President and CEO
Jack is President and CEO of the Association for Canadian Studies and the Metropolis Institute. He holds a Ph.D. in Canadian History from Concordia University. Prior to 1998, he served as executive director of the Quebec branch of the Canadian Jewish Congress. He is an author and contributor to academic publications, government reports and newspapers across the country in the fields of immigration, multiculturalism, diversity, human rights and official languages. Following three decades of wide-ranging research on public opinion and demographics, he is regularly consulted by media and government bodies alike for his expertise and insights on issues of import in the public sphere. He has taught and lectured at McGill University, the Université du Québec à Montréal and Concordia University, offering courses ranging from public policy to the history of immigration and minority groups, to sports in Canada.
Senior Director
James has a B.A. in Political Science from McGill University and an M.A. in Public Policy and Public Administration from Concordia University. His past experience spans the community, non-governmental and political sectors. Since joining ACS in 2001, he has played a fundamental role in the evolution of the organization through the creation and development of key networks and partnerships. James oversees the coordination and programming of ACS-Metropolis’ national conferences, seminars, forums and other events.
Senior Project Manager
Sarah has managed a wide range of multidisciplinary projects at the ACS since joining the team in 2008. From international projects to local initiatives, she brings experience and passion to the work that she does. Prior to joining the ACS, Sarah worked at McGill University and the federal government. When she’s not at work, Sarah enjoys exploring the great outdoors with her husband and rambunctious toddler.
Managing Director
Ashley holds an M.A. in Education and Society from McGill University and an Honours B.Soc.Sc. in Conflict Studies and Human Rights, with a minor in Sociology from the University of Ottawa. She has previous experience in the government, non-profit and academic sectors. At ACS & the Metropolis Institute, Ashley oversees the successful delivery of research and evaluation projects such as the Canadian Index for Measuring Integration, knowledge mobilization initiatives like the Metropolis North America Migration Policy Forum, and tasks related to strategic planning, financial and operational administration, and human resources management.
Research Director
Paul received his Ph.D. in Sociology from Arizona State University in 2006. Paul’s current research focuses on immigrant integration and inclusion, the social and economic impacts of COVID-19 on vulnerable populations, mental health and resiliency, as well as issues impacting the English-speaking community of Quebec. In his prior role, Paul was a research and evaluation manager for the Human Early Learning Partnership at the University of British Columbia.
Lisa Abramowicz
Project Coordinator & Research Assistant
Lisa has extensive experience in the private and public sectors, with an eclectic professional background and range of interests, from science communication to immigration, arts and culture. Since joining ACS in November 2019, Lisa has been responsible for writing research reports and grant proposals. She is currently engaged in a long-term, major diagnostic of the settlement and immigration sector in Canada.
Director of E-Learning and Web
Chris leads the development of e-learning and other web-related initiatives. He has a background in the sciences, holding a BSc in Marine Zoology from the University of Newcastle, UK. He has further qualifications in online education and learning management systems, and is a confident content creator. Chris worked as both a teacher and a senior manager before moving into the field of e-learning.
Events and Program manager
Emma holds a dual B.A in political sciences from Cardiff University (UK) and Sciences Po Bordeaux (France) and obtained a dual M.A in international relations from Laval University (Canada) and Sciences Po Bordeaux with a special research focus on visual representations of migration in the EU and at the US/Mexico border. She has experience in NGOs, local human rights charities, research centers and project evaluation consulting.
Research Assistant
Fatmata is a recent graduate, holding a Masters of Public Health from Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Santé Publique (EHESP) and a Masters in Social Science Research in Health from Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales (EHESS), both in France. Before joining the team in 2020, her previous research centered on the global mental health movement, transgenerational trauma, and resilience.
Research and Learning Associate
Zachary holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in History from McGill University, as well as a Master’s in Migration and Diaspora Studies from Carleton University. His research focuses on the intersection between migration and identity formation. He is actively working towards creating accessible content without compromising the integrity of the subject matter through the development of e-learning programs and publications.
Research Assistant
Ravindra’s work focuses researching the social and economic impacts of COVID-19 on indigenous peoples and newcomers in North America. He has extensive experience in policy research, data analysis and survey management gained through working with public sector and development agencies in Nepal. Prior to joining ACS, Ravindra worked on household surveys to monitor impacts of COVID-19 on economically vulnerable populations in South Asia for the World Bank Group. He received his Master’s in Agricultural Engineering from Purdue University (USA).
Research Coordinator
Ashley holds a Master’s degree in health sciences with a specialization in Indigenous & Northern health from Lakehead University. She has 3 years of experience in health research, related to community health and social issues for marginalized groups across diverse urban, rural, and remote geographies. She is passionate about health equity, anti-racism, and the health of Indigenous communities. Her current research with ACS focuses on housing sustainability for Inuit communities in Nunavut.
Special Advisor
A career diplomat who has represented Canada for three decades on migration and protection issues, she has also managed large immigration programs around the world. Today, she continues her commitment to highlighting good practices to welcome, integrate and include migrants and people in exile, particularly within the Francophonie.
IT & Web Specialist
Herve Holds a Master’s in Applied Computer Science from Concordia University. He has previous experiences as a software developer and his area of expertise focuses around web development. He is primarily responsible for developing and maintaining ACS-metropolis websites and supporting IT infrastructures.
Events and Communications Coordinator
Shania holds an honours B.A. & Sc. in Communications Studies from Concordia University with a background in Sociology as well as a DEC in Cinema and Communications from Dawson College. Shania has experience working with Non-Profit organizations as a Communications Officer and Digital Marketing Manager. In addition to that, she also has resided on Concordia’s Student Council sitting on multiple committees including the BIPOC committee. In her previous role, Shania planned and coordinated several projects and events including a national business summit.
Executive Administrative Coordinator
Elizabeth Leier holds Master’s in political science from Concordia University and is currently conducting her doctoral research in international development and global politics at the University of Ottawa. Her research interests include climate politics, migration and the Anthropocene. Elizabeth has experience working for NGOs and Non-Profit organizations. Elizabeth helps to coordinate and support various ACS-Metropolis projects.
Research Analyst
Michele completed his PhD in Human Geography at Wilfrid Laurier University in 2016. He also holds a Master’s degree in Geography from The University of Iowa, and a Master’s degree in Rural Sociology from Auburn University. Michele has research experience on a variety of population health topics, including the social ecology of COVID-19, the relationship between diabetes and food insecurity, immigrant health, and access barriers to health services.
Research Analyst & Bilingual Language Specialist
Abdelkrim is a seasoned professional with a Master’s in Criminology from Middlesex University. International Chevening Scholar, he holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resources and a Bachelor’s in Translation, with vast experience in research, communications, PR, and project management in public and diplomatic sectors. Abdelkrim is passionate about foreign languages, geopolitics, and social sciences. He contributes his translation, communication, and social research expertise to diverse ACS initiatives.
Communication Specialist
Najmeddine holds a Master in Communication from Sciences Po Paris, he has a professional track record planning, managing and delivering complex multi-stakeholder projects in both the private and public sectors. He mostly specializes in the development of communication strategies, rebranding and training.
Research Analyst
Sutton completed her PhD in Psychology – Research Option at Concordia University in 2023 and was affiliated with the CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre. Sutton has a vast amount of research experience and has learned a variety of analytical techniques. She has experience in techniques such as meta-analytic procedures, longitudinal cohort data management, latent class analysis, structural equation modelling, and factor/path analysis. Her research focused on early environmental associations with brain and behaviour development in twins as well as depression in mothers of multiples.
