The Dais is where ideas meet action.

We are a public policy and leadership think tank at Toronto Metropolitan University, connecting people to the ideas and power we need to build a more inclusive, innovative, prosperous Canada.

Our name means ‘raised platform.’ A dais (pronounced day-es) is a place that illuminates the people on it. And it reminds us that real change only happens when we lift new voices and ideas.

We are constantly working on tackling the biggest challenges facing Canada in the spaces of Innovation + Tech, Education + Skills, and Democracy + Trust. 

Karim (he/him) is a public service leader who has worked for a better democracy, a more educated and engaged population, and better public policy throughout his professional career. In 2017, he co-founded the Leadership Lab at Toronto Metropolitan University, and took on additional responsibilities as Executive Director of the Brookfield Institute in January 2023. Karim also co-teaches SSH505, “Making the Future,” for which he has won two teaching awards from TMU’s Faculty of Arts.

Karim was previously Deputy Principal Secretary for Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, and served as Executive Director of Policy for Premiers Wynne and Dalton McGuinty. He was a candidate in Parkdale—High Park in the 2022 Ontario provincial election.

He has worked as a journalist, as a politics and policy columnist for The Toronto Star, an editorial writer and business reporter at The Globe and Mail, and as an editorial assistant at Slate magazine. He also taught leadership at the University of Toronto’s School of Public Policy and Governance. Karim holds a Bachelor of Arts from McGill University and a Master in Public Policy from Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Camara (she/her) has been chosen as one of 100 Black Women in Canada to Watch, she is a CivicAction DiverseCity Fellow, and was recognized as a national leader in The Philanthropist Journal.

Raised in England, Camara graduated with a Law degree from the University of Liverpool before pivoting to build her career in the non-profit sector. She was drawn to organizations that had a strong focus on equity and civic engagement which led her to lead a national policy program for Europe’s largest LGBTQ charity and eventually take on the role of Executive Director for Volunteer Toronto, Canada’s largest volunteer centre.

Her superpower is building relationships and her role at the Dais at Toronto Metropolitan University involves her creating community partnerships and designing leadership programs for the next generation of Canada’s leaders.

When not in the office, Camara spends her time leading the city’s first and only hiking community focused on inclusivity. She began the hiking group during the pandemic, and since then Let’s Hike T.O. has introduced over 1,300 people to hiking.

Khushi (she/her) is an enthusiastic advocate for positive change through the intersection of politics, law, innovation, and equity. Currently in her final year of the Politics & Governance program at Toronto Metropolitan University, Khushi is truly committed to making a tangible difference in our world. With a deep interest in engaging youth in politics and a commitment to justice and ethical innovation, Khushi is a creative leader of change with unwavering dedication and conviction. 

Beyond that, Khushi draws inspiration from the vibrant energy of the city and enjoys discovering new cafes, exploring Toronto’s diverse neighbourhoods, and networking with like-minded individuals.

Jillian Gonzales (she/her) is a driven and passionate student, currently pursuing a Creative Industries degree at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). With a keen interest in positive changes and a desire to teach young people, Jillian has been actively involved in various creative and policy-focused practices that aim to create a better world.

Jillian’s commitment to making a positive impact is further evident through her involvement in various journalistic activities, including serving as a Met-TV news anchor and writing for CanCulture, a student-led magazine at TMU.