Council Positions and Elected Members
MPA Student Executive Co-Chairs: Emmett & Brigid
Name: Brigid Waddingham
Most likely to ask a triple-ended question with added context
Policy interests: Healthcare, child health, social medicine, disability, EDII, sustainability, conservation, rural-urban
#1 goal in your role on the student executive this year:
My primary goal as Co-Chair is to foster an inclusive, collaborative, and forward-thinking environment within our program. I hope to support efforts to address EDII concerns, modernize our curriculum to better reflect intersectional perspectives, and nurture a community where all voices are valued. Together with Emmett, I aim to enhance the student experience for our MPA cohort and contribute to the long-term success of Queen’s MPA program as a leader in Canadian public policy education.
Pets: My jack russell, Ivy, and beagle, Luke, keep life interesting—they're equal parts chaos and fun, and my favorite part of every day.
Name: Emmett Lyall
Most likely to accidentally run a marathon
Policy interests: Environmental policy, human rights
#1 goal in your role on the student executive this year:
Leave a long-lasting framework for a strong student executive for future cohorts. Also to get people who typically wouldn't be involved, involved!
Pets: As soon as I get a place of my own I'm adopting at least one cat.
Co-Socials: Eric & Nolan
Name: Nolan Mclaughlin
Most likely to hike Mount Kilimanjaro during a midlife crisis
Policy interests: Environmental and Financial Policy
#1 goal in your role on the student executive this year:
My goal as Co-social is to bring the cohort together through enjoyable and memorable social experiences. I want to foster a positive community environment that extends beyond the classroom, and the year we have together at Queen's. Also, to have fun along the way!
Pets: At the moment I have a cat (Mr. Baby) and a golden lab (Molly). I'm hoping one day to own a flock of ducks that I can go swimming with
Name: Eric Smolinski
Most likely to be the coach of every team his future kids are on
Policy interests: National Defence, Public Safety, Canadian Heritage
#1 goal in your role on the student executive this year:
My mission is to work with my Co-Social Nolan to provide opportunities for different types of fun and memorable experiences including social events, charity work, and professional experiences throughout the year for everyone in the cohort!
Pets: I have a dog named Daisy back home, she is a 16lb Cavapoo and is a registered therapy dog who loves visiting seniors in care facilities. As for the future, who knows!
Policy Talks Representatives: Andrea & Basit
Name: Abdul Basit
Most likely to hold a guest speaker hostage
Policy interests: Law, Foreign Policy & National Politics
#1 goal in your role on the student executive this year:
Build policy content library for fellow students and projects for upcoming cohort with the vision of strengthening our Alumni network in policy scene across Canada.
Pets: A parrot or a big dog... Nay, a huge dog.
Name: Andrea Pallotta
Most likely to stand at a sports game
Policy interests: Democracy and Governance, Environment and Energy, International Relations and Security
#1 goal in your role on the student executive this year:
As one of your Policy Talks representatives I hope to facilitate a mix of interesting lectures and podcasts that cover a wide range of policy topics. I want people to be excited to attend the lecture series and feel they are getting a deeper understanding of issues they are passionate about.
Pets: My best friend used to be a rabbit!
Co-Editors in Chief Queens Policy Review: Amy & Kaia
Name: Kaia Nitchie
Most likely to remind everyone she’s from BC
Policy interests: My area of academic and policy interest is focused on Indigenous Rights and Reconciliation. I look forward to utilizing my education in Public Administration to foster meaningful relationship building in local government settings, specifically in my home-province of BC.
#1 goal in your role on the student executive this year:
My goal as Co-Editor in Chief of the Queen’s Policy Review is to help create a QPR issue that is reflective of the commitment, dedication, and passion of this year’s MPA cohort. I am excited to have a key role in a project that represents our cohort’s policy interests and will be a lasting representation of graduate student’s visions for the future of public policy.
Pets/future pets: I currently have a 13 year old beagle named Opal! She is a sweet old lady who acts more like a cat than a dog. Despite her age, she will always be the family's baby.
Name: Aiman Khan
Most likely to swim across the Atlantic to Europe
Policy interests: Cybersecurity/ International/ Environmental policy (undecided)
#1 goal in your role on the student executive this year:
I would love to strength the journal’s connection to the cohort by increasing collaborative opportunities for students to get involved with whether through contributing to articles or engaging in the editorial process. I would also love to enhance the impact of the journal by ensuring that the papers we select this year show a diversity in perspectives (whether linguistically or through their ideas) and have real-world relevance.
Pets/future pets: No current pets; cats, parakeets, jellyfish, leopard boa.
Equity Diversity & Inclusion Representative: Giovanna
Name: Giovanna Moncorvo El Warrak
Most likely to wear a parka in 15-degree weather
Policy interests: Intergovernmental Policy, Foreign Policy, Indigenous Policy
#1 goal in your role on the student executive this year:
My goal is to create a supportive and inclusive environment where every member of our cohort feels valued and empowered to fully enjoy their year. I am committed to fostering a safe space where everyone can thrive, connect, and be themselves.
Pets: Three cats: Marie, Leo and Kylo
External Affairs Representative: Fiona
Name: Fiona Bappi
Most likely to start a trend and not even realize it
Policy interests: Foreign Policy, Industrial Relations and Employment Policy
#1 goal in your role on the student executive this year:
As the External Affairs Representative, I hope to foster an inclusive and informative online presence for the MPA class of 2025. My goal is to ensure that everyone in our program feels connected by providing accessible information about upcoming events, workshops, and other essential campus resources. Additionally, I hope to capture and highlight the memorable experiences and opportunities that MPA students enjoy throughout the year.
Pets: I will be adopting my future long haired dachshund as soon as I graduate from the MPA program :)
Co-Internal Affairs Representatives: Hayley & Nuredin
Name: Hayley Agler
Most likely to walk her cat on a leash
Policy interests: Sustainability, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), Science and Technology
#1 goal in your role on the student executive this year:
My #1 goal on the student executive is to foster an inclusive and collaborative environment where students and faculty can engage in meaningful dialogue to enhance academic, professional, and personal growth.
Pets: My bff is an orange cat named Gus, and I'm always missing my family dog (a beautiful golden retriever) named Rory. In the future I plan on giving Gus a brother to keep him busy!
Name: Nuredin Amitofski
Most likely to become first Minister of squats and deadlifts
Policy interests: My academic interests include things such as national security, political science, the intersection of technology + governance and a bit of philosophy.
#1 goal in your role on the student executive this year:
Prepare the current cohort for the professional world, through resume workshops, cover letter workshops, and a focus on interview skills and obtaining their desired position.
Pets: I currently have a cat named silver.
Society of Graduate and Professional Student (SGPS) MPA Representative: Mason
Name: Mason Amornvivat
Most likely to lead the development of a highspeed rail network between Toronto and Montreal for the environment (... and weekend excursions!)
Policy interests: Foreign policy, education
#1 goal in your role on the student executive this year:
To ensure our program is well represented and have a say among the graduate students at the university’s level and relaying necessary information to the cohort!
Pets: As many baby seals as possible *clap clap*
Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC-NCR) Queen’s Student Representatives: Shanice & Juan
Name: Juan Correa
Most likely to out-dress everyone in the class
Policy interests: Housing, Intergovernmental and Social Policy
#1 goal in your role on the student executive this year:
To enable as many enriching opportunities as possible together with IPAC so our cohort can network, learn, and grow as future members of the public service.
Pets: Oriental shorthair cat!!
Name: Shanice Burton
Most likely to have a 10-year plan and actually stick to it
Policy interests: Environmental policy
#1 goal in your role on the student executive this year:
I hope to leverage the diverse group of individuals on the IPAC-NCR Board and community to build our network as a cohort with our peers at other public administration programs in the National Capital Region and with current public administration/policy professionals.
Pets: I have no pets, but once I get the hang of taking care of myself, I'd love to have a cat!
Secretary: Emily
Name: Emily Thomson
Most likely to talk to dogs in public like they are people
Policy interests: Food security and sustainability policy, affordable housing, mental health services
Pets: Archie, my great dane!