What is Impact Canada?

Rodney Ghali

Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet

Rodney is the Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet for the Impact and Innovation Unit (IIU), a specialized applied policy research team in the Privy Council Office. Employing a multidisciplinary approach of data, social and behavioural sciences, the IIU works to bring high quality data and evidence to the policy development and implementation process to inform government’s top priorities. Areas of focus for the team include security and defence, online information environments, health, climate, regulatory and process efficiency, impact measurement and outcomes-based financing.

Prior to his current role, Rodney was Director General of the Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention, Public Health Agency of Canada, where he was responsible for overseeing the Federal Government's policy and programs in the areas of healthy living and chronic disease prevention. Previously, Rodney spent a number of years at Health Canada in various positions such as Senior Advisor to the Deputy Minister and Director of Strategic Policy. He has worked on numerous legislative/regulatory initiatives and health-related issues including: food and consumer product safety, reproductive technologies, Indigenous health, blood safety and mental health.

Rodney holds a Master of Science (neurobiology) from McGill University and a Honours Bachelor of Science (genetics) from the University of Western Ontario.

Chad Hartnell

Director of Operations

Chad Hartnell is the Director of Operations of the Impact and Innovation Unit within the Government of Canada’s Privy Council Office. In this role, he leads work under Impact Canada, a whole of government approach to develop, refine and scale up novel public policy methods, such as behavioural science and outcomes-based funding (e.g., challenge prizes), focused on improving impact, accountability and value for Canadians.

Over his federal government career, Chad has worked in Public Health Agency of Canada, Employment and Social Development Canada, Health Canada and the Privy Council Office. In these roles, he has worked on a variety of initiatives in the policy, legislative, and programming domains, including in healthy living/chronic disease prevention; Indigenous health, employment; social and economic development; and justice and public safety.

Chad holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Mississippi and Bachelor of Arts (economics and political science) from the Colorado College.

Luke Babad

Senior Lead, Behavioural and Data Science

Luke Babad is a Senior Lead for Behavioural Science at the Impact and Innovation Unit where he focuses on defence files, with additional work in community safety and national Honours. In this role he works to deploy and evolve our “sludge audit” methodology for rapid and robust measurement of internal process frictions.

Luke has built his career in policy redesign for the Government of Canada. He worked at Indigenous Services Canada in program evaluation, housing and infrastructure reform, and the transfer of departmental responsibilities to Indigenous partners. He has also worked in challenge prizes for Impact Canada and, at the onset and height of the pandemic, worked in the Privy Council Office’s COVID-19 Secretariat.

Luke holds a Master of Arts in International Affairs from Carleton University, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Ottawa and a certificate in Leadership and Management Skills from the Institut de Leadership.

Dr. Lauryn Conway

Senior Lead, Behavioural and Data Science

Dr. Lauryn Conway is a Lead of Behavioural Science at the Impact and Innovation Unit. In this role, she provides strategic oversight and direction for central team projects and initiatives, applying insights and methodologies from the behavioural sciences to help improve policy, programs and service delivery across the Government of Canada.

Previously, Lauryn was an Impact Canada Fellow at the Public Health Agency of Canada where she focused on dual population health aims of preventing chronic disease and reducing health inequalities. Lauryn holds a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology, Human Development from McGill University and a PhD in Psychology from the University of Toronto.

As an academic and applied practitioner working across public and social sectors, Lauryn has worked passionately on the application of behavioural science and experimentation to domestic and international policy and program design with a subject matter focus on health and wellbeing. She also has experience consulting for intergovernmental bodies and not-for-profit research institutes in the areas of educational policy and government-sector relations.

David Donovan

Senior Lead, Behavioural and Data Science

David is a Senior Lead for Behavioural and Data Science at the Impact and Innovation Unit. He leads research efforts on issues like trust and confidence in Canada’s democracy, identifying cross-cutting insights to inform policy. David was involved in establishing Impact Canada, including its unique set of terms and conditions for outcomes-based funding.

Before joining the Privy Council Office, David led development and innovative finance initiatives at Global Affairs Canada. Prior to joining the Government of Canada, he was research director at a university public policy institute on democracy issues.

David graduated with a BA in politics,  holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree, and participated in an international post-graduate fellowship program. He also completed intensive training in quantitative evaluation of social programs.
 

Julie Greene

Senior Lead, Outcomes-Based Financing & Design and Communications

Julie Greene leads the advancement of outcomes-based funding approaches across federal programs, helping government partners adopt innovative financing models that strengthen results, accountability, and impact. She also oversees a long-term research agenda examining the economic and other impacts of Impact Canada Challenges on innovators, businesses, and Canadians.

Julie provides strategic leadership for the Unit’s design and communications function, guiding the development of accessible, engaging products that support innovation initiatives and strengthen public understanding of their impact.

Before joining the Privy Council Office, Julie helped develop a new chronic disease prevention initiative that combined matched private-sector funding with pay-for-results mechanisms. She co-led a program of research, publishing peer-reviewed papers in this field. Previous experience includes tobacco control, community mental health, and intervention research.  

She holds a Master of Education (Counselling) and a Bachelor of Social Science from the University of Ottawa. 

Saskia Jarvis

Senior Lead, People, Talent, and Operations

Saskia Jarvis is the Senior Lead of People, Talent, and Operations at the Impact and Innovation Unit (IIU). Saskia leads the Impact Canada Fellowship program, the IIU’s flagship recruitment program for attracting leading talent to work on key government priorities and is responsible for workforce planning and operational needs. Saskia has extensive experience working on policy, corporate, leadership development, and human resources. She supported the Cabinet Committee on the Federal Response to COVID-19, led the secretariat for the Deputy Minister Task Force on Public Sector Innovation, developed and managed the GC Entrepreneurs program (a federal leadership development program), and oversaw the advancement of key policy and corporate files underpinning the IIU’s authorities and operations.

Previously, Saskia worked at the Public Health Agency of Canada where she focused on health promotion and chronic disease prevention.

Saskia graduated with a BA in Sociology and a Masters in Sociology from Carleton University.
 

Jessica Leifer

Senior Lead, Behavioural and Data Science

Jessica is a Senior Lead for Behavioural and Data Science. She is currently working with departmental partners in support of the Government of Canada’s defence priorities. Jessica is also leading projects to boost economic growth and trade diversification. Since joining Impact Canada, Jessica has led multiple programs to improve public health, increase climate action, energy efficiency, and environmental protection, and drive regulatory efficiency. She is also a Co-Chair of the Government of Canada's Behavioural Science Community of Practice.

Previously, Jessica was a Vice President at ideas42, North America's first applied behavioural science research firm and consultancy. Jessica also worked as a Social Impact Bond Fellow for the MaRS Centre for Impact Investing, where she advised non-profit organizations interested in developing social finance programs.

Jessica received her Masters in Public Policy from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government and her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with honors from the University of Pennsylvania. 

Dr. Nicholas Diamond

Senior Lead, Behavioural and Data Science

Nicholas is a Senior Lead of Behavioural and Data Science at the Impact and Innovation Unit (IIU), leading our team's work on cyber resilience. He is leading a team using multidisciplinary empirical methods to understand and respond to horizontal policy and security challenges. 

Prior to joining the IIU, Nicholas completed a PhD in psychology and cognitive neuroscience at the University of Toronto, and a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania. He led studies on human memory using real-world and virtual reality experiments, neuroimaging, and direct brain recordings.
 

Christine Lécuyer-Auger

Executive Assistant to the Director of Operations

Christine serves as Executive Assistant to the Director of Operations within the Impact and Innovation Unit (IIU), where she provides administrative and operational support to advance the team’s priorities.

Christine began her public service career in 2016 at Finance Canada and joined the Privy Council Office in 2019, where she supported senior executives in the Deputy Minister’s Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and the Office of the Commissioner of Canada’s Fight Against Fentanyl.

Christine holds a diploma in Business Administration from La Cité collégiale.
 

Jessica Ly

Office Manager

Jessica serves as office manager within the Impact and Innovation Unit (IIU), where she plays a key role in providing strategic administrative and operational support to help advance the team’s mission.

With a strong background in coordination, resource management, and organizational efficiency, she ensures the smooth functioning of day-to-day operations.

Jessica's public service career began in 2009, and before joining the Privy Council Office, she held management executive assistant roles at Health Canada and Public Safety Canada.

Cristian Lorenzoni

Senior Advisor

Cristian is a Senior Advisor at the Impact and Innovation Unit (IIU). In this role, he applies geopolitical risk, defence/security knowledge, and operations management expertise to safety and national defence files.

Prior to joining the IIU, Cristian served as a Senior Analyst at Employment and Social Development Canada, advising senior leadership on macroeconomic trends and international labour market risks. Before that, he was a Senior Intelligence Analyst at Global Affairs Canada, delivering political and economic briefings to ministers and senior officials. Earlier in his career, he provided institutional clients at Scotiabank with geopolitical and economic risk assessments.

Cristian holds a Master of Arts in International Affairs from Carleton University and a Master of Science in Security Studies from University College London. He is currently completing a MBA at Warwick Business School, focusing on defence procurement and supply chain risks. 
 

Dr. Derek Albert

Behavioural Science Fellow

Derek is a Behavioural Science Fellow with the Impact and Innovation Unit (IIU), where he applies behavioural science techniques and insights to inform government policies and programs. 

Prior to joining the IIU, Derek worked as a Behavioural Science Consultant, supporting clients across various sectors, including technology, sustainability, transportation, and mental health.

Derek received his B.A. in Psychology and Behavioural Science, as well as his M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Psychiatry from McGill University. His graduate research examined the contributions of depressed mood and attention difficulties to crash risk in young drivers, and tested interventions for reducing unsafe driving behaviours. Derek completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Waterloo where he studied attention and learning in education and high-risk work environments, while also specializing in online research methods.
 

Sanjida Amin

Policy Analyst

Sanjida is a Policy Analyst at the Impact and Innovation Unit, where she works on advancing behavioural cyber security. Her work supports the application of evidence and research to public policy challenges, with a focus on strengthening cyber resilience among Canadian organizations. 

Prior to joining the IIU, Sanjida was a Postdoctoral Fellow with the Canadian Defence and Security Network at Queen’s University. Before pursuing her doctoral studies, she worked as a Policy Analyst with the Government of Ontario. Her experience spans academia, government, and engagement with policy and defence communities in Canada and internationally.

She holds a PhD in Political Science from the University of Toronto, where her research focused on international security, foreign policy, and armed conflict.
 

Dr. Claudia Belliveau

Behavioural Science Fellow

Claudia is a Behavioural Science Fellow in the Impact and Innovation Unit (IIU).

Before joining the IIU, she was a Senior Marketing and Communications Manager in the nonprofit sector, where she supported initiatives aimed at strengthening Canada’s STEM talent pipeline.

Claudia holds a PhD in Neuroscience from McGill University, where her scientific training shaped her longstanding interest in making science accessible, engaging and useful beyond academia.
 

Anton Bezglasnyy

Lead, Behavioural and Data Science

Anton Bezglasnyy is a Lead of, Behavioural and Data Science at the Impact and Innovation Unit. He works with a multidisciplinary team to develop evidence-based solutions for complex public policy challenges. 

Prior to joining the Privy Council Office, Anton spent 10 years at the Department of National Defence advancing a multitude of policy, program and project priorities. In addition to his work on defence and security, Anton has experience in public safety, trade, and international affairs, including working with the Canada Border Services Agency in Vancouver, Global Affairs Canada in Washington, DC, and the United Nations in New York City.

Anton holds a Master of Arts in Political Science from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Economics from Simon Fraser University.

Matthew Blackshaw

Lead, Behavioural and Data Science

Matt is a Lead Behavioural and Data Science at the Impact and Innovation Unit (IIU) who provides research and strategic advice on trust, digital ecosystems, and democratic institutions. Previously, he supported a project related to the adoption of environmentally beneficial management practices in the agriculture sector.

Prior to joining the IIU, he worked at the Library of Parliament, where he provided research on social and economic issues for parliamentarians from all parties. He also spent time in the non-profit sector promoting democratic participation.

Matt earned his Bachelor’s degree from McMaster’s Arts and Science Program, and he holds a Master’s in Public Policy and Administration, with a specialization in Data Science, from Carleton University. 
 

Dr. Emily Britton

Behavioural Science Fellow

Emily is a Behavioural Science Fellow at the Impact and Innovation Unit (IIU) within the Privy Council Office. She is working with partners at Natural Resources Canada applying behavioural science to support home energy and adaptation labelling.

Prior to joining the IIU, Emily worked at a charitable research institute conducting applied research to improve mental health and addictions treatment and services.

Emily has a Master’s and PhD in social psychology from the University of Waterloo where she studied motivation and self-regulation. Her dissertation research was focused on understanding motivational barriers to effective goal pursuit.

Dr. Amanda Desnoyers

Behavioural Science Fellow

Amanda Desnoyers is a Behavioural Science Fellow, where she is leading and supporting projects that apply behavioural and data science to improve outcomes for our partners in defence related to Canada’s operational readiness. 

Prior to this role, Amanda contributed to a range of behavioural science, research, and public sector innovation initiatives across the Government of Canada. Her work has included designing and conducting qualitative research, engaging stakeholders across departments, translating complex evidence into actionable insights for decision-makers, and leading communications and knowledge mobilization projects to improve access to evidence-informed practices.

Amanda has a Master's degree in Experimental Psychology from Laurentian University and in 2018 earned a Ph.D. in Social 

Dr. Sean Devine

Behavioural Science Fellow

Sean is a Behavioural Science Fellow who works closely with departmental partners to support key Canadian defence initiatives. He is an expert in quantitative methods and is supporting defence partners in the development of sophisticated analytic models for the purposes of developing targeted recommendations to defence policy.

Before joining the Impact and Innovation Unit, Sean’s earned a PhD in Experimental Psychology (Cognitive Science) from McGill University, where he studied the computational and contextual mechanisms underpinning human decision-making.
 

Dr. Maral Yeganeh Doost

Behavioural Science Fellow

Maral is a Behavioural Science Fellow at the Impact and Innovation Unit (IIU), where she supports our departmental partners in advancing Canada's defence priorities. She has led several other IIU projects, including increasing the adoption of home energy labels, reducing harms associated with frequent cannabis use among young Canadians, and identifying barriers affecting the hiring, career development, performance management, and psychological safety of Black public servants.

Maral leads IIU’s GBA Plus initiatives and serves as IIU’s GBA Plus Champion. She also contributes to IIU’s AI initiatives, including reviewing case studies and supporting the responsible use of AI in behavioural science.

Before joining IIU, she worked as a behavioural science consultant and content creator for nonprofit management consulting organizations.
Maral received her PhD in neuroscience from the Université catholique de Louvain in Belgium in 2018. She subsequently completed a postdoctoral fellowship at McGill University’s Montreal Neurological Institute, where she studied cognitive neuroscience and motivation. 
 

Dr. Denise Dubois

Senior Advisor

Dr. Denise Dubois is a Senior Advisor at Impact and Innovation Unit (IIU), where she uses applied behavioural and data science for positive change in the defence sector.

Denise brings a multidisciplinary background spanning health, research, communications, and public policy. In her previous role at Health Canada, her work focused on mental health policy and strategic initiatives. Prior to joining the federal public service, she served as Senior Scientific Writer at the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Queen’s University focused on the mental health of military families. Earlier in her career, she practiced as an occupational therapist, primarily in mental health.

Denise holds a PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences with a concentration in Public Health Policy and a Master's of Science in Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy from the University of Toronto, as well as a Bachelor of Journalism (Honours) from Carleton University.
 

Dr. Holly Engstrom

Lead, Behavioural and Data Science

Holly is a Lead, Behavioural and Data Science at the Impact and Innovation Unit (IIU), using psychology and behavioural science principles to support departmental partners in delivering on Canada's defence priorities.

Prior to her work with the IIU, Holly was the Director of the Eeyou Marine Region Impact Review Board, where she worked closely with Cree and Inuit communities to conduct environmental and social impact assessments of proposed development projects in northern Quebec.

She received her PhD in Social Psychology with a minor in Quantitative Methods from the University of British Columbia.
 

Dr. Kaitlyn Fallow

Behavioural Science Fellow

Kaitlyn is a Behavioural Science Fellow with the Impact and Innovation Unit (IIU). She is currently applying behavioural science to the challenge of strengthening individual, organizational, and societal resilience to cyber threats. Her previous work at the IIU has included projects exploring public servants' career development experiences and Canadians' awareness, perceptions, and adoption of wildfire risk mitigation measures.

Prior to joining the IIU, Kaitlyn was a postdoctoral fellow studying human memory and decision-making at the University of Victoria, where she also completed her PhD and MSc in Cognition and Brain Sciences.
 

Dr. Laura French Bourgeois

Behavioural Science Fellow

Laura French Bourgeois is a Behavioural Science Fellow with the Impact and Innovation Unit, where she provides strategic advice and applies behavioural science to support the design, implementation, and evaluation of federal policies and programs.

Prior to joining the federal public service, Laura held postdoctoral fellowships in social psychology at Western University and in political science at the Université du Québec à Montréal. Her research examined how social norms and values shape political participation, responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, attitudes toward immigration, and broader processes of social change.

Laura has also led community-based research initiatives in partnership with Indigenous communities in Quebec and Nunavut, focusing on priorities such as language revitalization, education, and community-led social change. She has taught undergraduate and graduate courses on social norms and research methods.

Laura holds a PhD in Psychology from the Université de Montréal.
 

Annamarie Grant

Senior Advisor

Annamarie is a Senior Advisor at the Impact and Innovation Unit working on trust in public institutions and digital information ecosystems. She is part of a team using multidisciplinary empirical methods to understand and respond to horizontal public policy challenges.  

Prior to joining the Government of Canada, Annamarie worked in children’s social services.

Annamarie holds Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Public Administration and a Master of Public Administration.
 

Sarah Hackett

Behavioural Science Fellow

Sarah Hackett is a Fellow on the Behavioural Science team in the Impact and Innovation Unit. In this role, she provides strategic advice, coordination, and technical expertise across a range of interdisciplinary research programs examining contemporary public policy challenges and their implications for citizens and the Government of Canada. She also supports international engagement and collaboration to advance the exchange and application of behavioural science knowledge and practice.

Prior to her current role, Sarah was a Policy Advisor at the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat. In this position, she worked with a team of behavioural scientists to generate evidence rooted in the real experiences and measurable behaviours of public servants in preparation for the future of work.

Sarah holds a Master of Public Policy from the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto and an Honours Bachelor of Commerce from the Smith School of Business at Queen’s University.
 

Guy Halpern

Senior Advisor

Guy Halpern is a Senior Advisor with Impact and Innovation Unit (IIU). Guy is supporting the IIU’s departmental partners on the Government of Canada’s defence priority through strategic analysis, risk mitigation and change management.

Prior to joining the IIU, Guy worked internationally at the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in France, advising OECD senior management and OECD and partner countries on balancing economic growth and industrial development with mitigating environmental impacts. Before that he held positions at Natural Resources Canada in the Energy Policy Branch, at the Ontario Power Authority on renewable energy, and in international development in Central Asia and Southeast Asia.

Guy holds a Bachelor of Environmental Studies in Environment and Resource Studies from the University of Waterloo and a Master of Arts in Global Governance from the Balsillie School of Global Governance.


 

Dr. Katie Harper

Behavioural Science Fellow

Katie Harper is a Behavioural Science Fellow with the Impact and Innovation Unit. She joined the team in 2021, and since then, has worked on a variety of portfolios, including projects applying behavioural science research to climate action and environmental protection, public safety, and other key government priorities. She is currently working with on defence-related files to support operational readiness.

Before joining the team, Katie worked in research consulting, contributing to projects addressing public health issues like problem gambling and substance use. 

Katie received her PhD in Developmental Psychology from Toronto Metropolitan University in 2021.
 

Dr. Kyle Hubbard

Lead, Behavioural and Data Science

Kyle is a Lead of Behavioural and Data Science, where he leads applied behavioural and data science research to support evidence-based innovation across government. His current work focuses on defence.

Previously, Kyle conducted research to help expand the Government of Canada’s capacity to apply behavioural science to climate and environmental challenges. In 2025–2026, he also contributed to Impact Canada’s work on regulatory efficiency and economic growth, including a sludge audit of four major regulatory processes related to major projects. This work identified root causes of inefficiency, friction, and duplication, and informed practical recommendations to improve process timeliness and predictability.

Kyle holds a PhD in Educational Psychology from McGill University.
 

Dr. Arvin Jagayat

Behavioural Science Fellow

Arvin Jagayat is a Behavioural Science Fellow at the Impact and Innovation Unit. In his role, Arvin contributes to work on multiple portfolios of work, including contributing to better understanding of trust in public institutions, digital information ecosystems, and modernization of Canadian Honours.

Prior to his current role, Arvin completed his PhD in Psychology at Toronto Metropolitan University. His work focused on evaluating design-level interventions for misinformation on social media platforms. This includes leading development of the Mock Social Media Website Tool: open-source research software that is designed to help facilitate experimental, behavioural social media research by simulating interactive social media platforms.

Dr. Erik Jansen

Lead, Behavioural and Data Science

Erik is a Lead, Behavioural and Data Science at the Impact and Innovation Unit (IIU) where he supports departmental partners in addressing Canada's defence and security priorities. He is responsible for coordinating a team of researchers to reduce barriers and improve efficiency in government process.

He holds a PhD in psychology from the University of Waterloo where he studied motivation, self-regulation, and goal pursuit.
 

Dr. Christine Kormos

Lead, Behavioural and Data Science

Christine is a Lead of Behavioural and Data Science at the Impact and Innovation Unit where she oversees work carried out by a team of Behavioural Scientists and Policy Analysts to advance sustained national cyber resilience through the application of insights and methods from the behavioural, social, and data sciences.

Prior to joining the federal government in 2022, Christine worked as a Senior Behavioural Scientist at the BC Behavioural Insights Group with the Government of British Columbia. Through her public sector work, as well as her previous behavioural economics consulting experience and academic research, she strives to inform behavioural policy by positioning human perceptions and tendencies at the centre of program and policy design.

Christine holds a PhD and MSc in Applied Social Psychology from the University of Victoria, prior to which she earned a BSc in Psychology and Biology from Queen's University. Christine also completed a Post-doc at Simon Fraser University. 
 

Dominique Léonard

Senior Advisor

Dominique Leonard is a Senior Advisor  at the Impact and Innovation Unit. She is working on defence-related files, by designing, implementing, and assessing the impacts of behavioural and data science-led “sludge audits”.

Before joining the IIU, Dominique held diverse applied research and evaluation roles in the public and not-for-profit sectors, most recently as Senior Evaluator at the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat and Research Associate at Social Research and Demonstration Corporation. She brings over 20 years of experience in applied policy and implementation research, large-scale experimental demonstration projects, and program evaluation.

Dominique holds a Master of Education and a BA in Organizational Communication and Psychology from the University of Ottawa. She is also a Credentialed Evaluator with the Canadian Evaluation Society.
 

Vivian Li

Behavioural Science Fellow

Vivian Li is a Behavioural Science Fellow at the Impact and Innovation Unit (IIU), where she applies behavioural science to support effective program and policy design and implementation. She has held previous roles at the IIU, such as coordinating Fellows' work on climate action, and using behavioural science to investigate applications to clean transportation.

Before joining the Government of Canada, Vivian supported research and experimentation for education policy at the Peel District School Board and led the consumer insights and analytics function for consumer health brands at Procter & Gamble Canada.

Vivian holds a M.S. and Ph.D. in Psychology from Yale University, where she studied the development of social cognition.
 

Dr. Caitlyn MacDonell

Behavioural Science Fellow

Caitlyn is a Behavioural Science Fellow with the Impact and Innovation Unit, where she applies principles from psychology and behavioural science to inform government policies and programs. Previously, Caitlyn worked with other departmental partners to help with cannabis prevention efforts and better understand the barriers and drivers of tick-borne disease prevention.

Prior to joining the government, Caitlyn completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship at York University where she focused on understanding the mental health needs of children and youth with brain-based challenges and ways to optimize services for this population.

Caitlyn holds a PhD in Psychology from Brock University and has experience conducting applied research with various community-based agencies and advocacy groups.

Dr. Elliot MacDonell

Behavioural Science Fellow

Dr. Elliot MacDonell is a Behavioural Science Fellow with the Impact and Innovation Unit (IIU). In his current role, Elliot is supporting the IIU’s departmental partners on community safety priorities. Previously, he worked on projects related to land conservation and green technology adoption.

Prior to joining the IIU, Elliot worked as a research consultant for the Goodman School of Business, supporting research that investigated barriers faced by Canadian refugees.

Elliot holds a PhD in psychology (social/personality specialization) from Brock University. His academic research focused on the relationship between personality and antisocial behaviour in workplace contexts, as well as psychometrics and the challenges with survey and scale development.

Dr. Harry MacKay

Lead, Behavioural and Data Science

Harry is a Behavioural and Data Science Lead at the Impact and Innovation Unit, currently working on projects related to trust, digital ecosystems, and democratic institutions. Previously, he worked on projects related to official statistics and public health.

Before joining the Impact and Innovation Unit, he completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, where he studied epigenetic development in the brain.

Harry holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from St. Francis Xavier University and a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Carleton University.  
 

Dr. Angela Mastroianni

Behavioural Science Fellow

Angela is a Behavioural Science Fellow with the Impact and Innovation Unit, where she leverages behavioural science insights to support safety and defence in Canada. 
Previously, Angela has worked on public health files, where she explored how to effectively communicate public health uncertainty to foster trust.

Angela completed her PhD and MSc in Behavioural Neuroscience from Wilfrid Laurier University, where she studied the mechanisms underlying food reward and cravings. She holds a Psychology HBSc from the University of Toronto.
 

Anne Mburu

Behavioural Science Fellow

Anne is a Behavioural Science Analyst with the Impact and Innovation Unit, working on a project under the Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer. Her work examines disparities in career development among public servants and the related impacts on mental health.

Prior to joining the IIU, Anne worked in the private sector, applying behavioural insights to guide strategic marketing initiatives in the wellness and mental health sectors.

Anne holds a Bachelor of Science in Integrated Science with a focus on Neuroscience from the University of British Columbia, and an Advanced Professional Certificate in Behavioural Insights from the UBC Sauder School of Business. She is currently completing her Master of Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University.

Iman Nasrallah

Senior Advisor

Iman is a Senior Advisor who supports the IIU's departmental partners on safety and defence files. Drawing on her experience as a lawyer, she has engaged with departments and agencies across the federal public service, providing legal analysis, regulatory and compliance support, and contributing to policy development. 

Prior to joining the IIU, Iman held positions at Elections Canada, the Department of Justice, Health Canada, the Administrative Tribunals Support Service of Canada, Public Services and Procurement Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Iman holds a Juris Doctor (JD) from the University of Ottawa Faculty of Common Law and an Honours Bachelor of Social Sciences from the University of Ottawa, with majors in Public Administration and Psychology. Her interdisciplinary background informs her approach to public policy, integrating legal expertise, behavioural science and public administration.
 

Maria Peddle

Behavioural Science Fellow

Maria is a Behavioural Science Fellow with the Impact and Innovation Unit. Currently, she supports the Government of Canada’s defence priority by conducting sludge audits to identify and reduce administrative burdens and improve process efficiency. Previously, she contributed to work related to employee accommodations and Treasury Board submissions, applying a behavioural science and systems-level perspective to improving government processes.

Maria is a Registered Social Worker with experience as a clinical social worker at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), where she provided therapy and crisis support to children and families. She later joined the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), contributing to behavioural insights initiatives aimed at improving tax compliance and public engagement.

Maria holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Psychology, with a specialization in Development, and a Master of Social Work from Carleton University.

Dr. Klajdi Puka

Lead, Behavioural and Data Science

At the Impact and Innovation Unit, Klajdi leads a team of scientists to improve policy, programs, and services across the Government of Canada. His current work is in defence policy, focused on understanding workforce behaviour and designing and testing approaches that can improve outcomes for members and organizations. Previously, he led a portfolio of research focused on population health, mental health, and addiction, using national surveys and experimental methods to inform public health policy and evaluate behavioural interventions.

Klajdi is also an adjunct professor at Western University; his teaching and research spans applied quantitative methods, experimental design, and intervention evaluation.

Klajdi holds a PhD in Epidemiology and Biostatistics and a HBSc in Psychology.
 

Dr. Krysten Spencer-Mueller

Behavioural Science Fellow

Krysten is a Behavioural Science Fellow with the Impact and Innovation Unit (IIU). In her current role, she applies behavioural science and evaluation approaches to support the assessment of organizational culture in the defence context, informing organizational improvement efforts and advancing scalable assessment practices.

Prior to joining the IIU, Krysten worked as a Behavioural Scientist on Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s Service Insights team, where she conducted client-centred research on digital services and generated behavioural insights to improve service delivery and client outcomes.

Krysten earned a PhD in Developmental Psychology from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Master of Science in Neuroscience and Applied Cognitive Science from the University of Guelph.
 

Dr. Shelbie Sutherland

Behavioural Science Fellow

Shelbie is a Behavioural Science Fellow at the Impact Innovation Unit. She uses her understanding of human behaviour to provide actionable insights designed to improve policies and programs for Canadians. 

Shelbie draws on her prior experience as a senior strategist and behavioural science consultant, where she worked closely with leaders in governments and other organizations around the world to identify evidence of barriers that prevent people from achieving their goals. Using an understanding of these barriers, she collaborates with partners to design solutions that support people’s decision making and deliver positive social impact.

Shelbie earned a PhD in developmental psychology from the University of Illinois and a Master of Applied Science from the University of Waterloo. She was also a Banting Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Toronto.
 

Dr. Paniz Tavakoli

Lead, Behavioural and Data Science

Paniz is a Lead for Behavioural and Data Science, where she is currently working with departmental partners on defence related files related to operational readiness. Previously, Paniz worked on public health related files to support smoking cessation initiatives, as well as a project to better understand barriers to the uptake of personal protective measures for respiratory infectious diseases. 

Paniz received her PhD from the University of Ottawa in Psychology with a specialization in Cognitive Neuroscience. She then completed two postdoctoral fellowships at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario and McMaster University. During this time, her research focused on using neuroscientific techniques to predict mental health outcomes in adolescents with suicidal thoughts and behaviours.
 

Dr. Maryse Thomas

Behavioural Science Fellow

Maryse is a Behavioural Science Fellow with the Impact and Innovation Unit. Her work combines behavioural science and quantitative research methods to design, test, and evaluate innovative solutions to complex public policy challenges.

Before joining the unit, Maryse worked as a research scientist at Innodem Neurosciences and SilicoLabs, where she used eye movements and motion analysis to investigate brain-behaviour relationships in clinical and research settings.

Maryse earned a PhD in Neuroscience from McGill University and completed a postdoctoral research fellowship at Harvard Medical School and the Massachusetts Eye and Ear, a leading vision and hearing research hospital. Her research explored how the brain adapts in response to sound, investigating how factors like noise, learning, attention, and movement shape our hearing.
 

Dr. Kaian Unwalla

Behavioural Science Fellow

Kaian is a Behavioural Science Fellow with the Impact and Innovation Unit, currently working with on defence-related files related to operational readiness. Previously, Kaian worked on climate-related files to better understand the barriers towards pro-environmental actions, such as recycling and water conservation. 

Before joining the Impact and Innovation Unit, she worked as a behavioural scientist at a market research firm providing actionable insights to help businesses address their challenges and questions.

Kaian received her PhD in psychology from McMaster University, investigating how we represent our bodies, and how our bodies interact with our surroundings.
 

Dr. Ademir-Paolo Vrolijk

Lead, Impact Measurement

Ademir is a Lead for Impact Measurement within the Behavioural and Data Science team. He leads initiatives to measure and understand organizational culture in the Government of Canada’s defence context, advancing projects that scale assessment capabilities and inform ongoing improvement efforts. Ademir has also led impact measurement research for the Outcomes-Based Financing team, focusing on the economic impacts of its innovation challenges.

Before joining the Privy Council Office, Ademir was a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Toronto, where he researched the engineering design processes of innovation challenge teams. He also served as a Visiting Fellow at the Laboratory for Innovation Sciences at Harvard , a leading centre for open innovation research.

Ademir holds a Ph.D. in Systems Engineering from The George Washington University and a Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from Carleton University.
 

Dr. Sarah Wall

Lead, Behavioural and Data Science

Sarah is a Lead  of Behavioural and Data Science at the Impact and Innovation Unit. She is responsible for designing and leading portfolios of research that are coherent, scientifically robust, and high impact to drive positive policy and programmatic outcomes. Further, she is responsible for leading interdisciplinary teams of scientists and policy experts, enabling their success, and supporting their professional development.

Throughout her Government of Canada career as a researcher and a manager, she has applied behavioural science theories and methodologies across a variety of policy domains ranging from public health during the COVID-19 pandemic response, climate and environment, workplace accommodation processes, public safety, security, and defence, and other government operations. 

Sarah has a Ph.D. in Social Psychology from Wilfrid Laurier University, where she also earned her Master of Arts (Social Psychology) and Honours Bachelor of Arts (Social Psychology).
 

Dr. Michael Weiss

Behavioural Science Fellow

Michael is a Behavioural Science Fellow at the Impact and Innovation Unit (IIU), where he studies public trust in Canada's democratic institutions and how it is shaped by rapidly evolving digital information ecosystems and technologies. He uses quantitative and empirical methods to examine the beliefs and attitudes that influence that trust, generating analyses that inform and support strategic decision-making. 

Prior to this, he studied Canadians' views on climate change and the environment.

Before joining the IIU, Michael was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Montreal, where he researched memory and cognitive development using behavioural and neuroscience methods. He holds a PhD in Psychology from the University of Toronto.

 

Alyssa Whalen

Senior Advisor

Alyssa is a Senior Advisor in the Impact and Innovation Unit (IIU) working on trust in public institutions and digital information ecosystems.  

Since joining the IIU in 2018, Alyssa has been a key contributor to the growth and evolution of the Behavioural Science team and the successful delivery of numerous programs of research applying behavioural science and other human-centred approaches to address complex public policy challenges. 

Prior to joining the Government of Canada, Alyssa completed an Honours Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Science at Queen's University, where her studies focused on psychology and decision-making. In 2025, she also completed a Master of Counselling Psychology, reflecting her longstanding interest in individual behaviour and well-being. 
 

Danté Fosterdelmundo

Student

Danté is a Political Science and Public Administration student at the University of Ottawa. He is using his co-op terms to support the Impact and Innovation Unit on safety and defence files. Drawing on his background in policy and mixed methods research, he assists our behavioural science fellows with sludge audits and research projects. He is also supporting our work in Northern Canada and has proven to be a valuable asset to the team.

Danté in his co-op terms supported negotiations to advance reconciliation at Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and assisting in evaluations at the Department of National Defence. He formerly worked as a parliamentary assistant and also as a frontline worker at Shepherds of Good Hope.

Danté is a Political Science and Public Administration student at the University of Ottawa.

 

Laura Portal Avelar

Outcomes-Based Financing Fellow

Laura Portal Avelar is an Outcomes-Based Financing Fellow supporting the development and delivery of challenges focused on agricultural innovation and producer mental wellbeing. She has worked across multiple federal departments supporting regulatory, legislative, and corporate initiatives. 

She holds a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Political Science and Public Administration from the University of Ottawa. 
 

Vivian Harbers

Outcomes-Based Financing Fellow

Vivian is an Outcomes-Based Financing Fellow who designs and delivers outcomes-based funding competitions to solve complex problems. Having worked across multiple federal departments, Vivian has led portfolios in areas including oil spill response and recovery, deep space exploration, lunar water purification, artificial intelligence integration, producer mental well-being, and agricultural methane reduction.

With expertise in innovation programming, behavioural science, and project management, Vivian brings an interdisciplinary perspective to advancing public sector innovation. 

She holds a Master’s in Applied Social Psychology from the University of Guelph and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and North American Studies from Laurier.
 

Lorah Jensen

Outcomes-Based Financing Fellow

Lorah Jensen is an Outcomes-Based Financing Fellow specializing in the design and delivery of funding competitions that tackle complex problems through outcomes-based approaches.

Prior to joining the Privy Council Office, she led a national loan portfolio team at Windmill Microlending and improved impact measurement and portfolio systems. 

Lorah holds an MBA in Community Economic Development and a BA in International Development and Political Science. 

Jon Yazer

Outcomes-Based Financing Fellow

Jonathan is an Outcomes-Based Financing Fellow that is currently working to launch an economic pull incentive project to bring life-saving antimicrobial drugs to Canada. He previously designed outcomes-based approaches to advance marine planning and conservation and supported the Behavioural Science team to reduce regulatory inefficiency in federal major project reviews.

Before becoming a Fellow, Jonathan supported negotiations to advance reconciliation for the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada.

Jonathan holds a M.A. in Global Governance from the University of Waterloo and a B.A. in Political Science from Western University.
 

Ashley Vandermeer

Senior Graphic Designer

Ashley Vandermeer is the Senior Graphic Designer on the Design and Communications team. In this role, she is responsible for leading the visual design and creative direction for Impact Canada initiatives, ensuring a consistent and engaging brand across digital and print products and translating complex policy, research, and program information into clear, accessible visual communications.

Before joining Impact Canada, Ashley worked as a Senior Graphic Designer at National Defence. Prior to her time in government, she worked at a creative agency, collaborating with a diverse range of clients to develop brands, campaigns, websites, and marketing materials. She also supported an in-house marketing team, creating engaging visual content and strategic assets that contributed to the growth of global business.

Ashley completed her studies in Graphic Design at Georgian College. 

Nathan Templeton

Interactive Media Designer

Nathan Templeton is an Interactive Media Designer with the Impact and Innovation Unit (IIU). Currently, he is responsible for supporting design and communications products across the unit with a focus on the Impact Canada web platform. Leveraging his background in full-stack web development, user experience (UX) design, and graphic design, Nathan develops creative, user-focused solutions to complex challenges. He collaborates with teams across Impact Canada to design accessible and engaging digital products and applications that help communicate ideas clearly, connect with audiences, and advance program goals.

Nathan holds a diploma in Interactive Media Design from Algonquin College.
 

Bushra Lezzeik

Policy Analyst

Bushra is a Policy Analyst on the People, Talent, & Operations team at the Impact and Innovation Unit. In her role, she provides support for staffing and operational initiatives to advance the Unit’s priorities.

Before joining the IIU, Bushra worked in the Office of the Vice President of the Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention Branch at the Public Health Agency of Canada where she supported branch-wide initiatives related to strategic planning, reporting, and coordination. She brings a background in biological sciences and public health, with experience spanning scientific research and federal policy. This interdisciplinary foundation shapes her commitment to bringing evidence-based, collaborative approaches to complex public-sector challenges.
 

Tarab Hussain

Senior Advisor

In her role as a Senior Advisor on the People, Talent, & Operations Team, Tarab supports staffing and talent management initiatives including recruitment, workforce planning, and operational priorities. Tarab manages Impact Canada Fellowship recruitment campaigns, corporate planning and reporting, and a range of operational activities across the Impact and Innovation Unit (IIU).

Tarab has held a variety of roles within the IIU, spanning communications, research and policy. In these roles, she has conducted research and analysis, developed communications products, and worked with stakeholders to support initiatives that advance innovation and public sector priorities. 

Tarab graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Science Degree in Biopharmaceutical Science from the University of Ottawa, and a Graduate Certificate in Regulatory Affairs from Algonquin College.

Odele Nunes

Project Assistant

Odele is a Project Assistant on the People, Talent, and Operations Team at the Impact and Innovation Unit (IIU). Odele supports the delivery of the Impact Canada Fellowship program providing a wide range of administrative, staffing, and onboarding services. Odele also supports a wide range of additional staffing and operational needs for the IIU.

Prior to her role at the IIU, Odele worked at Health Canada, supporting the Decompression program.

Odele graduated with a Degree Certificate in Commerce and a Postgraduate Diploma in Special Education. She is a dedicated community health professional with over 20 years of experience in supporting and advocating for people with disabilities.
 

Kassandra Ranni

Student

Kassandra is a student on the People, Talent, and Operations Team with the Impact and Innovation Unit. In this role, she supports the team by updating and maintaining data related to the Impact Canada Fellowship program, as well as conducting research and providing recommendations to support staffing and operational processes for the Unit.

Kassandra is currently in her third year at the University of Ottawa pursuing an Honours Bachelor of Social Sciences in Conflict Studies and Human Rights.