Wasi Syed Babar
Senior Program Manager, City of Toronto & Chief Operating Officer, Muslim Youth Revival
BA ’20, MPPAL ’25, Interdisciplinary Social Science and Public Policy, Administration & Law
LA&PS alumnus, Wasi Syed Babar was named one of York University’s 2026 Top 30 Alumni Under 30, recognized among a distinguished group of young leaders making a meaningful impact around the world. In recognition of his achievement, we connected with Wasi to better understand how his experience as an Interdisciplinary Social Science and Public Policy, Administration & Law graduate contributed to where he is today.
- How did your degrees in Interdisciplinary Social Science and Public Policy, Administration and Law help get you where you are today?
My undergraduate degree in Interdisciplinary Social Science helped me understand complex social issues from different perspectives. It taught me how to think critically, ask better questions and look at problems through a broader social, political and organizational lens. That foundation has been very useful in my career, especially when working on public sector projects that impact residents, staff and communities.
The Master of Public Policy, Administration and Law helped me build on that foundation in a more practical way. It strengthened my understanding of governance, public administration, policy development, accountability and decision making in government. Today, as a Sr.PM at the City of Toronto, I regularly work at the intersection of technology, policy, service delivery and public value. Both degrees helped me develop the judgement and perspective needed to lead projects that are not just technically successful, but also meaningful for the public. - What career did you dream of pursuing in undergrad, and where did your professional path actually take you after graduation?
During undergrad, I was interested in public service and wanted to do work that had a real impact on people’s lives. I did not have one fixed job title in mind, but I knew I wanted a career where I could help solve problems, improve systems and contribute to the community.
My path took me into project and program management, especially in the public and non-profit sectors. I have had the opportunity to work on major initiatives with the federal government, Médecins Sans Frontières Canada and now the City of Toronto. My work has included digital transformation, service delivery improvements, governance, procurement, stakeholder engagement and leading cross functional teams. In many ways, my career ended up combining my interest in public service with technology, strategy and organizational change. - What skills or knowledge from the Interdisciplinary Social Science and Public Policy, Administration and Law program have been most beneficial in your career?
The most beneficial skills have been critical thinking, policy analysis, communication and the ability to understand issues from multiple viewpoints. In public sector work, challenges are rarely simple. A technology project is never just about the technology. It is also about people, governance, risk, accessibility, privacy, service delivery and public trust.
My studies helped me become more comfortable working through ambiguity, understanding stakeholder needs and connecting day-to-day decisions to broader institutional goals. The ability to write clearly, brief senior leaders, assess trade-offs and think about long term public impact has been especially valuable in my career. - In what ways have the network and connections you made during your studies helped you in your career?
The network I built at York has been incredibly valuable. I met classmates, professors and mentors who were passionate about public service, leadership and creating positive change. Those connections helped me learn from different career paths and gave me a stronger sense of what was possible after graduation.
York also gave me access to a broader community of alumni and professionals who are doing meaningful work across government, non-profit organizations and the private sector. Staying connected to that community has been helpful not only professionally, but personally as well. It reminds me that career growth is not something you do alone. It is shaped by mentorship, encouragement and the people who challenge you to keep growing. - What advice do you have for first year students entering either degree?
My advice would be to stay curious and do not worry if your path is not perfectly clear in first year. University is a time to explore, ask questions and figure out what kind of impact you want to have. Take the time to build relationships with your classmates and professors, because those connections can stay with you well beyond graduation.
I would also encourage students to develop strong writing, communication and analytical skills. These skills are useful in almost every career, especially in public service and leadership roles. Most importantly, say yes to opportunities that stretch you. Some of the most important parts of my career came from taking on challenges before I felt completely ready.
Read the full article to explore all LA&PS Top 30 Under 30 alumni recipients.