Meet Our Students (2025)
Read the biographies of our Doctor of Social Sciences students below.
Heather Allen
Doctoral Student
I’m from Penticton BC, and work as a professor of communications at Okanagan College. Every day, I’m grateful to live in the beautiful, traditional and unceded territory of the nsyilxcən-speaking peoples. For the past fifteen years, I’ve worked as a strategic communications consultant, mainly for non-profits and in the health care sector.
Dapo Bankole
Doctoral Student
I am a technology leader, researcher, and advocate for immigrant economic integration in Canada. As a doctoral student in the Doctor of Social Sciences program at Royal Roads University, my research focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of economic integration programs for economic immigrants in Canada, with an emphasis on policy implications and best practices.
Debra Finlayson
Doctoral Student
I hold a BBA, Entrepreneurial Leadership from KPU (2004) and a MA, Leadership and Change from Exeter U. UK (2012). My background in Leadership, Change Management, Business Administration, Human Resources and Adult Learning, combined with 15+ years’ experience as a senior HR professional, relationship/project manager, educator and community leader,
Michelle Fuko
Doctoral Student
With nearly two decades of experience in fundraising and development, I’m proud to serve as the Chief Advancement Officer at Queen’s University. In this role, I oversee an amazing team of 130 talented individuals and get to work with incredible donors who want to change the world through philanthropy.
Jacqueline Lloyd Smith
Doctoral Student
Kristine Monteiro
Doctoral Student
I am a dynamic service industry leader, educator, and event professional with a passion for fostering Alberta’s economic growth. I bring over 25 years of experience in event operations and business management, cultivated through extensive experience in academia and hospitality management.
David Okpi
Doctoral Student
My name is David Ohana OkpI (He/Him). I am originally from Nigeria and currently reside in Victoria, British Columbia with my wife and kids for the purpose of my doctoral program. Previously, I served as Senior Social Welfare Officer with Lagos State Government in the Ministry of Youth Social Development Alausa Ikeja for nine years.
Parvin Tasharofi
Doctoral Student
I am an adult ESL instructor with a unique background in the pharmaceutical industry. My career reflects a passion for fostering growth and development, whether through ensuring quality standards in manufacturing or empowering individuals to succeed through language acquisition.
Shevaun Voisin
Doctoral Student
Shevaun Voisin has shone light, dissolved boundaries, and challenged the status quo as a teacher, property developer, professional boxing manager, publisher, and registered psychotherapist. Passionate about community leadership, Shevaun has sat on the Board of Directors for Leadership Waterloo Region and Extend A Family, and as a committee member for both Wilfrid Laurier’s Arts Advisory Board and The Citizen Advisory Committee at Grand Valley Institute for Women.
Derek Yang
Doctoral Student
I am currently the Director of Indigenous Policing Programs with the Policing and Security Branch, Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General of British Columbia. In my role, I oversee the implementation and administration of the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program in British Columbia, which provides both enhanced and self-administered policing services to signatory Indigenous communities in the province.