maternal health, especially for people of colour, in a holistic form. Panelists will share perspectives from policy, practice, and research, exploring the implications of the findings and identifying pathways for action and collaboration.
Related Information
12:15 PM – 12:30 PM
Featuring
Corporate Partnership Executive, CoppaFeel!
Advancing Disability-Inclusive Maternal Healthcare in Nepal
Featuring
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Francesca Lanzarotti
Corporate Partnership Executive, CoppaFeel!
Francesca Lanzarotti
Corporate Partnership Executive, CoppaFeel!
Bio
Francesca was a member of the Reach team that investigated the quality and access of maternal healthcare for disabled women in Nepal. She was part of driving the first Research in Action report, in which her team furthered their case study findings and transformed them into actionable insights to inform policy discussions and drive programme reforms. She has also worked closely with her team in sharing their findings in multiple academic journal publications and public podcasts.
Currently, she is a Corporate Partnership Executive at CoppaFeel!, a charity focused on educating and empowering young people on breast cancer awareness to improve early and accurate diagnosis. She is passionate about improving equitable access to healthcare education and resources, whilst tackling systemic barriers and social stigma about women and female health. She holds a Psychology BSc from University of Surrey and a Women’s Health MSc from University College London.
Speaking Engagements
Featuring
Corporate Partnership Executive, CoppaFeel!
About the Session
This session will share back the impact of action-focused Reach research. Inspiring future cohorts of Reach researchers and key stakeholders to focus on impact with their research. This session will feature a presentation from Reach Alum followed by an audience Q&A.
Related Information
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Case Study Nepal
2022-23
Maternal Healthcare for Women with Disabilities in Nepal Access and Quality
12:30 PM – 2:00 PM
Lunch
Lunch
2:00 PM – 2:45 PM
Featuring
Professor at School of Humanities and Education, Tecnológico de Monterrey
Reach Researcher, University of Toronto
Reach Researcher, University of Melbourne
Reach Researcher, Tecnológico de Monterrey
Reach Researcher, University of Cape Town
Reimagining Sustainability Through Community-Led Initiatives
Featuring
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Iza Maria Sánchez Siller
Professor at School of Humanities and Education, Tecnológico de Monterrey
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Sam Misner
Reach Researcher, University of Toronto
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Safana Ahmad
Reach Researcher, University of Melbourne
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Alejandra Sánchez Navarro
Reach Researcher, Tecnológico de Monterrey
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Natasha Hafferjee
Reach Researcher, University of Cape Town
Iza Maria Sánchez Siller
Professor at School of Humanities and Education, Tecnológico de Monterrey
Bio
Iza is a Professor at the School of Humanities and Education at Tecnológico de Monterrey. She graduated in Law from the Tecnológico de Monterrey and holds a PhD in Social Sciences, with a specialization in migration and public health, having completed research stays at Mississippi State University and University of Trento in Italy. In recent years, she has taught courses on Citizenship and Democracy, Sociology, Gender, Society and Human Rights, Political Participation and Sociology of Identity, and Qualitative Research Methods and has coordinated the semester of “Leadership for Social Development”. Her current work on social development focuses on gender and violence from a sociological and legal perspective, especially with domestic migrants, through projects with indigenous communities within the Monterrey Metropolitan Area. Sánchez Siller is co-founder of the program “Promoting Gender Equity in Adolescents and Young Women in rural areas” in Mitunguu, Kenya; a program that works with local high schools to reinforce the importance of higher education and decision-making.
Speaking Engagements
Featuring
Professor at School of Humanities and Education, Tecnológico de Monterrey
Reach Researcher, University of Toronto
Reach Researcher, University of Melbourne
Reach Researcher, Tecnológico de Monterrey
Reach Researcher, University of Cape Town
Sam Misner
Reach Researcher, University of Toronto
Speaking Engagements
Featuring
Professor at School of Humanities and Education, Tecnológico de Monterrey
Reach Researcher, University of Toronto
Reach Researcher, University of Melbourne
Reach Researcher, Tecnológico de Monterrey
Reach Researcher, University of Cape Town
Safana Ahmad
Reach Researcher, University of Melbourne
Speaking Engagements
Featuring
Professor at School of Humanities and Education, Tecnológico de Monterrey
Reach Researcher, University of Toronto
Reach Researcher, University of Melbourne
Reach Researcher, Tecnológico de Monterrey
Reach Researcher, University of Cape Town
Alejandra Sánchez Navarro
Reach Researcher, Tecnológico de Monterrey
Speaking Engagements
Featuring
Professor at School of Humanities and Education, Tecnológico de Monterrey
Reach Researcher, University of Toronto
Reach Researcher, University of Melbourne
Reach Researcher, Tecnológico de Monterrey
Reach Researcher, University of Cape Town
Natasha Hafferjee
Reach Researcher, University of Cape Town
Speaking Engagements
Featuring
Professor at School of Humanities and Education, Tecnológico de Monterrey
Reach Researcher, University of Toronto
Reach Researcher, University of Melbourne
Reach Researcher, Tecnológico de Monterrey
Reach Researcher, University of Cape Town
Featuring newly launched Reach Alliance research on community-led initiatives and their impact on sustainability, this session opens with expert framing, followed by brief presentations from Reach researchers. A moderated discussion and audience Q&A will explore shared insights, challenges, and opportunities for impact.
Related Information
2:45 PM – 3:15 PM
Featuring
Senior Lecturer of Computer Science, Singapore Management University
Reach Researcher, Singapore Management University
Reach Researcher, Singapore Management University
Field Service Engineer & Community Collaborator
Enhancing Financial Literacy in Migrant Populations
Featuring
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Andrew Koh
Senior Lecturer of Computer Science, Singapore Management University
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Caroline Hui Xuan Cheng
Reach Researcher, Singapore Management University
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Arif Woozeer
Reach Researcher, Singapore Management University
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Senthamizhselvan Ramachandran
Field Service Engineer & Community Collaborator
Andrew Koh
Senior Lecturer of Computer Science, Singapore Management University
Bio
Dr. Andrew Koh joined Singapore Management University in 2022. He received his PhD in computational imaging from the University of Nottingham. The early years of his career were devoted to farming as a means for poverty alleviation and education of university graduates in Cambodia. His current research focus is enhancing migrant worker wellbeing in Singapore through the use of technology. Previous positions held include a Partner Seller (Analytics) at Microsoft and Assistant Director at Ministry of Manpower (ACE). His work experience through the non-profit, corporate and governmental sectors lend him an integrative perspective which he aims to empower the next generation with.
Speaking Engagements
Featuring
Senior Lecturer of Computer Science, Singapore Management University
Reach Researcher, Singapore Management University
Reach Researcher, Singapore Management University
Field Service Engineer & Community Collaborator
Caroline Hui Xuan Cheng
Reach Researcher, Singapore Management University
Bio
Speaking Engagements
Featuring
Senior Lecturer of Computer Science, Singapore Management University
Reach Researcher, Singapore Management University
Reach Researcher, Singapore Management University
Field Service Engineer & Community Collaborator
Arif Woozeer
Reach Researcher, Singapore Management University
Bio
Speaking Engagements
Featuring
Senior Lecturer of Computer Science, Singapore Management University
Reach Researcher, Singapore Management University
Reach Researcher, Singapore Management University
Field Service Engineer & Community Collaborator
Senthamizhselvan Ramachandran
Field Service Engineer & Community Collaborator
Bio
Senthamizhselvan Ramachandran is a Field Service Engineer currently based in Singapore, working in the Building Automation industry. Originally from Tamil Nadu, India, he is a first-generation graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. With a strong foundation in engineering and a passion for smart building technologies, Senthamizhselvan brings hands-on expertise and a commitment to delivering high-quality service in dynamic field environments.
Beyond his professional role, he is an active volunteer, dedicating his free time to community service initiatives. He also enjoys roller skating on weekends, which reflects his energetic and balanced approach to life. Senthamizhselvan is enthusiastic about continuous learning, cross-cultural collaboration, and contributing to innovative solutions in the built environment.
Speaking Engagements
Featuring
Senior Lecturer of Computer Science, Singapore Management University
Reach Researcher, Singapore Management University
Reach Researcher, Singapore Management University
Field Service Engineer & Community Collaborator
About the Session
This moderated conversation brings together diverse stakeholders for an in-depth discussion on using co-created technological innovation to increase financial accessibility for hard-to-reach populations, all grounded in recent Reach Alliance research. Through an “in-conversation” format, panelists will share perspectives from technology, practice, and research, exploring the implications of the findings and identifying pathways for action and collaboration.
Related Information
3:15 PM – 3:25 PM
Featuring
Reach Alum, University of Melbourne
Reach Alum, Tecnológico de Monterrey
Reach Alum, University College London
Executive Director, The Reach Alliance
CEO and Co-Founder, Rumsan
Hackathon Awards Ceremony & Presentation
Featuring
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Anila Noushin Mahita
Reach Alum, University of Melbourne
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Marisol Urias Luna
Reach Alum, Tecnológico de Monterrey
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Juliette Henry
Reach Alum, University College London
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Marin MacLeod
Executive Director, The Reach Alliance
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Rumee Singh
CEO and Co-Founder, Rumsan
Anila Noushin Mahita
Reach Alum, University of Melbourne
Speaking Engagements
Featuring
Reach Alum, University of Melbourne
Reach Alum, Tecnológico de Monterrey
Reach Alum, University College London
Executive Director, The Reach Alliance
CEO and Co-Founder, Rumsan
Marisol Urias Luna
Reach Alum, Tecnológico de Monterrey
Speaking Engagements
Featuring
Reach Alum, University of Melbourne
Reach Alum, Tecnológico de Monterrey
Reach Alum, University College London
Executive Director, The Reach Alliance
CEO and Co-Founder, Rumsan
Juliette Henry
Reach Alum, University College London
Speaking Engagements
Featuring
Reach Alum, University of Melbourne
Reach Alum, Tecnológico de Monterrey
Reach Alum, University College London
Executive Director, The Reach Alliance
CEO and Co-Founder, Rumsan
Marin MacLeod
Executive Director, The Reach Alliance
Bio
As the Executive Director, Marin leads strategic development and scale up of the Reach Alliance, including managing relationships with Reach’s global partners and broader insights community. Marin was a member of the Reach team that investigated the world’s first iris-scanning cash-assistance program for refugees in Jordan. Prior to joining the Reach Alliance, Marin led Grand Challenges Canada’s approach to impact measurement across their maternal, newborn and child health innovation portfolio. Her focus was on the systems and processes used to capture results, and to share knowledge generated by grantees through the organization’s unique innovation platform. Marin has experience with program design, delivery and evaluation, having worked across a range of public health issues in several countries. Marin holds a BA (Hons) from Queen’s University as a Loran Scholar, and a Master in Public Health degree from the University of Toronto.
Speaking Engagements
Featuring
Reach Alum, University of Melbourne
Reach Alum, Tecnológico de Monterrey
Reach Alum, University College London
Executive Director, The Reach Alliance
CEO and Co-Founder, Rumsan
Rumee Singh
CEO and Co-Founder, Rumsan
Bio
Rumee Singh is the CEO and Co-Founder of Rumsan, a digital innovation firm dedicated to empowering businesses that create meaningful solutions for society. With a passion for leveraging frontier technologies to drive social change, Rumee focuses on bridging opportunity gaps and uplifting communities through innovation. Backed by over 20 years of experience leading production teams and developing transformative digital solutions, she brings a unique blend of technical expertise and social entrepreneurship to her work. An engineer by training, Rumee’s diverse background spans corporate communications, journalism, education, and impact-driven ventures. Her commitment to social innovation has earned her international recognition, including being featured among 25 changemakers in the Women for Change 2024 global campaign in Paris, and celebrated as one of ten women making a difference with technology in Nepal.
Speaking Engagements
Featuring
Reach Alum, University of Melbourne
Reach Alum, Tecnológico de Monterrey
Reach Alum, University College London
Executive Director, The Reach Alliance
CEO and Co-Founder, Rumsan
3:25 PM – 3:55 PM
Featuring
Provost, Ashesi University & ISSOTL Regional Vice President (Africa)
Director, Strategic Partnerships & Initiatives, Mentor Canada
Marking a Decade of Excellence with Reach’s Vision for the Future
Featuring
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Angela Owusu-Ansah
Provost, Ashesi University & ISSOTL Regional Vice President (Africa)
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Sydney Piggott
Director, Strategic Partnerships & Initiatives, Mentor Canada
Angela Owusu-Ansah
Provost, Ashesi University & ISSOTL Regional Vice President (Africa)
Bio
Prof. Angela, Provost of Ashesi University & ISSOTL Regional Vice President (Africa), brings over
30 years of experience in education across Africa and the U.S. A Phi Kappa Phi member, she has
served on accreditation boards including GTEC and CAEP. She previously held leadership roles at
Elon and Samford universities. Angela champions innovative teaching, eLearning for
marginalized students, and capacity building across 70+ African universities. Her research
focuses on higher education impact, digital instruction, intercultural learning, and women’s
leadership in African higher education.
Speaking Engagements
Featuring
Provost, Ashesi University & ISSOTL Regional Vice President (Africa)
Director, Strategic Partnerships & Initiatives, Mentor Canada
Sydney Piggott
Director, Strategic Partnerships & Initiatives, Mentor Canada
Bio
Sydney Piggott (she/her) is a social impact leader, researcher, and advocate for gender equity on a global scale. She is currently the Director of Strategic Partnerships & Initiatives at Mentor Canada, a national organization with a mission to accelerate world-class mentoring for youth. Before joining Mentor Canada, she led social impact at Shopify and held leadership positions at Elevate and YWCA Canada. She is also a member of the Reach Alliance Advisory Council and WomanACT Board of Directors.
Sydney has been a subject matter expert in several international forums including the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, Women Deliver, Inter-Parliamentary Union Conference for Young Parliamentarians and RightsCon. She was a Fulbright Canada fellow and an emerging policy leader in the British Council’s Future Leaders Connect program. She holds a Master of Global Affairs from the University of Toronto where she founded the Intersectional Feminist Collective and was a Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Scholar. Sydney was a member of the Reach research team that investigated Ethiopia’s Productive Safety Net Programme in 2017.
Speaking Engagements
Featuring
Provost, Ashesi University & ISSOTL Regional Vice President (Africa)
Director, Strategic Partnerships & Initiatives, Mentor Canada
3:55 PM – 4:10 PM
Featuring
Reach Alum, Ashesi University
Reach Researcher, Ashesi University
Closing Reflections & Vote of Thanks
Featuring
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Christian Fiergbor
Reach Alum, Ashesi University
-
Nana Akua Gyaaba Dickson
Reach Researcher, Ashesi University
Christian Fiergbor
Reach Alum, Ashesi University
Speaking Engagements
Featuring
Reach Alum, Ashesi University
Featuring
Reach Alum, Ashesi University
Reach Researcher, Ashesi University
Nana Akua Gyaaba Dickson
Reach Researcher, Ashesi University
Speaking Engagements
Featuring
Reach Alum, Ashesi University
Reach Researcher, Ashesi University
