Craig Damian Smith, PhD

Co-Founder, Executive Director & Principal Investigator

Craig earned his PhD in Political Science from the University of Toronto, and leads Pairity’s programs. His research examines global migration governance, irregular migration, and refugee integration. He is a Research Affiliate at the Centre for Refugee Studies, York University, and the Global Migration Lab at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, University of Toronto.

Gotam Bhardwaj, P. Eng.

Co-Founder, Director of Engineering

Gotam is a Professional Engineer (P. Eng.) with 15 years of software project lifecycle experience, using many of today’s leading technology platforms. He has experience in the education, labour market, and cyber-security sectors, in addition to working with various volunteer and advocacy organizations.

Radboud Reijn

Co-Founder, Director of Operations

Radboud has over 15 years of experience in Public Affairs, and has established a broad network in EU Institutions, all levels of government, civil society, and the private sector. His work with Pairity involves building coalitions and driving policy change.

Salif Jaiteh, PhD

Data Science & Algorithm Lead

Salif earned his PhD in Political Science at Columbia University, New York. He conducts a variety of quantitative research in the Political Economy of Development. He helps lead Pairity’s algorithm and data science initiatives.

Laura Celeste, PhD

Quantitative Research Lead

Laura earned her PhD in Social and Cultural Psychology from the University of Leuven, Belgium. Her research focuses on the social inclusion and wellbeing of immigrants and equity deserving groups across Europe, the US, and Canada. She helps lead Pairity’s M&E frameworks, data collection, and reporting to stakeholders and the broader public.

Ahmed Ezzeldin Mohamed, PhD

Algorithm Engineer & Data Analyst

Ahmed earned his PhD in Political Science from Columbia University, New York. His research examines the intersection between politics, economics, and culture with a particular interest in policy-making processes. He helps implement Pairity’s matching systems and provides insights into matching data.

Prof. Dr. Julie Birkholz, PhD

Assistant Professor

Julie is an Assistant Professor Digital Humanities at the Ghent University, Belgium. She specializes in quantitative social network analysis to systematically compare the effect of contexts, network structures and outcomes.

Anna Hogrebe

Communications Advisor

Anna is a Corporate Communications and Public Relations professional with over 15 years of international experience in media, technology and healthcare. She specializes in media and stakeholder relations. 

Mustafa Alio

Policy Advisor

Mustafa is the Co-Managing Director of R-SEAT, advocating for refugee inclusion in global policy-making. He was previously a co-founder and Managing Director of Jumpstart Refugee Talent, an organization devoted to the economic inclusion of refugees. He advises Pairity on policy development and inclusive design.

Andrew Lusztyk

Programme Advisor

Andrew is the Co-Director of Together Project in Toronto, Canada – an organization which matches volunteers with resettled refugees. He specializes in designing, implementing, and evaluating programs that engage and activate communities to drive purposeful social impact. His work has often bridged the gap between the private, public, and social sectors, and has included projects across Europe, Africa, and North America. 

Michael Gagnon, CPA, CMA

Co-Founder, Director of Finance

Mike brings over 15 years of insight from the technology field. Most recently, he spent 7 years as the Controller for Shopify, where he helped lead private financing rounds toward their wildly successful IPO in 2015. Mike is a graduate of Western University and is a designated CPA, CMA.