Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy

This summer, Munk School Master of Global Affairs students Doris Zhu and Eric Tan are completing their internship with the Canada China Business Council (CCBC), where they are contributing in complementary roles. Doris supports event publicity and communications, while Eric works with CCBC's Western Chapter on trade mission planning, membership recruitment, and research on the Canada–China trade and investment landscape.

"Through in-person events, we have both had the chance to learn more about the issues shaping how Canadian businesses engage with China and to connect with communities working across both environments,” share Zhu and Tan.

We're proud to see Munk School students gaining hands-on experience at the intersection of international trade, business, and public policy while applying the skills they've developed in the classroom.

This summer, Munk School Master of Global Affairs student Sandrine Umutesi is completing her internship with IOM Rwanda as an Innovation Financing and Sustainable Development Intern.

As part of her internship, Sandrine attended a UN Rwanda meeting, where she served as a reporter, documenting discussions and preparing a summary report that captured insights from representatives of 10 UN agencies operating in Rwanda. The experience gave her a deeper understanding of peacebuilding, sustainable development, and the power of collaboration in addressing complex global challenges.

"The meeting inspired me by showing how collaboration and global partnerships can create real change. It deepened my sense of responsibility and motivation to contribute positively to my community," shares Sandrine.

She also shared that the knowledge and skills gained during her first year of study provided a strong foundation for engaging with development challenges and innovative financing in practice.

We're proud to see Munk School students applying their research and analytical skills to support international humanitarian efforts and contribute to sustainable development around the world.

🌟 Reach Alumni Spotlight: Sydney Piggott, Munk School, University of Toronto

From strengthening food ecosystems in Ethiopia to expanding access to quality mentoring across Canada, Sydney has built a career at the intersection of social impact, partnerships, and public policy.

Sydney joined Reach in 2017 after a friend encouraged her to apply ("Thanks, Elsa!" she says). At the time, she was a Master of Global Affairs student at the Munk School and took part in field research in Ethiopia exploring barriers to addressing food insecurity.

As a Reach alum, Sydney later became the first alumni representative on the Reach Alliance Advisory Council, giving back to the community that helped shape her early professional journey. "Reach has become much more than a research experience," she shares. "It has been a community that has grown alongside me throughout my career."

Today, Sydney is Director of Strategic Partnerships & Initiatives at Mentor Canada, where she works with community organizations, governments, and post-secondary institutions to expand access to quality mentoring across Canada.

Outside of work, she loves to travel—Reach alone has taken her to three continents! She also enjoys mentoring, volunteering on nonprofit boards, and reading science fiction.

👤 Learn more about Sydney’s Reach work via the "Meet the Team" link in bio.

This summer, LSE–Munk School Dual Degree student Eoin Thompson is completing his internship at the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) headquarters in London.

As a Research Fellow, Eoin is contributing to a mixed-methods study examining the relationship between patterns in the United Kingdom's contributions to multilateral organizations and the types of emergencies that prompt them. His research will help deepen understanding of how different forms of food assistance interact with armed conflict, supporting evidence-based humanitarian response.

Reflecting on his experience, Eoin shares: “I'm most excited about being able to put my skills to use by helping people on such a vast scale.”

We're proud to see Munk School students applying their research skills to address complex global challenges and contribute to international humanitarian efforts.

This summer, Master of Global Affairs student William Clark is gaining hands-on experience with RBC’s Global Financial Crimes program in Toronto.

In this role, Clark supports investigations and reporting on financial crime, including money laundering and terrorist financing, helping government agencies combat financial crime and reduce the bank’s exposure to risk.

Recently, they volunteered at RBC’s annual Group Risk Management Expo alongside Sarah Kim and Janelle Gunaratnam (Munk student and alum). This year’s event focused on AI innovation in risk management, bringing together professionals across the industry to explore emerging approaches to financial risk.

We’re proud to see Munk School students contributing to critical work in financial integrity and risk management across sectors.

Last week, we celebrated the Munk School Class of 2026 at our Convocation reception 🎉

From graduates crossing the stage to friends, family, faculty, and alumni gathering to mark the occasion, it was a meaningful celebration of this year’s class of 2026. We also recognized several award recipients whose work and achievements reflect the leadership, curiosity, and impact of our graduates.

Congratulations, we are so proud of your accomplishments and can’t wait to see what the future holds for you.

Read more about the award recipients via link in bio 👆

📸 Harry Choi