Our Team

The MPPSA’s executive is comprised jointly of first- and second-year MPP students. First years are elected in the Fall Semester and second years are elected in the Spring Semester.

For more information on elections, you may contact mppsa.cro@gmail.com.

To get in touch with a member of our team, email us at munkmppsa@gmail.com.

For confidential health and mental health/wellbeing, and Compass Mentorship questions, you can email mppsa.academics@gmail.com. This email is managed by the Academic Functions Director.

Lynette Furtado

President

Lynette is a second-year Master of Public Policy candidate at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy. She holds a BA in law and sociology, specializing in public administration from York University. Lynette's primary policy interests are immigration, education, law and justice. This year Lynette is a Co-Director of the Mental Health Policy Initiative (MHPI) she is also continuing her work as a Team Lead with the Public Good Initiative, working closely with Cystic Fibrosis Canada to advocate for greater access to healthcare! Outside of academics, Lynette works as a Researcher and Talks Speaker with Jack.org, a Canadian Non-Profit, where she delivers resources & hosts discussions in at-risk centers, group homes and other youth-centred organizations. She also works for the Royal Conservatory of Music & as a Special Education Music Teacher for students with cognitive disabilities. Lynette is a classical and jazz-trained singer and pianist who loves to read and cook! Lynette is committed to her community, and leadership and will set examples for new cohorts, share resources and represent the voices of all MPP students.

Grace Lee

Academic Functions Director

Grace is a second-year Master of Public Policy student at the University of Toronto's Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy. She holds a BA from the University of Western Ontario, with an Honours Specialization in Criminology. Now emphasizing in Public and Non-Profit Management and Administration in her Master of Public Policy degree, and real-world experience with digital policy and cyber security, Grace has a breadth of experience in policy analysis and management in a range of disciplines. Other experiences that moulded Grace’s professional interests include her previous role as a Policy Analyst on the Equity, Diversity & Public Policy Initiative team. In addition to these areas, she has a longstanding interest in criminal justice and immigrant rights. Aside from her professional life, Grace loves painting, among other artistic pursuits, including musical arts, with her long history of playing cello since the fourth grade.

Ainslee Bissette

Events Director

Ainslee is a second-year Master of Public Policy Candidate at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy. Her policy interests have evolved from her undergraduate studies, as she holds a Bachelor of Public Health from Brock University. Ainslee is driven by a commitment to societal well-being, demonstrated through her community involvement as an in-school mentor for Big Brother Big Sister and youth soccer coach. Ainslee's enthusiasm extends to her role as MPPSA Events Director, where she is excited to plan events that not only promote community but also bring the MPP cohorts closer together. Beyond her professional and academic pursuits, Ainslee takes a holistic approach to health, nurturing both body and mind through her hobbies as a reader and runner.

Matthew McLeish

Program Advisor

Matthew is a second-year Master of Public Policy candidate at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy. With a Joint Honours Bachelor of Social Sciences in History and Political Science from the University of Ottawa, he brings a nuanced understanding of historical and political contexts to his policy work. Matthew continues to work as a Policy Analyst with Transport Canada, having previously held analyst roles with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Veterans Affairs Canada. Alongside his professional and academic responsibilities, Matthew has remained active in student leadership, previously serving as a Team Lead with the Public Good Initiative and representing MPP students in the Graduate Students’ Union. In his free time, he is an avid reader and a passionate fan of the Montréal Canadiens.

Alexander Carter

Finance Director

Alexander is a second-year Master of Public Policy candidate at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, where he is also a Graduate Fellow at the Urban Policy Lab. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies and International Development from McGill University, with a keen interest in urban policy and data-driven decision-making. During his recent internship at the Ministry of Infrastructure, Alexander used data analysis to inform policy-making, particularly around broadband expansion in underserved communities. In addition to his academic work, he serves as the Finance Director of the Master of Public Policy Student Association (MPPSA) and is the Co-Chair of the Ford+Munk Policy Conference. Outside of policy, Alexander enjoys exploring architecture and urban environments and is actively involved in organizing walking tours focused on Toronto's diverse neighbourhoods.

Stephanie Panovski

Academic Functions Coordinator

Stephanie is a first-year Master of Public Policy Candidate at Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from McMaster University with a specialization in both Labour Studies and Political Science. This year Stephanie will be a mentor for the Global Ideas Institute, guiding students' learning. Her passions include advocating for individuals who are a part of the neurodivergent community. She has an academic interest in labour policy and the future of work.  Beyond academics, she has experience working with children with special needs and fundraising for the neurodivergent community under a national autism charity. Stephanie works with her City Councillor as a community coordinator organizing awareness campaigns. She is excited to be in the position of Academic Functions coordinator where she can help support the MPPS in their academic journey by helping to create an inclusive learning environment. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, watching sports and improving her fitness.

Young Luk

Events Coordinator

Young is a first-year Master of Public Policy at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. He holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto, majoring in Political Science and Urban Studies with a minor in Anthropology. He is passionate about urban policy and has experience in comparative policy and analysis in urban settings. Young is driven by an interest in understanding a wide range of global perspectives on policy issues and continues to be involved as a student affiliate at the Centre for the Study of Global Japan at Munk School as a result. Outside of his professional life, he enjoys spending time with friends, trying new foods, and experimenting with new cooking ideas.

Yuvika Bhatia

First-Year Program Advisor

Yuvika is a first-year Master of Public Policy candidate at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations & Journalism from the American University of Sharjah in the U.A.E. After her undergraduate studies, she spent 4 years building a career in talent acquisition and human resources within the food & beverage, technology and management consulting industries, working with firms like PwC and KPMG in the Middle East. Now, as she pivots to a new career in policy development, her primary interests are social and urban policy, particularly in the realm of education, digital government, sustainability and indigenous communities. In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching theater, reading and spending quality time with her husband and her cat Kira.

Anna Hancin

Graduate Students’ Union Representative

Anna is a first-year Master of Public Policy candidate at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy. Originally from Lindsay, Ontario, Anna spent the last four years of her time in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Public Policy and Governance from the Brian Mulroney Institute of Government at St. Francis Xavier University (StFX). In her undergraduate thesis, Anna completed a comparative public policy case study of federal and provincial policy responses to the Canadian opioid crisis, furthering her interest in harm reduction and healthcare. Anna prioritizes building and strengthening community, as reflected by her work for the past three years for StFX Residence Life as a Community Advisor and Community Educator. In her free time, Anna enjoys reading, spending time with her family and friends, and getting involved with community events.

Noah Lee

Communications Coordinator

Noah is a first-year Master of Public Policy candidate at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy. He holds an Honours Bachelor of Commerce from the Smith School of Business at Queen’s University. In addition to his role on the MPPSA, he is working to engage Munk’s community in Canada’s political process as the Munk School Politics Society’s Director of Communications. After 3 years of working in various industries in the private sector, Noah continues to work as a Parliamentary Assistant. Outside of work and academics, he pursues a colourful life. A classically trained violinist, Noah is happy to return to Toronto where concerts and performances are aplenty. He loves to go on long runs – an activity he credits for his mental health – and to take photos of his dog, Onion.