During our Spotlight on MPPGA Alumni Careers series, meet the UBC Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs (MPPGA) alumni who are committed to addressing pressing and complex public policy and global affairs challenges facing communities around the world.
Today, we are featuring Kingsley Eze (‘21) who currently works as a Senior Consultant in the Climate Change and Sustainability Practice at Ernst & Young (EY).
SPPGA: Could you please tell us a little about yourself, your background, and how you became interested in public policy and global affairs?
My name is Kingsley Eze. I was born in Nigeria and grew up in Nigeria and Canada. For as long as I can remember, I have been interested in public policy and global affairs because policies have always impacted my life one way or the other. Prior to attending graduate school at UBC, I worked for a global Asset Management Company, where my roles sometimes involved analyzing impact of policies and leadership decisions from a people perspective.
It was at this point, I realized that understanding how policy originates is critical, leading me to the MPPGA program.
SPPGA: Were there experiences you had during the MPPGA program that directly or indirectly contributed to your career journey?
Two of the opportunities in particular that contributed to my career journey was a Research Assistantship and the Global Policy Project.
I was fortunate to be the Research Assistant at the UBC Policy Studio under Prof. Moura Quayle’s guidance. This opportunity allowed me to explore solutions to complex policy problems (or what Prof. Quayle refers to as wicked problems) using the strategic design approach.
For the Global Policy Project, it was a rewarding experience because my team and I worked with the Squamish Nation on the information-gathering stage of their climate action plan. This project was very dear to me and timely as the impact of climate change is being disproportionately faced by different communities like the Squamish. This opportunity allowed me to hone my problem-solving skills while learning from the community culturally.
SPPGA: What was your Co-op position and what were your key takeaways? Did this position change how you think about your skills and career path or interests?
My Co-op experience was with the US State Department at the US Consulate in Vancouver. As a political economic intern, I was able to observe and participate in foreign policy implementation. This role exposed me to diplomacy, foreign policy, and how foreign policy impacts domestic policy. Some of the major highlights was reviewing US Canada border policies during the Covid-19 pandemic and the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) ratification.
SPPGA: Please describe your current role. What makes you proud about this work?
I am a Senior Consultant in the Climate Change and Sustainability Practice at Ernst & Young (EY). EY is a global professional services company. My role within the practice primarily involves working with businesses and governments to align their strategies and help them meet their environmental, social and governance.
I am proud of this work because to make the monumental social change needed, all stakeholders (public, private, and civil society) must play to part. My work at EY allows me to contribute to efforts that range from decarbonization and climate change-related efforts to ESG strategies. The policy impact of this role is the ability to support stakeholders in identifying and understanding the pathways required for sustainability policies, regulations, and disclosures across sectors.
SPPGA: What specific knowledge, skills, and/or networks did you gain in the MPPGA program that help you succeed in this role?
I gained many transferable skills from the MPPGA program, ranging from research skills, report writing, presentation skills, and questioning techniques to critical thinking and problem-solving. The MPPGA prepares you to ask the right questions, synthesize the information, and produce digestible outputs. An example of this is the skill of writing policy briefs – a process that involves taking a complex topic and condensing it into one page.
SPPGA: What is your career advice for current MPPGA students and new graduates?
The program offers many learning opportunities such as speaker series, events, and courses. Take advantage of these opportunities and ask questions because you will be exposed to things that might interest you. Finally, connect with the staff and faculty at SPPGA; they are very supportive and always want to see you succeed! They also help you in imagining what your journey can be.
Thank you for sharing your experiences and expertise!
