Tansi!

My name is Casey Caines (pronouns she/her) and I am a Cree and Slavey woman born and raised on Treaty 8 territory in northern BC, now living on Treaty 8 territory but in northern AB. I am an incoming University of Alberta’s law student who intends to use my education to fight for restorative justice programs in northern Indigenous communities in order to revitalize traditional modes of justice and reduce recidivism rates amongst Indigenous peoples. My passion lies with reducing inequalities from grassroots to international and from womb to tomb.

Through my community work as an educational ambassador for Grande Prairie Regional College, the President of the Circle of Indigenous Students at GPRC, a board member for the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre, a panelist for the Iskwew+ Indigenous Women in Leadership Symposium, a writer and student editor for WISDOM Magazine’s “Indigenization in Academia” issue,  a member of the IMPACT advisory committee, and the co-creator of the “Medicine Box Project” as well as a mother of two young girls, one of whom is autistic I have been privileged and blessed to work towards this deeply personal SDG. I’m all about cheesecake, camping, and cuddling babies in my spare time.

Hello fellow Canadians!

My name is Cerina Dubois and I am from Edmonton, AB. Currently I am studying at Northwestern University, in Chicago for my PhD at the Institute of Public Health & Medicine; while also working as a Research Consultant for the School of Public Health, University of Alberta (back home). I have been studying medical cannabis research for the past 3 years – and hoping to conduct a cross-border comparative analysis of medical cannabis policies and health outcomes between Canada and the US. During my off hours, I am an avid fitness instructor – been teaching and coaching for over 10 years. I have been teaching HIIT classes virtually during COVID, and it has been awesome!! It is so motivating to work out with a community of individuals who love to get moving and be active! Can’t wait to “e-meet” all of you! (Photo credit: Crystal Pluim Photography)

Hello Everyone!! My name is Dharma Perez, (she/her),  I am 20 years old.  I am a third year Political Science Student at Augustana, Camrose. Currently I am working as a Research Assistant with the ECHO network, and as part of my local Bible camp.  I am originally from Venezuela, but moved to rural Alberta about 8 years ago. I came to Canada as a city girl, but ever since I had my share of low-key cowgirl experiences ( no joke, I am a shame for real cowgirls). I am really excited to learn about other people passions as well as to be impacted by different cultures and perspectives (maybe practice my french).

Hello Everyone!

My name is James! I’m  20 years old.  I’m from central Alberta,  I live in a rural community. I finished high school this year, (Yay!) I’m a council member for the National Youth Council for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada. I’ve been to parliament hill 3 times.  Some of my interests and hobbies are politics, computer engineering, and anything tech-related. I’m heavily involved in my community and with my local BGC (Boys & Girls Club).  I wasn’t able to get a grad photo, so here is my photo from my photoshoot in the 6ix (Toronto).  God Bless James!

Hi everyone, amazed to read so many diverse and unique bios!!

My name is Raj Dhaliwal born, raised, and still living in Calgary! I am currently working on launching two startups, one being an on-the-go healthy food concept using cloud connected vending machines (a Youthful Cities 30 Lab idea: easygreens.ca), and the second a student centric web application that allows students to search, compare, and apply for post secondary programs across Canada, search for jobs and retailer discounts on a single platform!

In regards to my academic background I completed an Urban Studies degree at UCalgary in 2018 and currently pursuing a Sustainable Development MSc at the University of Sussex. Aside from study and startups I am leading the  Calgary branch of the United Nations Association in Canada as we work towards creating youth focused programming, and collaborating with organizations and the municipal government to move systemic racism and discrimination conversations towards real action.Lastly I love traveling and gaining new experiences (recently presented on regional revitalization in Taiwan!), love music and writing songs. Looking forward to sharing experiences and learning from and with all of you!!!

Hi everyone and nice to meet you all  

I’m Sree Nair (she/her) and I’m 24 years old. I was born in south India and borught up in UAE, but my family and I have been living in Calgary, AB for the past 10 years. I am a first year Master of Public Health student at Queens University and a Bachelor of Science graduate from Mount Royal University.

 I am currently completing my practicum placement at The Sandbox Project as a Communications and Policy Coordinator and I am on the advisory board for an Anti-Black Racism project with Wisdom2Action, and Anti-Racism Working group with Queens MPH program. I am also a member of the Young Canadians Roundtable on Health where I work collaboratively with industry, government, research, health practitioners and families to improve health of Young Canadians. With almost 10 years of experience in child and youth leadership programs, I am an avid advocate for health equity and well-being development especially pertaining to racialized and marginalized youth. 

Aside from work and school, I am interested in learning more about race and gender-based data and artificial intelligence in health care to advocate for better health systems to improve population health. I am beyond excited to join this group and leverage networks across Canada to collaborate in efforts to advance youth leadership in Canada!

Hi Everyone!

My name is Stacey Haugen (she/her). I’m from Camrose, a small community in central Alberta on Treaty 6 territory, but I have lived and worked across the country. Through my academic and career pursuits, I’ve developed a passion for rural development, smaller and northern communities, and supporting and working with refugee newcomers.

I completed my undergraduate degree in political studies at the University of Alberta, before moving to Waterloo, ON to do my MA in Global Governance. I worked in Ottawa for a year on issues of rural refugee resettlement at the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and at the University of Ottawa on a private refugee sponsorship research project. I’ve also worked as a Research Officer with the Alberta Government in northern Alberta, and I’m currently a Project Manager at the Alberta Centre for Sustainable Rural Communities.

My husband and I moved back to Camrose in fall 2019 so we could be closer to our families – and I went back to the University of Alberta to start my PhD in Political Science. I enjoy swimming, road biking, reading, camping and caring for my 4 young siblings!

Hi Everyone! My name is Brittany Lausen, pronouns are she/her. I live in Airdrie, AB which is on treaty 7 territory with my husband of 2 years, Erik, and our fur baby, Sage.

I am a life long learner. I love to learn new things. I am currently taking my Bachelors of Business Administration in General Management with a minor in Finance and Economics from Red Deer College’s Mount Royal University Collaborative program.

I’m President for the Students’ Association of Red Deer College, in my 3rd term as an executive. I love all things student advocacy and I also sit on my Institution’s Board of Governors. I love to volunteer and I love working with children. I have been a volunteer tutor for Learning Disabilities Alberta for over 4 years and I worked at summer camps for 6 years.

I feel extremely lucky to live so close to the Rocky Mountains and on the weekends you can find my hiking or skiing. I also love to travel, my husband and I were supposed to go to Ireland this year before Covid-19 happened.

I’m really looking forward to getting to know everyone better at the summit 🙂

Hello everyone! My name is Nicole! I’m a queer + trans woman of colour and use she/her and/or they/them pronouns. I was adopted from Ecuador as a baby, and I currently live in the city of Edmonton, treaty 6 territory or more specifically Amiskwaciy, the traditional land of the Cree, Dene, Blackfoot, Saulteaux, and Nakota Sioux.

In my spare time I help organize, as an administrative coordinator, a collective called ‘Shades of Colour’ within the city. Shades of Colour is a collective for the QTBIPOC (Queer + Trans, Black, Indigenous, People of Colour) community over here. Most of my work these past years has been within the Queer + Trans commuity. I also dabble in community film making and enjoy nothing more being behind a camera!I’m currently between jobs and trying to reimagine what my future will look like. Trying to find work when your body hurts, when you’re mentally ill , and when you’re in a pandemic, is difficult.

Hey all you cool cats and kittens! My name is Hailey McCullough, and I’m a librarian in Grande Prairie, AB. I’m originally from London, ON, where I did my BA in English Lit/Creative Writing and Master’s in Library & Information Science at Western University before moving to Labrador to kick off my library career. In my current position, I get to pursue really cool special projects and grants, like Project: Full Stop, which sees free period products in all of the library’s washrooms. When I’m not working, I’m volunteering at my new gig as a researcher for a missing persons non-profit who specializes in cold cases. Looking forward to chatting with you all.

Hi folx! My name is Alice Henry, and I moved to the unceded, traditional, and ancestral territories of the Squamish, Musqueam and Tsleil-Watuth otherwise known as Vancouver from Chicago (Potawatomi territories) to do my MSc at UBC. After completing my Masters, I have stayed here on a post-grad work permit and am in the process of applying for PR. I am an Ashkenazi (of European descent) Jewish woman that works in environmental/sustainability fields and on youth leadership and empowerment.

I’m the Senior Program Manager for Elements Society, an environmental education charity in BC and AB, and the Project and Communications Coordinator for the Share Reuse Repair Initiative. Most of my work is focused on zero waste and the circular economy. Very excited to be focusing on Right to Repair advocacy and planning an inclusive and just SRR Economic Recovery strategy.

I also founded Stoke Socials, a series of social events to bring young changemakers together outside of professional contexts to connect as people and provide support to one another as this work is taxing, especially when your heart is so in it. I’m also a dragonboat/outrigger canoe/marathon canoe paddler and love hiking, camping, and connecting with the land and waters.

Hello!

My name is Caitlin and I am from small-town Invermere, BC. I completed my BBA from Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, BC. I have worked in recruitment, human resources, and change management. My current position is as the Executive Director of the Columbia Valley Community Foundation.

I am passionate about leadership development; I have built conferences and development programs in high school, university, and in the community. As a member of Rotary, I Chaired the Southern Alberta District 5360 Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) program for a 3 year term.

I am also a wife (6 years strong!), a mama (2 daughters), a sister, and daughter.

Hello all!

My name is Jeremiah DuBovis (he/him), but most call me Jerry because Jeremiah is four syllables too many for most. While I currently live in Vancouver, BC, I was raised in sunny Arizona. I moved to Vancouver in 2017 to enrol at UBC. I am currently going into my final year within the faculty of Land and Food Systems, and my degree is going to be focused on soil ecology. Moving from Arizona to Vancouver was a really drastic change for me, both environmentally and socially, and I have really learned to love this city and Canada at large. I hope to be able to obtain permanent residency and go to grad school here in Canada some day.

I have had the honour to volunteer with Environmental Youth Alliance, LocalFirst Arizona, and Trees Matter to promote community gardening and waste management within cities. Cities are habitats just like forests and reefs, and they require just as much restoration as any other ecosystem. I cannot wait to learn from all the brilliant and talented people in this group. I especially look forward to hearing different people’s perspectives on all kinds of different phenomena as they pertain to cities.

I know this is long but one more thing: I flipping love music. I play guitar, piano, and the mandolin (though I definitely a novice at that), and I love jamming with people. I even teach music in my spare time.

Hi everyone, it is a pleasure to be part of an exciting group with so many amazing youth.

Leejoo Hwang is a fourth-year student at Simon Fraser University pursuing a certificate in Sustainable Community Development and a BBA in Sustainable Business. With a strong commitment to the triple bottom line, ecological, social, and economical sustainability, he believes in solving world issues through entrepreneurship and business. Leejoo co-founded MeaningfulWork, a web application that integrates social impact into the fabric of corporate work by matching employee volunteer to non-profits. Leejoo is a Watson and Ford Scholar and also sits as a youth advisor for Health Canada and RCMP.

Hi everyone!

My name is Noor Fadel my pronouns are she/her I am born and raised in beautiful British Columbia but my family and I are originally from beautiful Baghdad Iraq. I am currently studying the associate of arts degree for Peace and Conflict studies and hoping to continue my education in Law. I am a passionate poet and public speaker. Many of my talks and events are circled around the important topics of racism and discrimination in Canada as well as the reality of Violence and violence online towards People of colour as well as gendered violence. I love poetry and making hand crafted polymer clay earrings and current TV show I’m watching is the blacklist !!! I’m so looking forward to being apart of such an opportunity and excited to connect with you incredible people as well.

Hi Folks! AJ here! (They/Them – still figuring this bit out haha 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♀️).

I am from Coquitlam(Metro Vancouver), BC and am excited to be connecting with you lot! I work in community recreation currently as an Advanced Aquatic Instructor and Aquatic Supervisor, am studying health sciences, and am a recent paramedic (PCP) graduate, about to start with BC Ambulance. I am very passionate about working in health care and mental health support, as well as in areas surrounding LGBTQ+ initiatives and affordable housing. I am a senior volunteer at a mental health crisis line(1800SUICIDE, etc), as well as a medical outreach lead volunteer on the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, providing medical, emergency, and social outreach to the low income/street community there. As for the stuff on the side, I really enjoy baking(cupcakes are my specialty!), swimming, hanging with my niece, and will likely never say no to playing a board game! Excited to be collaborating with such a diverse group of people!

Hi everyone! I am Rafe, a researcher by profession. Born and raised in Bangladesh, a small country neighboring India, I have been working as a researcher for over three years in Bangladesh. I finished my BSc. in Economics in 2018 and will be completing my MA in Economics from Simon Fraser University. I am very passionate about issues pertaining to social justice. Most of my research works have been centered on issues such as the impact of technology on labor contracts. I also love documenting and photographing bugs. Really excited to hear from everyone at this summit and contribute in a meaningful way towards shaping the future of work.

Hello beautiful humans! So grateful for this opportunity and looking forward to connecting with all of you!

My name is Sam – I was born and raised in the GTA but am in the process of moving to BC Interior.

Mental Health crises among youth and young adults are reaching epidemic proportions. Accessing care in our current system can be as frustrating and painful as symptoms themselves. Our system is failing and the consequences are fatal. Thankfully perceptions and treatment options for mental health and addiction are changing – community based programs are finally getting the attention and funding they need. Many of these programs involve people with lived experience and as a result effective programs are becoming available and supporting the shifts required to address systemic barriers in health care, criminal justice and social service industries.  

As a person with lived experience, I understand how difficult it can be trying to navigate the healthcare system when we are unwell. At the best of times, it can be overwhelming, at the worst of times it can feel utterly impossible. I have chosen to dedicate my career to initiatives that help alleviate the distress of trying to navigate a dysfunctional system and support integration of peer support workers transition to patient-centered care. I am working on a front-line community based program in Peterborough in response to the Opioid epidemic – it is called a Different approach – our goal is to offer a different approach – that works for everyone, and with everyone.

Hi Everyone! My name is Shalen (she/her), and I was born and raised in Burnaby, BC on the traditional, unceded Coast Salish Lands of the Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh and Squamish Nations. I am currently in my last year of my bachelor’s degree in Global Resource Systems at the University of British Columbia and specializing in sustainable development and social justice. My work experience includes research on green buildings and sustainable energy systems with UBC Sustainability Initiative, and this past year I have been on co-op with Environment and Climate Change Canada. I am very passionate about the intersections between climate change, systemic racism, and urban sustainability, and I hope to pursue a master’s degree in Urban Planning or Public Policy. As a second generation Taiwanese-Canadian, I am really interested in ways we can empower and dismantle barriers for BIPOC to get directly involved in the decision-making processes of their communities.

Outside of school and work, my recent quarantine hobbies include yoga, plant-based cooking, and attempting to read all my ebook loans before they expire. I am really excited to participate in this year’s summit, and I look forward to hearing and sharing perspectives with such a diverse group of youth across Canada! 

Hello everyone,

My name is Shondra Mings and I grew up in Thorold, Ontario, but now call Ottawa home. I have a passion for supporting youth, the arts, travelling and social justice. Since a young age I’ve held an interest in issues of race relations and equity which I largely attribute to my experiences as a first-generation Jamaican-Bajan Canadian. I intentionally pursued an undergraduate degree that would enhance my understanding of institutionalized racism. At the University of Ottawa my classes encouraged me to critically reflect on how perceptions and discourses on identity can have negative ramifications on people’s socio-economic opportunities. I also completed at Bachelor of Education at Queen’s University. I have become very interested in policies, discussions and collaboration with community partners to make Ottawa and Canada as a whole more inclusive.

I currently work at the University of Ottawa as a Guidance Counsellor where I help students work towards obtaining their career goals. When I am not working, I am an avid student of dance, violin and piano and enjoy being involved with local musical theater productions. I am eager to attend this conference and learn from participants across Canada.

Hi friends My name is Peggy Chen (she/her). I am a first-generation Taiwanese-Canadian, born in Taipei and now living in Vancouver, on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Skxwú7mesh, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. I am an avid book-reader, amateur baker, and notebook collector. My interests are centred on racial equity, cultural identity and belonging, and reimagining civic and political engagement spaces for newcomer and BIPOC communities. I am a Board Member of the YWCA Canada, a Steering Committee Member of Girls20’s Girls on Boards program, and I am part of the Vancouver School Board’s Community Schools Team, bridging the gap between schools and neighbourhood hubs. I’m on a mission to try all the best XLB soup dumplings across the country and hope you will share your findings with me. Looking forward to working with you all!!

Hi everyone – it’s been awesome reading your bios and can’t wait to properly meet you! I grew up in the Philippines and Vancouver before heading to school in Philadelphia.I’m the founder of Ascend (ascendbuild.co), a platform that helps real estate developers visualise land development opportunities. Previously, I founded an indigenous language preservation platform that won the Harvard Social Innovation Competition and was implemented with the Philippine Department of Education. I care a lot about preserving our languages and think of this as a life goal. Most recently, I’ve been incubating my startup with the NEXT 36 Canada Program. I hold a degree in Business Analytics and Economics from the Wharton School.

Hello everyone! My name is Carly Chartier (she/her), I was born and raised in Selkirk Manitoba which is on Treaty 1 Territory and not too far from Winnipeg Manitoba.  I am Metis and Non Status ( for now ).

I work at an Indigenous Non Profit that is apart of the National Association of Friendship Centres of Canada where I work in Human Resources, Administration and all round community service provider! I am a Graduate of Red River College where I studied Human Resources. I am passionate about helping my community and promoting other services to those who need help and being an advocate for youth and the under represented populations.

When I’m not working or volunteering I enjoy being creative. I love to paint, draw, bead, make moccasins , sew and dabble in photography.

Hi everyone!

My name is Emily Lints (she/her). I am the Founder and Executive Director of the Non-Profit Youth Leadership Network, a non-profit that allows for youth (aged 16-29) involved in non-profit work to connect, share, and work on professional development skills. It feeds my need to create tangible change in gaining respect for youth. I was born in a small town in Manitoba and currently am a student at the University of Regina studying English, Public Relations, and Non-Profit Leadership. I’ve been passionate about leadership my whole life, and I adore being able to connect with people across the country.

Hello Everyone, My Name is Oluwabunmi Afolabi. (It means God’s gift in Yoruba language). Everyone calls me Bunmi (She/Her)

I am FirstGeneration Nigerian-Canadian Immigrant.

I currently reside in Winnipeg (also known as Winterpeg lol). Located on original lands of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and on the homeland of the Métis Nation.

I got my first degree from the University of Manitoba, in Sociology and Family Social Science.

I hope to pursue a Master degree in Social Policy or International development.

I’ve had the privilege of working in Ghana as developing a Mentorship and Skills development program for youths in Technical and Vocational Education.

I’m all about Youth engagement and empowerment, and I’m excited to be a delegate of this summit.

I’m a casual gamer and part-time hipster .

Hi everyone! Your bios are incredibly interesting! My name is Jerico (he/him). I grew up in rural Philippines and immigrated to Canada, where I now call rural Manitoba home. However, I will be joining you from Toronto, where I am a student at the UofT, studying public policy and sociology.

I am strongly committed to improving sustainability in my university and especially interested in climate justice and how it intersects with anti-racism, indigenous rights, and socio-economics. For the past year, I have been working with an amazing team to submit and publicize a comprehensive strategic plan towards carbon neutrality for my college. I am passionate in bringing change through research and drafting policy and actionable demands. In my off time, I like to bake, learn languages, hike, bike, dance, and browse the Netflix catalogue (I’m very indecisive).

I’m thrilled to be a part of this summit and to learn more from all of you!

Tansi

My name is Nicole Tornquist, I am a 26 year old Indigenous woman from Opaskwayak Cree

Nation. I graduated high school from Margaret Barbour Collegiate. I then continued my

education at University College of the north and completed my Business Administration

majoring in Management. I am a National Ambassador of Hope for We Matter, Manitoba 150 Youth Ambassador, Indigenous 150+ Youth Ambassador and I am also a Facilitator for Awaken the Spirit. In 2019 the youth nominated me to run for Junior Onekanew (Chief), where I accepted the challenge and started my campaign journey. I was then the successful candidate for Junior Onekanew (Chief). With that being said I have the great honors to proudly represent my community of Opaskwayak Cree Nation. My passion is working with the youth of my community and helping our youth become the best people they can be, watching them bloom and overcome obstacles is the greatest feeling in the world. I believe I was meant to mentor the youth, to help them succeed and making connections with them, our youth are the reason I am always pushing myself to become a better person. 

Ekosi

Kwe’/Hello everyone!

I’m Julianna Peter-Paul and 26 from Metepenagiag First Nation, a small Mi’kmaq reserve in north eastern New Brunswick. My pronouns are she/her.  I’m finishing a Bachelors of Arts degree at St. Thomas University with a focus in Communications and Public Policy and English. I have two diplomas in Mobile Application Development and Cybersecurity. I’m currently in a podcasting program that focus on youth sharing Indigenous stories and reconciliation. I have passions for technology, Indigenous rights, and sharing knowledge in creative ways.

My name is Aimee Coles and I am from the beautiful province of Newfoundland I am a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) currently working with the Autism Society, Newfoundland and Labrador where I get to merge my passions for all things recreation and inclusion!

When I’m not working, you can either catch me with my eyes into a new book, snuggling with my micro golden doodle, shopping at Winners (or hanging off buildings).

I am hyped to get to collaborate with all of you and help to shape future endeavors within the future of work – let’s GOOOO!!!

Hello/Bonjour friends. I’m Jessie Lawrence, I’m coming to you from the West Coast of Newfoundland.

Most of my work is related to activism and advocacy for the 2SLGBTQ+ community. I founded Camp Ohana, a summer camp for 2SLGBTQ+ youth, of which our third annual camp finished just yesterday.

I work to eliminate and minimize inequity for rural communities and marginalized communities. My initiatives focus on furthering, creating, and improving resources for rural and outport towns. I work to open dialogue around how tradition affects the growth of our province, and I critically examine how classism, colonialism, and identity impact youth and their families from day to day, and on a larger, systematic level.

Through my own lived experience I have felt the impact of discrimination, and the lasting ripple effect it has on a person. I struggle with mental health, I am queer, and I am young. I am creating the world I needed when I was younger.

Hey folks!! My name is Michael (he/him) and I’m from St. Alban’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. I’m 21 years old and am pursuing a Doctor of Pharmacy at Memorial University of Newfoundland. I have a passion for HIV/AIDS research in LGBTQ+ individuals with hopes of combatting its stigma while promoting its prevention treatment through Atlantic Canada and beyond.

I’m a big advocate for mental health and have been part of mental health organization Jack.org where I’ve fought to ease access to mental health resources for marginalized groups. I am part of the Premier’s Youth Council where I’ve continued advocating for mental health and its importance to government bodies. I’m also a mentor at the Internationalization Office’s MUN Mentors program and co-founded my school’s Respect Alliance, a club that brought gender neutral washrooms to students.

Since the pandemic, I’ve spent time taking pictures, learning piano, and lots of stargazing. Looking forward to this summit and to get to know everybody!

I hope to pursue a Master degree in Social Policy or International development.

I’ve had the privilege of working in Ghana as developing a Mentorship and Skills development program for youths in Technical and Vocational Education.

I’m all about Youth engagement and empowerment, and I’m excited to be a delegate of this summit.

Hi! My name is Danielle, but you can call me D if you’d like! I’m 23. I grew up in Yellowknife, NWT, on Chief Drygeese land, home of the Yellowknives Dene & Traditional lands of North Slave Metis. My father is a german immigrant and my mom is a white settler.  I have lived and studied in the North, which has shaped my identity and passions. I am a Registered Nurse, and graduated from Aurora College/U of Victoria Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2019.  I currently work as Isolation Nurse Lead with a COVID Isolation Hub. I am  studying for the MCAT as I want to pursue medicine.  I am passionate about Northern based education, climate change, Indigenous Rights/Reconciliation and health.  Here’s a pic with me & baby goats in Norway during my nursing student practicum there!

Jaylene Delorme-Buggins is 27 years old Chipewyan / Cree from Yellowknives Dene First Nation. 

Jaylene has worked extensively in using her story and real life experiences to create a positive platform for indigenous youth through advocacy and governance.  Jaylene was elected the youth representative for the Native woman’s association of the NWT and is also the current Elected National Youth Representative for the Native Womans Association Of Canada. 

Over the years Jaylene has sat on various youth councils and has volunteered for numerus organizations and educational opportunities representing the NWT. 

In December 2018 Jaylene has completed a 6 month international indigenous youth internship through Canada World Youth and Global Affairs Canada.  Where Jaylene lived in Colombia, South America for four months.  Jaylene took that opportunity to learn Spanish and immerse herself in a new culture entirely while doing work around economic sustainability. Shortly after she completed a second 4 month internship, this time with Live Different. Jaylene shared her story of over coming trauma and addiction in schools with indigenous youth on and off reserves across Canada.

Uvlaami (good morning) everyone! Uvanga atiga (My name is) Jason Lau (he/him) I’m from Ontario with family ties to Hong Kong and Indonesia. My latest chapter of life has brought me to the Arctic Circle in (Iñuuvik) Inuvik, NT – one of six hamlet communities in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (ISR) within the Inuit Nunangat that is also on traditional Gwich’in land. Here, I make magazines at the Inuvialuit Communications Society (ICS), a non-profit organization dedicated to amplifying the voices, culture, history, and life stories of Inuvialuit (Western Arctic Inuit). Please give me a shout if you’d like to purchase a copy of Tusaayaksat Magazine to read about some stories of Inuvialuit that “need to be heard” and I’d be happy to mail you one!

Meanwhile, I’m doing a part-time Masters in Anthropology, writing about Inuvialuit culture and art/making. I have an undergrad background in (public) archaeology and design, and am always thinking up new ways to mobilize arts and design in socio-cultural-political ways.

I most likely have an unhealthy addiction to collecting indie magazines/zines and welcome any titles you may recommend!

Ilaatnilu, see you all later!

Hey everyone! I’m so excited to be here and can’t wait to get started.

My name is Alyson Dobrota (she/her), and I’m from Nova Scotia. I graduated from Dalhousie University last year with a Bachelor’s degree in Urban Design and Sustainability. I am the Executive Director of a non-profit called PBJ Design, a placemaking organization which facilitates art-based pilot projects that test out innovative ways to help build healthy, connected communities. I’m interested in community development and social innovation, and I’m working to connect my passion for design and policy with social development and entrepreneurship. Outside of work, I teach and do yoga, (attempt to) bake sourdough bread, and love to cook to de-stress.

Hi everyone!

My name is Cassidy and I’m from small town Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. I will be entering my fourth & final year at Acadia University this September. I’m completing a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting, with hopes of pursuing a CPA designation. I’m currently finishing up my third summer with the federal government, working for Service Canada. I held the position of a Student Senator this past year and will be fulfilling the roles of VP Finance for the Business Society and Treasurer of Acadia’s Grad Class this upcoming school year. I’m super passionate about the importance of financial literacy!

Kwe’, ni’n teluisi Chenise Hache, ni’n na L’nu e’pit aq wiki Kjipuktuk, Mi’kma’ki.

Hello, my name is Chenise Hache, I am a Mi’kmaw woman and I live in Halifax, NS, in our traditional territory called Mi’kma’ki: land of the Mi’kmaq.

I am a friend, daughter, dancer, Aunty, partner, youth worker, artist, maker, and organizer. I just finished a 5 year career in Indigenous student supports in P-12 and Post-Secondary and am embarking on a new career journey this September.

In 2018, my partner James Doucette, and I started our youth program called Reclaiming Our Roots: Land Based Learning and Community Stewardship. We offer land based  mentoring and workshop opportunities rooted in Mi’kmaw values including harvesting, food sovereignty, and traditional crafting/processing. In September, we are going to be taking ROR full-time(ish), combined with some other Program Management responsibilities I will be taking on at our host organization, Heartwood Centre for Community Youth Development.

I’m passionate about land based learning, my favorite traditional food is a triple tie between striped bass, eels, and fiddleheads, and I love love love grant writing to empower Indigenous folks to lead community projects.

Hey everyone! It’s so great to virtually meet you all!

My name is Dena Williams. I am currently studying Social Work at Dalhousie, focusing in on ways to create opportunities for those in and from marginalized, or historically neglected communities thave access to the resources necessary for them to be supported as they develop careers as a creative artist.

I advocate for those who are underserved and underrepresented in the music industry and artistic community. As an Advocate and Curator of Arts and Culture, I partner with organizations and create connections which help these creatives build their network and their careers. Through my entertainment company, Vitamin Dee Entertainment, I have developed my own personal network of creative professionals while also creating opportunities and experiences for varying communities to collide through art.

I’m grateful for this opportunity to get to know you all further and look forward to the virtual summit!

Hi everyone, I’m going to keep this short and sweet. My name is Erin and I’m from a small town in Nova Scotia. I’m about to go into my 4th (and final) year at McGill studying history and drama. I’m a complete musical theatre nerd and love everything to do with theatre. I also love cooking/baking, figure skating and playing with my cat. I’m always up for trying new things and learning new skills.

I’ve never participate in a summit like this before and I’m incredibly excited to meet and work with you all.

Hi!

My name is Kayla Bernard (she/her), I grew up in the community of Sipekne’katik First Nation. I have resided in the Halifax Nova Scotia for some years now for my schooling. I am currently studying Therapeutic Recreation at Dalhousie University.

I am a mental health advocate, especially with regards to prevention of youth suicide. I founded HeART, a resiliency-based art program as a response to the ongoing youth mental health crisis currently happening Nova Scotia. HeART is program for children & youth that used art as a plat form for connecting youth to their community, building supportive environments, learn mindfulness and other coping skills.

For fun; I like to play sims and hang out with my cats! I also camp and volunteer with Scouts Canada.

Hey everyone! My name is Megan, I’m 20 years old and I’m from the beautiful Annapolis Valley in NS. I will be going into my third year at St. Thomas University in Fredericton, NB this fall and I am working towards a double major in Political Science and International Relations with a minor in Spanish. I am very passionate about community health and finding ways to overcome the systemic barriers that are impacting communities around the globe. I have travelled to Ecuador twice, once in 2015 and again in 2018 as an Education First Canadian Youth Ambassador. I spent my time there working on building a clean water system with the members of a community in the Amazon. A few months later I travelled to Ottawa and met with MPs and Senators to discuss our work. These trips are what really fuelled my passion for what I now study and I hope to pursue a Masters degree in global health and development when I complete my undergrad. At university, I have held the positions of residence representative and at-large representative on the Students’ Union as well as the Canadian liaison on the International Students’ Association. Another one of my favourite roles on campus is working for recruitment and welcoming prospective students to our campus through my work as a Tour Ambassador.

This summer I’m currently working as a Fitness Centre Attendant at the gym in a beautiful new recreation facility in my community. In my free time I love going to the beach, travelling (really missing it during covid!!), talking politics and working out. I can’t wait to work with all of you and I look forward to great discussions about the future of work for youth! 🙂

Excited to meet you all! I’m Ampai (Ummmm- Pie) (she/her). I am a proud Blasian and can cook some mean dishes from both sides of my family

4 years ago I founded Step Above Stigma and the Glass Slipper Organization.

At Step Above Stigma we advocate for systemic change, promote mental health and have raised $40,000!

After years of struggling with my mental health and identity and seeing so many others feel the same, this felt really good.

With the Glass Slipper Organization we have given away over 700 sets of prom attire to individuals in need and now have 3 branches in Atlantic Canada.

I was also the co-captain of our African Caribbean dance team for 3 years so you know we get it popping.

From this I was thankful and honoured to be listed as one of Her Campus’s Top 22 Under 22 Most Inspiring College Women. (I still have lots of mental ups and downs but was really thankful for this, the love, and the amazing people I got to work with on all these projects).

Last year also I Co-Founded Lifted! A corporation that is reimagining the Lingerie industry to be inclusive with regards to shape, size, skin-tone and ability.

I am beginning my masters studying barriers Black students face when accessing mental health resources at Canadian Universities in September and am looking forward to getting things going with you all!So blown away by everybody here wow. 🥰 thanks for reading 

Hi all! Nice to meet you My name is Alyssia Jovellanos (she/her) and I’m 23 years old.

I currently work as an Engineering Program Manager at Microsoft, and am an international competitive quant. In 2019 I competed as part of Team Canada at the International Quant Championships (IQC), where we finished in 3rd place world wide at the global finals in Singapore out of 18,000 teams and 131 countries. As part of a group of computer science instructors, I’m also teaching CS106A for Stanford University remotely, where we’re teaching about 10,000 students from around the world free of charge in the time of covid-19. I previously worked in Software Engineering at Google on Gmail’s Smart Compose, studied at MILA and spoke about my work at venues such as the Google Women Engineers Summit, Microsoft Research, and the Grace Hopper Celebration to audiences of over 15,000 people. As a student I co-founded Canada’s largest student-run hackathon for change, DeltaHacks, and built computer science education tools used by 10,000s+ of students in the GTA/Hamilton area. I’m passionate about leveraging technology to help improve access to information and resources. I also love music, dance and video games!

Hello everyone! My name is Caitlin Mehrotra (she/her). I grew up in Oakville, Ontario (the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nations), but moved to Montreal (unceded Anishinaabeg and Kanien’kehá:ka territory), for my post-secondary studies. I just graduated from University this summer with a degree in Pharmacology focusing on Public Health. Throughout school, I held various positions that revolved around peer support and community engagement work, rooted in principles of anti-oppression and harm reduction. As a result, I have a particular interest in the intersections of public health policy and racial and environmental justice. 

In my ideal future, I live on a farm that is part permaculture homestead, part animal sanctuary, part co-op, rooted in regenerative agricultural and community building practices. But for now, I have settled for owning, as my mom describes it, “way too many plants”. Another life goal is to master a single close up card magic trick so that I have something cool to show people at parties. 

I’m very excited to work and learn with you all during the summit! Can’t wait to get started!

(Image Description: Caitlin is sitting in front of a flowerbed of tall ornamental grasses. She is wearing a soft pink dress layered on top of a black turtleneck. Her glasses are on top of her head and she is smiling at the camera. Downtown Montreal’s tall skyscrapers can be seen in the background.)

Hi, I’m Chanèle McFarlane (she/her), an award-winning marketing communications specialist, Certified Career Strategist and TEDx speaker. I currently reside in Brampton, Ontario and I’m a new mom to my 3-month-old daughter, Eden.

As the Founder of Do Well Dress Well, a career website to help millennials navigate the future of work, I create content on personal branding and professional development. I currently serve on the advisory group for Accelerate Her Future and on the Professional Advisory Committee for Humber College’s Content Strategy program. I also contribute to the future of thought leadership as the Director of Programming for Women and Color.

I have my Honours Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from McMaster University and a post-graduate certificate in Public Relations from Humber College. I’ve been recognized as one of PR in Canada’s Top 30 Under 30, one of the Top 100 Black Women to Watch in Canada and one of the Top 25 Women of Influence.

Very excited to be a part of the summit to help shape the future of work in our post-pandemic world! 

Hi everyone! It’s lovely to e-meet you all.

I’m Christy Lee (she/her). I currently work as the Regional Office Intern for Ontario North& East at RBC. I’m completing a bilingual communications and business degree at the University of Ottawa, graduating December 2020. I grew up in the Toronto area and moved to Ottawa about 4 years ago. I’m super passionate about personal finance and believe that everyone should have access to a financial education. In my spare time, I love to read and watch movies/tv shows.

I can’t wait for this Summit and I look forward to working together!

Hi everyone! My name is David Thibodeau (he/him), I am from Fredericton, New Brunswick, currently living in Ottawa working for the federal government in policy development and program operations. I completed my Bachelor of Leadership from the University of New Brunswick in 2016, and my Masters in Public Policy and Administration from Carleton University in 2018. I am also a youth swim coach and a former competitive swimmer, competing for Team New Brunswick at the 2013 Canada Summer Games in Sherbrooke, Quebec. I am a strong advocate for better inclusion for 2SLGBTQ+ people in sport and society, as Co-Chair of the Capital Pride Youth Committee, and was also a Young Sport Maker at Global Sport Week in Paris this past February!

Hi everyone! My name is Danielle (she/her). I am 24 years old, I live in Mulmur Ontario. I moved from England with my family 17 years ago, and am French (Euro) background. I own a residential & commercial cleaning company called Domestic Divas Cleaning Co. Our company is all over the GTA as well as northern communities. I am a leader at heart & value all education, learning, and experiences. I was nominated for RBC Womens Entrepreneur Awards, as well as ran for Miss World Canada in 2019 & my platform was to encourage & mentor women entrepreneurs. I am passionate about mentoring the next generation of young leaders & improving my skills for our communities, my company, and myself. I spend any minute of “extra” time researching, investing, and improving myself & my company, as well as learning Spanish, playing tennis, enjoying good food and drinks, travelling, and being on the water. Looking forward to working with you all & learning these great skills!

Hi everyone, my name is Daisy (she/her) and I’ve lived in Tkaronto (colonially known as Toronto) my whole life. I’m the daughter of two fierce immigrants from the Philippines, and I’m passionate about (re)connecting with my roots, ancestors, and community.

I believe that our stories are powerful. Shortly after completing my Social Work degree, I experienced a mental health crisis. Now, after a couple of years of very intentional inner work and healing, I’m transitioning back into the workforce and am busy creating a mentorship program for Filipinx youth in Tkaronto, with a focus on building capacity through peer support and community connections.

I’m very open about my lived experience with mental illness and my hope is to begin the conversation around mental health and how it intersects with race, ability, work, gender, etc. I want to cultivate new spaces where all BIPOC are seen, heard, and valued – spaces where we can all thrive, and not just survive.

I’m a proud plant mom, I stress-bake a lot, and I regularly buy books that I never end up reading. I’m looking forward to working with you all!

Hi everyone! It’s such a pleasure to meet you all! I’m Dee, the Education Coordinator at the Woodstock Art Gallery in Woodstock, Ontario. In collaboration with a stellar team of women, I develop and deliver art and education programs to the greater community of Oxford County, and beyond! 

Through creativity and art appreciation, our programs explore everything from environmentalism and sustainability, body image awareness and positivity, and mental health and wellness, while prioritizing inclusive and accessible opportunities for children, youth, and at-risk populations. Both my personal and professional philosophy is grounded in the awareness that art is a universal language, allowing us to make meaningful and diverse connections and encouraging open and honest conversations. My teaching practice is trauma-informed and holistic in it’s approach with a focus on using art and self-expression as a powerful tool for healing, deep understanding, and positive social change. I’m humbled to be here and looking forward to listening, learning, and sharing with you all over the next few weeks!

Hi! I’m Devon (he/him) and although I live in Toronto, I feel most connected to Kitchener/Waterloo. I did a master’s in Environmental Psychology at Wilfrid Laurier University during which I co-founded the KW Library of Things – a space where community members can borrow infrequently used items (e.g. tools) that also provides living wages for individuals who face barriers to employment to work in the library. I now work as Humber College’s Sustainability Manager where I balance supporting grassroots equity/environmental work while advocating for sustainability to be integrated throughout the institution.Outside of work, I’m a pretty active person and have bike from Toronto to Niagara Falls in one day. Once we’re able to travel between provinces, I’d love to bike to the east coast. Looking forward to working through all the inevitable tech issues with all of you 😉

Hi Everyone! My name is Eashan (he/him) and I just moved back to my hometown of Toronto after completing my Juris Doctor at the University of Ottawa. My background is in environmental sustainability and eco-policy although I have been working in the corporate law sector for the last couple of years. I look forward to learning from you and all and sharing my experiences as well Aside from this, I am a huge Toronto sports fan and love all things crosswords, golf, and travel!

Excited to e-meet you all soon!

Hi! I’m Ellis. I’m a white settler currently living on the territories of the Haudenosaunee, Petun, Anishinaabe, Mississugas, Huron-Wendat and Mohawk peoples (Prince Edward County, Ontario). I am trans nonbinary and use they/them gender pronouns.

I have an extensive background in youth work, primarily including founding and facilitating 2SLGBTQIA+ youth groups in several communities over the past seven years. I have an undergraduate degree in Social Justice Education from Quest University with a focus on engaging youth in community based anti-oppression work.  I have significant training and experience creating and facilitating anti-oppression workshops, including topics ranging from fatphobia to institutional accessibility. I have personal experience with mental illness, and I have held peer support roles throughout my educational and professional career. I currently work as the financial empowerment coordinator at an adult education centre, which I love! I aim to root all of my work in Anti-Racist and Decolonial praxis.

I am so excited to meet all of you and learn with you at the conference! I love to garden, cook, spend time with my dog and cat, play board games, and do random crafts.

ID: Ellis, a white person with a brown beard and shoulder-length brown hair, wears a pink cap with a strawberry on it and a pink shirt that reads “Freaky Gender Freak.” They are smiling and standing in front of a tree on a lawn. 

Emilie is an entrepreneur with a passion for equity, education and the environment. She has studied in various fields from biotechnology to design thinking, project management and marketing, giving her a unique perspective in a variety of industries. In 2018, she graduated as an advanced biotechnologist and valedictorian for Loyalist College. Emilie believes that youth representation is required at all levels of governance and that sustainable practices and intersectional thinking are key pillars to successful policy making.

An AMO Youth Fellow, a Rural Ontario Institute Changemaker and Bay of Quinte Top 30 Under 30, Emilie is a director on the Quinte Regional Science and Technology Fair Board, a member of the Centre for Workforce Development Board and a youth advisor on the education sectoral committee of CCUNESCO. She is an advocate for positive mental well-being and a speaker through Jack.org.

Emilie is a Co-Founder of The Positivity Project and acting Marketing Director. She is equally the marketing manager for We Be Us Community and a Communications Director for a local federal riding association.

She has served as a member of the Economic Development and Destination Committee for the City of Belleville and currently sits on its youth advisory committee. Formally a Social Change Specialist for Brock University and Outreach Coordinator for Let’s Talk Science, Emilie is eager to tackle any project management needs your company may have.

Hi, my name is Eric. I had the privilege of growing up on the traditional territory lands of Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee, Lenape, Attawandaron, and Wendy people (Southwestern Ontario-area ,Strathroy). I currently study Business Technology Management at Ryerson University. As a child of a single parent in a small, prominently caucasian community, I have seen how ill-afforded rural areas are to be offered the same services, experiences, and exposure as other urban-dwelling individuals. My areas of focus are in health innovation and secondary / post-secondary education.

As a former Student Trustee for Thames Valley District School Board, I worked with the province to create the Indigenous Relations Working Group for Student Trustees. Following this, I had the privilege of working with Prime Minister Trudeau to design, recruit, and manage the Prime Ministers Youth Advisory Council. I always hold education and youth empowerment dear to my heart. I have the honour to sit on several boards with the Business-Higher Education Roundtable and the University of Waterloo Youth Advisory Board to redesign programming for education and consulting on community youth-engagement programs around Canada. Additionally, I genuinely love the startup scene. In health tech, I started and designed my own medical device for leg elevation, Kumovate. I now work at getmaple.ca, where I work in Public Sector BD and lead our Indigenous portfolio to extend virtual primary care to treaty citizens throughout BC.

Personally, I love cooking vegetarian dishes, brewing my own beer/cider, and studying Mandarin. When I am not quoting movies, I am an avidly (injured) Half-Iron Man trainer. I personally have weird taste in music and suck at curating playlists, so if you have solid workout playlists, feel free to drop ’em.

Good morning! My name is Fatema Abdalla, from Scarborough, On. I’m a recent graduate of Political Science and Communications from uOttawa, most passionate about social and economic justice.

For the last year and a half I’ve been working with a non-partisan, voter mobilization organization. I’m a firm believer of the statement that if you don’t vote, then you can’t really complain about any governmental decisions. In a democracy it is important for every single person to participate and be civically engaged – at least to the bare minimum. And so, I’ve worked in many environments with the sole purpose of getting the most number of Canadians out to the polls.

My long term goals are to advocate for at-risk youth. And to help in the construction of a society where everyone is given an equal opportunity to grow and succeed. No matter their social, ethnic, or economic background.

I’ve spent quarantine studying for my lsat, cooking, and refining my skills in digital art. I think art’s a powerful tool, especially in this technological era that we now live in. Hopefully one of these days I build enough confidence to share my work!Looking forward to meeting everyone in the upcoming Zoom calls. 

Hi everyone, wonderful to get to know a little bit about you all! My name is Fatin Tawfig (she/her).

I was born in Khartoum, Sudan, I grew up in Toronto, and I am currently living in Bonn, Germany. I work on climate change adaptation and resilience building at the international level, focusing on topics such as adaptation finance, youth and public engagement in adaptation action, assessing global progress on climate change adaptation, and other related areas. Last September, I had the pleasure of attending the first ever UN Youth Climate Summit, as well as the Climate Action Summit, which took place just ahead of the UN General Assembly.

Prior to my work at the international level, I briefly supported the climate and environmental policy work of the Canadian federal government in the context of Canada’s 2018 G7 Presidency.

I hold two degrees from the University of Toronto, where I studied politics, environment, and psychology.

In my spare time, I enjoy gardening, reading, cooking, and spending time in the gym.Really excited to engage with you all over the coming weeks! 

Hello everyone! I am Feza. I use They/She pronouns. I am based on stolen and unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishnaabeg Nation also known as Ottawa.  I was born in Congo – Kinshasa and grew up across Canada.

I am a community organizer doing anti-o, anti-violence, transformative justice work. I am a community birth worker and beginning my journey to midwifery this September. I am also a passionate visual artist, my work tackles many social justice issues such as access to health care, housing, racism in the work force and gender-based violence.

I am excited to be back part of the forum and learn from all of you!

Hi everyone! My name is Gurneet (she/her) and I’m from Mississauga, Ontario. I recently completed my undergraduate degree in Global Health at York University and I’m currently working as a summer student at Grand Challenges Canada. Outside of work, I serve on the board of directors at Rose of Sharon Services for Young Mothers. I’m very passionate about health innovation and impact investing.

In my spare time I enjoy watching docuseries on Netflix, cooking, and reading!

Looking forward to working with you all!

Hello everyone. I’m Muskaan Jindani (she/her). I am currently studying Political Science as I plan on attending law school in the future. I have volunteered for several organizations such as the Canadian Cancer Society, Amnesty International, World Wildlife Foundation and Green Living. I am also a co-founder of Global Connection, a non-profit organization that provides an opportunity for youth to voice their opinions on events that are happening around the world no matter where they are.

I believe in building a society where people can advocate for themselves and others without masking a fake persona to fit in society. I am very passionate about philosophy, politics, chess and literally any form of arts.

Thank you so much for this opportunity! Can’t wait to interact more with you guys!!

Hi everyone and nice to meet you all I’m Hannah Geauvreau-Turner and I’m Ojibway First Nations. I have been living in Lima, Peru up until December, 2019 and have lived there for around 10 years. I was born in Fort Frances, ON and raised on my Indigenous reserve (Onigaming First Nation). I live in Guelph and am currently attending Conestoga College. I am a Ambassador of Hope for the We Matter Organization, that dedicates to Indigenous youth support, hope and life promotion. I also have  taught English as a second language in Peru to children and have been doing professional modelling on-going in Canada and Peru for the past 5+ years. I enjoy cooking Peruvian dishes for my friends and family, going on long walks, listening to music and eating ice cream. I have a huge passion towards helping others. I have lived experience within my family in the area of mental-health and have been through some quite tough hardships in life and have used my own story to help the Indigenous youth of Canada to know that they can still move forward in life.

Aanii, Harmony ndizhnikaaz, Wikwemikong ndoonjiba, Ottawa ndonji, giinoozhe doodem, niishtina ashi naanin ndisobiboomwe, midwewim ndaww.

Hello, My name is Harmony. I’m from Wikwemikong. I reside in Ottawa. My clan is pike. I’m 25 winters old. I’m from the 3 fires tribe (odawa, Ojibwe, potawatomi).

I’m a guest on unceded and unsurrendered Algonquin territory or Ottawa but I grew up on Manitoulin Island the world’s largest freshwater lake island that inspired me to become a water protector with Youth Water Leaders. As of covid-19, I spend my time creating resources to support youth with mental health and substance use for CAMH Youth Advisory Board and Indspire. I assist with hosting Assembly Seven Generations webinars, if you’re looking to get connected with the Ottawa Indigneous youth community.

Miigwetch

Hi guys! My name is Iknoor Khaira (she/her) and I was born and raised in Brampton, Ontario (located on the land of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nations). I will be starting my undergraduate studies at the University of Ottawa this fall for a Joint Honours BA in History and Political Science. After completing my Bachelor of Arts, I am hoping to further my education by attending law school for human rights law. 

I’ve spent much of my high school career volunteering with various organizations such as the Canadian Blood Services and the NDP. I’ve also run initiatives such as a book drive for isolated First Nations youth, a campaign to ban single-use plastic bags, and interviewed Canadian veterans, with help from Historica Canada, to create a WW2 documentary that highlighted Canadian sacrifices in the war.  

As a visible minority in Canada, I have witnessed, firsthand, the long-lasting, negative effects of racial discrimination on minority youth and its ability to inhibit one’s feeling of security in the workplace. This, in turn, has fueled my passion to help create a future where colour inspires rather than divides us. I firmly believe that only through appreciating our differences can we diversify our perspectives and ultimately build a brighter future. I am so excited to share my ideas on the future of work as well as hear all of your inspiring stories!

Hello everyone! My name is Isabella Giuga (she/her) and I am from Durham Region, Ontario. I hold an honours Bachelor of Arts degree, specializing in sociology and minoring in psychology, in addition to holding a Social Service Worker Diploma.

Majority of my career has been in Violence Against Woman (VAW) work. I currently work part time in a shelter for women who have experienced domestic violence, and full time as a counsellor for woman identified individuals who have experienced sexual violence in various forms. Although I serve all ages, I have recently been working with more of a youth focus. I have great passion for VAW work, and attempt to bring positivity and love into at least one person’s day. Self love is a significant part of the work that I do in my career, as well as my personal life. I aspire to help and support all people in loving themselves and their bodies.

This is the first time ever being apart of a youth summit, and I must say that I am quite excited for this opportunity! I hope to learn lots, meet amazing people, and be apart of something great!

Hello everyone! I’m Jenna (she/her), currently based in Ottawa, ON, on the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishnaabeg people (though spending most of my time during the pandemic in my hometown of Deep River). I work in communications and marketing in the non-profit sector but through volunteer work have been developing a strong interest in urban planning, specifically around building sustainable and equitable urban communities. Maybe someday I will make the career switch! I love urban green spaces, public transportation, getting to know my neighbours, drawing and painting, making soup, and swimming in the Ottawa River. 

Aaniin-Boozhoo my name is Alexandria Bipatnath. I’m First Nations, Ojibway and South American (Guyanese) and am the CEO and founder of The Wholesome Conscious. A catering company that offers Indigenous Fusion Plant-Based Foods both in Toronto, ON and in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I’m a Holistic Health and Wellness Practitioner and have strong ties to both traditional ways of knowing and western knowledge aiding people and communities to healthier living. I’m greatly passionate about improving the futurity of Indigenous communities, especially with our youth. You can catch me in the kitchen cooking, baking, etc. or in the garden weeding, talking to our plant beings, or simply just kicking it with our newly adopted kitty Mando. Looking forward to providing insights, knowledge and guidance with you all. Chi-Miigwech to all of you for sharing. IG @thewholesomeconscious

Hey Everyone!

Happy Friday!! My name is Kim Kirton (She/Her)  and I am a passionate social entrepreneur, from Toronto, Ontario who loves bringing big ideas to life. From sustainable t-shirt businesses, to social innovation summits, to online accelerators —  I’ve been fortunate enough to launch multiple initiatives and businesses across Canada and have worn every hat from marketing, sales, UX/ UI, design, social media, and more. However, my sweet spot is around ideation, product, community, and go to market strategy/execution.

Currently my team and I are working on  a new product that is looking to support individuals integrate daily activism (& different kinds)  into their daily lives!

My name is Leah Brodovsky (she/her) and I am from Guelph, Ontario. I am a Food Science Co-op student at the University of Guelph. I spent the past year working as a Product Developer at a food product development consulting company. My focus was on ice cream and frozen dessert product development! I really enjoyed working with the start-up clients, as they had so much passion for their work!

After graduation, I hope to work in food and agricultural policy. I am fluent in English and French and am teaching myself Spanish.

I am looking forward to working with and learning from all of you!

Aanii/Hello everyone! My name is Leah, my anishinaabe name is Waabano pichi kwe meaning Light of dawn robin woman, and I am Ojibwe Métis from Port Severn, Ontario – near Georgian Bay and Muskoka.

I now live in Ottawa and work for the National Association of Friendship Centres and the Canadian Roots Exchange as a Decent Work for Youth Officer and a Youth Research Assistant. While juggling that I am also a part of an Indigenous Youth Policy School – soo busy! 🥴

I’ve got two diplomas from Georgian College in Indigenous Community and Social Development & Travel and Tourism. I have lived and worked in Canmore, Alberta,  backpacked and worked throughout New Zealand, Sydney, and some of Mexico as well, with a visiting total of over 12 countries.

I’m excited to be a part of this event to not only be beneficial professionally, but also for the networking opportunities and knowledge sharing amongst all you unique and diverse people!

Miigwech for reading!

My name is Maame Efua De-Heer, a Ghanaian Born, second-generation immigrant. I serve as a Policy Analyst intern with the Public Health Agency of Canada, and completing my Masters degree in Public Health at the University of Toronto. I am a Clinical Research Analyst for the A.C.T.I.O.N Project at the University Health Network. Simultaneously, I am the Founder of the Power of Love Foundation, a not-for-profit organization targeted to improving the lives of women and children. I accord my achievements to my family, friends and church – Impact Lives Church (Canada) and Tema Christian Centre Assemblies of God Church (Ghana).

Hi everyone! My name is Martin Ciesielski-Listwan (he/him), I was born and raised in Brampton, Ontario and I’m a recent graduate in Software Engineering From Western University. I’m a software engineer and competitive quant where I’ve applied proprietary machine learning algorithms to model aspects of equities to drive near-zero beta algorithmic trading strategies. I graduated to join a tiny moonshot team at Google working on payments in resource constrained environments. I’ve also worked on the Gears of War 5 game engine during my time at Microsoft. In 2019, I became the first in my family to graduate from higher education.

I’m Miranda Newman (she/her). I’m a writer and editor in Toronto (Tkaronto), where I’ve been residing since attending Ryerson University for journalism. I’ve been published in The Literary Review of Canada, Broadview Magazine, The Walrus, The Montreal Gazette, and more. I recently co-wrote Virtual Work is Here: A Guide for Youth, published by the Canadian Council of Youth Prosperity and the Tamarack Institute.

I’m co-editor of AFTERNOON, a yearly arts and letters publication with an international focus. I publish a monthly newsletter, Life as Lunatic, about coping with mental health and trauma symptoms, from the perspective of lived experience.
In my spare time, I’m an advisory member of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health’s National Youth Action Council, where I consult on COVID-19 and storytelling subcommittees, and am a project advisor to Embreate’s Wittle. I also volunteer with Toronto Cat Rescue when COVID-19 isn’t impacting operations.

Hi friends! I’m Murphy-Issac.  I’m from southwestern Ontario. I’m most passionate about my volunteer work focusing on youth mental wellness through The New Mentality and Wellkin YEA, as well as the Queer and Trans community around my area. I love actively working towards equity and unity across social services regarding level of care and equal access. My hobbies include music and ASL which is my second (and preferred) language as I sometimes struggle with verbal communication. I look forward to meeting all of you and working together on this awesome project!

Hi everyone. My name is Nancy (she/her) and I’m from Toronto. I hold a Masters Degree in Political Science with a Graduate Collaborative Specialization in Women and Gender Studies from the University of Toronto. I currently work as a consultant for UN Women supporting the WE EMPOWER G7 Programme focused on women’s economic empowerment. Further, I sit on the youth advisory board of REES Community and I am a member of the Prime Minister’s Youth Council.  I am passionate about gender equality (particularly ensuring that efforts toward achieving gender equality are intersectional), human rights, and youth activism, among others. Looking forward to getting to know everyone!

Hi everyone! I’m Natalie (she/her). I was born Tkaronto (Toronto) and raised in between this city and AlangasÍ, Ecuador. I live in Tkaronto currently as I am a student at the University of Toronto where I am completing my second year of Industrial Engineering part-time so I can accommodate minors in Indigenous Studies and Latin American Studies. At UofT, I am a co-president of our chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB), a social impact organization which invests people and ideas that contribute to building a better world. I took on this role in order to have a platform to further my vision of a cultural shift within the engineering profession where the engineer is infused with ideals of social justice and has the tools to understand their impact on the people and the planet. This is important because engineers have enormous power as the provisioners of the design and technology which shapes many of our societies. Some interests of mine include reading, running, biking, cooking, Latin dance, visual/UX/UI design, and of course learning from incredible people such as you all (feeling so blessed right now! ) If you’d like to connect, please reach out! A goal for myself during my participation in this initiative is to develop friendships despite the barriers of being online – help me reach this goal!

Hi everyone! My name is Prieeyya pronounced (Pree-yah). I grew up in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and moved to Toronto in 2015. I am the founder of an early stage technology education company called Our Wave Hub – we design, develop and run courses in emerging technology, soft skills training and leadership development training for people between 15-29 to prepare for the future of work. The technologies we focus on are Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Cybersecurity and the Internet of Things. We’ve worked with Ryerson University, Sheridan College, Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) and the City of Brampton. Before starting Our Wave, I worked with the UNHCR, LAB B, the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE), and the Sikh Heritage Month Foundation in different capacities.

Growing up, music was central to our childhood..My sisters and I play the piano, violin, sitar, the bongos and an ancient Sikh instrument called the Taus that resembles a peacock. We also played in a bagpipe band and got to represent Canada at the World Pipe Band Championships as a Grade 1 Tenor Drummer in the Peel Regional Police Pipe Band. Super random and I probably have forgotten all the technique at this point, but I hold a Black Belt in Taekwondo. Can’t wait to connect with everyone…the group of people here is so diverse & insanely talented!!

Hi everybody! My name is RaeChelle-Faith, I’m 25 years old, and a 2020 delegate for the ffwd2020 Summit. Born and raised in Jamaica, I graduated with an LL.B in 2016, and I’m currently finishing up my post-grad certificate in Government Relations. 

After studying law and conducting research on the Jamaican juvenile justice system, I worked as a summer camp counsellor in Vermont (USA) with kids from primarily low-income households and state care, then in educational consulting for a bit. Next, I found my footing at Global Affairs Canada (in Jamaica) for about a year and a half working in the IRCC Division, and since January, have volunteered with M.P. Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, serving the constituents of Beaches-East York.

I’m a people-centric ambivert who believes you’re never fully dressed without a smile!

I love people, public policy, project management, youth advocacy and community capacity building, and meeting new people over good food and conversation!  In my free time, I’m a singer-songwriter who also likes to pretend she’s a chef!

My sincerest joy is helping to amplify the voices of Black women and creating spaces for people to feel safe and HEARD.

Presently,  I’m working at the Yonge Street Mission as a Community Support Worker with youth from Regent Park.

Looking forward to learning more about you, and from you!

Hello / Bonjour / Hola everyone! My name is Reece Van Breda (he,him), and I was born and raised in Northwestern Ontario, and currently reside in unceded Robinson Superior Treaty (Thunder Bay). I attended Humber College for my Bachelor of International Development, but I have also lived and worked in Ukraine, Peru, Argentina, and Israel. I am currently 26 years old and l am passionate about geopolitics, international diplomacy and conflict studies, and learning Spanish. I am completing my ambassadorship with Ocean Bridge where I heard of this fantastic opportunity, and having my community project by attempting to ban single-use plastic from numerous rural Northern Ontario communities. Growing up Metis and living in numerous Northwestern Ontario communities has shaped my outlook on life and how I view Canada and the numerous domestic and international challenges that our generation can overcome together! We all have so much to learn from each other and how our lives impact our worldview through each of our own lenses on different issues, and I’m very excited to listen in on everyone’s voices!

Hi everyone, it’s Reem I’m a Youth Advisor on a Newcomer youth Development and Leadership program with the YMCA. I love so many things and I’m finding myself through a journey of self-discovery and alignment with my soul, body and mind. I’m a humanitarian, certified yoga instructor with passion for life and all that I do. I’m truly happy to embark on this journey and to get to know all the great souls here as we share experiences, diverse backgrounds and knowledge.

Hi there! My name is Robin (she/her). I’m 26 years old and I live in Woodstock, Ontario. I’m originally from Sudbury, but I moved to southwestern Ontario for university. I have a master’s degree in journalism and communications and previously worked as a journalist for CBC in Sudbury, Kitchener and London. Currently, I’m the communications coordinator for my local art gallery and museum. I’ve always been passionate about storytelling and local arts & culture. In my spare time I consume a lot of media. I’m a podcast addict, so please share your recommendations!

Hello everyone!

My name is Rosaleen Nguyen (she/her). I’m from Ottawa, Ontario (located on the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation) but reside in Montreal, Quebec (located on the unceded territory of the Kanien’kehá:ka Mohawk Nation) when I’m attending McGill University. I’m entering my fourth and final year of my undergraduate degree studying International Development Studies with a double minor in French and Economics. 

I’m passionate about a career in public service or in the nonprofit sector. Last summer, I worked for the federal government at Indigenous Services Canada and this summer, I volunteer as a mentor for senior citizens to assist them with technology and to help them connect with their loved ones during these trying times.

I enjoy discussing ways to improve the social welfare of disadvantaged peoples in local and international communities through public policy.

In my down time, I love watching romcoms, cooking dinner for my friends, playing online chess (badly) and discussing popular culture!

Looking forward to working with you all!

Hello/Bonjour! My name is Sajanika Sivanu (she/her/elle), and I’m from what is currently known as Markham, Ontario. The City of Markham is located on the traditional territories of the Anishinabewaki, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Huron Wendat and the Haudenosaunee people.

I graduated from York University with degrees in both International Development Studies and Public Administration. My work experience primarily focused on analyzing and designing community benefit agreements for large infrastructure projects in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and Northern Quebec. I have since shifted my focus to women and youth empowerment. I am passionate about enhancing community engagement and partnerships to create inclusive spaces for all.

Outside of school and work, I love travelling, reading, and I consider myself to be a Mac & Cheese Connoisseur

Hey everyone, my name is Sandy Tat! I was born and raised in Mississauga, Ontario, but I have also lived in Hamilton, where I completed my Bachelors of Health Sciences in 2018, and Toronto, where I, most recently, graduated with a Masters of Public Policy from Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. I’m passionate about transformative justice, healthcare, and the building and rebuilding systems for meaningful equity and sustainability. When I’m not learning, reading, or acting on what I’ve learned or read, I’m trying out new recipes and watching horror films!

Boozhoo Everyone!

I’m Sarah Hanson, Anishinaabe from Biigtigong Nishnaabeg in Northwestern Ontario! I have been living and working on the traditional and unceded lands of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg in what is currently called Ottawa for the past 7 years on and off. I spend most of my days working for Experiences Canada, an education focused non-profit creating youth leadership opportunities across what is currently called Canada. Apart from work though I try to be creative through different medium and right now it is through beading and digital illustrations.

I hold a degree in Biology from Queen’s University and I’m working part-time to finish a second in Indigenous Studies, Human Rights and Social Justice from Carleton University. These degrees in addition to my Indigenous Knowledge from growing up in my community help me to advocate for Indigenous inclusion in the Climate Change area.

Super excited to be a part of this group and experience with you all!

Hi folks! My name is Serisha Iyar (she/her) and I am the Founder and Executive Director of Leading in Colour, a community organization dedicated to providing racialized youth with the necessary tools, resources and skills training needed to conduct advocacy efforts in and for their communities. I was born in Montreal where my family landed as refugees from South Africa but have spent most of my life in Georgetown, ON and now live in Ottawa. I operate on the foundational frameworks of anti-oppression including decolonization, anti-racism and intersectional feminism. I graduated from McGill University in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science & World Religions and currently work in human rights advocacy with an international non-profit.

Hi all, good to e-meet you, Shalaka (she/they) here! I currently work at Youth Climate Lab as the Design & Community Manager. As a twice-over immigrant, I’m interested in pursuing questions around value relating to power and authority.  In the past year, I’ve worked in an editorial role to launch the inaugural issue of Textile, a magazine focused on uplifting and prioritizing underrepresented voices in the Haldimand Tract (Waterloo Region), during which I developed and executed workshops with equity-seeking youth. I’m interested in how arts-based methodologies can provoke new collaborations, and have worked with elders from Saddle Lake Cree Nation and graduate students at the University of Alberta to produce an augmented reality installation that prioritized Indigenous approaches to knowledge and storytelling. I’m soon to publish work with the Aboriginal Curatorial Collective, and have performed work at the 2019 Common Waters festival.  While I’m trained as an urban planner, I hope to follow the advice of aptitude tests to pursue curatorial studies. I enjoy studying the menus of local restaurants for fun, and always order dessert.

Hello everyone, super impressive bios, I had fun reading them!

I am a PhD student at York University researching migration, social mobility, digital technology and NGO work. I am also passionate about community development and youth work, a sector I have been involved in for about a decade locally (Toronto) and a bit abroad (Barbados & Bangladesh). As an aspiring social entrepreneur, I ideate, attract funding and evaluate grassroot youth groups/projects such as Entrepreneurship & Technology for Youth (ETY). Currently, I also serve as the facilitator of a network of youth serving agencies in Toronto called the Neighbourhood Youth Alliance (NYA) and youth coordinator for the Bangladeshi-Canadian Community Services (BCS).

My interest in the conference theme on the future of work stems from previous first hand experiences in an immigrant family struggling with labour market and deprofessionalization in the Canadian context. Aside from academia and youth work, I have a diverse set of hobbies and interests that include watching documentaries, listening to hip hop (old and new school), playing Tetris and investing (financial).

Here’s a picture of me taken during one of our youth programs where we covered photography and digital editing.

Hello everyone! I am Tenzin Norzin (she/her). I was born in India and am a descendant of Tibetan refugees. I lived in India and Nepal before immigrating to Canada.

I am a current Master of Public Health (Epidemiology) student at the University of Toronto. I completed my Honours Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences from Ryerson University.

I am interested in studying health inequities and their role in the epidemiology of diseases. I aim to contribute to the policymaking process by conducting robust epidemiological studies that can aid in making evidence-informed decisions to improve the health of marginalized populations.

Hello everyone I’m Vince. I’m from the Greater Toronto Area (specifically Whitby). My mom was a refugee from Cambodia and I am a first generation Canadian. I graduated from the University of Ottawa for History and Political Science but have since taken a career in the restaurant industry as the Franchise Director at Halibut House Fish and Chips. I’m excited to work with some great minds to building a brighter future for the next generation (especially because I’ll be a father in January )In my off time I love to play volleyball, basketball and cheer on our Toronto Raptors Really looking forward to getting to know everyone and working together on this awesome project.

Hey all,

Its been so great reading all of your bios and i can’t wait to get to know you more personally.

My name is Kayne Rivers (preferred) and currently i’m studying at the University of Waterloo; pursuing a Masters in Peace and Conflict studies. I have the goal of pursuing a joint PHD and JD so that I can continue studying/altering the way we think about Peace while working in the human rights/ immigration sector. However, academia aside I have been involved with BIPOC initiatives for much of my adult life resulting in the founding of my own NGO called the Black Lily Org. Among other things I have also worked abroad as a teacher in Korea at Handong University and as a Youth Engagement Officer in Lima, Peru for Eqwip Hubs. In my spare time I love to host dinner parties and make meals from scratch, practice MMA and read Poetry.

I cant wait to meet you all.

Hey Everyone!

My name is Andre. I was born and raised in Toronto and I am from the Jane and Finch community. A little about myself self, I have worked in my community for about seven years and three years in different areas in the GTA. I am currently in the social work program at Algoma University up north. I am going into my final year! I can’t wait to meet you all! Peace and love.

Hi everyone! So excited to meet all of you.

My name is Pragya (she/her) and I call Canada, South Africa and Nepal home. I’m passionate about the innovative uses of capital, business, and data as instruments for building a better world. As a Program Manager at Youth Climate Lab, I am working to scale projects that empower youth in climate entrepreneurship and policy.

Prior to joining Youth Climate Lab, I supported entrepreneurs create and launch startups with a focus on increasing social, environmental, and economic returns. Inspired by the power of inclusive dialogue as a tool to empower and build resilient communities, I co-founded the Dialogue Xchange.

I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Waterloo and recently graduated with a Masters of Economics from York University.

Hi everyone   I am very excited to be part of this summit and surrounded by such bright and motivated individuals!

My name is Mahsa and I am from Toronto. I recently finished my Master in Public Policy and Administration and am doing a co-op term in the Ontario government as a policy analyst working on a variety of projects surrounding marginalized populations. I am passionate about social policy, technology and innovation so always open to discussing new ideas and future of work is right up my alley.

In my free time, I love to bake, travel and currently doing day trips and joining lots of virtual events!I can’t wait to connect with you all and learn from one another 

Forrest Heard is a graphic and user experience designer. She is a strategic, creative, passionate, empathetic, and user-focused, problem solver. Forrest came into the graphic & UX design world after a childhood of responsibility and leadership roles, through being the oldest of 4 children, sea cadets, and volunteering. Forrest grew up immersed in the field of entrepreneurship and community development from her father. She loves developing solutions that are unique, effective, and beautiful. Through obstacles and successes, Forrest has learned to embrace and meet challenges head on.

Forrest has been working in the field of graphic and UX design for little over two years following her education. Forrest worked in the Marketing and Communication Department at St. Lawrence College for just over a year and just finished her one year internship in the Continuing Education and E-Learning Department at Sault College. Forrest earned her advanced diploma in graphic design and her graduate certificate in user experience design at St. Lawrence College. 

Forrest is also an active volunteer in her community always willing to help out different sporting associations in Elliot Lake and helping the local Rotary Club. Her parents have always been a big part of the community through volunteering and Forrest is following in their footsteps.

Hello everyone! My name is Zoe (she/her) and I’m so excited to meet and co-create with all of you!

Zoe Woods is a global citizen with a deep love of learning. Born in Hong Kong, brought up in Bermuda, and currently calling Canada home, she is passionate about creating flexible, location-independent jobs that empower others to find their next great adventure. After graduating from Western’s Ivey Business School, she spent time in Human Capital Consulting before transitioning to a research role with the Future of Canada Centre. Her time there allowed her to explore issues critical to Canada’s future prosperity. Her research focused on the future of diversity and inclusion, Canadian competitiveness and productivity, and the determinants of long-term organizational success.

Outside the office, Zoe is a certified yoga teacher, and enjoys giving back through her memberships to the AGO Next Committee and the Toronto Vision Next Program.

In her spare time Zoe can be found drinking tea, practicing yoga, hunting down interesting new craft beers, and embarking on crafty DIY projects.

Oliver takes pride in serving his community. Since December 2018, Oliver has served as one of the youngest municipal councillors in the history of the Township of McNab/Braeside.

As a young community leader and advocate for youth involvement in politics, Oliver brings proven leadership experience through both professional and volunteer roles including the Chair of the Acadia University Students’ Union, a Youth Facilitator with the Ontario Ministry of Education and the inaugural Co-Chair of the Renfrew County Youth Network. Responsible, dedicated and hard-working, Oliver also brings a wealth of knowledge about governance and leadership as a result of employment with the Town of Arnprior and as a former member of the Town of Wolfville’s Planning Advisory Committee.

Most recently, Oliver was also selected to participate as a Rural Change Maker under a pilot project of the Rural Ontario Institute (ROI) focusing on community development and citizen engagement in his community.

Hey Everyone!!

My name is Paige (she/her/Elle)! I’m from a small rural town outside of Ottawa on the ancestral lands of the Anishinabewaki, Huron-Wendat, Algonquin, Haudenosaunee, and Iroquoian people. I just finished my undergrad degree at Mount Allison University doing Honours Political Science with minors in Philosophy and International Politics. This fall I am starting my masters at Memorial University in Newfoundland in Environmental Policy. My masters thesis is going to explore rural/urban public space activism of agricultural protestors in response to international trade agreements.

My interests include all things politics (I could talk and discuss politics all day!), eliminating and advocating against patriarchal violence, and travelling! I lived in Hong Kong for 4 months and have travelled to 14 different countries! If I could have dinner with anyone, my dream dinner guest would be Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez!

Hi everyone! My name is Don and I’m from Brampton, ON. I completed my BComm majoring in Law and Business at Ryerson University back in 2019 so I like to consider Toronto as a second home. I currently work within the Early Talent Acquisition space at RBC where I support and coordinate campus recruitment operations for several areas of business. I’m an aspiring HR leader who hopes to make an impact by advocating and contributing to a more inclusive workspace. In my free time, you can find me binging shows on Netflix or immersed in a book while drinking boba (coco is my go to!).

Joy Verrier Ralamboarisoa is a student in Social innovation at the Elisabeth-Bruyère School of social Innovation at Saint Paul University. She currently lives in Ottawa, but she was born and raised in Madagascar. She arrived in Canada 7 years ago. She’s passionate about social and environmental justice. With her background in architecture and environmental studies, her goal is to contribute to building a more resilient, healthy and inclusive environment for everyone.

Joy was a Speaker Ambassador at the Planetary Health Annual Meeting at Stanford University in 2019 and is now a Planetary Health Campus Ambassador at Saint-Paul University. Her work and community engagement lead her to be selected as one of the top 150 young leaders (under 30) in sustainability by Leading Change Canada in 2020. She’s also been a reporter at the UN Climate Week summit in New York in 2019 with Global Landscape Forum, for the implementation of the UN decade on Ecosystem Restoration.

Hello everyone!

I am Echo Xiao and I currently live in Toronto, ON. I was born in Chengdu, China, also known as the home of giant pandas. I grew up in Shenzhen, the uprising “Silicon Valley of China”, then moved to Canada 6 years ago for school. I attended undergraduate at the University of Toronto with a focus on Leadership in the Organization, and furthered my education by completing a Masters of Industrial Relations and Human Resources in 2019 at the University of Toronto as well. Now working as a Coordinator in the RBC Early Talent Acquisition team, I am putting my passion for human resources into practice.

As a human resources professional, I have a strong interest in people-related topics, such as interpersonal communication, intercultural communication, organizational design, community development, etc. Having lived my life here in Canada as an international student/foreign worker/newcomer, I care deeply about the topic of immigration; as a recent graduate from university, I am also very motivated to help students and new university graduates to launch their career.

In my spare time, I enjoy travailing and learning about different cultures. I also love running, last year I finished my first half-marathon in Toronto, and are training to prepare for a full marathon! In addition, I am also working towards becoming a certified Chinese teacher, hoping to put my bilingual ability to use one day!
Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I look forward to the summit soon!

Hello folks! My name is Brooks and my pronouns are he/him, and I’m typing this from my home base of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island (Epekwitk). I’m a full-time (virtual (yikes)) graduate student about 10 days away from completing my MBA in Global Leadership at UPEI, which I’ll add to my degree shelf along with a Bachelor of Environmental Design Studies in Architecture from Dalhousie University.Through my work in architectural design, policy development, and community engagement, I’ve aspired to create healthy, inclusive spaces and systems that support greater quality of life; I’ve lived with type 1 diabetes for nearly 2 decades, and have spent the majority of that time pushing for equity in public health policy, advocating for financial supports, and raising awareness and research funding. I’m proud to be a member of the Prime Minister’s Youth Council and represent young voices and provide non-partisan advisory to the nation’s top decision-makers. Fun fact about me: I’m a former nationally competitive curler and won a Canadian bronze medal in 2017. I can’t wait to collaborate with you all and co-create the future of work!

Hi everyone! My name is Hannah, and my pronouns are she/her.

I was born and raised in Prince Edward Island (Epekwit’k), and I’m a proud UPEI grad with a Bachelor of Business Administration.

During my final year at UPEI, I had the chance to work as an Interpretation Officer/Coordinator with Parks Canada at the PEI National Park.

I just graduated (virtually!) with a law degree from Harvard Law School, and I’m currently studying for the bar exam and working at an American law firm. While at law school, I had the chance to work as a mediator in the Harvard Mediation Program and assist with my firm’s amicus brief in Altitude Express, Inc. v. Zarda, a case extending employment law protections to LGBTQ+ workers in the US. I can’t wait to brainstorm with you all about the future of work in Canada!

Hello everyone! I’m Joy and I’m pleased to meet you all!

I’m originally from Nigeria and currently pursing a Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology.

I am passionate about mental health in communities and I focus largely on the mental health of children and BIPOC groups.  I co-facilitate a Handle With Care Mental Health Program for children and parents to empower children emotionally and mentally. I also work as an Early Childhood Educator, where I support children emotionally, cognitively and mentally. I’m currently a part of a research lab studying the intersection of culture and identity in social and clinical psychology, and my undergraduate thesis was on exploring how the stress of belonging to more than one culture may impact the mental health and academic performance of international students.

When I’m not researching, studying or working, you can find me singing with my church choir, hanging out with my friends or making jewelry.

Looking forward to working with you all!

Hi all! I’m Florence Yee (they/them), an interdisciplinary artist raised in Tio’tia:ke (Montreal) and now living in Tkaronto (Toronto). My personal practice focuses on the doubt and intimacy of everyday experiences in the queer Cantonese diaspora. I’m involved in teaching, mentorship, public programming, and studio-based making. I am the Co-Director of Tea Base, a grassroots organizations that aims to make accessible space for intergenerational activists and artists who support social justice movements in and around Chinatown. I’m most excited about the relationships that we cultivate in local organizing. I’m looking forward to learning about a variety of strategies to connect between organizations, communities, movements, and generations.

I personally miss playing Mahjong with my family and friends. I like spending time with plant and taking care of them. Nice to meet you all!

Bonjour! Voici ma bio. Enchantée!

Marine baigne dans l’événementiel et la gestion de projets, particulièrement dans les milieux culturels et communautaires. Elle organise des événements culturels à chaque année. Intéressée pour la promotion et la démocratisation de l’art et la culture, elle a dirigé ses études dans le programme d’action culturelle à l’UQÀM. Elle croit que l’art a le pouvoir de provoquer, de choquer, et d’initier du changement social. Cela permet de mettre en lumière des injustices, d’éduquer, de sensibiliser, de proposer des solutions, et aussi de montrer la beauté humaine. Artiste depuis son enfance, Marine est passionnée par la danse urbaine et la production vidéo. Marine s’intéresse aussi à l’engagement jeunesse, la coopération internationale et les voyages. Elle soutient les causes féministes et le “youth empowerment” au niveau local, national et international à travers des organisations comme le YWCA, le YMCA et Carrefour International. Elle a pu effectuer son premier stage de coopération internationale au Togo grâce à Québec Sans Frontières en été 2019 pour un projet contre les violences basées sur le genre et les grossesses précoces avec des jeunes du secondaire. Selon Marine, “you gotta be the change you wish to see in the world”! Elle veut continuer à motiver et à inspirer la prochaine génération de jeunes.

Ulukkuut Friends! I am Katelynne my traditional name is Elisapee. I am Inuk and my ancestry is from Kuujjuaq QC & Rankin Inlet NU with ties to Nunatsiavut. I have been born and raised on the traditional territories of the Lkwungen & W̱SÁNEĆ people’s.

I wear a lot of hats! Currently I am the Community Engagement Coordinator for Reconciliation Canada as well as the Indigenous Governance Advisor for VIDEA which an international development organization that runs international internships for indigenous youth. I am also the Deputy Chair for the Canadian Commission for UNESCO’s Youth Advisory, a member of the National Urban Inuit Youth Council and finally I am a Urban Representative for Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada’s Youth Council for Gender Equality!

All of those are such mouthfuls! I am so excited to share time and space with you all!!!

Qujannamiik!

Hey everyone! My name is Bhoomika (she/her) and I recently graduated from McGill University. I’m Indian and have lived in India, Kenya, Indonesia, and now Tiohtià:ke (Montreal, Canada). My interests lie at the intersection of finance and sustainability, such as Impact Investment. I’ve always been extremely passionate about climate justice (fun fact: my name Bhoomi means Earth in my mother tongue Hindi). 

Throughout University and beyond, I’ve been thoroughly involved and some of my key roles included leading the organizing team of McGill International Portfolio Challenge 2019 (a sustainable investing competition), being a mentor with Penny Drops (Financial Literacy for Youth), leading the coordination for the 2020 Youth Impact Challenge, and co-founding the Montreal Social Value Fund (1st student-led Impact Investing fund in QC). Through all my work, I aim to push for moving more capital into socially/environmentally impactful projects. Apart from work, I love to spend my time hanging out with friends, exploring food, and watching TV shows/movies.

Thank you for this opportunity, I’m super excited to meet and have meaningful discussions with you all![Image description: a picture of me smiling that I share everywhere]

Hi everyone! Looking forward to meeting all of you.

My name is Jessica (she/her) and I live in Montreal (unceded territory of the Kanien’kehá:ka Mohawk Nation). I currently work with a community-based health organization called SeeChange Initiative, where I coordinate the CommunityFirst COVID-19 Roadmap project. This Roadmap is a planning tool to support communities to respond to COVID-19, and we are working with communities across Canada and Latin America to implement it: communityfirstcovid19.org.

In addition to health, I am also passionate about the rights of forced migrants and refugees. After graduating with a Bachelor’s of International Development from McGill, I worked with a non-profit directing research, advocacy and outreach related to forced migration. In 2019, I started a volunteer programme to welcome newly arrived asylum seekers to Montreal, and have volunteered at migrant shelters at Mexico’s southern and northern borders. 

I also volunteer with TEDxMontrealWomen, where we seek to elevate women’s voices and ideas in our community.

Hello Folks!

My name is Angel Baribeau and I am an Eeyou/Eenou from the Eastern James Bay Cree Community of Mistissini, in Northern Quebec. I work for a non-profit called inPath. Which is an umbrella organization for multiple art programs.

As an alumnus of the Mikw Chiyâm arts concentration program, I am now part of the inPath Montreal team as they continue their mission of supporting Indigenous youth through creative programming. In my day-to-day, I assist the program director and event coordinators in maintaining and developing events and implementing programming such as the Mikw Chiyâm Arts concentration program and N’we Jinan Integrative Arts program, their respective Festivals and annual inPath trainings. My current title for inPath is as an Administrative Assistant, though I work for them in multiple capacities. Mainly, through mentorship, I learn about how non-profit organizations liaise with Indigenous governing and education bodies, including school associations, First Nation communities, provincial and federal government bodies, and community organizations. 

inPath is a training hub and connection point for artists, educators, and professionals committed to supporting Indigenous youth through the arts. Since 2014, inPath has been invited to co-design and deliver arts-based programming with over 100 Indigenous communities from coast to coast, including my Nation. In 2017, I was their first graduate.

Also for inPath, I work for and partake in the Emerging Artist Program which I also help in its development. As an Emerging Artist, I am a mentee for another inPath artist that has developed their craft over many years, to further develop my own. I also take part in Seed Residencies where I am paired with other mentoring inPath artists to teach in in-classroom settings about our chosen disciplines. 

In another capacity, I work under the Uusdaadaouw program, in partnership with the RBC Future Launch Challenge, the Mikw Chiyam program, the Cree Nation Government, the Eeyou Eenou Foundation, the Cree Nation Youth Council (both grand and local councils) as a Youth Lead to implement community-based, youth-led art projects.  

As for my mediums, I practice screen printing, painting, performance, collage, transfers, songwriting, singing, poetry, dance, performance, story writing, zine making, book binding, spray painting, block printing, sewing, recycled art, body art, storytelling, beading, and stencil cutting.

I guess you could say I keep myself busy.

Hi everyone! I am Emily Simon (she/her). I am 19 and from Battleford, Saskatchewan. I love it here on the prairies, but after high school, I needed a change in scenery for a few years. I decided to head out east for school. I am going into my second year of Leadership Studies at the University of New Brunswick. It is a small program, only accepting 30 students each year. I loved my first year, and I am looking forward to my second year.

I am passionate about youth and giving them as many opportunities as possible. I started a lawn care business, Kids Helping Kids Spring Clean Ups, four years ago that donated all its profits to different charities that support youth. Along with that, we only hire youth to give them a chance to learn different skills and gain confidence in themselves.

I am excited to get to know all of you and hear about your passions. I cannot wait to learn from all of you!

Tansi, my name is Shayla Jilleen Sayer-Brabant and I am a Nehiyaw Two-Spirit (they/she) born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan. I am in my last year for my Indigenous Communications Arts Diploma at the First Nations University of Canada. For the summer I have been working for my professor as an Undergraduate Research Assistant working on a couple of collaborative research projects. Next year I plan on moving to Saskatoon to pursue a degree in archaeology in hopes of reconnecting and protecting the land and cultural heritage through legislation and policy changes. By combining my love for community-base research and story-telling through different forms of media, I hope to inspire others to be kind, heal, create, share, decolonize, and Indigenize. I am super excited for this opportunity and if you want to connect, I’m on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @ssayerbrabant