Read the biographies of our Doctor of Social Sciences students below.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section – Students” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#fafbfc” custom_padding=”|0px|110px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ make_equal=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||0px|” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_css_main_element=”height: 100%;” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_team_member name=”Heather Allen” position=”Doctoral Student” image_url=”https:\/\/commons.royalroads.ca\/dsocsciprogrampage\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2025\/01\/Heather-Allen-2025-cohort-photos-640×600-1.png” icon_color=”#44d89e” admin_label=”Heather Allen” module_id=”robyn” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ header_font=”Poppins|500|||||||” header_text_color=”#486066″ header_font_size=”18px” body_font=”Open Sans||||||||” body_line_height=”1.8em” background_color=”#ffffff” text_orientation=”center” max_width=”360px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|||” custom_padding=”30px|30px|30px|30px” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”100ms” link_option_url=”https:\/\/commons.royalroads.ca\/dsocsciprogrampage\/heather-allen” custom_css_main_element=”height: 100%;” db_link_target=”on” border_radii=”on|6px|6px|6px|6px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_vertical=”10px” box_shadow_blur=”24px” box_shadow_spread=”6px” box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.06)” icon_hover_color=”#353740″ global_colors_info=”{}” icon_color__hover=”#353740″ icon_color__hover_enabled=”on”]\n
I\u2019m from Penticton BC, and work as a professor of communications at Okanagan College. Every day, I\u2019m grateful to live in the beautiful, traditional and unceded territory of the nsyilxc\u0259n-speaking peoples. For the past fifteen years, I\u2019ve worked as a strategic communications consultant, mainly for non-profits and in the health care sector.<\/p>\n
Read more<\/a><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_team_member][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_team_member name=”Dapo Bankole” position=”Doctoral Student” image_url=”https:\/\/commons.royalroads.ca\/dsocsciprogrampage\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2025\/02\/2dapobankole2025-cohort-photos-640×600-1.png” linkedin_url=”https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/dapobankole” icon_color=”#44d89e” admin_label=”Dapo Bankole” module_id=”nancy” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ header_font=”Poppins|500|||||||” header_text_color=”#486066″ header_font_size=”18px” body_font=”Open Sans||||||||” body_line_height=”1.8em” background_color=”#ffffff” text_orientation=”center” max_width=”360px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|||” custom_padding=”30px|30px|30px|30px” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”100ms” link_option_url=”https:\/\/commons.royalroads.ca\/dsocsciprogrampage\/dapo-bankole” custom_css_main_element=”height: 100%;” website_url=”https:\/\/www.dapobankole.com\/” db_link_target=”on” border_radii=”on|6px|6px|6px|6px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_vertical=”10px” box_shadow_blur=”24px” box_shadow_spread=”6px” box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.06)” icon_hover_color=”#353740″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” icon_color__hover=”#353740″ icon_color__hover_enabled=”on”]\n 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.<\/p>\n Read more<\/a><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_team_member][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_team_member name=”Debra Finlayson” position=”Doctoral Student” image_url=”https:\/\/commons.royalroads.ca\/dsocsciprogrampage\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2025\/01\/Debra-Finlayson-2025-cohort-photos-640×600-1.png” linkedin_url=”https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/debralfinlayson\/” icon_color=”#44d89e” admin_label=”Debra Finlayson” module_id=”dawn” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ header_font=”Poppins|500|||||||” header_text_color=”#486066″ header_font_size=”18px” body_font=”Open Sans||||||||” body_line_height=”1.8em” background_color=”#ffffff” text_orientation=”center” max_width=”360px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|||” custom_padding=”30px|30px|30px|30px” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”100ms” link_option_url=”https:\/\/commons.royalroads.ca\/dsocsciprogrampage\/debra-finlayson” custom_css_main_element=”height: 100%;” website_url=”https:\/\/www.sfu.ca\/continuing-studies\/instructors\/e-h\/debra-finlayson.html” db_link_target=”on” border_radii=”on|6px|6px|6px|6px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_vertical=”10px” box_shadow_blur=”24px” box_shadow_spread=”6px” box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.06)” icon_hover_color=”#353740″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” icon_color__hover=”#353740″ icon_color__hover_enabled=”on”]\n 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\u2019 experience as a senior HR professional, relationship\/project manager, educator and community leader,<\/p>\n Read more<\/a><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_team_member][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ make_equal=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||0px|” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_css_main_element=”height: 100%;” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_team_member name=”Michelle Fuko” position=”Doctoral Student” image_url=”https:\/\/commons.royalroads.ca\/dsocsciprogrampage\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2025\/01\/Michelle-2025-cohort-photos-640×600-1.png” linkedin_url=”https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/michellefuko001″ icon_color=”#44d89e” admin_label=”Michelle Fuko” module_id=”soni” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ header_font=”Poppins|500|||||||” header_text_color=”#486066″ header_font_size=”18px” body_font=”Open Sans||||||||” body_line_height=”1.8em” background_color=”#ffffff” text_orientation=”center” max_width=”360px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|||” custom_padding=”30px|30px|30px|30px” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”100ms” link_option_url=”https:\/\/commons.royalroads.ca\/dsocsciprogrampage\/michelle-fuko” custom_css_main_element=”height: 100%;” db_link_target=”on” border_radii=”on|6px|6px|6px|6px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_vertical=”10px” box_shadow_blur=”24px” box_shadow_spread=”6px” box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.06)” icon_hover_color=”#353740″ global_colors_info=”{}” icon_color__hover=”#353740″ icon_color__hover_enabled=”on”]\n With nearly two decades of experience in fundraising and development, I\u2019m proud to serve as the Chief Advancement Officer at Queen\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Read more<\/a><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_team_member][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_team_member name=”Jacqueline Lloyd Smith” position=”Doctoral Student” image_url=”https:\/\/commons.royalroads.ca\/dsocsciprogrampage\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2025\/02\/JacquieLSmith2025-cohort-photos-640×600-1.png” linkedin_url=”https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/jacqueline-lloyd-smith-9935085\/” icon_color=”#44d89e” admin_label=”Jacqueline Lloyd Smith” module_id=”donnie” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ header_font=”Poppins|500|||||||” header_text_color=”#486066″ header_font_size=”18px” body_font=”Open Sans||||||||” body_line_height=”1.8em” background_color=”#ffffff” text_orientation=”center” max_width=”360px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|||” custom_padding=”30px|30px|30px|30px” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”100ms” link_option_url=”https:\/\/commons.royalroads.ca\/dsocsciprogrampage\/jacqueline-lloyd-smith” custom_css_main_element=”height: 100%;” website_url=”https:\/\/www.strategicplay.com\/” db_link_target=”on” border_radii=”on|6px|6px|6px|6px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_vertical=”10px” box_shadow_blur=”24px” box_shadow_spread=”6px” box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.06)” icon_hover_color=”#353740″ global_colors_info=”{}” icon_color__hover=”#353740″ icon_color__hover_enabled=”on”]My name is Jacqueline Lloyd Smith, and I am dedicated to leading with the power of play. I founded Strategic Play Global (SPG), an award-winning global management consulting company specializing in the application of creative and playful tools to solve complicated world problems.<\/p>\n Read more<\/a>[\/et_pb_team_member][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_team_member name=”Kristine Monteiro” position=”Doctoral Student” image_url=”https:\/\/commons.royalroads.ca\/dsocsciprogrampage\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2025\/01\/Kristine-Monteiro2025-cohort-photos-640×600-1.png” linkedin_url=”https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/kristinemonteiro\/” icon_color=”#44d89e” admin_label=”Kristine Monteiro” module_id=”dan” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ header_font=”Poppins|500|||||||” header_text_color=”#486066″ header_font_size=”18px” body_font=”Open Sans||||||||” body_line_height=”1.8em” background_color=”#ffffff” text_orientation=”center” max_width=”360px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|||” custom_padding=”30px|30px|30px|30px” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”100ms” link_option_url=”https:\/\/commons.royalroads.ca\/dsocsciprogrampage\/kristine-monteiro” hover_enabled=”0″ custom_css_main_element=”height: 100%;” db_link_target=”on” border_radii=”on|6px|6px|6px|6px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_vertical=”10px” box_shadow_blur=”24px” box_shadow_spread=”6px” box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.06)” icon_hover_color=”#353740″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” icon_color__hover=”#353740″ icon_color__hover_enabled=”on” sticky_enabled=”0″]\n My research interests are in exploring the thematic trends of Canadian doctoral research topics to understand how global uncertainties might intersect with and influence their scholarly activity, shedding light on how postgraduate\u00a0students guide their research towards reimagining futures.<\/p>\n Read more<\/a><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_team_member][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ make_equal=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||0px|” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_css_main_element=”height: 100%;” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_team_member name=”David Okpi” position=”Doctoral Student” image_url=”https:\/\/commons.royalroads.ca\/dsocsciprogrampage\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2025\/01\/David-Okpi-2025-cohort-photos-640×600-1.png” linkedin_url=”https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/david-okpi-182957345\/” icon_color=”#44d89e” admin_label=”David Okpi” module_id=”david” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ header_font=”Poppins|500|||||||” header_text_color=”#486066″ header_font_size=”18px” body_font=”Open Sans||||||||” body_line_height=”1.8em” background_color=”#ffffff” text_orientation=”center” max_width=”360px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|||” custom_padding=”30px|30px|30px|30px” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”100ms” link_option_url=”https:\/\/commons.royalroads.ca\/dsocsciprogrampage\/david-okpi” custom_css_main_element=”height: 100%;” db_link_target=”on” border_radii=”on|6px|6px|6px|6px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_vertical=”10px” box_shadow_blur=”24px” box_shadow_spread=”6px” box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.06)” icon_hover_color=”#353740″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” icon_color__hover=”#353740″ icon_color__hover_enabled=”on”]\n 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.\u00a0Previously, I served as Senior Social Welfare Officer with Lagos State Government in the Ministry of Youth Social Development Alausa Ikeja for nine years.<\/p>\n Read more<\/a><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_team_member][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_team_member name=”Parvin Tasharofi” position=”Doctoral Student” image_url=”https:\/\/commons.royalroads.ca\/dsocsciprogrampage\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2025\/01\/Parvin-2025-cohort-photos-640×600-1.png” linkedin_url=”www.linkedin.com\/in\/Parvin-tasharofi” icon_color=”#44d89e” admin_label=”Parvin Tasharofi” module_id=”lu” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ header_font=”Poppins|500|||||||” header_text_color=”#486066″ header_font_size=”18px” body_font=”Open Sans||||||||” body_line_height=”1.8em” background_color=”#ffffff” text_orientation=”center” max_width=”360px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|||” custom_padding=”30px|30px|30px|30px” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”100ms” link_option_url=”https:\/\/commons.royalroads.ca\/dsocsciprogrampage\/parvin-tasharofi” custom_css_main_element=”height: 100%;” db_link_target=”on” border_radii=”on|6px|6px|6px|6px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_vertical=”10px” box_shadow_blur=”24px” box_shadow_spread=”6px” box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.06)” icon_hover_color=”#353740″ global_colors_info=”{}” icon_color__hover=”#353740″ icon_color__hover_enabled=”on”]\n 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.<\/p>\n Read more<\/a><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_team_member][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_team_member name=”Shevaun Voisin” position=”Doctoral Student” image_url=”https:\/\/commons.royalroads.ca\/dsocsciprogrampage\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2025\/01\/Shevaun-2025-cohort-photos-640×600-1.png” icon_color=”#44d89e” admin_label=”Shevaun Voisin” module_id=”lu” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ header_font=”Poppins|500|||||||” header_text_color=”#486066″ header_font_size=”18px” body_font=”Open Sans||||||||” body_line_height=”1.8em” background_color=”#ffffff” text_orientation=”center” max_width=”360px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|||” custom_padding=”30px|30px|30px|30px” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”100ms” link_option_url=”https:\/\/commons.royalroads.ca\/dsocsciprogrampage\/shevaun-voisin” custom_css_main_element=”height: 100%;” website_url=”http:\/\/shevaun.com\/” db_link_target=”on” border_radii=”on|6px|6px|6px|6px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_vertical=”10px” box_shadow_blur=”24px” box_shadow_spread=”6px” box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.06)” icon_hover_color=”#353740″ global_colors_info=”{}” icon_color__hover=”#353740″ icon_color__hover_enabled=”on”]\n 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\u2019s Arts Advisory Board and The Citizen Advisory Committee at Grand Valley Institute for Women.<\/p>\n Read more<\/a><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_team_member][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ make_equal=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||0px|” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_css_main_element=”height: 100%;” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_team_member name=”Derek Yang” position=”Doctoral Student” image_url=”https:\/\/commons.royalroads.ca\/dsocsciprogrampage\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2023\/01\/Blank-DSOCSCIcohort-photos-640×600-1.png” linkedin_url=”https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/derek-yang-arb\/” icon_color=”#44d89e” disabled_on=”off|off|off” admin_label=”Derek Yang” module_id=”celina” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ header_font=”Poppins|500|||||||” header_text_color=”#486066″ header_font_size=”18px” body_font=”Open Sans||||||||” body_line_height=”1.8em” background_color=”#ffffff” text_orientation=”center” max_width=”360px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|||” custom_padding=”30px|30px|30px|30px” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”100ms” link_option_url=”https:\/\/commons.royalroads.ca\/dsocsciprogrampage\/derek-yang” custom_css_main_element=”height: 100%;” db_link_target=”on” border_radii=”on|6px|6px|6px|6px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_vertical=”10px” box_shadow_blur=”24px” box_shadow_spread=”6px” box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.06)” icon_hover_color=”#353740″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” icon_color__hover=”#353740″ icon_color__hover_enabled=”on”]\n 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.<\/p>\n Read more<\/a><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_team_member][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ make_equal=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||0px|” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_css_main_element=”height: 100%;” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_team_member name=”Desiree Bagnall” position=”Doctoral Student” image_url=”https:\/\/commons.royalroads.ca\/dsocsciprogrampage\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2023\/01\/Blank-DSOCSCIcohort-photos-640×600-1.png” icon_color=”#44d89e” disabled_on=”on|on|on” admin_label=”Desiree-bagnall” module_id=”nancy” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ header_font=”Poppins|500|||||||” header_text_color=”#486066″ header_font_size=”18px” body_font=”Open Sans||||||||” body_line_height=”1.8em” background_color=”#ffffff” text_orientation=”center” max_width=”360px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|||” custom_padding=”30px|30px|30px|30px” animation_style=”fade” animation_delay=”100ms” link_option_url=”https:\/\/commons.royalroads.ca\/dsocsciprogrampage\/desiree-bagnall\/” custom_css_main_element=”height: 100%;” border_radii=”on|6px|6px|6px|6px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_vertical=”10px” box_shadow_blur=”24px” box_shadow_spread=”6px” box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.06)” icon_hover_color=”#353740″ disabled=”on” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” icon_color__hover=”#353740″ icon_color__hover_enabled=”on”]Tansi, my name is Desiree Bagnall, I am Cree, Dene, Inuvialuit, and Scottish. I am 35 years old, a single mother with two beautiful young girls. I specialize in Indigenous Tourism and I am passionate about tourism as a means of reconciliation and reconnection to self, community, and culture.<\/p>\n