The Max Bell School is thrilled to welcome its seventh MPP cohort of 36 talented students representing 21 nationalities. This year’s cohort brings an extraordinary mix of backgrounds and experiences, enriching the 91ºÚÁÏÍø community and the city of Montreal.Ìý
We are proud to receive four —Ayeyi Ohene-Adu, Darlie Jean, Maheep Sandhu, and Shane Joy—selected from a competitive global applicant pool, as well as finalist Carter Wynne. The cohort also includes two Mastercard Foundation Scholars, Ubah Mohammad and Woyesa Worana, part of the Foundation’s flagship initiative to develop visionary leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa committed to transforming public policy, nutrition, health, and sustainable agriculture.Ìý
Our cohorts’ professional and academic diversity is central to the Max Bell experience. This variety creates a dynamic, intellectually stimulating environment where students continuously hone their analytical skills. Despite their varied journeys, these emerging leaders share a common ambition to shape policy and drive positive change in an increasingly complex global landscape.Ìý
Meet our MPPsÌý
At Ashesi University, Ayeyi Ohene-Adu initiated the annual Creative Festival, empowering undergraduate students to use art in tackling developmental issues. After graduation, she led an inaugural national undergraduate research conference to address Africa’s challenges. In her work, Ayeyi realised the role of policies in scaling impact. Ayeyi deepened her understanding of policy through internships at GIZ, where she supported digital governance projects, and at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, where she contributed to digital government advisory work. Now a McCall MacBain Scholar, Ayeyi aims to advance equitable development through evidence-based solutions.
Growing up as a member of Ethiopia’s indigenous Sidama community, Woyesa Woka Worana experienced the challenges faced by marginalized populations and recognized the urgent need for inclusive, rights-based policies. He graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Laws (with distinction) from Hawassa University, where he was awarded the Gold Medal for academic excellence. During his studies, he provided free legal aid to underserved communities and collaborated with the Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association and the Center for Human Rights at Addis Ababa University to help improve access to justice. Following graduation, he served in advocacy roles with HALE – Human Rights and Inclusion Network, KEAB Africa, and Transparency International Ethiopia, which further reinforced his belief in the power of policy to address systemic inequalities. Driven by a strong interest in the intersection of policy and human rights, Woyesa is pursuing a Master of Public Policy at 91ºÚÁÏÍø’s Max Bell School as a Mastercard Foundation Scholar. He looks forward to gaining hands-on experience through the Policy Lab and applying his skills to real-world issues.
Hermon Afowork is a first-generation Ethiopian-Canadian from Edmonton who recently worked as a Program & Policy Advisor at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and previously interned in the City of Edmonton’s Office of the Mayor. Named one of Alberta’s Top 30 Under 30, she is a committed civic leader who has represented Canada as a United Nations Youth delegate to the Economic & Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum in NYC and the World Food Forum in Rome, Italy. She is also a 1834 Fellow Alumni of the 1834 Foundation where she co-developed policy recommendations presented to both the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade (AEFA) and Canada’s Ministry of Employment and Social Development. With extensive experience in policy analysis and community outreach, Hermon is excited to join the Max Bell community and deepen her policy-making skills to drive meaningful change through impactful solutions.
Opira Bosco Okot is originally from South Sudan and spent most of his life in Uganda before moving to Canada to further pursue his dream. He has worked with UNHCR and is a dedicated advocate for refugee rights, climate action, and equitable access to education and decent work for displaced communities. His work has taken him to global platforms such as COP29 in Baku, the International Conference on Climate Change and Human Rights in South Korea, and the Education and Climate Conference in Denmark. Opira is passionate about advancing inclusive, evidence-based policies that support the Sustainable Development Goals and create meaningful change for marginalized populations.
Rebecca Duncan is excited to deepen her expertise in international policy following five years of work in cultural diplomacy and international development in Washington, D.C. Most recently, she served as the Training and Electoral Operations Officer at the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, where she provided strategic guidance on electoral training, technical assistance programs, capacity building, and program management. A fluent French speaker, Rebecca also held the position of Deputy Attaché for Education at the Embassy of France in the United States, where she spent three years strengthening bilateral education initiatives. Rebecca has chosen to obtain her master’s degree in Public Policy in hopes of gaining the expertise to address the most pressing development challenges, particularly in the context of rising illiberal regimes.Ìý
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Visit the online profiles of our seventh cohort to learn more about their work and educational experiences.Ìý
