Al hails from New York City and later left "The Big Apple" to study in Toronto, Canada. As a double graduate from the University of Toronto (U of T), Al has a background in life sciences, pharmacy, and global health. 

During his undergraduate studies, he earned the prestigious University of Toronto Student Leadership Award and graduated from the Doctor of Pharmacy program as a U of T Global Scholar and Valedictorian of his cohort. 

Passionate about leadership and global health equity, Al has worked in various health organizations, including the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists and the Hospital for Sick Children, and co-founded TRUSTi, a harm reduction venture for illicit drug users.

 With an innate interest in the intersections of policy and health systems, Al enters the Master of Public Policy program at McGill University as a McCall MacBain Scholar, striving to optimize healthcare access for marginalized groups through policy-driven interventions

Zara is a current Master of Public Health student at the University of Alberta and is obtaining a Graduate Embedded Certificate in Community-Based Research and Evaluation. 

She is also a BSc graduate in Honours Bio-Medical Sciences from the University of Guelph. 

She has key interests in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), immigrant and refugee health and health equity.

Pallawi is from India and brings over 6 years of experience as a civil servant with the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, Government of India. She has specialized in Indirect Tax Administration and Tax System Implementation, working in areas such as Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Indian Customs. 

Pallawi recently completed her Master’s in Public Policy at McGill University, where she worked on an eight-month capstone project sponsored by the Canadian Human Rights Commission, focusing on housing issues for refugees and asylum claimants. 

She is excited to volunteer as a researcher for BacharLorai, viewing it as a valuable opportunity to deepen her understanding of Bangladesh's socio-economic policies. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and exploring different cuisines.

Renée is an experienced public policy and government affairs professional with over 5 years of experience in policy analysis, strategic planning, and stakeholder relationship management. 

Having worked in Singapore and Bangladesh, she has a strong track record in conducting extensive research and providing in-depth analysis on complex regulatory, environmental, and social issues, including climate change, poverty reduction, and women’s empowerment. She has worked across various sectors—NGOs, corporate consulting, and public affairs—delivering actionable insights and strategic recommendations for key stakeholders, including government bodies and large enterprises. 

She is very passionate about environmental and climate change issues and is a lifelong learner. Nahid holds a Master’s in Public Policy from the National University of Singapore, and another Master's degree in Applied Economics from BRAC University. 

Apart from reading about carbon trade, sustainability, and ESG reporting, she enjoys exploring museums and art galleries, learning about new cultures and languages, learning to play the piano, and watching Korean dramas and anime in her free time.

Tasneem is a recent Master of Global Affairs (MGA) graduate with a solid research background, multinational work experience, a deep understanding of global issues, and a passion for creating scalable social change. 

She has held impactful roles across sectors, including government, international organizations, and NGOs. 

Tasneem excels in data-driven decision-making, project management, and effective communication of complex concepts. Tasneem is committed to utilizing her technical expertise to communicate complex development concepts and solutions effectively.

Shirley is a curious mind with a passion for numbers and the stories they tell. 

Armed with dual Master’s degrees in Economics from the University of Chicago and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, she navigates the complex intersections of education, public policy, and socio-economic equity. 

From untangling data to uncover hidden patterns to crafting econometric models that inform real-world policy decisions, Xinyuan's work blends academic rigor with a mission for impact. 

When she’s not crunching numbers, you can find her delving into the latest research on education systems or brainstorming innovative ways to close opportunity gaps.