Staff Biographies
Kira Wronska Dorward, President
Evan Hutchison, Editor-in-Chief
Joshua Xiong, Editorial Director
Erin Troy, Fundraising/Communications Director
Alessia Bellisario, Managing Editor
Salahuddin Rafiquddin, Copy Editor
Kira Wronska Dorward is a third year undergraduate specializing in the discipline of History at Trinity College, University of Toronto. In addition to her involvement with the Policy Exchange, Kira is the Founding Director of the Hansard for University of Toronto Model Parliament, and a Director for Connecting Minds. In the past, her written work has been showcased in several publications. In the 2009-2010 academic year, she is looking forward to working as the Editorial Consultant for the Trinity Review and a member of the editorial board for the Hart House Review, as well as her first serious publication in a short story anthology entitled A Caledon Collection. In her role as President of the Policy Exchange, Kira hopes to channel her literary and academic interests into a publication that reflects the integrity of the University as a whole.
Evan Hutchison is a third-year undergraduate student at Trinity College, University of Toronto; a dual specialist in bioethics and philosophy, his particular research interests lie in medical ethics, and the philosophy of law. Evan has just completed a research project under the supervision of Professor John Duncan, of Trinity’s Ethics, Society and Law program. He divides his leisure time between Trinity’s competitive debate society and its student government.
Joshua Xiong is a fourth year undergraduate student at University College. He is currently pursuing a specialist in International Relations and a minor in Economic History. In addition to his role as Editorial Director of the Policy Exchange journal and website, he is the Senior Editor of the Toronto Globalist, the Research Director for the Asian Diaspora Research Group, and a blogger for Encyclopedia Britannica. His research interests are eclectic, ranging from American conservative politics to Sino-American Relations to Education Reform. In his spare time, Josh enjoys writing for various political publications, playing basketball, and competing in a reading race of Bush-Rove proportions.
Erin Troy is a first year undergraduate student at University College pursuing a combined specialist degree in International Relations and Peace and Conflict Studies. She is a member of the United Nations Society, U of T Liberals, International Relations Society, and is an analyst with the 2009-2010 G8 Research Group. Erin enjoys attending events at the Munk Centre for International Studies, and is a devoted hunter coach.
Alessia Bellisario is a first year undergraduate student at Trinity College, University of Toronto. She is currently enrolled in the Ethics stream of the Trinity One Program and hopes to pursue a double major in Political Science and International Relations. Her work at the Policy Exchange stems from an interest in Canadian federal politics and foreign policy. In her spare time, Alessia volunteers for her Member of Parliament and reads the New Yorker.
Fiona Buchanan is a second year Political Science and French major at Victoria College. She was Assistant News Editor and contributor for The Medium in 2008-09. In 2009-10 she is writing for the Opinions section of The Strand. Fiona spent two years travelling through Australia, South-East Asia and Europe, which prompted her interest in Canadian foreign policy and International Relations. In her spare time, Fiona volunteers at Caffiends, a charitable café at Victoria College, plays guitar and shares her photography as a member of Vic Xposure.
David Holysh is a second year undergraduate student at Trinity College, University of Toronto, where he will be majoring in Political Science and Religion. Initially drawn to the field of public policy from an interest in constitutional law, David has other academic pursuits including early Christianity, nineteenth century British literature, and medieval history. Outside of the Policy Exchange, David is a representative with the Association of Political Science Students and is an avid squash player.
Salahuddin Rafiquddin is a first year student with a tentative joint specialist in International Relations and Peace and Conflict Studies. He is currently active in a number of student run organizations, including the Policy Exchange, the University of Toronto Model Parliament, the International Relations Society and Habitat for Humanity. In his spare time Salahuddin volunteers at local homeless shelters in the GTA and enjoys woodworking and any other do-it-yourself home improvement projects. He hopes to one day run an orphanage in Africa.
Michelle Lee is a double major in International Relations and Human Biology. She was born in Seoul, Korea and graduated from the Korean Minjok Leadership Academy. During her whole life, Michelle has never stayed in one place for more than three years. She has constantly moved back and forth between Korea, the U.S, Canada, and China. This unique multinational background has in turn shaped her interest in International Relations.
Ryerson Neal is a third year International Relations specialist from Goderich, Ontario. In addition to his work at the Policy Exchange he is a compliance analyst with the G8 Research Group at the Munk Centre. He looks forward to a productive year with this exciting new publication.
Leah Nosal is a first year undergraduate student at Victoria College, University of Toronto, where she is pursuing a double major in International Relations and Political Science. Her academic interests include geopolitics and language studies. Broadly speaking, her work for the Policy Exchange is the product of her interest in cultural relations. Her international studies and work with organizations like Invisible Children have created a general interest in travel and humanitarian work. In the future, Leah plans to apply her degree to journalism and diplomacy.
