Aula Fellows

Tammy Mackenzie is a researcher, tech CEO, policy advocate, and mother. She is the Executive Director and co-founder of the Aula Fellowship, a think tank focused on applied AI, ethics, and system transitions.

Tammy holds an MBA with a specialization in SMEs, technology, and sustainability. She began her career in a CPA firm and has since worked as an SME account director, business owner, controller, and CFO. Across these roles, she has developed deep expertise in using technical, ecological, and social tools to drive systemic change. She contributes to public policy as a consultant, facilitator, and strategist, helping organizations navigate complexity with ethical, systems-based approaches. Her work focuses on the intersection of responsible AI, business strategy, ecological transition, and economic justice.

Tammy is an alumna of MIND, Vanier College, McGill University, Université Laval, and the MILA Summer School in Responsible AI. She is currently completing PhD research on the levers of power in society, part of her lifelong effort to understand and help guide the ways technology and ethics shape our collective future.

Branislav Radeljić, PhD

Director of Research, Senior Fellow

Branislav Radeljić is a professor of political science, focusing on Europe and the Middle East. He lectured for many years in the United Kingdom and, more recently, he has held professorships in Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. In addition, he has held multiple visiting appointments in Asia, Europe, and North America. As a consultant, Branislav has conducted research and provided specialized services to a broad range of clients, including government entities and non-governmental stakeholders. His work has involved thorough evaluations of governance regimes, institutional transparency and accountability, and prospects for increased citizen participation. As an expert witness (registered in EU/UK/US), Branislav has provided reports and testimony in legal proceedings in relation to asylum, refugee, and immigration matters. In terms of countries of origin, he covers Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Russia, Serbia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates. Branislav’s work in AI focuses on policies and governance, with a particular interest in addressing bias, risks, and accountability in AI systems. He is especially intrigued by the societal implications of AI technologies and how they can be regulated to ensure ethical and equitable outcomes.

Sreyoshi Bhaduri, Ph.D.

Senior Fellow

Dr. Sreyoshi Bhaduri is an engaged leader at the intersection of people, products, the future of work, and emerging technology. Sreyoshi leverages AI for mixed-methods research methods, ensuring that organizations intentionally center the human experience. Sreyoshi currently works at Amazon. She has previously headed Global People Research at McGraw Hill – the learning sciences company. At and outside of work, Sreyoshi is a global speaker passionate about demystifying AI and intentionally improving belonging in STEM. She was elected as a Senator at the Society of Women Engineers, and serves the Advisory Board for the Department of Engineering Education at the College of Engineering at Virginia Tech, USA; as well as the Danville Community College Automation & Robotics Program Industry Advisory Board. Sreyoshi has been honored as an Emerging Leader in Tech and Engineering (ELiTE) and Engaged Advocate by the Society of Women Engineers. Sreyoshi has also been inducted to the Yale Bouchet Honor Society. In a gist, Sreyoshi is a maker of lists and itineraries, who loves responsible technology, and enjoys dabbling in writing. Learn more about her impact at – www.ThatStatsGirl.com

Leslie Salgado, M.P.S.

Senior Fellow

Leslie Salgado, currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Communication and Media at the University of Calgary, is a seasoned professional in science communication. In her doctoral studies, she explores the interplays of Responsible AI, AI narratives, and their impact on policymaking and public trust. Leslie’s academic journey includes completing the AI Ethics of AI Certificate of the London School of Economics, being part of the inaugural cohort at the University of Montreal-MILA course on Responsible AI and Human Rights and participating in the Alberta Machine Learning Institute (Amii) Kickstart Program. Her practical experience includes a role as a research consultant on a project examining gender equality and inclusion in AI initiatives around the globe at MILA – Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute. Her approach to responsible AI blends insights from science communication and science and technology studies. She actively volunteers with Women in AI Canada and contributes to its Calgary chapter.

Victoria Kuketz

Senior Fellow

Victoria Kuketz serves as the Director of Corporate Engagement at Catalyst and is recognized for her work as an Obama Foundation Fellow, Civic Action DiverseCity Fellow and Public Policy Forum Democracy Fellow. She is currently serving as an Obama Fellow for Public Policy, in New York City. Based in the Greater Toronto Area, she focuses on public policy, democracy, and engagement, promoting innovation and inclusivity. With an academic background from the University of Toronto and the Mila – Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute, Victoria applies her education to her professional roles, contributing to discussions and initiatives that aim to shape a more inclusive and democratic society. Her practical approach and commitment to her field have established her as a respected figure in her professional community.

François Pelletier, M.Sc.

Fellow, Tech Lead

François Pelletier is a former actuarial and data scientist in property and casualty insurance. Part time research assistant in Medical Physics at Université Laval, building secure infrastructure for cancer research. Freelancer and independent researcher, casual influencer. He is here to share that something else is possible outside Big Tech and Big Cloud in regards to AI and computing. His experience of over 20 years is at our service. He has worked with alternative systems and free software. He understands the power of data in it’s best and worst. His knowledge of digital systems is deep, both on software and societal aspects. He wants to help navigate this complex world. If by any chance you were looking for a ChatGPT guru, AI marketing coach or whatever that means, chat won’t do. He is based in Lévis, Quebec and he’s from Saguenay, the blueberry and tourtière paradise.

Fellows

Marisa Eleuterio

Office Manager

Marisa Eleuterio is the Administrative Assistant for the Aula Fellowship, where she provides support to the fellows dedicated to advancing responsible AI development. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Concordia University and studies in psychology, Marisa combines her artistic vision with her curiosity about human behavior and societal systems. As an artist, small business owner, and mother, Marisa believes in the transformative potential of technology to drive social and environmental betterment. Her interdisciplinary interests shape her vision of a future where innovation, sustainability, and creativity work hand in hand to create a thriving and equitable world.

Devin Almonor, M.Sc.

Onyedikachi Hope Amaechi-Okorie

Fellow

Devin Almonor is a machine learning engineer and AI ethics researcher. He has a Masters in Machine Learning and AI and loves to translate the technical to the nontechnical in his writing at the AI Ethicist. In his writing, he explains programming concepts to his readers, and he critiques governmental policies and their ethical, responsible implementation of technologies. He is passionate about responsible, ethical AI because he knows these technologies adversely affect those who look like him and other marginalized groups; he believes his work will foster an algorithmically safe society, and he is engaged in mentorship and AI policy programs, such as AI4All, The Center for AI and Digital Policy, The Ethical Intelligence Network, and Open Ethics. He is the change he wants to see, and he works diligently to make an algorithmically safe society a reality.

Jake Okechukwu Effoduh, L.L.B.

Fellow

I’m a Technical Community Advocate with over five years of experience in quality engineering, now fully focused on building inclusive, accessible, and empowering spaces in tech. I currently support the JSON Schema community and contribute to Mozilla Common Voice, where I help document open data efforts and foster inclusive collaboration. I lead both technical and non-technical community programs, champion accessibility, clear documentation, and sustainable community growth. I’m also the founder of Spectrum of Speech, a global community that celebrates speech diversity and empowers people who speak differently through storytelling, shared strategies, and collective support. My work sits at the intersection of open source, speech inclusion, and ethical voice technology, exploring how speech norms and voice tools can better reflect the richness of human communication.

Temitope Banjo, CISM

Fellow

I’m a GRC professional with 8+ years of experience across cybersecurity, enterprise risk, HR policy, and data privacy, starting in HR in Canada and moving into IT audit, risk, and compliance while continuing to support HR operations. Now focused on GRC and data protection, I connect policy with people and strategy with systems. At Winfinite Consulting, I lead ISO 27001-aligned ISMS operations, support SOC 2 Type II audits, drive control testing, vendor risk assessments, business continuity initiatives, and help clients build AI Governance frameworks aligned with ISO 42001 and NIST AI RMF. I volunteer with the AULA Fellowship on international AI governance and with DPO Africa on GDPR privacy strategies, gap analysis, and regulatory engagement. A Certified Information Security Manager and Security Awareness Advocate, I design and deliver training to reduce human risk and foster a culture of compliance, guided by the belief that real security transformation starts with people.

Fellow

Jake Okechukwu Effoduh is an Assistant Professor at the Lincoln Alexander School of Law of Toronto Metropolitan University. He has gained significant expertise in AI regulation and international human rights advocacy at various ranks of legal systems. As Chief Councillor of the Africa – Canada Artificial Intelligence and Data Innovation Consortium (ACADIC), he provided human rights and compliance expertise on the use of AI and Big Data in Canada and across 20 African countries. He serves on the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Frontier Risks.

Grecia Gonzalez

Fellow

Grecia Gonzalez is an engineer and programmer with a B.S. in Biomedical/Medical Engineering and a Computer Science minor from the University of Texas at San Antonio. A seasoned project coordinator and technical writer, she has led biomedical research on tissue-regeneration biomaterials as a UTSA RISE & MARC Lab Assistant, mentored robotics teams and first-year students, and founded InSalutem Innovations, a posture-correcting magnetic system for back-pain reduction. Fluent in Spanish and active in professional societies, she combines engineering rigor with strong leadership and research skills, now bringing this expertise to her work as a Fellow with the Aula Fellowship for AI Science, Tech, and Policy.

Dr. Peer Herholz

Fellow

Peer Herholz, a Research Assistant Professor at Northwestern University and Research Affiliate at McGill University and the McGovern Institute for Brain Research, is an expert in AI, neuroscience, and open and responsible science. With a strong background in data and project management, software development, and statistical data analysis, Peer’s research journey began with investigating the neurobiology of auditory processing. His current interests include the generalization in biological and artificial agents and the transformations underlying intelligent adaptive behavior. Peer is actively involved in organizing and conducting workshops, hackathons, and lectures, and is dedicated to promoting open, reproducible, and FAIR science across various academic and research institutions.

Kai-Hsin Hung

Fellow

Kai is a a Ph.D. Candidate and Work & Technology researcher at HEC Montréal, known for his impactful contributions to understanding the nexus between work, data value chains, and society. He is a Visiting Fellow at the Work and Equalities Institute at the University of Manchester, working on responsible AI. With a rich background that includes roles at the International Development Research Centre, the International Training Centre of the ILO, and Global Affairs Canada, his work spans global contexts. Holding advanced degrees in Public and International Affairs and International Development from the University of Ottawa, where his research garnered significant accolades. He actively contributes to the discourse on science and technology and sustainable development. His involvement in projects and initiatives, such as the AI Impact Alliance and the Leading With AI Lab and MOOCs on innovative financing courses, underscores his commitment to leveraging technology for societal betterment.

Kirthi Jayakumar

Fellow

I have 15 years of experience working as a feminist researcher, facilitator GBV, peace educator, and mediator. I have experience engaging in multilateral processes through the Women 7, UNNGLS, European Union, United Nations, and Regional Consultations for the Commission on the Status of Women. I focus on the Women, Peace, Security Agenda, Feminist Foreign Policy, and Transitional Justice. I hold a master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies from CTPSR, Coventry University, and another master’s degree in Sustainable Peace in a Contemporary World from UPEACE, Costa Rica. I have a bachelor’s degree in law from SOEL, Chennai. I speak English, Hindi, Tamil, Spanish (basic), and French (basic). I founded and run civitatem resolutions, an initiative dedicated to facilitating and supporting networked feminisms by working with community, building online and offline containers, and mapping constellations of knowledge. I also set up the CRSV Observatory, a memory project that documents sexual violence in armed conflict, violent conflict, settler colonialism, and mass violence contexts.

Dr. Santosh Karthikeyan

Junior Fellow

Dr. Santosh Karthikeyan Viswanathan is a distinguished Data and AI Leader working as the Global Technical Director at AstraZeneca. He provides strategic, technical and operational leadership for the Data and Analytics platform in R&D. He has successfully led large-scale data teams, established capability hubs and developed AI-driven solutions that enhance efficiency, improve product quality and reduce costs. Dr. Karthikeyan has led data science projects focused on predicting adverse drug reactions in Life Sciences and has managed teams in the digital and analytics practice. He holds the World Record as a Prominent Scholar in Data & Analytics, recognized by the World Book of Records in London and was recently honored with the AI Leader Award. A mentor, author and technology advisor, he inspires young talents and helps organizations harness the transformative potential of data and AI. Additionally, Dr. Karthikeyan is a TEDx speaker and an esteemed presenter at AI tech forums such as 3AI, AIM, SCDM, ACDM and other global events. He likes to contribute to a brighter, more compassionate world and to guide organizations in unlocking the power of data, AI and technology for the betterment of healthcare and beyond.

Varsha Kesavan, M.Sc.

Fellow

Varsha Kesavan is a PhD candidate in Medical Sciences at the University of Alberta, researching AI-driven generative restoration for motion correction in cardiac MRI. She holds an MSc in Data Science from the University of Edinburgh and has industry experience as a Deep Learning Engineer at Dimensionless Technologies, where she built AI products for baggage contraband detection and counterfeit classification, and as an AI Research Intern focused on deepfake detection. Earlier, she developed automation microservices at Tata Consultancy Services. Varsha’s work spans computer vision, anomaly detection, and generative modeling, backed by strong DevOps skills and publications in deep learning–based image captioning.

Rubaina Khan

Fellow

Rubaina Khan, a PhD candidate in Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, is a meticulous engineering educator with over ten years of experience in post-secondary teaching. Specializing in engineering education, she focuses on empathy in engineering, sustainable design, and program evaluation. Rubaina has developed educational programs, led workshops on community and cultural engagement, and coordinated training initiatives for teaching assistants. Her academic and professional journey includes significant contributions to intercultural education and innovative instructional design.

Leda Kuneva, M.Sc.

Fellow

Leda Kuneva holds an MSc in Human Rights from the London School of Economics and Political Science, as well as a joint Honors degree in International Relations and Law from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS University of London). With rich experience delivering impactful research and policy-oriented materials to stakeholders across the public, private, and civil society sectors, she specializes in issues of diversity, equality, non-discrimination, risk and harm, and vulnerability. With over a decade of high-responsibility experience in the non-governmental sector, she has worked extensively with girls and young women on civic education and sport. Her areas of expertise and interest include women’s and children’s rights, Women, Peace, and Security (WPS), International Human Rights Law (IHRL), anti-discrimination and substantive equality, intersectional vulnerability, gender justice, and business and human rights.

Waridah Makena

Fellow

Waridah bridges AI, law, and fintech to build ethical, scalable compliance systems. A certified expert in AI governance, Privacy Operations, Data Protection and Anti-Money Laundering, she’s shaped policy at the United Nations level, drafted corporate policies, implemented KYC/KYB/EDD processes and developed training programs on AI alignment and Governance. She continues to draft policy/implement projects for companies and states ensuring ethical and secure AI integration (KYC screening, Fraud detection tools) and generally, ensure compliance with global regulatory frameworks, including data protection. Reach out for a chat if interested in working together.

Jess Malz, M.A.

Fellow

Jess Malz is an expert facilitator, learning experience designer, and coach. Jess is deeply passionate about creating highly engaging developmental experiences grounded in cutting edge theories and methodologies. Their academic qualifications include a Master of Arts in Human Systems Intervention, and certifications in personal and professional coaching from Concordia University, Theory U, Immunity to Change, Instructional Design and Technology, Liberating Structures, Kaospilots, and Learning Experience Design and Digital Process Design & Facilitation.Jess has worked directly on 200+ projects with world renowned organizations including McGill University, the UN, the Canadian Government, GSOFT, Cirque du Soleil, Zu, C2 Montreal, MILA, OPEN Network, Global Vision, D3 Innovation Hub, and Goalcast. Jess aims to spark deep learning, connection, creativity, and innovation with their clients.

Robert Munjoma, Ph.D.

Junior Fellow

Robert Munjoma is a distinguished AI ethicist and master strategist in organizational transformation, boasting over two decades of multifaceted experience spanning corporate leadership, consulting, and academic research. His expertise lies at the confluence of artificial intelligence, ethical governance, and systemic change, making him a sought-after advisor for governments, multinational corporations, and international organizations. As the author of Mindful Machines, Masterful Humans: The Role of AI, Innovations, and Tech Mastery in Organizational Transformation, Robert delves into the nuanced interplay between technological advancements and human-centric leadership. His work underscores the imperative of aligning AI innovations with ethical frameworks to foster sustainable and inclusive growth.

Allen Munoriyarwa, Ph.D.

Fellow

Dr. Cleo Nyangari Mushonga

Prof Allen Munoriyarwa is an Associate Professor of journalism at Walter Sisulu University in South Africa. His research interests are AI, digital surveillance, digital media ecosystems and practices. He has researched widely on AI and co-authored the first journal article on AI in South Africa’s newsroom. He is co-editing a special issue on AI and journalism practices, which will appear in Journalism Practice. He is also working on several other research projects on AI. His main focus on AI is at the intersection of AI technologies and media/journalism.

Fellow

Dr. Cleopatra Nyangari Mushonga is a seasoned cybersecurity leader with 16+ years of experience in network security, information systems, knowledge management, and project management across academia and industry. She has built and operationalized two enterprise security awareness programs and advanced Governance, Risk & Compliance, Identity and Access Management, and Incident Response initiatives. Holding a DPhil in Information Technology focused on AI-driven text mining for project knowledge discovery, she is certified in CISSP, CompTIA Security+, AWS Cloud Practitioner, and ProofPoint AI/ML. A dedicated mentor and community volunteer, Dr. Cleo promotes cybersecurity awareness and digital literacy while guiding students and professionals toward impactful careers.

Lesley Nzeusseu

Fellow

Lesly (she/her) is a current doctoral student in Industrial & Organizational Psychology at the University of Montreal (QC, Canada). Her research interests revolve around the future of work, DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion), occupational health and safety, and the digital transformation of workplaces, including AI, technology, and hybrid work models. She believes that investing in people and their skills is investing in a better future. With this vision, Lesly aims to reshape the future of work by prioritizing wellbeing, inclusivity, and resilience in a tech-driven world. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering, attending events, and listening to podcasts while exploring the beautiful city of Montréal.

Anil Pantangi

Fellow

Anil Pantangi is a senior product and technology leader working at the intersection of responsible AI, enterprise systems, and human potential. With a background spanning telecom, HR tech, and digital transformation, he has led award-winning innovations in AI-driven platforms that empower career growth and organizational intelligence. Anil is currently focused on building scalable, responsible AI applications in complex environments and exploring the frontiers of quantum AI. Outside of work, he mentors aspiring technologists and speaks globally on AI’s role in shaping meaningful, user-centered experiences. He joins the Aula Fellowship to help shape thoughtful, interdisciplinary dialogue on the future of science and society.

Sukriti Punj

Fellow

A BTech Electronics and Communication Engineering student at Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women (graduating 2026) and current Research Fellow with the Aula Fellowship for AI Science, Tech, and Policy, she is also a Samsung ISWDP Fellow and AnitaB.org Grace Hopper Scholar. Her experience spans an RF Design internship at DRDO, leadership as Head Coordinator for Taarangana and Director of Club Services at Rotaract Club—organizing donation drives, mental-health campaigns, and climate-action initiatives—and development of an IoT intruder detection system using Bolt Microcontroller and Twilio API.

Zachary Rosenthal

Fellow

Zachary Rosenthal holds degrees in history and anthropology from Concordia University. His anthropological degree focused on food access, sustainability, and biotechnological ethics. Zach is a trained Data Analyst and Data Scientist with experience in statistical modeling and machine learning.

Awa Samaké, M.Sc. (3)

Fellow

Awa SAMAKE, a PhD candidate in Computer Science (AI), is a dedicated statistician and data scientist with extensive expertise in AI, genomics, statistics, and data science. She holds multiple advanced degrees, including an MSc in Machine Intelligence from AIMS-Rwanda (in partnership with Google and Meta), an MSc in Probabilities and Random Models from Sorbonne University, and an MSc in Statistics from USTHB-Algiers. Awa’s research interests span genomics, machine learning, deep learning, reinforcement learning, computer vision, fairness, and ethics. She has significant experience working with international teams, contributing to projects in healthcare, agriculture, and education. Awa is also an active community member, involved in various initiatives supporting international students and promoting responsible AI.

Solenne Savoia, M.Sc.

Fellow

Solenne Savoia holds a degree in English, American, and French law, as well as a Master of Science in Business Management. She has been immersed at the intersection of technology and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for over six years. Deeply interested in the societal impact of technology, she participated in the design and launch of the first French summit dedicated to inclusive and sustainable tech in 2018. After years of collaborating with impact-driven entrepreneurs, Solenne joined Mila in January 2023. At Mila, she leads a team managing a portfolio of talent and learning programs in the dynamic field of responsible artificial intelligence. These programs serve a diverse audience—including machine learning researchers, industry practitioners, and policymakers—equipping them with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate and shape a socially beneficial AI landscape.

Dr. Preet Deep Singh

Fellow

Dr. Preet Deep Singh is a Vice President at Apna.Co, a unicorn to match jobs with candidates. He leads Strategy and AI enablement. He was recognised in Global 100 in AI list. He served at Invest India, the national investment promotion agency of India, under Ministry of Commerce and Industry, leading Artificial Intelligence (AI) Adoption for the Government of India. He has been actively involved in promoting the use of AI in public policy. He has trained over 50,000 Government officers including the Prime Minister’s Office to use Generative Artificial. He hosts multiple highly rated courses on Karamyogi portal. Dr. Preet Deep Singh is a Gold Medallist PhD from IIM Ahmedabad. He teaches Blockchain, and Artificial Intelligence IIT Kanpur and IIT Bombay.

Faith Wamalwa, M.A.

Fellow

Faith Wamalwa is a communications and multimedia journalism professional with a strong background in media, public relations and advocacy. She has worked across sectors including media, International Governmental Organisations, healthcare and development helping organisations craft impactful narratives that engage audiences and drive meaningful change. Faith holds a Master’s degree in Digital Journalism and was awarded a Distinction in Student Leadership for her outstanding contribution to student engagement, administration support and institutional development. She is also a two-time grantee of the Henry Nxumalo Foundation for investigating international crimes. She is passionate about the intersection of communication, digital media and emerging technologies, particularly the artificial intelligence (AI) ethics and inclusivity as well as the use of AI in driving credible and impactful narratives. Faith brings creativity, strategic insight and a commitment to equity into her work with experience leading content strategies, digital campaigns, advocacy and stakeholder engagement. She currently serves as the Vice Chair at the Network for Media and PR Women and actively contributes to projects advancing civic space, gender equity, good governance and media research in East Africa and Africa.

Emmanuel Taiwo, M.Sc.

Fellow