People Directory

Our team is the heartbeat of our collaborative efforts, comprising diverse experts from various fields. Each member brings unique skills and perspectives, uniting to drive innovation and impact in the health sector. Together, we are more than just a team; we are a community committed to transforming healthcare across Africa.

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People Directory

Photo of Edward Nkole

, CPA, CMA

Senior Planning and Budget Officer

University of Toronto, Office of the Vice-President International

Photo of Marjorie Reyes

Administrative Assistant

University of Toronto, Office of the Vice-President International

Photo of Titilayo Soremi

, PhD

Titilayo Soremi is an Assistant Professor (Teaching Stream) at the University of Toronto Scarborough

Photo of Lily Afsaw

Student Life Officer, Mastercard Foundations Scholars Program

University of Toronto, Centre for International Experience

Photo of Lynda Donnelly

Program Assistant, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

University of Toronto, Centre for International Experience

Photo of Katherine Beaumont

Senior Director, Global Learning Opportunities and International Student Success

University of Toronto, Centre for International Experience

Photo of Tak Koguchi

Senior Regional Lead

University of Toronto, Office of the Vice-President International

Photo of Suying Hugh

, EdD

Program Manager, Mastercard Foundation

University of Toronto, Office of the Vice-President International

Photo of Saima Zulqarnain

Program and Business Development Manager

University of Toronto, Institute for Management & Innovation

Photo of Len Brooks

, PhD

Professor, IMIx, UTM

University of Toronto, Institute for Management & Innovation

Profile

Edward Nkole, CPA, CMA

Senior Planning and Budget Officer

University of Toronto

Edward Nkole is a seasoned professional who, since March 2022, has been dedicated to his role as the Senior Planning and Budget Officer at the Office of the Vice President International (OVPI).

His responsibilities encompass providing invaluable financial management counsel, ensuring meticulous preparation of financial reports for the Foundation, and fostering collaborative partnerships both within and outside the organization.

Edward’s role is marked by dual reporting, where he effectively liaises with the Senior Director, International Relations, Africa for the Mastercard Foundation Grant. Furthermore, he holds a pivotal position as the finance lead within OVPI, reporting directly to the AVP International Engagement and Impact.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Edward’s true passion lies in the realm of education. With a remarkable twelve-plus years of experience in the university sector, he brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to the table. Edward Nkole is a dynamic individual who continues to make a significant impact in the field of international relations and education.

Email Address
edward.nkole@utoronto.ca
Profile Type
Staff
Country
Canada
Program
Africa Secretariat
Profile

Marjorie Reyes

Administrative Assistant

University of Toronto

Marjorie is an administrative professional with close to 20 years of experience.

She is currently an Administrative Assistant at the Office of the Vice-President, International at the University of Toronto. Marjorie is a team player, an eager learner, and a highly organized individual. She is passionate about contributing and making a difference in the things that she does.

Before moving to Canada in 2020, Marjorie was an Executive Assistant to the CEO of a retail and travel company that represented various airlines and brands in the Philippines. Her previous position has allowed her to travel to different continents and exposed her to cultures and worldviews.

Marjorie is a mother of two, who enjoys painting, cooking, and being outdoors.

Email Address
international@utoronto.ca
Profile Type
Staff
Country
Canada
Program
Africa Secretariat
Profile

Titilayo Soremi, PhD

Titilayo Soremi is an Assistant Professor (Teaching Stream) at the University of Toronto Scarborough

She holds a Master’s degree in International Development from the University of Sussex, and a PhD in Political Science from the University of Exeter. Her doctorate thesis examined the involvement of the European Union in the policy transfer of renewable energy policy to West Africa and applied the Narrative Policy Framework (NPF) to analyse the policy narratives of the actors. Titilayo has worked with the Energy Policy Group and the Nexus Network at the University of Sussex. Her research interests include global public policy transfer, policy narratives, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She has published articles in the International Review of Public Policy, Policy design and Practice, the Global Journal of Social Sciences, and the Canadian Journal of African Studies.

Email Address
titlayo.soremi@utoronto.ca
Profile Type
Staff
Country
Canada
Program
Public Policy
Profile

Lily Afsaw

Student Life Officer, Mastercard Foundations Scholars Program

University of Toronto

Lily Mesfin Asfaw is the Student Life Officer at the University of Toronto’s Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.

Lily, who is Ethiopian and born and raised in Rwanda, moved to Canada to pursue a BA in Political Science and Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Social Justice at the University of British Columbia (UBC). After her studies, Lily transitioned to full-time work at UBC in their International Student Advising office and later became Program Assistant in their Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. There, she developed a strong interest in helping international students, particularly African students, acclimate to Canada which she continues to do in her current position. In her role as Student Life Officer, she organizes co-curricular programming to help scholars adjust to living in Canada, manage their studies, and foster community.

Email Address
lily.asfaw@utoronto.ca
Profile Type
Staff
Country
Canada
Program
Mastercard Foundations Scholars Program
Profile

Lynda Donnelly

Program Assistant, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

University of Toronto

Lynda Donnelly is the Program Assistant for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Toronto located in the Centre for International Experience.

She is pleased to be able to play an important role in providing administrative support during the scholarship recruitment stage and offer her dedicated care and guidance to new scholars during their pre-arrival preparations and onboarding at UofT. Lynda is from England and has worked as an administrative professional in various industries. At UofT she held a term position in the Office of the Vice Provost, Students and short-term assignments in The Office of the Provost and The Office of the Governing Council.  Lynda loves to travel and so shares in the excitement and enthusiasm of the new Foundation graduate scholars, as they prepare for international studies in Canada.

Email Address
lynda.donnelly@utoronto.ca
Profile Type
Staff
Country
Canada
Program
Mastercard Foundations Scholars Program
Profile

Katherine Beaumont

Senior Director, Global Learning Opportunities and International Student Success

University of Toronto

Katherine Beaumont is an international educational professional with over 25 years’ experience in the field working with universities, communities and corporations across the globe.  Her focus in the work has always been innovative opportunities for participants that lead to meaningful engagement and a deeper understanding of self, systems and others and the ability to affect change.

Email Address
katherine.beaumont@utoronto.ca
Profile Type
Staff
Country
Canada
Program
Mastercard Foundations Scholars Program
Profile

Tak Koguchi

Senior Regional Lead

University of Toronto

Tak is Senior Regional Lead (Africa) and Co-lead for the Health Ecosystems Pillar in the AHEHC for the University of Toronto (U of T). 

As Pillar Co-Lead, his role focuses on establishing collaborative certificate and short course programs to train professionals in a wide range of disciplines critical for sustainable and equitable health-sector growth in Africa. As member of the collaborative’s Secretariat, he plays an active role in supporting the network’s collective activities and governance.  In his capacity of Senior Regional Lead, he is responsible for growing U of T’s engagement with Sub-Sahara Africa. Tak is a graduate of U of T (BA) and York University (MPPAL).  

Email Address
tak.koguchi@utoronto.ca
Profile Type
Staff
Country
Canada
Governance
HECO Pillar Co-Lead
Profile

Suying Hugh, EdD

Program Manager, Mastercard Foundation

University of Toronto

Suying Hugh is the Program Manager for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.

In her role, Suying oversees the day-to-day management of the scholarship and the students. A dedicated student life professional, Suying’s many years of experience focuses on enhancing the student experience and more specifically the international student experience. Her research interests focus on migration and the movement of talent. As the Program Manager of the Scholars Program, she understands the commitment of the scholarship to developing human capacity in Africa.

Email Address
suying.hugh@utoronto.ca
Profile Type
Staff
Country
Canada
Governance
HECO Pillar Co-Lead
Profile

Saima Zulqarnain

Program and Business Development Manager

University of Toronto

Saima Zulqarnain is the Program and Business Development Manager for IMIx Executive Programs, a department housed at the University of Toronto Mississauga’s Institute for Management and Innovation (IMI).

With over 16 years of experience in executive education, she excels in program management, strategic marketing initiatives, and fostering collaborative partnerships across a diverse group of faculty, administrators, students, and stakeholders. Within her current role, Saima oversees a comprehensive portfolio of certificate programs, including the Mastercard Foundation-funded Certificate of Effective Healthcare Management.

 
Before joining the University of Toronto in 2008, Saima worked at LUMS University’s executive education department in Lahore, Pakistan. During her time there, she was at the helm of several large-scale international programs offered by LUMS with partners including INSEAD, the Darden School of Business, the World Bank, and the International Human Resource Development Corporation (IHRDC). Saima holds a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology (BA). She currently lives in Oakville, Ontario with her husband and son.

Email Address
imi.executiveprograms@utoronto.ca
Profile Type
Staff
Country
Canada
Program
IMIx
Profile

Len Brooks, PhD

Professor, IMIx, UTM

University of Toronto

Len is the Professor of Business Ethics & Accounting at the University of Toronto with appointments at the Rotman School of Management, the UTM Department of Management, and the Institute of Management & Innovation (IMI).

He is currently the Director of the University of Toronto’s Professional Accounting Centre (PAC), the Master of Forensic Accounting (MFAcc) Program, and IMIx Executive Programs which offers the Certificate of Effective Healthcare Management to students in Africa funded by the Mastercard Foundation.

An expert in accounting, governance and ethics, Len has authored, co-authored, or co-edited many articles and several books including: Business & Professional Ethics for Directors, Executives & Accountants; Ethics & Governance: Developing & Maintaining an Ethical Corporate Culture; and Principles of Stakeholder Management.  His current research interests include professionalism, professional skepticism, DEI, and the linkage between continuing success, governance, risk management, and the maintenance of reputation. 

Email Address
imi.executiveprograms@utoronto.ca
Profile Type
Staff
Country
Canada
Program
IMIx