A graduate of Memorial University, Susan Drodge is the Director General of Policy, Advocacy and Coordination with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency in St. John’s. After graduating with her Ph.D. in English in 1995, Susan taught English at Memorial University in Corner Brook and in St. John’s before transitioning to a career in policy with the federal public service in Ottawa. She has held a number of positions within the Government of Canada both in Ottawa and in Atlantic Canada, including serving as Senior Policy Advisor for the Atlantic Region of Canadian Heritage and Chair of the Federal Council Policy Committee, comprised of senior policy practitioners in NL. In her current position with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), Susan is responsible for leading policy research and analysis on complex economic development issues, providing strategic intelligence and advice to ACOA’s Minister and senior officials, and leading ACOA’s engagement with public policy stakeholders in NL. From September 1, 2015 to August 31, 2016, Susan is serving as the first Public Servant in Residence with the School of Graduate Studies at MUN, working with university stakeholders to build strategic networks involving federal representatives and resources and to increase awareness of federal government priorities, processes, and mechanisms.

Mahadeo Sukhai is a research fellow and team leader with the Advanced Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory at the University Health Network. Prior to assuming this role, Dr. Sukhai completed his Ph.D. in cancer biology from the University of Toronto (2007), and two post-doctoral fellowships, in genomics and drug discovery. Outside of a distinguished research and teaching career, Dr. Sukhai has been an active volunteer with the International Association of Lions Clubs (1993-2003), the Let’s Talk Science Partnership Program (2007-2012), the University of Toronto (2001-2012) and the National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS; 2004-present).

Dr. Danine Farquharson is more than a gifted English professor embarking on a unique research path. Sure, her study of 20th-century Irish literature has found that the issues of masculinity and violence are not only important to Ireland, but to the contemporary world outside of Ireland. After all, she's found that the connection to, and combination of Newfoundland literature and Irish drama is one of the great bonuses that's allowed her to live in Newfoundland and teach at Memorial. But Dr. Farquharson also brings a first-hand understanding of graduate studies at Memorial to her work as graduate officer for the Department of English Language and Literature. She studied for both her MA and PhD here at Memorial. Her experiences allow her to see things from a graduate student’s perspective. She works to sustain the same environment that she was a part of as a grad student: great students and faculty, and a chance to live and work in one of most amazing cities in the world.

Détentrice d'une maîtrise en administration publique (2006) de l'École nationale d'administration publique (ENAP), d'une maîtrise en science de l'activité physique - psychologie du sport (1984) et d'un baccalauréat en science - éducation physique (1981) de l'Université de Montréal, Manon Vaillancourt est entrée à l'UQAM en 1989 pour assumer les fonctions suivantes : responsable du Secteur de l'animation sportive (1989-1993), responsable de la Régie des locaux (1993-1996), directrice-adjointe intérimaire des Services à la vie étudiante (2003-2004), directrice du Centre sportif et de la section animation sportive (1996-2009) et directrice intérimaire des SVE (juin-décembre 2009). Manon Vaillancourt a œuvré auparavant comme directrice générale de l'Association régionale du sport étudiant de Laval (1986-1988), secrétaire générale de la Conférence québécoise du sport étudiant (1985-1986), secrétaire générale de la Direction générale de l'activité physique du ministère de l'Éducation (1984-1986) et comme coordonnatrice du projet «Canada au travail» de la Fédération du sport scolaire du Québec (1985).

Catharyn Andersen is special advisor to the president on Aboriginal affairs at Memorial University. Ms. Andersen has significant experience working with the Nunatsiavut Government. She previously served in the roles of director and Inuktitut Language Program co-ordinator with the Torngâsok Cultural Centre in Nain, Labrador. Ms. Andersen has been involved with a variety of committees and groups relevant to Aboriginal issues. She is a member of the Labrador Inuttitut Training Program Committee and former chair of the Nunainguk Historical Society. Ms. Andersen has also been harbour operations officer with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada. She holds a bachelor of arts in linguistics, a master of arts in linguistics and a master of business administration from Memorial University, as well as an international baccalaureate diploma from Lester B. Pearson United World College of the Pacific in Victoria, B.C.