The Alumni Magazine of UWC South East Asia
Vol 23 May 2026
Beyond the final
curtain, the real
performance begins.
Explore how our alumni
navigate change, find
meaning in every
transition and purpose in
every new act.
THE
SCRIPT
REWRITING
Inside
ONE° NORTH
01
HELLO FROM THE ALUMNI TEAM
Finding the space in between scenes
03
MESSAGE FROM HEAD OF COLLEGE
Nick Alchin on theatre, empathy, and the quiet art of world-making
LIFE’S CHANGING ROOMS
Peruvian scholar and university professor
in the fields of theatre and performance
studies, Enzo Vasquez Toral ’10 reflects
on embracing life’s “changing rooms”
05
Cover story
ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE
Elisha Beston ’14 comes full circle from stage to the front of
the classroom
“The challenge ahead
is how, as alumni, we
cultivate a notion of
diversity that encompasses
peace and sustainability
while addressing the
centuries-long systems of
exclusion.”
Enzo Vasquez Toral ’10
May 2026
One°North is published by UWC South East Asia
annually for alumni, staff and friends of UWCSEA.
Reproduction in any manner is prohibited
without written consent.
We welcome your feedback;
please send comments, suggestions for
future issues and/or address updates to
alumnimagazine@uwcsea.edu.sg
Editor: Rae Omar
Contributors: Sarah Begum, Joanne Cheong,
Cristina Obordo and Ashima Thomas
Featured Profiles: With thanks to the alumni
featured in this issue for their time and
contribution
Photography: Elena Bell, Joseph Tan,
Jules Wainwright and members of the
alumni community
Design: Ashley Chew and Nandita Gupta
Printed on FSC paper | MDDI (P) 012/11/2025 | ALUMNI-2526
REMEMBER
WHEN?
From a humble
fountain to the
Tent Plaza we
know today
21
11
THROWBACK TO REUNIONS
Elevating alumni gatherings through professional
connection
13
PUBLIC SERVICE, THE UWCSEA WAY
Varun Srivatsan ’14 at the intersection of politics
and policies
15
BEYOND THE SCHOLARSHIP
Creating a ripple effect of impact that influences
communities across the world
17
FIXING THE SYSTEM BEHIND OUR
FOOD
Nicole Yaw ’14 on systems thinking and fixing the
global food chain
19
DESIGN FOR THE FUTURE, ROOTED IN
THE PAST
Alumni architect Andrew O’Donnell ’94 designs
the future of Dover Campus
26
LIFE UNDER THE
ETERNAL SUN
Sarah Gaier ’17 explores
"White Mars" and the science
of human isolation
29
ICONIC COLLEGE
EVENTS
A walk through an epic school
year at UWCSEA
31
FINDING YOUR PLACE IN
NATURE
Shukura Babirye ’17 creates a
sense of belonging in the wild
through the Moja Collective
33
WHAT WOULD YOU
DO IF YOU KNEW YOU
COULDN’T FAIL?
Alumni graduation speaker
Zal Dastur ’01 challenges the
Class of 2025 to embrace the
unknown
34
ALUMNI GIVES BACK
Alumni mentors bridge the
gap between school and the
real world to inspire the next
generation
37
UWCSEA CAREERS
PROGRAMME GOES
FULL CIRCLE
How students are bringing
boardroom skills back to the
classroom and campus
COVER
University professor in theatre
and performance studies Enzo
Vasquez Toral ’10 goes back
stage and into the costume
room at Dover Campus’
Drama Department
THE WAY OF LIFE
HAS NO PERFECT
ANSWER
Gus O’Brien ’20 looks
back on uncertainty,
adventure, and the
way of life in Samoa
23
HELLO
F I N D I N G T H E S PA C E I N B E T W E E N S C E N E S
from your
from your
ALUMNI TEAM
Dear Alumni,
In this issue of OneºNorth, the alumni we feature remind us that life is rarely a straight line. It is a journey of discovery
often filled with uncertainty. We’ve followed our alumni to the ends of the earth—from the quiet beauty of Samoa to
the icy frontiers of Antarctica. Whether they are shaping the arts, serving in public office, reimagining sustainable food
systems, or designing the very campus that once shaped them, they are all navigating the “space in between” with the
familiar UWCSEA compass.
Heart and Soul of the Alumni Team
We are also celebrating the 14 years that
our wonderful Siti Aminah has spent on the
Alumni Team.
If you’ve ever returned to campus for a tour
or a reunion, you’ve likely felt Siti’s magic.
She has a way of making you feel like you
never left. But more than her tours, we will
miss her spirit. Siti is the kind of person you
hear before you see—her laughter can be
heard from a mile away, and it’s a sound that
immediately makes you feel at home.
They say you’ll never forget how someone
made you feel. For many of our alumni, the
memory of returning home to UWCSEA
is wrapped up in Siti’s smile and that
unmistakable laugh.
As we look back on her 14 years with us,
it feels especially meaningful to share our
appreciation with her. If you’d like to send
her a message, please write to
alumni@uwcsea.edu.sg
Message Board for Siti Aminah
Message Board for Siti Aminah
“I’ve been thinking about you and all the
memories from our time on the Student Alumni
Council. You’ve always had this incredible way
of lighting up a room—so positive, so funny, and
effortlessly making people smile!
I just want you to know how much I miss you
and how often you’re on my mind. You are
genuinely one of the strongest people I know and
I have so much admiration for you.”
Forever Siti's angel,
Mai-Khanh Pham ’17
MAI-KHANH
PICTURED FOURTH
FROM RIGHT IN
THE SEATED ROW
WITH THE STUDENT
ALUMNI COUNCIL
IN 2016
May 2026 OneºNorth 2
The Next Act
As you turn these pages, we hope they
carry you back to where you’ve been, and
forward to all that’s still unfolding. Just
as our campus is being reimagined for
the future, may these stories inspire you
to step into the next scenes of your own
journey. We’ll meet you in this space again
for the next act.
Until next time,
Your Story, Part of Our Story
– Stay in touch with us on
UWCSEA Connect!
We’d love to hear from you—whether
it’s a story, memory or special
moment from your time at UWCSEA.
Drop us a message at alumni@
uwcsea.edu.sg and you might be
featured in our next Alumni eBrief, or
even in One°North!
“More than ten years now since
working together on alumni reunions,
power reports and career days, but
your amazing personality and humour
left an imprint that makes it feel like
yesterday. You are a truly awesome
person, Siti A, and will always have a
special place in my heart. Thank you
for all the energy, light and friendship.”
Sona Lippmann, former Alumni
Relations Manager
SONA WITH THE STUDENT ALUMNI
COUNCIL IN 2013
“Thank you for always taking care
of me and every UWCSEA Alumni! I
always look forward to catching up on
school visits and reunions, because you
are as UWC as I am!”
Sending you much love and strength,
Paul Foster ’99
PAUL PICTURED MIDDLE AT REUNION 2019
Tina, Rae, and Siti
Tina, Rae, and Siti
There is a moment in any good piece
of theatre when the audience forgets
it is an audience. The lights, the seats,
the programme in your lap—all of it
falls away, and for a few seconds you
are somewhere else entirely, seeing
through someone else's eyes. It is
a small act of imagination. But the
capacity to inhabit another person's
experience, even briefly, even
imperfectly, turns out to matter quite
a lot.
This year's cover feature explores what
that capacity can become. Enzo Vasquez
Toral graduated from Dover Campus in
2010 and is now a professor of theatre
and performance studies at the University
of Texas at Austin. He writes about
performance as what he calls "world-
making"—the idea that theatre does not
merely reflect the world but actively
imagines alternatives to it. His piece
traces a path from his arrival in Singapore
as a National Committee scholar from
Peru, through a career he did not plan,
to research examining how performance
can create spaces of belonging for
communities too often excluded.
The other alumni in this issue have
taken very different paths—into politics,
research, theatre, conservation, food,
community—but world-making seems
the right word for what they are doing
too. Each arrived somewhere that couldn't
have been predicted at graduation, which
is, I think, entirely as it should be.
W H A T T H E
C O U L D B E
WORLD
Message from the Head of College,
NICK ALCHIN
May 2026 OneºNorth 4
No school can claim full credit for the
adults its students become, and I am wary
of the argument when I hear it made too
confidently. But a school can take seriously
the question of what conditions make such
lives possible—what it means to send young
people out with the habit of asking what
the world could be, and the conviction that
the answer is worth pursuing.
What we cannot do is prepare them for
the specific life that awaits. The self a
student builds here—confident, adaptable,
purposeful—will be tested and reshaped
by experiences that no curriculum can
anticipate. Some of our alumni will find
that the very qualities which made them
successful in their twenties become the
things they need to question in their
thirties. This is a sign that education is
something that keeps giving across a
lifetime; that it allows students to grow,
not remain static. What school can give—
and what we try hardest to give—is the
habit of self-examination: the reflex of
asking who you are and what you are
actually for. That is the root of world-
making. And it grows not in classrooms
but in relationships and conversations,
in the encounters and experiences that
stay with you long after the timetable
is forgotten. Reading these stories, I am
struck less by what we gave these alumni
than by what they have done with it. The
world-making, in the end, has been theirs.
“What school can give—and
what we try hardest to give—is
the habit of self-examination:
the reflex of asking who you are
and what you are actually for.”
CHANGING
ROOMS
L I F E ' S
Enzo Vasquez Toral ’10 reflects on theatre, identity and
the spaces that shape who we become.
May 2026 OneºNorth 6
For Enzo, theatre has long been more than
performance—it is a way of exploring
identity, transformation and the roles we
take on in life. The roots of his work trace
back to UWCSEA, where he arrived in
2008 as the College’s first scholar from
Peru. Experiences such as launching a
Global Concerns initiative, participating
in Initiative for Peace, and mentorship
from teachers like Mallika Ramdas
and Mirna Moctezuma-Trigg helped
define his commitment to amplifying
underrepresented voices.
After graduating, Enzo received a full
scholarship to Harvard before continuing
his studies at Princeton and Northwestern.
Today, he is an award-winning scholar
and professor at the University of Texas
at Austin, researching how performance
illuminates social and cultural change
across Latin America. In the reflection that
follows, he considers the “changing rooms”
that shape who we become.
In theatre, the dressing room is a space of change. By consciously
stepping into a character, the actor uses clothing as a first step
toward creating an illusion on stage. If “all the world’s a stage,” as the
Shakespearean saying goes, then what and where are the dressing
rooms, or rather, life’s changing rooms, that we inhabit daily as
performers in the world?
In 2008, I arrived in Singapore as the first National Committee scholar
from Peru to attend UWCSEA. There, I encountered my first changing
room: a new language, a myriad of opportunities, and global cultural
diversity. As the son of a single mother, I felt overwhelmed and often
undeserving, having grown up in restricted circumstances. I wore the
idea of potential as my daily dress, so I embraced a future-oriented
self while remaining attuned to a childhood lesson to never take things
for granted.
I left UWCSEA determined to study medicine. That decision was short-
lived. I was, literally and figuratively, thrown back into a dressing/
changing room when I embraced a career in theatre and research.
Several years later, I am now a professor in this field, but the path was
far from linear. I learned to embrace change as an opportunity, rather
than a demand for transformation.
Performance as World-Making
The power of theatre extends far beyond entertainment. Like other
art forms, theatre invites reflection and imagines different realities.
Change lies at its core: as a story transforms before an audience’s
eyes, so too might the audience’s perception about the world. As a
researcher, I have led projects examining theatre and society in Latin
America, from political theatre in Brazil to traditional theatre and
dance forms in the Andean region of South America most recently.
Throughout my work with performance and theatre artists on the
ground, I have infused my collaborations with a holistic mindset
that I began to nurture in the halls of UWCSEA. Particularly, I have
considered performance both as a lens through which to view society
and an artistic expression where alternative worlds could be imagined.
Over almost a decade, I have reconnected with my old passion with
folkloric dance, something I left behind when I moved to Singapore. As
I have danced in traditional fiestas and carnivals in Peru and Bolivia, I
have developed new vocabulary to understand how and where change
occurs. In working with LGBTQ communities exploring dance as a
mode of expression, performance emerged as a world-making practice.
My current scholarship narrates our stories of dancing together
and carving spaces for ourselves within heteronormative national
landscapes.
Diversity Beyond Culture
I vividly remember spaces such as UN Night, where sharing national
customs created joyful moments at UWCSEA. We celebrated global
perspectives, diverse cultures, and individual traditions, which are
central to the college’s mission and social fabric. As I appreciated
7 OneºNorth May 2026
cultures different from my own, I also developed critical thinking skills
that have since guided my research on performance. Within national
contexts, my work as a scholar examines how cultural expressions
deemed representative of local or national identity can also
paradoxically serve as spaces of exclusion. Who gets a seat at the table
of national and cultural imaginaries? Which identities are celebrated,
essentialised, exoticised, or pushed aside?
As an educator working at the intersection of the humanities and
the social sciences, I am constantly challenged to expand and
account for intersectional forms of diversity. I encourage students to
consider their lived experiences as sources of knowledge shaped by
intersecting privilege and oppression. Diversity is thus not a passive
concept; it is a product of processes that have made us who we are
and the hierarchies that we embody daily. In a way, I invite myself and
others not to romanticise difference. Instead, difference becomes a
tool for addressing unequal pasts and presents and for confronting
patriarchalism, homophobia, racism, and xenophobia.
In the education world, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ)
initiatives have played a key role in helping us reckon with our uneven
social landscapes. Yet these initiatives have also faced resistance,
particularly amid recent funding cuts in higher education. The
metaphor of the changing room feels especially apt: diversity may no
longer be something we proudly wear but rather a target. The secrecy
of the changing room, spaces where we also get to hide parts of
ourselves, may become necessary.
On my recent visit to UWCSEA, I was thrilled to learn about
current DEIJ initiatives absent during my time. The College
is indeed in a privileged position to demystify diversity by
expanding the concept beyond cultural difference. The challenge
ahead is how, as alumni, we cultivate a notion of diversity that
both encompasses and extends commitments to peace and
sustainability while actively addressing the centuries-long systems
of exclusion that only seem to intensify across the world every day.
GENERATIONS
A C O N V E R S AT I O N A C R O S S
Fifteen years after his
own time at the College,
Enzo sat down with
two current Peruvian
scholars—Jessi (Grade 12)
and Samikai (Grade 11)—
for a candid discussion
on identity, the realities
of boarding life, and the
shared highs and hurdles
that connect past and
present scholars.
May 2026 OneºNorth 8
Samikai: Coming from Peru, the
education system here feels so
different. How did you handle
that shift?
In Peru, we often cover many subjects but
perhaps not as deeply. The IB forces you
to go very deep into just a few. My biggest
piece of advice is to ask for help. I went
to my teachers, my counsellors, and my
house parents. I had to learn how to study
specifically for the IB, which is so different
from studying in Peru. Don’t try to figure it
out alone; it will just take you longer.
Lastly, understand the "go-getter" and
competitive culture. Once I realised that, I
stopped feeling like I was being left behind
and started finding my own rhythm.
Jessi: Enzo, how did you navigate
your identity as a scholar while
also trying to find your place in
such a new environment?
It was a massive learning curve. I found
myself navigating two distinct worlds: the
boarding house, which was close-knit and
filled with fellow scholars, and the day-
school world from 8am to 3pm.
As a scholar, you become a "cultural
ambassador," and sometimes you
accidentally lean into stereotypes or
tropes that people expect of Peru because
you want to be liked or understood. I
wish I’d known how to be a more genuine
ambassador from day one.
For the first year, I struggled. Not because
I wasn't welcome, but because the social
spheres were so dissimilar. My day-student
friends lived in houses in Singapore; they
were "expats," a term I didn’t even know
yet. I had to learn what it meant to be an
immigrant versus an expat. Eventually, I
blended my academic and social identities,
but my deepest connections remained
with those who, like me, inhabited a
space far from home. It taught me to be
"culturally attuned" to understand the
different ways people exist when they are
away from their roots.
Jessi: What do you wish you had
known in Grade 11, and what do
you wish you’d known before
graduating in Grade 12?
I’ll be honest, I still haven’t fully cracked
the code on balance! In Grade 11, I did
a horrible job. I burned out because
I felt I had to study constantly just
to keep up, especially since English
wasn't my first language. By Grade 12, I
became intentional. I began blocking off
specific hours where I refused to touch
schoolwork. You have to schedule "social
time" just as strictly as you schedule study
time for your mental health.
Being proactive. I’m actually quite an
introvert at times, but I knew that to
make the most of my opportunity, I had
to put myself out there. I started a Global
Concerns (GC) group for an orphanage
back home and launched a Latin dance
social club. I even ran for Secretary of the
Student Council. None of this happened
overnight; Grade 11 was for learning; Grade
12 was when I finally felt confident.
Samikai: What skills from
UWCSEA ended up being the most
useful in university and beyond?
The ability to see situations holistically.
When I’m in a work environment now,
and there's a conflict, I don’t just see the
disagreement; I try to understand the
belief systems and preconceived notions
people are bringing to the table.
Also, the discipline of saying "no". At
UWCSEA, there are 20 things you could
do, but if you do them all, you’ll do them
badly. I learned to choose five things and
do them exceptionally well. Even now, as
a professor, I am invited to write articles
or join congresses constantly. If I didn’t
know how to prioritise and say "no" to
protect my own time, I would drown.
When I moved to the US for university, I
realised I was a beginner all over again. I
had to learn a whole new cultural reality.
My advice? Never assume you’re "done"
learning how to inhabit a new place.
9 OneºNorth May 2026
STAGE
It is always a pleasure to welcome alumni back to Dover Road, but
it is even more special when they return to help shape the next
generation of UWCSEA students. Since graduating in 2014, Elisha
Beston has lived many lives: musical theatre performer, business
owner, and radio DJ. Now, as she completes her International
Postgraduate Certificate in Education (iPGCE) and prepares to
transition into a full-time teaching career, in an interview, Elisha
shares her reflections on her journey from the UWCSEA stage to
the front of the classroom.
Elisha Beston ’14’s full-circle moment with arts education
W O R L D ' S H E R
A L L T H E
It’s been over a decade since you
walked across the graduation stage
at UWCSEA. What has life looked
like for you since 2014?
It’s been a wild ride that all started right
here on Dover Road! Since leaving, I
graduated with a BFA in Musical Theatre
and a minor in Political Science. I spent
time performing across North America
on a National Tour of a Musical before
returning to Singapore to start my own
company, Freddo Children’s Theatre.
UWCSEA shaped me in more ways than
I can describe! From stage managing UN
Night and hiking in Nepal to rehabilitating
sun bears in Thailand during Project Week.
Those experiences were such a gift. These
days, my life is a bit of a juggle; I work as
a radio DJ, actor, and freelance teacher, all
while finishing my iPGCE to become a full-
time international school drama teacher.
You’ve spent the last year back
on campus for your teaching
placement. What was it like
stepping back onto Dover
Campus; not as a student, but as
an educator?
It’s been both familiar and eye-opening.
Some things haven’t changed, like my
go-to lunch! But other things reflect
how much progress the world has made.
Beyond the facilities, I see a much stronger
focus on inclusion and student support.
Technology is also a huge shift. I remember
when the school first announced every
student would get a laptop; it felt like such
a massive deal then, whereas now it’s just a
given. Seeing the diversity in the classroom
again made me realise how much I took
it for granted as a student. Not everyone
gets to grow up with friendships from every
corner of the globe.
Drama That Inspires Belonging
Your company, Freddo Children’s
Theatre, focuses specifically
on young audiences. What
draws you to that specific niche
of performance?
Creating theatre in Singapore allows me
to reflect UWC Values in a local context.
Last year, I produced Beautiful Oops! The
May 2026 OneºNorth 10
Musical, which celebrates risk-taking and
learning from mistakes—a message I think
is vital for kids.
Representation matters deeply to me. I
was so proud to include real child voices
in Singapore’s key languages: Malay,
Tamil, Mandarin, and English. And this also
extends to partnerships we have with local
community organisations, where we break
down economic barriers by dedicating 10%
of all seats as free tickets for families who
wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity to
experience theatre. My goal is to create a
space where young people see themselves
and feel a sense of belonging, much like I
did when I first discovered performance.
How does your work as a
producer overlap with your work
in the classroom?
They both demand the same thing:
creativity, energy, and adaptability.
Whether I’m producing a show for two-
year-olds or training secondary students
in my traineeship, the core purpose is
enriching young people. I love using my
"producer brain" to make the drama
classroom feel entertaining and engaging.
Turning Lessons
Into Future Opportunities
As you look toward the future
of arts education, what are you
hoping to see evolve?
It’s exciting to see the direction
pedagogical research is taking, especially
regarding inclusivity and global
“Seeing the dedication
of the teachers from
"the other side" has set a
very high bar for me. No
shortcuts are taken, and
every student is genuinely
cared for. That’s the
standard I want to uphold
in my own career.”
perspectives. These values are so deeply
embedded in me because of UWCSEA that
I can’t imagine teaching or creating any
other way. I want to continue advocating
for arts spaces where every child feels they
have a voice.
Finally, what is on your horizon for
the rest of 2026?
It’s going to be a big year! I’ll be starting
a teaching role at UWCSEA in the
new school year, a full-circle moment
I’m thrilled about. Reflecting on the
exceptional teachers who guided and
inspired me during my own time here, I
feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity
to now play a similar role in the lives of
today’s students. It is both a privilege and
an honour to contribute to their learning
and creative journeys. On the production
side, I’m remounting Wheels on the Bus
at Gateway Theatre this August. We had
a sold-out run in 2022 and I can’t wait to
share it with even more families.
Elisha will be starting her role as a Teacher of Middle School Drama on Dover Campus this August! We can’t wait for what the
next generation of young artists can learn from her from Dover Road and beyond.
FROM L TO R: ELISHA PERFORMING AS "CLOUD" IN "FEELINGS FARM" AT ESPLANADE THEATRES SINGAPORE 2024; ELISHA PERFORMING IN THE OPERETTA
CANDIDE IN THE US IN 2018; ELISHA PERFORMING IN "WHEELS ON THE BUS" BY BAY AREA CHILDREN'S THEATRE (SAN FRANCISCO) 2019
Working with the Drama Department this
year has been incredible.
11 OneºNorth May 2026
reunions
reunions
Since our last issue, the Alumni Team has
brought our global community together through
a series of gatherings, each one strengthening the
connections that span across years and distance.
T H R O W B A C K T O
Reunion Homecoming
In August and September, we marked our Milestone
Reunions across both Dover and East campuses.
Dover Campus continued its long-standing tradition
of welcoming alumni back, while East Campus
celebrated its 10-year milestone classes with a warm
and intimate reunion for the Class of 2015. Travelling
from various countries and continents, alumni made
their way to Singapore to reconnect with old friends,
revisit shared memories and celebrate the enduring
strength of their collective UWCSEA experience.
Alumni Gatherings Carry On
Beyond campus, our Alumni Gatherings continue
to bring the UWCSEA spirit to cities around the
world, guided by our traditional three-year event
cycle. This year, we reconnected with alumni in
Jakarta, celebrated the festive
season in Singapore, and hosted
gatherings across Delhi and
Mumbai — made especially
meaningful with the support of
alumni hosts Sidharth Agarwal
’09 and Pratik Agarwal ’00.
The journey continued to
Australia, with vibrant evenings
in Melbourne and Sydney, each
one a reminder that wherever
our alumni are, the community
is never far behind.
Singapore, December 2025
Delhi, January 2026
Mumbai,
January 2026
Melbourne, March 2026
Jakarta, September 2025
Sydney,
March
2026
May 2026 OneºNorth 12
Tapping Into the UWC Network
This past year, we kicked off our Alumni
Network event series; a dedicated
UWC networking space led by alumni,
for alumni. Often co-hosted by
different alumni, these gatherings
are designed to spark meaningful
connections and bring together
diverse industries, experiences, and
perspectives in one room. This year,
we saw engaging exchanges across
Toronto, London, the San Francisco
Bay Area, Seoul, Singapore, and Tokyo,
where conversations flowed from career
journeys to shared passions.
Save the Date
Save the Date
for London in October and our year-end festive gathering
on Wednesday, 17 December 2026 at Holland Village!
Toronto, September 2025
London, October 2025
San Francisco,
October 2025
Seoul, January 2026
Singapore, January 2026
“Would definitely encourage others to implement this, because it is
genuinely really easy to carry out, and at the same time there is so
much untapped potential in our UWCSEA network that we can make
use of. When you meet somebody from Singapore, and especially
UWCSEA, you automatically connect and relate with them so much,
and it makes you feel like you are back at home. It is a fantastic
way to meet new people with whom you have a lot in common.”
Vishesh Poddar ’24
13 OneºNorth May 2026
Just ten years after arriving in Canada as an immigrant, Varun Srivatsan found himself standing in the House
of Commons, holding the very first copy of the national budget. Turns out, a healthy dose of empathy, a bit of
economic savvy, and some UWC boldness can carry you from a classroom to a ramen kitchen and eventually
to the heart of Canadian Parliament.
Today, Varun serves as the Director of Policy to Canada’s Minister of Finance, where he helps translate
national values into fiscal reality. On his recent catch-up with the Alumni Team, he gave a sneak peek into
his line of work, discussing how a formative IfP trip to Sri Lanka shaped his approach to modern diplomacy,
why disagreement is a vital tool for a policymaker, and why he believes that if students trade their fear for
curiosity, there’s no limit to where you can pull up a chair.
Can you tell us about your career
journey since graduating from
UWCSEA East in 2014?
I went to the University of British
Columbia (UBC) and really got spoiled
by the Vancouver mountains and oceans
for four years. After that, I moved out
east to Ottawa to work in the Canadian
Parliament. I eventually moved back to
Vancouver for a bit to work in consulting—
and even moonlighted as a ramen chef,
which was really fun!
After another stint in the federal
government, I moved to London, England,
for graduate studies. I returned to Toronto
for a role at a bank, and now I’m back
working in federal politics.
You currently serve as the Director
of Policy to Canada’s Minister
of Finance. What does that role
actually entail?
Essentially, I serve as the Minister’s Chief
Economic and Fiscal Policy Advisor. When
the time comes to make big decisions
about fiscal policy in the government of
Canada—like delivering the budget—it’s
my job to help provide advice and help
the Minister, and ultimately the Prime
Minister, make those decisions.
President Joe Biden once accurately said,
“Don’t tell me what your values are, show
me your budget and I’ll tell you what your
values are.” A budget is a reflection of a
society’s values—whether they prioritise
healthcare, education, or infrastructure.
My role is to help put together the best
advice so our budget reflects those values.
For example, in our recent budget, that
meant helping fund a new medical school
in Toronto and pulling together a $1 billion
Arctic Infrastructure Fund.
“My advice: Be bold.
Be courageous.
Don’t be afraid to break
out of the mould and just
do you. That is the only
form of true success you
can live with.”
Varun Srivatsan ’14 reflects on how
peace-building values shape his work
in national fiscal policy.
PUBLIC SERVICE
THE UWCSEA WAY
May 2026 OneºNorth 14
How did your time at UWCSEA
shape your career path and
personal values?
The two core values UWCSEA inculcated in
me were public service and impact. I drew
the public service aspect from the teachers
every single day. My mom is a teacher, and
I truly believe teaching is an ultimate form
of public service.
The “impact” piece came directly from
UWC’s broader mission. I had the privilege
of joining the Initiative for Peace (IfP),
which was a highly formative experience.
As a young adult, getting to create and
facilitate dialogue about peacebuilding
allowed me to drive an incredible
amount of impact. When I graduated
from university, I actively sought out
opportunities to drive public service and
maximise my impact on as many people
as I could.
Is there a specific lightbulb
moment from your UWCSEA
experience that stands out?
Yes, during my IfP trip to Sri Lanka in
2013, a few years after the civil war
ended. I’m Tamil myself from India, and
I remember one evening there was a
lot of disagreement and dissent among
the Tamil youth in the group who didn’t
feel included.
Our teacher, Skilly, asked if I could speak
to them in Tamil. I spent about an hour
just listening and trying to bring them into
Back to Where It Began
the fold. That was a lightbulb moment
for me—realising that you have the
opportunity to shape people’s perceptions
and experiences simply by engaging and
talking with them.
How do you navigate environments
where not everyone aligns with
your passion for impact?
It’s really important to draw on different
voices and create as inclusive a space
as you can. This is another lesson I took
from UWCSEA: you need to create the
space for people to be able to share and
dissent openly. Disagreeing is a crucial
part of engagement and dialogue, and as
a policymaker, you have an obligation to
make room for that dissent.
How do you think your student
experience prepared you for
your career?
Resilience isn’t just a mindset you read
about; it’s something you live through.
There’s that old saying: Everyone has a
plan until they get punched in the face.
That is the heart of resilience. It’s not just
your ability to withstand; it’s your ability
to bounce back.
At UWCSEA, the sports programme was
really formative for this. I tried three or
four different sports. It’s easy to give up on
the ones you aren’t good at, but choosing
to stay and improve builds that muscle.
I had to use that resilience two years
into my career. I was an economist and
had amazing opportunities lined up
Looking back, what is your
proudest professional
achievement?
I felt really proud when I was the first person
to hold a copy of the country’s budget. I
had arrived in Canada as an immigrant ten
years prior, so getting the privilege to lead a
federal budget was incredibly special. Sitting
next to former Prime Minister and Finance
Minister (Jean Chrétien) while the speech
was delivered in the House of Commons—
those moments pull you back, and you
recognise how lucky you are to participate in
shaping the country.
What advice do you have for
current Grade 9 and 10 students
looking ahead?
I wish I knew back then to not feel so
scared. At UWCSEA, you come in with a
lot of privilege, but that also comes with
immense pressure to succeed in school,
sports, and arts. That pressure creates fear,
which can limit what you feel you are able
to do later.
"Pinch Me" Moment
to work in microfinance in Tajikistan,
India, or Bali. Then COVID happened,
and all of it vanished. I was forced to
pivot. Remembering my UWC Values of
service and impact, I decided to apply
my economic development skills within
Canada instead, ultimately working with
Indigenous First Nations communities. It
was a scary, non-traditional path, but it
allowed me to drive real impact.
15 OneºNorth May 2026
Beyond
HOW ALUMNI SCHOLARS ARE SHAPING IMPACT ACROSS BORDERS
Through the journeys of Andrea Staines OAM ’82 (Australia), Professor Queenie Lai ’97 (Hong Kong), Dr Waruiru Mburu
’09 (Kenya), and Anesu Gamanya ’13 (Zimbabwe), we see how their contributions extend far beyond campus, influencing
communities across the world.
Leadership in the Corporate Sector
For Andrea, her time at UWCSEA was the catalyst in her journey
as the first in her family to attend university. It broadened her
perspective and strengthened her confidence, shaping how she
approached opportunities beyond school.
“UWCSEA lifted my aspirations and gave me confidence in my
abilities. It opened my eyes to challenges affecting countries
outside Australia, cemented a love for looking internationally,
and shifted my outlook toward global finance.”
Andrea went on to build a career in finance, becoming Australia's
first female airline CEO. She was later awarded a Medal of the
Order of Australia for her contributions to business and her
work as a role model and mentor for women. Today, she serves
as an independent Non-Executive Director (NED) supporting
Australian companies through periods of transformation.
Impact Through Legal Education
Queenie has over two decades of experience as a law professor
and lawyer, helping shape the legal landscape of Hong Kong.
She reflects on her time at UWCSEA as part of a broader
foundation that continues to inform her work and approach
to teaching.
“A UWC education is about character building, fostering
understanding and role modelling best behaviours such as
empathy and cross-cultural sensitivity—so that whatever paths
students choose in the future, they become responsible adults,
leaders and changemakers, shaping the future of our society.”
An Associate Professor of Practice in Law and former Associate
Dean at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Faculty of Law,
Queenie has trained over 2,400 students. Many of her students
are now leaders in the field—serving the city as barristers,
solicitors and officials in the judiciary.
T H E S C H O L A R S H I P
PASSIONATE ABOUT THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF EDUCATION, QUEENIE JOINED
THE LAW FACULTY SINCE ITS FOUNDING IN 2010
ANDREA TRANSITIONED FROM A CORPORATE EXECUTIVE ROLE IN THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY
TO SERVING AS A NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ACROSS ORGANISATIONS LIKE THE
AUSTRALIAN RAIL TRACK CORPORATION AND UNITINGCARE QUEENSLAND.
May 2026 OneºNorth 16
Contributions to Public Health
Waruiru’s work in public health focuses on addressing disparities
in healthcare access, particularly for women of African descent.
With a strong record of publications and awards in population
health, her work is anchored by a sustained commitment to
equity in healthcare.
She reflects on her time at UWCSEA and early service
experiences and how they shaped her career path.
“Volunteering at a hospital in Singapore, teaching English to
migrant domestic helpers, and volunteering in Vietnam clarified
the kind of career I want to pursue and the impact I intend my
work to have.”
Today, she is an accomplished epidemiologist and Global
Principal Health Economics and Outcomes Specialist at
Medtronic, working to expand access to cardiovascular
therapies worldwide.
Influence on International Trade
In the field of global trade, Anesu, a Senior Advisor for
International and Export Credit Agency Relations, shared that
UWCSEA’s multidisciplinary curriculum strengthened her
critical thinking skills, which she draws on in her work today,
particularly in understanding how political, historical, social, and
economic factors intersect.
“When I work through policy challenges or analyse international
financial and trade transactions, it often has direct implications
for human rights, biodiversity, and climate outcomes.”
She also highlights the lasting influence of a people-centred
approach: “It shapes how I see policies, markets, and financial
systems: not as ends in themselves, but as tools to improve
people’s lives across borders”.
Learn more about how you can
support access to a UWCSEA education
through the Scholarship Programme here.
Your contribution helps create opportunities for scholars to develop
their skills and pursue the paths that matter to them and their communities.
WITH HER HUSBAND, NG’ANG’A WAHU-MUCHIRI '04, A FELLOW UWCSEA SCHOLAR AND
THEIR DAUGHTER—A FAMILY ROOTED IN THE VALUES OF SERVICE AND CONNECTION
ANESU DURING MULTILATERAL NEGOTIATIONS ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE-RELATED
ISSUES AT THE ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT
(PHOTO CREDIT: OECD). SHE WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT ON
INTERNATIONAL TRADE.
17 OneºNorth May 2026
Global supply chains shape how the world eats and the environmental and social impacts behind it. For Nicole,
the journey from UWCSEA to the front lines of supply chain sustainability has been guided by a systems-
thinking approach.
Having completed her Master’s at Duke University, Nicole is showing that the UWC Mission isn’t just an
ideal—it’s a practical toolkit for rethinking how the world produces and consumes food.
When we talk about food sustainability, we’re really talking about an entire system. The global food system is
a major driver of climate change, biodiversity loss and social inequity, yet it also sustains cultures, livelihoods
and economic growth. Sustainability solutions cannot exist in isolation. That’s why my work is grounded in
systems thinking: meaningful change requires looking at the entire value chain, from how ingredients are
produced to how food is processed, distributed and consumed.
The 'Aha' Moment
My first real aha moment regarding food systems didn't happen
in a classroom, but through hands‑on engagement at UWCSEA.
Working with LEAF Global Concerns (GC), I launched "No Drive
Day," where we incentivised green commuting with free fruit. This
sparked a collaboration with a student composting group, giving
me my first look at the full food lifecycle—from consumption to
waste recovery.
We also collaborated with Sodexo to cut down on single‑use
plastics. I quickly learned that the real challenge wasn’t just what
we used, but how people behaved. Reusable plates and cups were
regularly left behind as students rushed off to activities, costing
the school thousands each year.
It was my first lesson that sustainability also requires taking into
account the user experience, thoughtful design, and long‑term
education.
The freedom to initiate these projects and quantify their impact
was empowering. It taught me that you don’t need formal
authority to drive change; you just need to start wherever you are.
FIXING
THE SYSTEM
BEHIND OURFOOD
Nicole Yaw ’14 explores systems thinking to shape
a more sustainable food system.
NICOLE YAW, PICTURED ON THE LEFT, AT "NO DRIVE DAY" ON DOVER CAMPUS IN 2013