Our people
The Impact Canada Initiative is led by a Centre of Expertise housed within the Impact and Innovation Unit of the Privy Council Office, which also manages this platform in partnership with Government of Canada departments.
Since its launch in 2017, the Impact and Innovation Unit (IIU) has remained focused on working with federal departments, other levels of government, and external partners to support the implementation of inventive programs and services designed to improve social, economic, and environmental outcomes for citizens. In particular, the IIU focuses on improving outcomes for citizens by using a set of innovative approaches designed to achieve greater public value in program and service delivery.
Our leadership team
Rodney Ghali
Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet
Rodney Ghali
Rodney is the Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet of the Impact and Innovation Unit at the Privy Council Office, Government of Canada. He is responsible for leading the exploration and execution of new and innovative policy and programmatic approaches, focused on improving impact, accountability and value for Canadians. 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, aboriginal 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
Chad Hartnell is the Director of Operations of the Impact and Innovation Unit in the Government of Canada’s Privy Council Office. In this role, he leads work under Impact Canada, a cross-government initiative that works in partnership with government and non-government organizations in applying innovative financing approaches (e.g., challenge prizes, pay-for-results projects), new partnership models, impact measurement methodologies and behavioural insights in priority areas.
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.
Julie Greene
Senior Lead, Capacity and Partnerships
Julie Greene
Julie Greene
Senior Lead, Capacity and Partnerships
Julie is responsible for developing partnerships and building capacity for the Federal government to use outcomes-based funding approaches, including Challenge Prizes and pay-for-success projects. Her team’s current portfolio of projects span social determinants of health, environment and inclusion.
Before joining the Privy Council Office, Julie was a key designer of an innovative chronic disease program, which was an early adopter in using matched funding with the private sector and pay-for-results methods. She co-led a program of research to explore these types of partnerships, and has jointly published several papers in this field. Previously, Julie worked to advance tobacco control and mental health initiatives, and has always been passionate about understanding how to motivate and measure behaviour change.
Julie was educated at the University of Ottawa, holds a Master's Degree in Education (Counselling), a Bachelor of Social Science, and spent early years in her career working in clinical and community settings. Raised in the federal Health Portfolio, with feet firmly planted in policy, program and research positions, she is looking to further contribute to the systemization of public sector innovation.
David Donovan
Senior Lead, Policy and Innovative Finance
David Donovan
David Donovan
Senior Lead, Policy and Innovative Finance
David is Senior Lead, Policy and Innovative Finance at the Impact and Innovation Unit. Before joining the Privy Council Office, David was responsible for advancing private sector partnership and international development finance efforts at Global Affairs Canada. He has held roles in public, private, and academic sectors. David is the former research director of the Centre for the Study of Democracy at Queen's University. He has published a number of articles relating to the international promotion of democracy, and on democratic and Parliamentary reform in Canada. He has also presented his views on democratic governance before a number of Parliamentary Committees and international conferences. David graduated with a BA (Honours with Distinction) in Political Studies and Master's in Public Administration from Queen's. He is also a Sauvé Fellow of the Jeanne Sauvé Foundation based in Montréal.
Jessica Leifer
Senior Lead, Behavioural Science
Jessica Leifer
Jessica Leifer
Senior Lead, Behavioural Science
In this role, she is responsible for leading the Behavioral Science team’s collaborations with federal departments and external partners to apply BeSci insights to improve the impact of various government programs and policies.
Prior to joining the Privy Council Office, Jess worked for a U.S.-based BeSci organization where she managed a large portfolio of projects applying BeSci insights to improve health and well-being, combat poverty and inequality, and build financial capability in partnership with governments, non-profit organizations, and businesses locally and internationally. Jess also worked as an Social Impact Bond Fellow for the MaRS Centre for Impact Investing where she advised non-profit organizations interested in developing social impact bonds and innovative finance programs.
Jess received her Master in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. While at Penn, she researched self-control and willpower with Dr. Angela Duckworth. Jess is passionate about experimentation, and using data and evidence about what works to drive innovation and demonstrable social impact.
Dr. Michael Haber
Senior Lead, Public Engagement
Dr. Michael Haber
Dr. Michael Haber
Senior Lead, Public Engagement
Dr. Michael Haber is Lead, Public Engagement, at the Impact and Innovation Unit. In this role, he is responsible for collaborating with federal departments and external partners to advance Impact Canada Challenge Prizes and Initiatives, and for supporting the IIU’s digital delivery model.
Before joining the Privy Council Office, Michael spent 10 years with Health Canada as a Human Therapeutic Product Assessment Officer, a project manager, and most recently, as the department’s Government of Canada Entrepreneur to the Deputy Minister Task Force on Public Sector Innovation.
Michael was educated at McGill University and holds a Doctorate and Master of Science in Neuroscience, a Graduate Certificate in Biotechnology, and a Bachelor of Science in Physiology.
Valérie Anglehart
Lead, Fellowship Program
Valérie Anglehart
Valérie Anglehart
Lead, Fellowship Program
Valérie Anglehart is the Program Coordinator at the Impact and Innovation Unit (IIU). She is responsible for working in close collaboration with stakeholders inside and outside government to help deliver on key priorities, including the IIU’s Innovative Staffing Program. Prior to this role, she was the Executive Assistant to the Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet, Results and Delivery. Valérie was responsible for providing administrative leadership and developing procedural and copy edit guides for this newly established Secretariat. Valérie has an extensive background in Executive support. She has also led on the data validation exercise of the Order-in-Council transfers to Shared Service Canada, and worked on the Executive Performance Management and Talent Management Programs at Global Affairs Canada. A key strength that anyone interacting with her will appreciate is her humility and her ability to develop strong lasting partnerships.
Dr. Lauryn Conway
Lead, Behavioural Science
Dr. Lauryn Conway
Dr. Lauryn Conway
Lead, Behavioural Science
Dr. Lauryn Conway is the Lead of Behavioural Science at the Impact and Innovation Unit within the Privy Council Office. 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.
Executive Support
Jessica Ly
Executive Assistant
Jessica Ly
Jessica Ly
Executive Assistant
Jessica is the executive assistant to the Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet at the Impact and Innovation Unit (IIU). In her role, Jessica serves as a primary contact for external offices and provides executive and administrative support to the Assistant Secretary and this office.
Prior to working at the IIU, Jessica worked at Health Canada as a management executive assistant for a number of senior offices. Jessica has 10 years of experience as an executive assistant in the federal government and a former work background in hospitality and store management.
Anke Shi
Executive Assistant
Anke Shi
Anke Shi
Executive Assistant
Anke is the Executive Assistant to the Director of Operations at the Impact and Innovation Unit. In this role, she provides administrative support for the Director of Operations, secretariat support for IIU Management Meetings, and other administrative functions. Prior to this position, she worked at Canada Revenue Agency, University of British Columbia, and Statistics Canada in various administrative positions. Anke holds a BA in International Relations from the University of British Columbia.
Saskia Jarvis
Senior Advisor, Operations
Saskia Jarvis
Saskia Jarvis
Senior Advisor, Operations
Saskia is a Senior Advisor at the Impact and Innovation Unit. She is responsible for providing support for various IIU activities, including building networks with federal departments and external partners to foster collaboration and advance the Government of Canada's experimentation and innovation agenda. She also provides support for the Deputy Ministers Task Force on Public Sector Innovation.
Before joining the Privy Council Office, Saskia worked on a variety of health-related policy initiatives, with a focus on health promotion and chronic disease prevention. Saskia has experience in advancing private sector partnerships, and provided policy support for The Play Exchange, a national competition that sought transformative ideas to create healthier, active lifestyles for Canadians.
Saskia graduated from Carleton University with a BA (Honours) in Sociology and a Master's of Arts in Sociology.
Behavioural Science
Dr. Andrew Abela
Behavioural Science Fellow, Public Health Agency of Canada
Dr. Andrew Abela
Dr. Andrew Abela
Behavioural Science Fellow, Public Health Agency of Canada
In this role, Andrew is advancing projects and initiatives supporting the Government of Canada’s response to COVID-19 as it relates to vaccination uptake and communications from the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer.
Previously, Andrew worked for a management consulting firm, where he applied behavioural insights to a wide variety of challenges. Andrew has also worked as a course instructor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Toronto. Andrew holds a PhD in Psychology and Behavioural Neuroscience from McGill University where he studied the brain basis of impulse control and decision-making.
Andrew also completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, where he examined how cognition and motivation are impacted by drugs of abuse, mental illness and medication. Andrew is passionate about using scientific communication, experimentation and evidence to drive meaningful outcomes for society.
Dr. Amanda Desnoyers
Behavioural Science Fellow, Employment and Social Development Canada
Dr. Amanda Desnoyers
Dr. Amanda Desnoyers
Behavioural Science Fellow, Employment and Social Development Canada
Amanda is a Behavioural Scientist and Fellow at the Impact and Innovation Unit located in the Privy Council Office. Her current placement is with Employment and Social Development Canada within the Canadian Education Savings Program where she is exploring how behavioural science can be used to help increase awareness and decrease barriers to accessing educational savings incentives such as the Canada Learning Bond.
Prior to this current role, Amanda supported the Government of Canada’s response to COVID-19. Specifically, she supported the COVID-19 Snapshot Monitoring in Canada (COSMO) longitudinal study that surveyed Canadian’s on their perceptions, knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours surrounding COVID-19.
Amanda has a Masters degree in Experimental Psychology from Laurentian University and in 2018 earned a Ph.D. in Social Psychology from Wilfrid Laurier University where she studied mindfulness and its impact on mental health.
Dr. Tyler Good
Behavioural Science Fellow, Public Health Agency of Canada
Dr. Tyler Good
Dr. Tyler Good
Behavioural Science Fellow, Public Health Agency of Canada
Tyler is a Behavioural Science Fellow at the Impact and Innovation Unit who will be working with partners at Office of Strategic Policy and Planning at the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). In this role, he will provide a behavioural science lens to many initiatives at PHAC including the governmental response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prior to this position, Tyler completed a PhD in psychology at the University of Toronto where he studied the long-term consequences of concussion using large-scale network modeling and multivariate statistical techniques.
Dr. Kyle Hubbard
Behavioural Science Fellow
Dr. Kyle Hubbard
Dr. Kyle Hubbard
Behavioural Science Fellow
Kyle is a Behavioural Scientist in the Impact and Innovation Unit at the Privy Council Office, Government of Canada. He works with the IIU’s Behavioural Science Team to expand the Federal Government’s capacity to apply behavioural science (BeSci) to key priority areas including COVID-19 and climate change.
Prior to joining the core Behavioural Science Team in the IIU, Kyle was a Behavioural Science Fellow at Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). During his time at ECCC he led BeSci research to promote pro-environmental behaviour change; applied a BeSci lens to the development of program, policy, and service initiatives; and helped build capacity for using experimentation and evidence-based decision making wherever possible.
Kyle holds a Doctorate of Philosophy (educational psychology) from McGill University.
Dr. Mark Morrissey
Behavioural Science Fellow, Public Health Agency of Canada
Dr. Mark Morrissey
Dr. Mark Morrissey
Behavioural Science Fellow, Public Health Agency of Canada
In this role, Mark is currently supporting work on vaccine confidence within the Immunization Promotion and Partnership Unit. Mark is working on the application of BeSci to advancing projects and initiatives supporting the Government of Canada’s response to COVID-19, particularly as it relates to vaccination uptake.
Mark received his doctorate from the University of Toronto in Psychology and Neuroscience in 2015, and followed this with a postdoctoral position at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory. Prior to joining the Fellowship Program, Mark worked as an Associate at a behavioural science management consulting firm. In 2019, Mark also began instructing undergraduate courses in Psychology at the University of Toronto Scarborough as a Lecturer and is now a part-time Assistant Professor. Mark is energized by the interest within government in the application of behavioural sciences and at the opportunity to work and collaborate with so many dedicated and bright minds.
Brian Pereira
Behavioural Science Fellow
Brian Pereira
Brian Pereira
Behavioural Science Fellow
Brian is a Behavioural Science Fellow within the Behavioural Science team at the Impact and Innovation Unit. He will be working on applying behavioural science research in response to COVID-19, including projects related to misinformation and disinformation.
Prior to joining the Fellowship program in April 2021, Brian worked at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health studying predictors of substance use behaviour in young adult populations.
Brian holds a Master of Science in Neuroscience from Western University and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Toronto.
Dhawal Selerka
Behavioural Science Fellow
Dhawal Selerka
Dhawal Selerka
Behavioural Science Fellow
Dhawal is a Behavioural Scientist with the Impact and Innovation Unit, Privy Council Office, Government of Canada. He is responsible for applying insights from the behavioural sciences (e.g. social psychology, cognitive sciences, etc.) across a range of files, including how the government communicates with its citizens, using experimental methods and techniques.
Prior to working with the core team at the IIU, Dhawal was placed at Transport Canada to help apply behavioural science across numerous programs and domains, including boating safety, organizational safety, and policy formulation.
Prior to his current role, Dhawal was a graduate student with the University of Toronto where he received a Master of Arts (Psychology)
Nick Thompson
Research Associate
Nick Thompson
Nick Thompson
Research Associate
In this role, he executes statistical analysis to generate policy insights targeted at assisting the Government of Canada’s COVID-19 response. In addition to his work with the Privy Council Office, Nick is currently completing a Master of Public Policy at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. Before joining the Impact and Innovation Unit, he was a Research Associate at the Munk School’s Policy, Elections and Representation Lab where he helped launch a dashboard visualizing data on jurisdiction-level policy responses to COVID-19. Nick holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Studies from Queen’s University.
Currently Most Interested in… The application of Python to problems requiring statistical analysis. In particular, the use of Python to engage in automated approaches to analysis and large-scale data manipulation.
Sarah Wall
Behavioural Science Fellow, Public Health Agency of Canada
Sarah Wall
Sarah Wall
Behavioural Science Fellow, Public Health Agency of Canada
Sarah Wall is a Behavioural Science Fellow at the Impact and Innovation Unit within the Privy Council Office. She will also be working within the Public Health Agency of Canada to support the application of Behavioural Science and experimental methods to their continued response to COVID-19.
Sarah is educated at Wilfrid Laurier University where she earned her Master’s degree in social psychology, and is working concurrently on completing her Doctorate in social psychology, with a focus on motivation and decision-making in close relationship domains.
Alyssa Whalen
Advisor
Alyssa Whalen
Alyssa Whalen
Advisor
Alyssa is an Advisor on the Behavioural Science team in the Impact and Innovation Unit at the Privy Council Office, Government of Canada. In this role, she applies principles and methods from Behavioural Science and other human-centred approaches to address complex policy and program challenges across the Government of Canada. During Alyssa’s time at the IIU, she has carried out numerous priority-driven projects as an applied researcher, and played a leading role in scoping and coordinating the team’s program of Behavioural Science research supporting the Government’s response to COVID-19.
Prior to joining her current role, Alyssa researched and studied at Queen’s University, concentrating in consumer behaviour and decision-making research. From Queen’s, she holds a Master of Science in Marketing and an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, as well as certificates in Business and Social Impact.
Wook Yang
Behavioural Science Fellow
Wook Yang
Wook Yang
Behavioural Science Fellow
Wook is working under the Natural Resources Canada’s energy efficiency program, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across Canada. To deliver an effective program, he will be working with a multidisciplinary team and applying behavioural approaches throughout the development process.
Wook holds a Master’s degree in Developmental Psychology and he is currently completing the final year of his PhD in Social and Behavioural Health Sciences at the University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health where he focuses on aging and mental health of Canadian minority populations.
Challenges
Brad Andrews
Challenge Prize Fellow, Canadian Space Agency
Brad Andrews
Brad Andrews
Challenge Prize Fellow, Canadian Space Agency
In this role, Brad is leading the development of a challenge prize that will stimulate innovation and growth of remote healthcare technologies.
Prior to joining the Public Service, Brad spent time supporting social enterprises, both in a leadership role and as a consultant, and is passionate about leveraging outcomes and incentives to drive change.
Brad has an MBA from the Schulich School of Business, with a specialization in Social Innovation.
Andrea Colasanti
Junior Research and Policy Analyst
Andrea Colasanti
Andrea Colasanti
Junior Research and Policy Analyst
Andrea is a Junior Research and Policy Analyst on the Policy and Innovative Finance team at the Impact and Innovation Unit. In this role, she is responsible for providing policy support for various IIU initiatives.
Prior to joining the IIU, she worked with the Legislation and House Planning Secretariat at the Privy Council Office.
Andrea holds a Master's of Public Administration from the Queen’s University School of Policy Studies. She also completed her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Studies at Queen’s.
Clélia Cothier
Challenge Prize Fellow, Canadian Space Agency
Clélia Cothier
Clélia Cothier
Challenge Prize Fellow, Canadian Space Agency
Currently, she works with the Space Exploration Strategic Planning team at the Canadian Space Agency and oversees the development and implementation of the Deep Space Food Challenge. Prior to joining the government, Clélia worked with Desjardins’ innovation lab to apply social innovation concepts to the business world and the financial industry, and developed open innovation projects like Coopérathon. Her goal is to act as a tri-sector athlete, by connecting and working with the private, public and social sectors on important societal issues. Clélia is also a board member of two Montreal-based organizations, Esplanade and Institut du Nouveau Monde. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Sciences and International Development Studies from McGill University.
Annamarie Grant
Junior Research and Policy Analyst
Annamarie Grant
Annamarie Grant
Junior Research and Policy Analyst
Annamarie is a Junior Research and Policy Analyst on the Policy and Innovative Finance team at the Impact and Innovation Unit. In this role, she is responsible for providing analysis and support on IIU initiatives crossing the policy and behavioural science functions. Prior to joining the Government of Canada, she worked in the non-profit sector in services for children and youth with special needs. Annamarie holds Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Science and Public Administration from York University and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration at the University of Victoria.
Mohamed Yassine
Challenge Prize Fellow, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Mohamed Yassine
Mohamed Yassine
Challenge Prize Fellow, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Mohamed has been leading the provision of technical assistance to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) in the design and implementation of the $20 million Food Waste Reduction Challenge. In his role as a fellow, he has been supporting AAFC to incentivize innovation in the food sector to strengthen food systems, advance technologies, and address food insecurity.
Before joining the Privy Council Office, Mohamed was an Education Specialist at the World Bank, where he led the design and implementation of large-scale education programs. He managed large portfolios covering more than $500 million in financing for education reform in the Middle East and Africa regions. He co-led several research programs, including impact evaluations; and worked on introducing innovative financing instruments, including outcomes-based financing, public-private partnerships, and pay-for-success instruments. Mohamed has worked in over ten countries across North America, the Middle-East, North Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa.
He holds a Master’s degree in Learning, Design, and Technology from Stanford University and a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering from the American University of Beirut.
Public Engagement
Laura Portal Avelar
Advisor
Laura Portal Avelar
Laura Portal Avelar
Advisor
In her role as Advisor, Laura is responsible for supporting and collaborating with federal departments and external partners on initiatives under Impact Canada, and for advancing the Impact and Innovation Unit's digital presence.
Over her federal government career, Laura has worked to advance regulatory, legislative and corporate initiatives in Health Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat.
Laura was educated at the University of Ottawa and holds a Master in Public Administration, and a Bachelor of Political Science and Public Administration.
Laurie Bennett
Multimedia Communications Officer
Laurie Bennett
Laurie Bennett
Multimedia Communications Officer
Laurie is the Impact and Innovation Unit’s Multimedia Communications Officer. She focuses her efforts on increasing accessibility to the work of the IIU through the development of engaging publications and web-based products.
Prior to her work with the IIU, Laurie served as VP of operations for Transpath, a medical diagnostics firm, and also did work as a videographer and online courseware developer for the University of Alberta.
Laurie has an honours diploma in Interactive Media Design from Algonquin College, with specializations in digital publishing, motion graphics, and video productions.
Chris Soueidan
Visual Designer
Chris Soueidan
Chris Soueidan
Visual Designer
Chris is the Impact and Innovation Unit’s Visual Designer. He is focused on developing the digital brand behind the IIU and its related visual products. Chris worked as a user experience designer in the Information Technology Bureau at Global Affairs Canada, collaborated on web design projects with Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, led the accreditation product design for the G7 Summit and runs Loogart, a Canadian visual design studio. He specializes in illustration, brand identity design, motion graphics, user experience and web. Chris holds a Bachelor of Engineering from McGill University in Montreal.