“What if bold ideas could meet deliberate actions?” That’s the question DAIS at Toronto Metropolitan University answers every day. DAIS is a public policy and leadership think tank. It focuses on technology, education, and democracy. The goal? To build shared prosperity and citizenship for Canada.
DAIS isn’t just another think tank. It brings together people facing big challenges. It puts research and solutions into the hands of decision-makers. DAIS equips leaders with the knowledge and skills to act. Since 2015, the DAIS team has worked across Canada and internationally. They develop new ideas and better leaders. This has resulted in measurable change in economic, education, and technology policy. Thousands of people’s lives have been changed through their leadership programs.
From its home at TMU, DAIS has direct access to scholars and students. Entrepreneurs, leaders, and networks are also readily available. They can develop new ideas and challenge old assumptions. DAIS has national and global reach.
DAIS stands for belonging. They bring an equity lens to everything. DAIS stands for hope. They believe that people have the power to make a better future. DAIS values truth. They challenge perception with rigorous data and evidence. DAIS embraces curiosity. They marvel at each opportunity to learn and innovate. DAIS has courage. They don’t back down from hard questions. They tackle thorny problems and entrenched interests. DAIS shows care. They fight for progress, but not at any cost. Our health is our wealth at DAIS.
DAIS brings together two organizations at Toronto Metropolitan University. These are the Brookfield Institute for Innovation + Entrepreneurship and the Leadership Lab.
Founded in 2015, the Brookfield Institute became a leading policy think-tank. It developed data-informed research. The goal was to prepare Canadians for the opportunities and risks of an innovation-driven economy. Jack Cockwell and the Brookfield Partners Foundation made the Brookfield Institute possible. They donated 16 million dollars.
The Leadership Lab was created in 2017. It develops people and solutions. They make progress on pressing civic challenges. They mobilize a new generation of skilled leaders. These adaptive leaders are building a more trustworthy and inclusive society.
In 2023, the two organizations combined their talents. They desired to amplify their impact. They began a new era. This era puts leading policy research into action. It develops leaders for a more inclusive innovation economy. It helps create a thriving democracy in Canada.
Today, DAIS is Canada’s platform for bold policies and better leaders. TMU launched DAIS as an action-oriented institute. It develops the people and ideas needed for a more inclusive economy. It also focuses on education and democracy for Canada. Karim Bardeesy leads DAIS as Executive Director.
DAIS builds on TMU’s efforts to better leverage its policy expertise. It uses its capacity for community leadership. It relies on its history of entrepreneurial spirit. The goal is to have a more positive impact on society’s pressing civic challenges.
DAIS focuses on innovation and tech. They want to grow a more inclusive economy. They strive for lasting prosperity through innovation. They aim to harness technology responsibly. DAIS also focuses on education and skills. They want to ensure education and training systems equitably prepare Canadians. They will help them thrive in a changing world. DAIS also prioritizes democracy and trust. They equip a broader set of leaders. They advance positive policy change. They rebuild trust in public institutions.
DAIS aspires to be a platform for bold policy solutions. These solutions are backed by data-driven research. DAIS amplifies and trains the people needed to tackle Canada’s urgent civic challenges. DAIS creates positive outcomes for the economy and democracy. It is a platform for leaders to create lasting change. DAIS is where ideas meet action. Built on the legacies of the Brookfield Institute and Leadership Lab, DAIS ushers policy change into a new era. This era better serves Canadians.