Our Challenge Team

Julie is responsible for developing partnerships and building capacity for the Federal government to use outcomes-based funding approaches, including Challenge Prizes and pay-for-success projects. Her team’s current portfolio of projects span social determinants of health, environment and inclusion.

Before joining the Privy Council Office, Julie was a key designer of an innovative chronic disease program, which was an early adopter in using matched funding with the private sector and pay-for-results methods. She co-led a program of research to explore these types of partnerships, and has jointly published several papers in this field. Previously, Julie worked to advance tobacco control and mental health initiatives, and has always been passionate about understanding how to motivate and measure behaviour change.

Julie was educated at the University of Ottawa, holds a Master's Degree in Education (Counselling), a Bachelor of Social Science, and spent early years in her career working in clinical and community settings. Raised in the federal Health Portfolio, with feet firmly planted in policy, program and research positions, she is looking to further contribute to the systemization of public sector innovation.

Currently, she works with the Space Exploration Strategic Planning team at the Canadian Space Agency and oversees the development and implementation of the Deep Space Food Challenge. Prior to joining the government, Clélia worked with Desjardins’ innovation lab to apply social innovation concepts to the business world and the financial industry, and developed open innovation projects like Coopérathon. Her goal is to act as a tri-sector athlete, by connecting and working with the private, public and social sectors on important societal issues. Clélia is also a board member of two Montreal-based organizations, Esplanade and Institut du Nouveau Monde. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Sciences and International Development Studies from McGill University.

In his role as a fellow, he has been supporting AAFC to incentivize innovation in the food sector to strengthen food systems, advance technologies, and address food insecurity. Before joining the Privy Council Office, Mohamed was an Education Specialist at the World Bank, where he led the design and implementation of large-scale education programs. He managed large portfolios covering more than $500 million in financing for education reform in the Middle East and Africa regions. He co-led several research programs, including impact evaluations; and worked on introducing innovative financing instruments, including outcomes-based financing, public-private partnerships, and pay-for-success instruments. Mohamed has worked in over ten countries across North America, the Middle-East, North Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa. He holds a Master’s degree in Learning, Design, and Technology from Stanford University and a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering from the American University of Beirut.

In this role, Brad is leading the development of a challenge prize that will stimulate innovation and growth of remote healthcare technologies. Brad has an MBA from the Schulich School of Business, with a specialization in Social Innovation. Prior to joining the Public Service, Brad spent time supporting social enterprises, both in a leadership role and as a consultant, and is passionate about leveraging outcomes and incentives to drive change.