About Us

Alexis is Assistant Deputy Minister responsible for Policy Horizons. Prior to this, he served as Executive Director of the Government Operations and Services Directorate at the Treasury Board Secretariat. Alexis has also worked at the Privy Council Office, Industry Canada, and the Climate Change Secretariat. He has a Master of Arts in Political Studies, and a Bachelor of Arts degree. Alexis has been to every province and territory in Canada.

Kristel is the Director General at Policy Horizons Canada, Government of Canada. She is former Head of Strategic Foresight at the World Economic Forum. Kristel holds 3 Masters including an MBA from the Yale School of Management. She is a Fulbright Scholar and a Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholar.

Imran is the Director of communications and outreach. He has worked on forward-looking policy issues at Horizons, including emerging technologies and the rise of Asia. Prior to joining the public service, he worked in Southeast Asia on international development issues, poverty reduction, governance, and regional economic integration. He holds a master’s degree in International Relations from Dublin City University. Imran loves making music and finding balance in the Force.

Katherine has contributed to Horizons’ foresight training method and a range of futures studies including technology, the economy, infrastructure, Asia, and several social future projects. She has an academic background in economics and art history and policy experience in ESDC files related to labour markets and seniors. In her spare time she enjoys dancing, painting and singing in a joyous Mexican choir.

Marcus is a futurist and manager. At Horizons, he has worked on geostrategic issues, changes in the global energy landscape, sustainability, infrastructure, and the next digital economy. He previously worked at Environment and Climate Change Canada on international environmental affairs. He sometimes tries living in the future, and avoids being near internal combustion engines whenever possible. In his spare time, his Guardian alter-ego defends humanity from The Darkness.

John recently graduated with a BA in philosophy, politics, and economics from Mount Allison University. He discovered Policy Horizons through an internship funded by his university and fell in love with foresight. His interests are broad and varied, from history and languages to computers and forbidden esoteric knowledge. John wants to create a future that resembles Star Trek more than Wall-E.

Steffen is an expert with 15 years of experience in foresight. He is a Senior Policy Researcher at Policy Horizons, where he leads foresight on challenges facing the future of Canada. Recent projects include the Future of Asia, emerging technologies, energy, governance, work, and the economy. Steffen holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Carleton University, with a thesis in Evolutionary Computation. He is sworn to use his evil powers only for good.

Catherine has policy, foresight, planning, and strategic initiatives experience in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. An intrapreneur at heart, her expertise spans sustainable development, health and social policy, corporate affairs, and stakeholder engagement. She holds a LL.B. from Université de Montréal, a Master’s in Foresight from the University of Houston, and is a member of the Association of Professional Futurists. She likes cats AND dogs; and Star Trek AND Star Wars.

Pierre-Olivier has a background in Law. He has worked as a foresight researcher at Horizons for five years, in the areas of technology, energy, infrastructure and transport, sustainable development, and production methods. He led a team of analysts on the topic of sustainable development during the Canada Beyond 150 program. PO is an avid supporter of telework, and leads sessions on change drivers with Christine, a telepresence robot.

Avalyne has degrees in Human Rights and Communications. She worked in international relations developing education programs in Indigenous communities across Canada, and participated in UN diplomacy leadership. As a foresight analyst, she worked on the Next Digital Economy and The Future of Work. She co-leads the biodigital convergence study, where her interests include the future of health, environment, sustainability, genomics, bio-data, bio-materials, and the bio-economy.

Chris Hagerman is a recovering academic with a background in the history of ancient and modern imperialism. He’s pretty sure someone, somewhere said that past is prologue and he’s keen to see if the saying holds as he applies his experience as a historian to the work of foresight. In his spare time, he writes, makes paddles and skis, and acts as butler to two charming daughters.

Evan recently graduated with a BSc in biochemistry and chemical engineering. He was introduced to Policy Horizons through the co-op program at University of Ottawa, and contributed valuable insights in the field of biotechnology. Evan returned to Policy Horizons to continue his passion working on foresight and futures thinking. He is a die-hard sci-fi fan and multi-instrumentalist with an obsession for collecting Lego.

Jennifer has a background in neuroscience and science-based advocacy. She is interested in applied ethics, AI ethics and neuroethics, and occasionally dabbles in philosophy of mind and philosophy of science. At Horizons, she’s grateful to have found anenvironment that lets her explore her eclectic interests.

Darren has over a decade of experience in policy analysis across several departments (e.g. Ministry of Environment; Truth; Walks). He has a broad range of interests, and earned Masters degrees in experimental psychology and public policy/administration. Darren is a traveler, an effective altruist, and has been promoting critical thinking on his podcast since before podcasts were cool. He agrees that life is far too important to take seriously.

Kurt is a foresight analyst with a master’s degree in terrorism and political violence, and a bachelor’s degree in new media. His research interests include conflict, propaganda, and religious movements. He may be part of a shadowy cabal of rogues protecting the Earth from interplanar threats.

Simon is a public policy professional leading the Social Foresight team. Previously, he was a lawyer on Bay Street and a senior political advisor in the Prime Minister’s Office and Ministers’ Offices. A Francophone from Vancouver, Simon holds a master’s degree from the University of Cambridge, and has a healthy outsider’s skepticism. He likes hanging out with his partner and his young kids, ideally with bikes and ice cream.

Tieja is a Senior Foresight Analyst who begins her work by asking, “What if things were different?” She has an academic background in education and has spent several years thinking, teaching, and talking about the promises and pitfalls of digital technologies. She is unapologetic in her love of list-making and colour-coded spreadsheets and finds peace in cooking, cleaning, and exploring nature with her family.

Uncertainties about the future led Julie-Anne to foresight, and she never looked back. She holds a masters of education in the background, and curiosity in the foreground. Julie-Anne enjoys cycling through the winding roads of potential futures, swimming in the depths of change, and challenging and reconstructing assumptions. Aided by caffeine and her sensible colleagues, she aims to leave no policy unhorizoned. Mission: Plausible.

Maryam wears many (actual and metaphorical) hats in the Communications team. From web development to creating immersive experiences, her training in Interactive Multimedia & Design allows her to support Horizons’ projects. By night, Maryam is definitely not a superhero and instead spends her time playing video games and eating cookies.

Firuz Daud is a storyteller. He has over 20 years experience creating video, computer animation, and motion graphics. His work has been seen in film and broadcast, both in Canada and abroad. He lives in Toronto with a very big, ginger cat named Sophia Ono-Rivera.

Géraldine has 18 years of experience as a French communications advisor and translator in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. She worked on Parliament Hill and for United Way Ottawa before launching her own company in 2013. She earned her Ph. D in English Studies – Canadian Studies from Université de La Sorbonne – Paris IV in 2008. Fun fact: she once fell through the ice during her first (and last) Skidoo outing in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, but fell in love with Canada anyway.

Devin is a trained multimedia journalist who’s held many roles in and outside the newsroom, with experience both in the public and private sectors. Always happy to pick up the slack and help where he’s needed, his passion lies in writing and engaging his audience. Growing up in Ottawa, he’s had many interests, including reading and working out; Devin enjoys being busy, listening to hip-hop, and hitting the local theatre.

Al has been a graphic designer in the National Capital Region for over 20 years, with branding and advertising as his main focus. His designs have been used on various websites, exhibits, and packaging. He’s passionate about art, music and his beloved dog Arthur.

Nadia is a bilingual communicator, marketer, and photographer. Past campaigns include Medical Assistance in Dying, Gender Identity (#FreeToBeMe), Victims and Survivors of Crime Week, and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms’ 35th anniversary. She’s worked in both public and private sector, including advertising and food industries. She is happiest with a coffee or a camera in her hand. Prone to office shenanigans.

At Horizons, Martin has worked with teams studying economic, social and technological issues, and facilitated countless fascinating conversations. Armed with empathy and a fondness for listening, he continues his learning journey in the path of designer. Martin worked as a set designer and in the video game industry for a decade. Listening to the wisdom of his wife, he went back to school in Industrial Design, only to graduate in Foresight and Innovation.

Kate started in opera school and ended up as a foresight facilitator at Policy Horizons. Her career has spanned the arts, hospitality, higher education, strategic design consulting, and, more recently, exploring futures work and participatory design in government. Kate spent two years developing a futures lab at the CRA before joining Policy Horizons. Kate loves hiking, fantasy and sci-fi novels, and solo trips to the movies where her husband can’t steal her popcorn.

Claire has a background in natural resources, global governance, and anti-corruption. She’s spent close to a decade working with Canadian and international organizations on policies and practices. Her passion lies in working with people to solve complex issues. She is also obsessed with economic pedantry, financial crime, and resource management. A lover of civic activism, cooking, and reading, Claire can often be found at home cleaning up her children’s toys.

After more than 15 years in the private sector in the beauty and medical fields, Fannie joins Horizons to share her expertise as Executive Assistant. You will recognize her easily, always smiling and often dressed in floral!

With over 20 years in the IT field, Louis has spent the last 15 implementing and supporting technology at Policy Horizons. From brainstorms to consultations, he enjoys sharing his knowledge and passions with colleagues, as well as hosting a few games during lunchtime.

Tammy has been a Public Servant for 20 years, 17 of which were at the Treasury Board Secretariat. Tammy has significant experience as a Manager of Operations, Branch Manager, and Issues Manager. Tammy started by pursuing a career as a police officer, when she was unexpectedly blessed with her first child. The shift has made her proud to serve Canadians from a desk rather than the front line. She is married with 2 grown-up kids.

Pascale studied at the university of Ottawa where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration and minor in Civil Law. Pascale is energetic, hard-working, always ready to learn and a huge plant-lover!

Jackie supports the Corporate team with HR staffing, classification, and organizational design requirements. She previously worked in the private sector and the Federal Public Service in web design, accounting, and administration. She is extremely organized and has excellent attention to detail skills. She loves animals and travel. Someday, she wants to live in a tiny house on wheels on Vancouver Island!

Sharleen has more than 10 years of experience in administration within the private and public sectors and holds a paralegal degree. She is interested in international law, social development and helping others, which led to her studies and humanitarian work. She loves travelling to spend time with family from Mexico and the U.S. and owns a lovely three-year-old Shiba Inu called Nala, like Simba’s mate from the Lion King, which was her all-time favourite childhood movie!