Sana Amjad

Hello! My name is Sana Amjad, my pronouns are she/her. I graduated with B.Sc. (Hons) in Economics and Mathematics in 2010 and worked with World Vision in Pakistan managing development aid/ relief programs for disaster affected communities. I moved to Winnipeg in 2013 for my M.A in Economics from the University of Winnipeg. Soon after graduating I started working with the Provincial Government of Manitoba as a Policy Analyst. During my seven years with government, I worked across different departments. My work contributed towards doing economic evidence-based research and developing sustainable policies and procedures related to employment, education and training of low-income individuals/families, by interpreting legislation, regulation and existing policies. I have led, planned and developed complex policies and programs including a new income support program for persons with disabilities. As of 2021 I work as a Senior Advisor for the Government Relations team at the Canadian Real Estate Association. With my new job I am excited to learn more about the impact of housing policy on the social determinants of health and the methods of advocacy. I am passionate about researching and developing social policies that can help low-income communities get the services they need to help them get off the generational poverty cycle. To pursue this, I started my PhD at the Community Health Science Department of the University of Manitoba in Fall 2020. My supervisor is Dr. Evelyn Forget. I have been a SPECTRUM Fellow since summer 2021. SPECTRUM has given me the opportunity to be able to polish my research skills and network with other academic and non-academic stakeholders. When I’m not busy with work and school, I like to use my free time to read, go on long urban hikes and travel (when possible).