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, Government Operations Sector at the Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS). 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 Executive Head at Policy Horizons. She has nearly 20 years of experience working on forward-looking strategies and policy. She is the former Head of Strategic Foresight at the World Economic Forum and CEO of The Global Foresight Group. Kristel is also Visiting Professor at the College of Europe, Member of the Independent Advisory Committee to the Global Burden of Disease initiative, and a regular author, speaker, moderator and facilitator. Kristel is also the proud mother of 2.

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.

Imran is the Director responsible for outreach. He has worked on a range of 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, focusing on 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.

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.

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 who manages when needed. 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 topics related to international environmental affairs. He sometimes tries living in the future, to the extent the present allows, and avoids being near internal combustion engines whenever possible. In his spare time, his Guardian alter-ego defends humanity from The Darkness.

Tom is an intellectual adventurer with a background in anthropology, art history, and public administration, connecting intangible aspects of human experience to concrete social policy issues. He strives to show the value of qualitative research methods in making informed choices about the future, and translate humanistic perspectives into usable insights. At home, his neuroticism and intellectual perversity are seen in his passion for textile crafts, bad television, great movies, and books on aesthetics, social theory, and cultural history.

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.

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 the past decade working in International Relations and developing education programs across Canada. Her professional interests are sustainability, health, innovation and the environment. A bit of a dichotomy, her happy place is the urban bustle and deep thinking of the future, but she always finds her way back to her roots in the wilderness or by the ocean. A lover of writing, adventure, and music, she also spends time cooking and chasing after a rambunctious toddler.

Lisa has a masters in Social Work and for the past decade has worked in multiple capacities at both Indigenous Services Canada and Crown‑Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, specializing in Indigenous and social policy. Lisa has lived in Australia, Japan and Thailand and enjoys good food, friends and books.

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.

Deanna has worked at a variety of government departments for more years than she cares to admit, but has enjoyed the journey and continuous learning opportunities. Her transition from communications manager to behaviourist to foresight functionary lets her indulge her love of working on numerous collaborative projects involving new approaches. Deanna spent most of her childhood living abroad – which accounts for much of her wanderlust!

Jennifer is a foresight analyst with a journalism and communications background. She has a Master’s in international affairs with a focus on defense and security policy. Her research interests include disruptive technologies, violent extremism, and international governance. Jen far too often approaches life with a “challenge accepted” attitude. When not at work, she spends her time with her trusty sidekick Link, a four-year-old German Shepherd.

At Horizons, Rhiannen has been responsible for a number of projects on the changing nature of work and social futures, during which she developed a particular interest in the future of Canada’s social safety net. Rhiannen’s background is in rural and regional development policy, and she holds an MSc in International Rural Planning and Development, and a BA in the social sciences. A BC transplant, she is most at home in this area paddling its amazing waterways.

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.

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.

Teaching in her home country of Jamaica led Dione to explore the future of educational practices, technology and socialization. She uses foresight techniques to create new models of education, social cohesion, cultural awareness, and sustainable development, while keeping true to her playful nature and wild imagination. She has a Bachelors in Computer Science, a Masters of Business Administration, and a Masters of Design in Strategic Foresight and Innovation.

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.

Daphne began her career in communications, working for non-profits, government departments, and on Parliament Hill as a press secretary. Before joining Horizons, she also managed engagement and outreach in the data protection and privacy world, and worked on innovation projects at a human-centred design lab in government. She is a wife, and mother to 2 amazing kids. She loves sketch comedy, strong coffee, and people-watching.

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.

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.

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!

Claudia began her career in the public service in 2002, working in finances, contracts and procurement, human resources, and event planning. She joined Horizons in 2010 as an analyst, data and reporting. Claudia’s hobbies include gardening, reading, design, skiing, and boating. Born in Mexico City, Claudia immigrated to Canada in 1990 and actually loves winter and snow.

Sandra started her public service career at National Archives Canada in 2002. In 2017, she completed her Master’s degree in Public Administration from l’ENAP, while consolidating both her professional and family life. She is a great leader and loves to mobilize others toward new technologies. Believe it or not, she got legally married at a Tim Horton’s in Ottawa.

Elie studied and graduated from the University of Ottawa with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing. He is skillful in project management and an eager learner with the hopes of developing his career. During his free time, Elie is either watching sports, playing sports or reading about sports.