Arshia Saxena (she/her)
Team: Social Finance
What was your favorite project that you worked on, and what is a key takeaway from that experience?
My favorite project to work on this summer was the Financial Statement tracker. I worked with many deal leads and was able to gain first-hand experience in reaching out to external contacts and analyzing a variety of financials to help with the scaling initiative.
What advice would you give to future summer fellows?
Use this time to reach out to people you want to learn from! Everyone has a different perspective so ask questions, listen to your mentors, and use the resources GCC provides.
Chloe Panganiban (she/her)
Team: Communications
What was your favorite project that you worked on, and what is a key takeaway from that experience?
This summer, I had the opportunity to work on the monthly Grand Challenges Canada newsletter. With over 20,000 recipients, the newsletter is a great way to provide an update of the month’s activities, events, and opportunities in our organization and its ecosystem. I was responsible for collecting content, drafting language, finding media, and putting it all together in a newsletter layout. Throughout the full experience of producing and releasing content to a specific audience in this large-scale way, I have really developed and refined my skills as a science communicator.
What advice would you give to future summer fellows?
My one piece of advice to future summer fellows would be to be open to new experiences and opportunities! The work that everyone at Grand Challenges Canada does is exciting, dynamic, and important. Keep being curious and eager to learn, because there is so much opportunity for learning and growth here.
Julia Vo (she/her)
Team: Operations
What was your favorite project that you worked on, and what is a key takeaway from that experience?
My favorite project this summer was conducting a comparative analysis of various Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS) available on the market. This project aimed to automate HR processes, streamline operations, and enhance the overall user experience. It was a valuable learning experience, especially in terms of conducting external outreach, performing analyses, and asking insightful questions.
What advice would you give to future summer fellows?
Advice I would give to future summer fellows is to take full advantage of the network of brilliant minds around you. GCC is home to some of the most hardworking and passionate people you’ll ever meet! During my time here, I had incredible mentors who provided clarity on my career path, offered valuable work advice, and helped boost my confidence.
Leoni Reusing (she/her)
Team: Global Health Innovation (GHI)
What was your favorite project that you worked on, and what is a key takeaway from that experience?
My favorite project to work on was fundraising for the OPTions and Sanitation portfolios. Through this experience, I gained new skills in fundraising and researching donors. In addition, I developed communications materials to support the fundraising efforts which brought together my previous academic/professional experiences and my experience as a summer fellow.
What advice would you give to future summer fellows?
My advice to future summer fellows is to be intentional about your time as a summer fellow. There is a lot to learn and many projects you can contribute to and be a part of. The fellowship is what you make it.
Menna Zahra (she/her)
Team: Global Health Innovation (GHI)
What was your favorite project that you worked on, and what is a key takeaway from that experience?
One of my favorite projects as a summer fellow was working on the STARS portfolio for the development of lessons learned. The task involved synthesizing existing learnings from collaborating with innovators for digestible, and actionable briefs. This project stood out as a valuable learning experience for me because it provided an in-depth introduction to the organization’s work and its STARS portfolio. By engaging with a variety of documents and collaborating with the portfolio, I gained a comprehensive understanding of the current initiatives and the documents supporting them. The key takeaway from this experience was the importance of thorough research and clear communication in creating meaningful and useful documentation that can be used throughout the organization.
What advice would you give to future summer fellows?
For future summer fellows, my key advice is to remain open-minded and proactive in your learning. The role offers a wealth of opportunities to engage with diverse projects and professionals, so seize every chance to learn from your colleagues’ career journeys and insights. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and seek out conversations that can enrich your understanding of the organization and its work. Additionally, attention to detail in your work is important to ensure that your contributions are clear and well-communicated. As you interact with various portfolio managers and team members, it’s crucial to keep everyone informed about your tasks and progress. This will help you stay aligned with the broader goals and make a positive impact on the projects you’re involved in. Balancing openness to learning with a commitment to thoroughness and clear communication will not only enhance your own experience but also contribute to the success of the team’s efforts.
Olivia Marotta (they/she)
Team: Communications
What was your favorite project that you worked on, and what is a key takeaway from that experience?
It is so hard to pick just one! I loved working on the Stars Climate x Health blog post and the communications materials that went along with it. Getting to work closely with the Stars team and learning in depth about the innovations GCC funds and supports was a very gratifying experience. I loved presenting these innovations in a creative way, through Instagram reels and through the blog post, and I am still in awe of the innovations I learned about.
What advice would you give to future summer fellows?
I would say – get into the office! Either digitally or in person, taking the time to introduce yourself to others is a great way to find your footing at GCC. Even though this is my second time as a summer fellow, I still felt a bit nervous introducing myself to everyone else. But the people of GCC are curious, friendly, welcoming people who genuinely want to get to know you, so don’t skip out on saying hi!
Ramlah Musa (she/her)
Team: Humanitarian Innovation
What was your favorite project that you worked on, and what is a key takeaway from that experience?
This summer, I had the opportunity to serve as the Humanitarian Summer Fellow, working alongside the Knowledge, Management, and Translation team on a range of projects. One of the highlights of my experience was collaborating with the child development team on a portfolio analysis for the Saving Brains initiative, which seeks bold ideas to promote health and nutrition, provide enrichment and nurturing, and protect against maltreatment—three essential components every child needs for healthy development. My role involved filtering project data, analyzing the progress and outcomes of each funding round, and summarizing key findings, achievements, lessons learned, and challenges into a clear and concise report. This project gave me valuable insights into early brain and childhood development efforts that have been supported over the years, allowing me to apply and further develop my research, data collection, analysis, and evaluation skills. Most importantly, it deepened my appreciation for the transformative work led by Grand Challenges Canada (GCC) and its long-lasting impact on children’s lives.
What advice would you give to future summer fellows?
My advice for future Summer Fellows is to follow your passions and find meaningful ways to apply them. Take advantage of opportunities for professional growth, and tailor the fellowship experience to suit your goals. Whether you’re exploring new interests, developing skills, or connecting with like-minded individuals, Grand Challenges Canada offers something for everyone. One of my highlights was attending mentorship sessions, where we gained insights from leaders with diverse experiences. Akin’s advice, as COO of GCC, still resonates with me. He encouraged us to embrace the ‘nexus of scary but exciting things’—a powerful reminder to step outside our comfort zones and grow through challenges.
