Brett Donnelly grew up in a small city but dreamed of the wider world. As a young boy he kept his dad’s globe on his bedroom dresser, plastered the walls with maps and could identify flags from around the planet.
He was a typical skateboarding, guitar-playing teenager — except for the attention he paid to domestic and international politics. When he was 16, the local newspaper published an unsolicited piece about U.S. involvement in the Middle East that Donnelly submitted under a pseudonym.
He joined the federal public service after he earned his master’s from the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy and soon established himself as a rising star. He joined the Privy Council Office in 2022 before he passed away in April 2023 at the age of 33.
His parents and sister are donating $50,000 to launch the Brett Donnelly Memorial Public Policy Scholarship, coinciding with what would have been Brett's 34th birthday on Nov. 23.
“U of T nurtures and supports students who are entering the public policy program, with the intent to make an impact for the public good, and we believe this scholarship will help others who are going to make positive impacts,” says Donnelly’s mother Shelagh.
“Creating this memorial scholarship is especially meaningful because of how appreciative Brett was of each scholarship he was awarded through his university years. We know Brett would be humbled and supportive of this.”
Donnelly’s passions included running, cycling and travel — and he was always learning. Avid about languages, he studied French during his undergrad years and spent two summer sessions studying languages in Spain and Germany.
Following completion of his master’s degree, Donnelly earned a certificate in data science while with Infrastructure Canada.
“Whenever you spent time with Brett, you were likely to find yourself learning something interesting,” says Shelagh.
An articulate communicator, Donnelly’s belief in public service was always clear, says former colleague and friend Deniz Çevik.
“He really believed in the role of a public servant in making people's lives better. That's why he always put so much effort in every single project he worked on.”
Çevik says Donnelly was also a valued mentor.
“He wanted to make public service a more attractive place and as a young public servant who was a bit skeptical, he really motivated me to stay and continue working for the public good.”
Although he was driven and motivated with an immense passion for learning, he got his greatest satisfaction from bringing people together, says his cousin Alyssa Moody.
“He was so kind, and he never had anything bad to say about anyone.”
Appreciated for his quick wit and sense of humour, Donnelly had a knack for lightening the mood and spreading laughter, says friend and former classmate Jonah Kotzer.
“You know, sometimes we would get into heavy debates in a policy setting about an ideological course or state action, and he did a good job bringing levity to that, bringing people together in that sort of environment,” he says.
“Brett could always find the best in people. And he had a wicked sense of humor, even in the darkest times, he could find a way to bring some joy.”
As recently recruited public servants in Ottawa, Donnelly and his partner Trina Loken met in 2018 and instantly bonded over their shared interests and values in life.
“While he touched the lives of many, I am deeply honoured to have known Brett on the level that I did. He deserved so many years ahead of him, but the world is a better place thanks to the values he embodied during his lifetime,” says Loken.
“Brett was very thankful for his education, and it is my hope that this scholarship will allow future students to develop their skills and knowledge in public policy to effect positive change in the lives of others.”
To donate or learn more, visit the scholarship page.