Four of the聽聽will enter the Max Bell School of Public Policy this fall 2025. The scholars were selected based on evidence of exceptional character, community engagement, leadership potential, entrepreneurial spirit, academic strength, and intellectual curiosity.
Ayeyi Ohene-Adu聽recently graduated from Ashesi University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She works on campus as a research assistant, managing five research projects. She also helped coordinate a health leadership training session and led the coordination of an inaugural undergraduate research conference, engaging students from different universities. Ayeyi spent a year volunteering at an orphanage before enrolling in university. The experience helped her develop digital marketing skills, which she used to raise funds for the orphanage. During her studies, she chaired a public relations committee for the Ashesi Student Council, which organized a creative festival and launched a podcast. Ayeyi also volunteered as a career peer advisor, tutored children, and edited communications for the student football association. A 2021 Global Semi-finalist in the L'Or茅al Brandstorm innovation competition, she mentored students in an entrepreneurship class. "I aspire to understand how to drive policy for sustainable educational change, focusing on ensuring these policies are both just and inclusive. I am eager to learn how to navigate the complexities of policymaking effectively and look forward to engaging with a diverse community to broaden my perspective."
Darlie Jean聽is聽originally from Haiti and is majoring in Social Work at the Universit茅 de Montr茅al. As a refugee herself, she is passionate about helping other immigrants and refugees. In her volunteer role as a support worker for AGIR, Darlie organizes group activities for French-speaking migrants, runs a support group for Black women, helps new immigrants build social networks and combat isolation, and refers people to resources. She also works at Auberge Transition, a shelter for women and children who are victims of domestic violence, providing emotional support, crisis intervention, workshops, and group activities. Recently promoted to Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator, she manages the shelter's external relations. Darlie is also an Afro-Hair YouTuber, helping Black women embrace their natural hair. She has been recognized for her community engagement and leadership with an award from the L茅a-Roback Foundation, and has also received academic excellence awards from her university. "For me, this scholarship is the validation of my hard work throughout the years and the reinforcement of my confidence in my abilities to bring change in my community. Throughout the scholarship process, I have been able to reflect on my life choices and what drives my commitment to my community. I deeply reflected on my values, my strengths, my limits, and my vision as a young leader. Thanks to the McCall MacBain Scholarship, I will be able to solely focus on my studies and my academic development during my master's degree. I will also have access to leadership workshops and activities, mentoring, coaching and a great community to support me. I feel like a whole community is backing me up for success and it is also mutual. It will be a great opportunity for me to experience growth, newness, empowerment and friendships in many aspects."
Maheep Sandhu聽is a Global and International Studies graduate of Carleton University. He has spent the past few years working in federal politics at the intersection of climate and energy policy. Until recently, he served as a Senior Advisor to Canada's Minister of Environment and Climate Change. Maheep was named a Top 25 Environmentalist in 2022 by Starfish Canada. During his undergraduate studies, he founded and led the Student Energy Carleton chapter and chaired the student government's Sustainability Advisory Council. He also worked with a solar energy company to create a non-profit initiative providing low-cost energy access systems in developing countries. In addition, Maheep previously served on the Board of Directors of the Peel Community Climate Council, supporting youth-led climate action efforts in his hometown. "To date, my education and work in public policy have helped me to find a path to make a positive social and environmental impact. The McCall MacBain scholarship is helping young people like me to achieve our goals."
Shane Joy聽is majoring in History and International Relations at the University of Toronto ahead of his MPP this fall. As President of the Victoria University Students' Administrative Council (VUSAC), Shane managed a team coordinating equity, sustainability, and mental health initiatives for 4,000 students. His other campus roles have included serving as president of a University of Toronto policy hackathon, an orientation week executive, a Victoria University Black Excellence and Inclusion Committee member, and a Board of Regents member. He also organized a Terry Fox run to raise funds for cancer research and works part-time as a peer mentor. Shane spent last summer working as an administrative assistant for a Toronto City Councillor. Shane also received the聽, one of the University of Toronto鈥檚 oldest awards recognizing student excellence, making him also the first Vic student to win both the Moss and McCall McBain scholarships. "I was planning to defer school to work and save for graduate school, but the McCall MacBain Scholarship empowers me to pursue my studies and join a global multidisciplinary community of peers and mentors while growing as a purpose-driven leader committed to serving others with integrity and humility. I am immensely proud to continue a stream of accomplishments that began with being the first in my family to attend university. I am inspired by the students, alumni, and staff I have met during this process and feel grateful to be part of it."
