Scholars to Leaders: A Panel Discussion with PhD Alumni
Are you a doctoral student wondering where PhD graduates can find work beyond academia? Do you want to hear from those who have successfully found non-academic jobs and learn about their experience with job searching, applications, interviews, and getting comfortable in an unfamiliar work environment? Join us for a panel discussion with PhD alumni who have walked this path and found success in diverse fields. Confirmed panelists include:
Dr. Douwere (Douré) Grékou, Senior Policy Officer, Privy Council Office (PhD Economics 2013). Douré ("Dew-ray") is a Senior Policy Officer in the Liaison Secretariat for Macroeconomic Policy at the Privy Council Office (PCO, the department that supports the work of the Prime Minister of Canada) leading various economic files that include productivity, international trade and housing. Douré had previously spent nearly a decade at Statistics Canada where he held several positions including Chief of Dissemination for the Census and Senior Economist. Douré is a founding member and co-chair of the Black Voices and Resources Network at PCO. Douré grew up in Côte d'Ivoire (West Africa) and moved to Canada in 1999 to pursue his university studies. He is a trained economist with a Bachelor from McGill University, a Master from Université de Montréal and a PhD from Western University.
Dr. Jillian Bracken, Community Arts & Culture Manager, City of Lethbridge, AB (PhD Music 2015). Jillian Bracken completed a Ph.D. in music education at Western. She also holds an M.M. (Ethnomusicology) and M.S. (Education) from Florida State University, and a B.M. (Honours, Music Education) from Western. Jillian currently works as the Community Arts and Culture Manager for the City of Lethbridge, AB. She is an active singer and pianist recently seen on stage as Yente in the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra's production of Fiddler on the Roof, as Judas in a University of Lethbridge production of Jesus Christ Superstar, in Elf with New West Theatre, and behind the scenes as music director for Footloose and The Full Monty (Lethbridge Musical Theatre.) Jillian has experience performing, coaching, and collaborating in many different creative contexts. She is married to a music theory professor (also a 2x UWO alum!) and has two school-aged children.
Dr. Farrah Nakhaie, Program Manager - Community Investments, Ontario Trillium Foundation (PhD English 2022). Farrah Nakhaie is currently a Program Manager, Community Investments, at the Ontario Trillium Foundation. She obtained her PhD in English Literature from Western University in 2022 and entered the non-profit sector in Human and Social Services as Project Coordinator, WE Value Partnership, at the YMCA of Southwestern Ontario.
Dr. Ryley Yost, Biology Research Scientist, Aspire Food Group (PhD Biology, 2023). Ryley Yost graduated from Western with a BSc in Biology in 2017 and PhD Biology in 2023. He worked for SGPS at Western following his PhD and is now a research scientist at Aspire Food Group. Aspire is a cricket farm producing protein for consumption. Ryley’s current research involves achieving higher and more quality yield, and working primarily on a breeding program to further Aspire’s corporate goals.
Dr. Sandra Lopez Zamora, Senior Manager – Data Strategy and Analytics, Scotiabank (PhD Engineering, 2021).
