The Team
Kate Graham, PhD
Senior Fellow, Canada2020
Kate Graham researches, writes, speaks and teaches about politics in Canada. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Political Science from the University of Western Ontario. Kate teaches in the Political Science departments at Huron University College and Western University. She was an associate producer of the 25% documentary (see: 25percent.ca) about the underrepresentation of women in Canadian politics.
Before entering academia, Kate spent a decade working as a public servant, most recently as the Director, Community & Economic Innovation at the City of London. Kate was named one of London’s Top 20 Under 40 in 2015 for her work in this role.
Kate has also dabbled in politics herself, including running in the 2018 Provincial Election in Ontario and for Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party in 2020. It was through the experience of knocking on tens of thousands of doors in the 2018 election, and hearing many perspectives about then Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, that the idea for No Second Chances was born.
Mira Ahmad
Director of Communications & Operations, Canada2020
Mira Ahmad is Canada 2020’s Director of Communications & Operations. Mira has over five years of experience working as a political strategist and activist. She has served as the President of the Young Liberals of Canada and currently sits on the party’s National Board of Directors as its Vice President. Mira has provided strategic advice and managed campaigns for a number of candidates running for federal office. She has worked for the Jeanne Sauvé Foundation, a non-profit educational and leadership development organization in Montreal, as well as Data Sciences, a data analytics and digital marketing firm. Mira has a Bachelor’s degree in Communications Studies from Concordia University. She has long been active in a number of volunteer causes and leadership initiatives, including the Climate Reality Project Canada and the Austrian Leadership Program.
Aaron Reynolds
Creative Director, Canada2020
Aaron Reynolds is a humourist, professional speaker, and the man behind the @EffinBirds and @swear_trek Twitter accounts. When he’s not on Twitter, you can find him producing a series of podcasts and at ComicCons dressed as George Lucas. He has been a baseball writer, a fine art printer and a mall Santa Claus photographer. Aaron was raised in Mississauga, Canada, a suburb where they cut down all the trees and named the streets after them. He currently splits his time between Toronto and Ottawa.
Sarah Turnbull
Former Senior Producer, Canada2020
Sarah Turnbull was Canada 2020’s Senior Producer for the 2020 Podcast Network until June 2019. Previously, she worked in communications and marketing, both at the association and agency level. At the end of last year, Sarah decided to give political reporting a go, working for Ottawa-based iPolitics. She focused primarily on innovation, science, and technology reporting. She holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from Carleton University and an Honour’s Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and gender studies from Queen’s University. Notably, Sarah is a proud mental health advocate. She currently acts as youth engagement speaker at Jack.org, a national mental health network inspiring young people to add their voices to the discussion.
Alex Paterson
Executive Director, Canada2020
Alex Paterson is the Executive Director of Canada 2020.
Alex has worked in the Canadian public policy community for over 10 years. Prior to joining Canada 2020, Alex worked as a producer for CBC News Network, a communications strategist for Greenpeace, as well as a consultant for various government departments, companies and NGOs.
He holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy from Carleton University and an Honour’s Bachelor of Arts in communications from the University of Western Ontario.
Adam Caplan
Videographer, Webisodes, Canada2020
Adam Caplan is Founder of web.isod.es, a London, Ontario-based Story Studio that creates authentic stories for social and interactive experiences. Previously, Adam was Creative Director at Cineplex Digital Networks, Executive Site Producer at hsn.com, and has lectured on e-commerce strategy at Western University for over a decade. Prior to that, Adam worked in emerging media in Los Angeles, California.
Adam currently serves on the Board of the Ontario Creates (OMDC) and its Audit and Strategic Planning Committees; he is also chair of the Screen Based Industries Strategic Working Group for the City of London, and a member of London?s 2018 JUNOS Host Committee.
Previously, Adam served on the Board of Directors for London?s Grand Theatre and Museum London. Municipally, Adam was a member of London?s Mayor?s Economic Council and Emerging Leaders? Sustainability Advisory Committee.
Adam has a BFA – Film & Video from CalArts in 1995. He lives in London, Ontario.