Blog

Patrick is a 2016 BKI grad who is working at RBC as Senior Manager, Tech Partnerships. Prior to this role, Patrick completed his Knowledge Integration degree with a Collaborative Design Specialization, then went on to complete a Masters of Environment and Sustainability from Western University. 

Patrick started his career in the RBC Amplify Program. He also led social impact programs and national charitable relationships for RBC Future Launch & RBC Foundation as Manager, Social Impact for RBC Corporate Citizenship.

Click on Patrick's profile to learn more about his story!

Karissa is a 2019 BKI grad working as a User Experience Designer for Kognitiv Corporation. During her time at Waterloo, Karissa completed two Joint majors with Knowledge Integration and Psychology, along with a Fine Arts Studio Minor and the Collaborative Design Specialization. She went on to complete a Master of Digital Experience Innovation (MDEI) at Waterloo.

In her current role, Karissa utilizes her design thinking and collaborative skills from KI to help her clients build deeper customer relationships using Kognitiv’s AI-powered technology.

Click on Karissa's profile to learn more about her story!

In her last year of Knowledge Integration, Léa participated in ocean field work in Eastern Canada as part of the Waterloo course ERS 374: Oceans, Human Impacts & Sustainability. 

Léa reminisces, "My perspective on the world has been impacted by this course and I’ll never forget the connections I made with the professors, other students on the course and with the professionals we met along the way."

Erin is a 2020 BKI grad working as a Programs Manager at GreenHouse, a social impact incubator housed at United College at the University of Waterloo. In this role, Erin supports students working on projects with social and environmental impact.

She says, "I use KI skills every day to help students collaborate, think creatively, and solve complex problems. Plus, I get to work with a few current KI students!"

Jesse is a 2014 BKI grad who is working as a pilot at Porter Airlines. Jesse also has a side company, SharpeAero, that’s redefining Canadian flight training resources.

Jesse shares his gratitude about his KI design-thinking skill: "Canada’s training resources really needed some design thinking incorporated into them - thank you KI!​"

Kaleigh is a 2012 BKI grad who is working as a veterinarian at the Center for Bird and Exotic Animal Medicine, in Bothell, Washington. Kaleigh brings together the science of medicine, human psychology, animal behaviour, technology to construct prosthetic, perform surgery, and problem solve to do the best for their patients. Kaleigh shares, "KI set me up to be a great doctor and team member in the clinic."

Matthew is a 2021 BKI grad working as an Operations Coordinator, Terminal and Passenger at the YYC Calgary Airport Authority.

He shares, "My time in KI provided me with so many skills that I continue to use every day in my work. With an environment as logistically complex as an airport, collaboration, effective communication, and comfort with ambiguity have been key to my success in this role!"

Melanie is a 2016 BKI grad working as an Events & Partnerships Officer at the Southlake Foundation. In this non-profit even space, Melanie works to raise funds for a local hospital.

She shares, "With the diverse background KI fostered, I have been able to form great working relationships with staff at the hospital, our donors, and others in the community looking to give back. I have been able to navigate the world of virtual events and transition back to in person while still supporting the healthcare needs of the community."

Caroline is a 2013 BKI grad working as a Senior Policy Analyst in the Foreign Policy Planning branch of Global Affairs Canada. In this role, Caroline provides non-partisan expertise, advice, and policy development at Canada's foreign ministry. She works with a team creating policy pieces for audiences as diverse as the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, academic and civil society partners, and senior management of Canada's foreign service.

Click on Caroline's profile to learn more about her story!

Kyla is a 2018 BKI grad who is working as an English Second Language (ESL) Teacher at the Collège de Montréal. Kyla shares, "I am challenging my students to solve problems and make connections while I learn to navigate working in my second language and finding efficient and effective ways to teach. My students love being challenged to think broadly and creatively.​"