Ottavia Paluch (she/her) is based in Mississauga, Ontario, on the traditional territories of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and the Mississaugas of the Credit. She recently graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Arts in English, with minors in Political Science and Creative Writing. During her final academic year, she served as the Secretary of Advocacy for Rocket Riders, the university’s transit advocacy organization. In this leadership role, she successfully collaborated on initiatives that secured a commitment from the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) to digitize the post-secondary transit pass application process.

Ottavia’s professional interests center on public communications, stakeholder relations, civic engagement, and accessibility. Through the PIE program, she seeks to develop the foundational skills and strategic relationships necessary to contribute effectively to public institutions. Her objective is to help refine and advance how these institutions engage with and serve their respective communities. Outside of working hours she is an avid writer of poetry and cheering for the Maple Leafs.