Letâs start by introducing Team Ghana 2019:
Matt is a part-time MBA student with a specialization in sustainability, and is a student recruiter for the Faculty of Science at the University of Alberta. Previously, he was a technician at a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility, and a lab coordinator for a first year undergraduate chemistry lab. Matt has been working at the University of Alberta for over 10 years, which is where he received his Bachelorâs degree in Biology and Earth Science.
Mattâs interests include sustainability, biodiversity, environmental protection, and music. Matt enjoys working in groups, problem solving and fast paced situations. He especially enjoys the creative process and the solutions that new and diverse groups can come up with. Matt is always up for a challenge, and looks forward to meeting and working with new people.
BrĂ©da is in her third year of the part-time MBA program specializing in International Business.  She has worked at the University of Alberta as a Procurement Specialist for the last 6.5 years and part time for the last 4 years as a moderator for the Supply Chain Management Associate of Canada.  Originally, from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Bredaâs undergrad was in International Business and Foreign languages from Centennial College and the University of Toronto.  She speaks four languages (English, French, Spanish, Mandarin) and has studied, travelled and worked internationally on and off for the last 15 years.
Bréda comes from a large Irish family and enjoys spending as much time as possible with them.  In her spare time, she is a marathon runner, yoga and cycling enthusiast.  She is often seen laughing and engaging socially with others.  She is a team player and committed to community, education and lifelong learning opportunities for everyone.
Serena is in her second year of the part-time MBA program majoring in public policy and management. She is a pharmacist by training and currently works in the Chief Medical Information Office helping to lead the roll-out of a new information system for healthcare professionals in the province of Alberta. She chairs a hospital pharmacy conference, sits on the board for her local public library, and helps plan events for the University of Alberta MBA Womenâs Network.
Outside of her work, school, and extracurricular commitments, Serena has a passion for politics, reading, running, and travel. She enjoys spending time with her husband, Graham, and her family. Her and Graham have travelled to many countries in Central and South America, Europe and Asia but this is her first time visiting the continent of Africa. Serena is excited to travel to Ghana, learn more about the culture, and work with local organizations on the ground!
Ashlee is completing her combined MD/MBA degree; she has finished her medical studies and is in the final semester of her expedited MBA. She will be beginning medical residency this summer, but not before gaining insight into the business world by working on multiple student consulting teams. Ashlee hopes to continue her medical career working with marginalized populations, using her role as a physician and business leader to improve more than just healthcare.
Ashlee grew up in sunny Southern Alberta and spent as much of her childhood as possible hiking and camping in the nearby Rocky Mountains. Her love for the outdoors has only grown along with a passion for travelling. She has been on humanitarian missions to El Salvador and Costa Rica and her most recent adventures include several multi-day treks across New Zealand, Iceland, and Norway with her husband, Ryan.
Natalie is completing her honors economics degree. She is currently the program assistant for the Undergraduate Research Initiative on campus, working with students and staff to support undergraduate research in all forms and from all disciplines. Additionally, she is the managing editor of the Spectrumâan interdisciplinary undergraduate research journal. Before entering this role, she worked with professors in the Native studies, Business, and Arts faculties conducting research on a range of topics including vulnerable populations, global aid practices, and blended learning courses.
Natalie loves meeting new people and trying new things. This has led her to develop an interest in community engagement work, in particular she is interested in better understanding how universities can productively engage with organizations and people from outside the academy.
