Propel Impact

What was your career path?

As Annabelle Liao approached graduation, she found herself at a crossroads. With a science background, she was uncertain about how to break into the impact industry or gain the skills needed to stand out in the job market. When she learned about Propel Impact, she saw it as the perfect opportunity to bridge that gap. “Nearing graduation, I was worried that I was going to enter the job market without a strong understanding of the impact industry landscape, or the skills needed to stand out. Hearing that I could learn about consulting and impact investing was a huge factor in my decision to apply—I would have never learned these skills or received the opportunities to apply them in real-life settings with my science background!”

How did Propel Impact help you grow?

Annabelle participated in the Propel Impact Analyst Program for two consecutive summers in 2023 and 2024. Each year, she took on new challenges, working with different organizations and expanding her expertise in the impact sector. In 2023, she interned at Social Innovation Canada, where she collaborated on a project with Vantage Point, a nonprofit supporting leadership in the social sector. The following summer, she interned at Vancity, while working on a project with Foresight Canada, an organization at the forefront of cleantech innovation. Beyond the technical skills and industry exposure, the most rewarding part of Annabelle’s experience was the friendships and support system she gained through the program. “The highlight of Propel Impact was definitely meeting the other analysts! I’m still friends with so many of them today, and we all learn from and support each other. Becoming a Propel Impact Analyst means joining an uplifting community!” “Propel Impact has completely redefined the trajectory of my career and opened my eyes to the plethora of organizations creating meaningful social and environmental impacts in communities across the country. The program has given me a much better understanding of opportunities young people pursuing impact-centric careers have—there is more confidence instilled in my career and capabilities today, and I know what pressing environmental and social issues I can help create solutions for.”

What issue do you most want to tackle in the world?

Annabelle is deeply committed to addressing climate change and its far-reaching connections to equity, economic health, biodiversity, and community resilience. Annabelle currently works as a Research Analyst in Technology Adoption at Foresight Canada, where she leverages her expertise and passion to drive meaningful impact, helping to accelerate sustainable solutions for a better future.