Dear Friends of the Dais,

On April 28, 2025, our Executive Director, Karim Bardeesy, was elected as the new Member of Parliament for the west Toronto riding of Taiaiako'n–Parkdale–High Park.

Our heartfelt congratulations to Karim! This is a true testament to his enduring dedication, vision, and leadership to Canada and its people. Karim will be leaving the Dais and Toronto Metropolitan University this week, as he takes up his duties full-time in the riding and in Parliament. (Please see below for a letter from Karim to the Dais community).

André Côté continues to serve as Interim Executive Director of the Dais. And in this time of change and opportunity, we will continue to lead the important work of developing bold policies and better leaders at the intersection of technology, education and democracy. If you want to join us, we’re hiring a Director of Partnerships (apply here by May 21). This is more than a leadership role, it’s a chance to help shape the next chapter of our story.

As Karim said when we launched the Dais:

“...Here’s what this time could be: an era of tremendous promise and innovation. One that empowers people. A time in which, if we get with the program, Canada can lead.”

Karim, we wish you every success in your new role. You’ve left a mark that won’t fade—on students and current and future leaders, on the national policy landscape, on our organization and on all of us lucky enough to serve beside you.

With deepest thanks and affection,

The Daisies

🌼🌼🌼

A letter from Karim

Dear friends of the Dais,

My heart is full as I reflect on all those who have helped make the Dais at Toronto Metropolitan University possible.

Thank you Mohamed Lachemi for investing in this idea of a new leadership institute at what was then Ryerson University, and for connecting me to Shoaib Ahmed, who together with Sam Andrey helped launch and grow the Leadership Lab. In 2023, with the support of Glenn Craney, the Dais was formed out of the merger of the Leadership Lab and the Brookfield Institute, which was founded by Sean Mullin.

President Lachemi has been a steadfast supporter in my eight years at TMU, and his leadership makes our work possible. Thanks to Provost Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano, Assistant Vice-President John MacRitchie, and their teams for their ongoing support of the Dais.

To our project partners, collaborators in government, civil society, the private sector, unions and academia: thank you for working with us to develop the people and ideas we need to make policy impact.

To the champions of the Dais on our advisory board, and to colleagues around Toronto
Metropolitan University who opened doors, shared your insight, and helped embed our work within the university: thank you for believing in the promise of the Dais.

To my students: I grew so much from meeting you, learning from you, and being inspired by you – much more than anything I might have “taught” you.

And to all the Daisies past and present, as well as colleagues from our predecessors the
Leadership Lab and the Brookfield Institute: thank you for contributing to, and building the best policy think tank team that I know. Your passion, your creativity, and your commitment have built a better Canada.

The Dais has just turned two years old. And the Dais is in strong hands. Interim Executive Director André Côté is an experienced and committed leader who understands intimately both our mission and how to achieve it. He and the rest of the Daisies (including the Dais directors currently on year-long leaves, as they pursue other professional and personal opportunities) are an incredible team. They bring policy depth and sharp analysis; an ability to partner; a hunger to develop new talent; connection to policy makers, academia and community; design and communications brilliance; operational excellence; and a fervent desire to connect people to the power that shapes our country.

Finally, the Dais is needed more than ever. Our mission is to help create a Canada of more shared prosperity, and a greater sense of shared citizenship. Technological change can make this future state more possible, or more out of reach. More than ever, we need evidence-based policy and research; inclusive leadership development programs; and welcoming convening activities. And more than ever, we need bold ideas and better leaders in the domains of economic, education and democracy policy to realize that Canada.

It's been a privilege leading the founding and growth of the Dais. I know its work, and the work of all the Daisies, will mark Canada for decades to come.

Yours truly,

Karim Bardeesy

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