Grand Challenges Canada


As another summer has come to an end, Grand Challenges Canada said goodbye to this year’s Summer Students. The Summer Students not only quickly adjusted to the new work-from-home reality but fearlessly went above and beyond their responsibilities. They developed gender equality case studies, organized an international ‘new methods for safe abortions’ hackathon, helped to screen the newly relaunched Global Mental Health program applications, and much more.

The Summer Students brought fresh energy to Grand Challenges Canada. They continued to amaze our team with their new insights, their thought-provoking questions and how deeply they delved into their work. Thank you for your passion, dedication, and efforts this summer!

Read below to learn more about their experiences, key takeaways, and tips!


Anisah Hooda

Team: Development Innovation, Targeted Innovations
Education: Bachelor of Health Sciences, Western University, 2020

What is one interesting project you worked on this summer?

 I worked with the newly relaunched Global Mental Health program to drive their funding opportunity targeting youth mental health in low- and middle-income countries. It was fascinating to gain insight into the behind-the-scenes processes leading up to the investment stage of innovations.

What is a key take away from your experience at Grand Challenges Canada?

I have learned that it’s imperative to be open to embracing new challenges and experiences and have confidence. There may be instances where you are worried that you don’t have the knowledge or skills necessary to succeed in a particular task, but you will ultimately never know unless you try!

What is a tip for future summer students?

Never be afraid to ask for feedback or advice! You will get the most out of your summer experience if you take the time to get to know the people you work with, ask questions and utilize their diverse perspectives and experiences to continue to grow and develop your skillset. Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself; you never know what may follow!

What is your favourite physical distancing COVID activity?

I absolutely love spending my evenings going for walks/bike rides to enjoy the fresh air and greenery around me. I find that it’s a great way for me to have a change of scenery from the walls of my home office, get some exercise, and also provide me with the opportunity to reflect.


Dhurshini Appaya

Team: Finance
Education: Bachelor of Commerce in Management Economics and Finance, University of Guelph, 2021

What is one interesting project you worked on this summer?

I worked on the implementation of a new accounting system. System migration is a very tedious task that required intense concentration and attention to detail. This project allowed me to apply and improve my coding skills and learned what goes on behind the scene of such complex software.

What is a key take away from your experience at Grand Challenges Canada?

Grand Challenges Canada has a very open culture that emphasizes communication within teams and across the organization. Everyone was always engaging with each other – it is a very friendly and welcoming atmosphere. I learned how to communicate with my team better.

What is a tip for future summer students?

I would encourage future summer students to go out of their comfort zone. Take on new projects and responsibilities. These opportunities are a great way to grow in a professional space while having your team’s full support if you come across any challenges.

What is your favourite physical distancing COVID activity?

Going to drive-in theatres!


Gurneet Bhela

Team: Development Innovations – Open Innovations
Education: Bachelor of Science in Global Health, York University, 2020

What is one interesting project you worked on this summer?

I had the opportunity to work on a gender equality case study for the transition-to-scale program. This experience made me realize the incredible work innovators are doing to advance gender equality outcomes and address structural inequities. It is critical to understand how intersecting patterns between different power structures play a role in generating health impact. Integrating an intersectional lens increases not only the effectiveness of innovation but also strengthens the achievement of lasting development results.

What is a key take away from your experience at Grand Challenges Canada?

This summer opened my eyes to the world of impact investing. I’ve come to realize the complexities of catalyzing innovation in global health and what it takes for a bold idea to scale and demonstrate sustainability. Impact investors need to think creatively on meeting the real needs of innovators who are creating unique market-based solutions to address global health challenges in low- and middle-income countries.

What is a tip for future summer students?

It’s helpful to set goals early on and ask yourself what you want to get out of this experience. Acknowledge your gaps but reframe them as growth opportunities.

What is your favourite physical distancing COVID activity?

Using Duolingo to learn French – I am not fluent yet, but working on it!


Nabeela Jivraj

Team: Knowledge Management and Translation
Education: Master of Science in Public Health, McGill University, 2020

What is one interesting project you worked on this summer?

I had the chance to work with colleagues that measured and monitored impact and develop materials that communicate innovations. My favourite project was the interactive brief showcasing learnings from the digital health portfolio.

What is a key take away from your experience at Grand Challenges Canada?

There is always space for accountability, and we can always do better!  “Decolonization” sometimes seems and feels like a buzzword, especially in the global health space. I am grateful for the conversations had amongst the Summer Students and others at the organization about how to move away from structures that reinforce inequity. It allowed me to think critically about audience, impact, what story we tell, and why.

What is a tip for future summer students?

Don’t be afraid to reach out to colleagues, individuals on LinkedIn, and each other to ask questions. Grand Challenges Canada is a collaborative place with a team made up of thoughtful folks from diverse backgrounds.

What is your favourite physical distancing COVID activity?

ZOOM socials became too tiring right around when the weather got much nicer, so COVID walks in the park with ice cream have been a go-to!


Nicole Toole

Team: Communications
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Global Development and Politics and a Certificate in Business, Queen’s University, 2019

What is one interesting project you worked on this summer?

I had the opportunity to develop communications for the OPTions Initiatives and Global Mental Health program call for applications. The OPTions Initiative specifically invited me to think outside of the box to engage the audience in a niche and under-researched field. It allowed me to develop my skill set further and take on the challenge of learning new ones.

What is a key take away from your experience at Grand Challenges Canada?

It is important to continuously analysis your role in systems and structures. Be open and willing to adjust your approaches to become more inclusive. Learning never stops!

What is a tip for future summer students?

Step outside of your comfort zone! The team is wonderfully supportive and open – ask for feedback and give feedback.  Leverage the opportunity to learn and grow intellectually, professionally, and personally.

What is your favourite physical distancing COVID activity?

Enjoying long walks in nature with my dog!


Priyanka Budhrani

Team: Finance
Education Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting, York University, 2021

What is one interesting project you worked on this summer?

I worked on an exciting project to assist the Finance Compliance Team in conducting spot-check audits on innovations. It allowed me to learn more about the various innovations, interact with innovators and better understand their logistics and processes.

What is a key take away from your experience at Grand Challenges Canada?

No matter how big or small a task is, there is always opportunity to learn.  I found that the skills that I have learned working at Grand Challenges Canada will translate well into any finance and accounting role I may have in the future.

What is a tip for future summer students?

Always try and provide your input during team meetings! Whether it be feedback on ways to improve processes or simply an area you are interested in doing more, managers are always happy to receive your input. It’s an excellent way for you to make an impact and get the most out of this experience.

What is your favourite physical distancing COVID activity?

Exploring different parks and hikes around Ontario.


Rahul Balasundaram

Team: Humanitarian Grand Challenge
Education: Bachelor of Social Science in International Development, University of Ottawa, 2021

What is one interesting project you worked on this summer?

I had the opportunity to be part of the “sensemaking” workshops for the humanitarian portfolio. It consisted of presentations from innovators and reflections on the portfolio more broadly. The workshops created the space to have more extensive discussions on the humanitarian system, the role of innovation in conflict settings, and ways to leverage partnerships to create more inclusive and sustainable programs.

What is a key take away from your experience at Grand Challenges Canada?

I learned the importance of supporting local organizations. Local actors only receive 0.04% of all humanitarian funding despite being best positioned to respond to their communities’ needs by knowing the context, having key networks, and the ability to leverage local resources. COVID-19 and the Black Lives Matter movement also highlighted the importance of asking fundamental questions about how the humanitarian and development sectors operate. Organizations need to decolonize approaches and genuinely commit to the localization agenda by trusting and supporting local actors and promoting community ownership.

What is a tip for future summer students?

Create a list of things you want to learn and the skills you want to develop over the four months and commit to it. Speak to your colleagues and manager about these goals – the organization is filled with incredibly intelligent and supportive individuals who want you to learn and grow.

What is your favourite physical distancing COVID activity?

Going on long walks and bike rides around the neighborhood. Moving back home allowed me to explore cool parts of the city that I never knew existed!


Simran Abreo

Team: Information Technology
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Information Technology, York University, 2020

What is one interesting project you worked on this summer?

I had the privilege of working on a few projects related to Cybersecurity, mainly focusing on research and implementing strategies that can reduce security risks in the organization. It was a great learning opportunity to be part of a project from the start to end-user implementation.

What is a key take away from your experience at Grand Challenges Canada?

My key takeaway is always to keep an open mind and allow yourself to learn and grow as a professional. Coming from a non-health background, I learned a lot from my peers on topics I had never considered in the past. My experience allowed me to rethink future career paths and goals.

What is a tip for future summer students?

Have a willingness to learn, and set goals and expectations to get the best out of your position. The organization is full of friendly and highly educated individuals that are approachable and eager to share their career insights and offer advice.

What is your favourite physical distancing COVID activity?

Learning to cook and exploring new recipes!


Sonali Patel

Team: Development Innovations – Targeted Innovations
Education: Master in Public Administration in Development Practices, Columbia University, 2020

What is one interesting project you worked on this summer?

I worked on outreach and implementation for the Options for Pregnancy Termination Innovation Initiative (OPTions) Hackathon. The Hackathon provided a new opportunity to test the event’s efficacy as a pipeline for new safe abortion methods. The most exciting part of the project was engaging with innovators working on a diverse range of ideas, from herbal abortifacients to repurposing existing drugs for pregnancy termination.

What is a key take away from your experience at Grand Challenges Canada?

Working with the OPTions Initiative highlighted the importance of market stimulation. New methods for safe abortions is a particularly niche and undeveloped field of innovation. This untapped innovation realm makes the initiative’s new methods for safe abortion funding stream incredibly exciting and essential. I learned that funding needs to be linked with market generation activities, broader outreach efforts to spark novel ideas, and stakeholders’ engagement.

What is a tip for future summer students?

Speak to and hear from as many people as you can. Talking to a diverse range of the team was incredibly valuable in shaping my career path ideas. Also, take the opportunity to hear from inspiring innovators to get exposure to the diversity of innovations that exist and better understand the realities and challenges of implementing programs.

What is your favourite physical distancing COVID activity?

I have recently started some basic indoor gardening activities at home. I’m far from having a green thumb, but it’s made the living room much cozier while working from home!


Suad Ali

Team: Development Innovations – Open Innovations
Education: Master of Science in Global Health, McMaster University, 2020 

What is one interesting project you worked on this summer?

I co-led an analysis examining the internal pipeline for scaling Star in Global Health innovations. We identified key factors that hinder this transition and areas for improvement. This examination provided insight into how we can further support innovators throughout the application and funding process. This experience allowed me to delve further into the impact investing world of global health.

What is a key take away from your experience at Grand Challenges Canada?       

There is always room for growth. The work environment allowed me to hone down on my time-management and communication skills. These skills were tested daily through short meetings and virtual work. I found it beneficial that I had come into Grand Challenges Canada in search of personal and professional growth.

What is a tip for future summer students?

I suggest reaching out early to different people in the organization to hear about their career path. I found this valuable and allowed for more personable interactions, informal career mentoring, and exploration of various global health career paths. I also recommend voicing your opinion, engaging in conversations, and asking questions regardless of how small or large a meeting might be.

What is your favourite physical distancing COVID activity?

Chasing sunsets with a fruitful picnic, no pun intended just a bunch of watermelon and cherries!