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. She is the CEO of The Global Foresight Group, former Head of Strategic Foresight at the World Economic Forum, a member of the OECD Governmental Foresight Community, Fellow at the Center for Strategic Foresight of the U.S. Government Accountability Office, and Visiting Professor at the College of Europe. Kristel holds 3 Masters including an MBA from the Yale School of Management. She is a Fulbright Scholar and a Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholar.

Eric is the Senior Director responsible for foresight. Before joining Horizons, he worked at the Department of Justice Canada, the Privy Council Office, the Supreme Court of Canada, the Senate of Canada and the Ottawa YM-YWCA. He holds degrees in civil and common law from McGill University, and practiced in the areas of privacy and information law.

Over the last 30 years, Peter has conducted several hundred foresight studies and workshops on a very wide range of topics in government, NGO and UN settings. He is happy to share what he has learned about scanning, foresight, vision-building and strategy. He imagines he can provide insight on new technologies, the emerging economy, geopolitics, sustainability and governance. Peter loves travel, canoeing and walking in nature.

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.

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.

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 a background in Human Rights and Communications, and spent 10 years working in International Relations and developing education programs across Canada. Her professional interests are health, innovation, and the environment. She enjoys the urban bustle and future thinking, but always finds her way back to the wilderness or the ocean. A lover of writing, adventure, and music, she also spends time cooking and chasing her rambunctious toddler.

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.

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, beer, and ice cream.

Sven is passionate about foresight and generally curious about the future. He has a Master’s in international affairs focused on intelligence and national security issues. He is interested in European and American politics, 20th century world history, and many other things. Sven sometimes has a certain look on his face, which in no way reflect his mood, thoughts or feelings.

Jessica is the Senior Advisor to the Director General. With a public service record rooted in behavioural economics and risk thinking, Jessica’s expertise includes financial stability, carbon markets, and systemic, cyber, and operational risk. She has represented Canada internationally, including at the G7, UN, and OECD. Jessica earned her MBA from Yale University, Master of Finance from New York University, and Bachelor of Architecture from Cornell University.

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.

Nelly is a multilingual marketing and communications professional, with experience in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors in Canada and abroad. She has worked with start-ups, on large public awareness campaigns, and on crisis communications. Nelly won’t say no to impromptu road trips, good music, sketching, or tea.

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.

Blaise has turned his passion for Role Playing Games into a career in the public service. He is a facilitator, designer, and systems thinker, with a penchant for community building. A modern day bard, he’s been roaming the cavernous depths of the public service, inspiring others to seek comfort and understanding of the complexities that exist within our emerging policy landscape.

Rachel is a passionate event marketer with experience coordinating academic lectures and conferences, trade show sponsorships in the tech industry, and non-profit events. She now uses her skills to plan events and projects to promote Policy Horizons’ work. Rachel also enjoys traveling, cooking, and adventuring with her toddler.

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!