Cassandra Hayward is studying at the Balsillie School of International Affairs in the Masters of Global Governance. Cassandra holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of King’s College in Political Science and Environment, Sustainability and Society. For the past two years Cassandra has volunteered as a member of Food Secure Canada’s Youth Caucus’s executive Committee. Her experiences have led to her engagement with the United Nations Committee on Global Food Security over the past year.

Throughout her undergraduate degree, Cassandra developed an interest in food security, agricultural development and just climate policy. In her thesis, Cassandra studied the food insecurity rate and variables contributing to food insecurity within the undergraduate students at the University of King’s College. Her thesis reflects her desire to conduct applicable research within the food ecosystem.

Outside of the classroom, Cassandra began her journey learning about food insecurity and agricultural development in Ghana, through the 4-H program. Later she was a delegate representing Canada at the Youth Agricultural Summit in Belgium, 2017. While there she was a member of the winning group of the conference innovation competition, on the idea of AgriKUA. The concept was to create an online platform to provide free agricultural education for women and girls, which has been piloted.