About

Students Commission PartnersA map of Canada with pins indicating where the Students Commission is working with others to support youth well-being. To view list of partners click " Partners List " link, below.Clicking on the map will give you a tour of our Network of Partners.

Students Commission of Canada's Network of Partners

We co-ordinate three national networks: Youth/Adult Partnership, Centre of Excellence for Youth Engagement, and Sharing the Stories, plus several local and regional networks. For more detail see What We Do or contact our Central Node.

Victoria, BC: Nishad Khanna, Research Director for The Students Commission of Canada and the Centre of Excellence for Youth Engagement. Tel:(250) 412-4131

Golden, BC: Weekly and in-school programming for our SIFT program Jocelyn GallantGolden Youth Engagement Network, SIFT and youth-adult partnership network Kristine Divall Tel: (306) 290 5264, General Inquiries

Saskatoon, SK: Office of the Students Commission of Canada, close to 100 partners support Youth-Adult Partnership Network youth programs and Sharing the Stories. Dave Shanks Tel: (306) 260-3309

Region surrounding Saskatoon, SK: Saskatoon Tribal Council, Sharing the Stories subscriber.General Enquiries Tel: (306) 956-6100

North Battleford: Youth-Adult Partnership Network youth program site.

Prince Albert, SK: SIFT site, Creating Safer Spaces nation-wide – Workshops, Training, and Resources. Contact: Tara Switenky

Winnipeg, MB: Ma Mama Wi Chi Itata: Youth-Adult Partnership Network youth program site. Email: info@mamawi.com Tel: (204) 925-0300

Thunder Bay, ON: Regional Multicultural Youth Centre: youth adult partnership network youth program site

Toronto, ON: Central Canada Regional Node of the SCC, close to 500 partners who are a part of Youth-Adult Partnership Network and the Sharing the Stories subscribers. Email: info@studentscommission.ca Tel: (416) 597-8297

Humber College, ON: a member of the Centre of Excellence for Youth Engagement

St. Catherine's, ON:Brock University , a member of the Centre of Excellence for Youth Engagement

Simcoe County, ON: New Path Youth and Family Services: Sharing the Stories Subscriber and Youth-Adult Partnership Program Site

Prince Edward County, ON: Greater Than Youth County Collective, a collective impact project focused on improving High School graduation rates for rural Youth. Email inquiries

Lennoxville, Québec: Bishop's University a member of the Centre of Excellence for Youth Engagement

Manouane First Nation, Québec:a Youth-Adult Partnership Network program site

Montréal, Québec: SIFT site, Creating Safer Spaces nation-wide – Workshops, Training, and Resources. Contact: Oswaldo Paz Flores

Fredericton, NB: St. Thomas University, a member of the Centre of Excellence for Youth Engagement.

Summerside, PEI: Generation XX, Sharing the Stories subscriber and the Youth-Adult Partnership Network program site. Email inquiries | (902) 436-7699

Whitehorse, YT BYTE-Empowering Youth, a Sharing the Stories subscriber and Youth-Adult Partnership Network program site. Email inquiries

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Iqaluit, NU: Youth-Adult Partnership Network program site

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Our Board of Directors

Profile for Brina Ludwig-Prout

Brina Ludwig-Prout
Chair elected-2018

Brina Ludwig-Prout
info@studentscommission.ca

Brina is a change management and project management expert with more than 20 years of experience as an independent consultant. She specializes in implementing large, complex, strategic projects and is a certified Human Resource Leader with a background in operations and information technology management. Known for her collaborative, inclusive style, Brina has consulted to senior levels in corporate Canada for much of her career and now also consults to emerging entrepreneurs and organizations in the social enterprise field. Brina is passionate about inter-generational collaboration, diversity and inclusion and ensures that mentoring is a key component of any contract she undertakes. She has been a member of the Advisory Committee for the Toronto Regional Immigrant Employment Council's (TRIEC) Connector Program; a Strategic Advisor to the School for Social Entrepreneurs, Ontario; and, an inaugural member of the League of Intrapreneurs, Canada. Brina has a certificate in Medicine Wheel Facilitation from the Indigenous Certification Board of Canada and is a member of the Board of Directors for the Child Development Institute.

Profile for Véronique Church-Duplessis

Véronique Church-Duplessis
Director of Research and Evaluation, Mentor Canada

Véronique Church-Duplessis
info@studentscommission.ca

In 2016, after 12 years in academia, Véronique transitioned to the non-profit sector in search of new challenges and opportunities to use her research and knowledge translation skills for the benefit of our community. As the director of research and evaluation for Mentor Canada, Véronique works to build bridges between research and practice. She leads research projects to better understand the positive impact of mentoring on young people’s positive development and the barriers that prevent them from accessing these potentially transformative relationships. Véronique first came across the SCC in 2017 while leading a project on healthy relationships and was immediately won over by the SCC’s social purpose and meaningful approach to youth engagement. Véronique holds a Ph.D. in history from the University of Toronto as well as an M.A. and B.A. from the Université de Montréal. Véronique also holds a certificate in project management from the University of Toronto.

Profile for Poornima Muralidhar

Poornima Muralidhar
Director, Algorithmic Trading Technology, RBC Capital Markets

Poornima Muralidhar
info@studentscommission.ca

Poornima Poornima has been with RBC Capital Markets since 2012 and became connected to the SCC through the Sharing the Stories research and evaluation platform. Poornima supported the SCC team in re-imagining the platform by providing expert advice on database design and user experience. Poornima was inspired by her experience with the SCC that she applied to join the SCC Board of Directors.

Profile for Brenda Okorogba

Brenda Okorogba
Founder, Momentswithbren Consulting

Brenda Okorogba
info@studentscommission.ca

Brenda is the founder of Momentswithbren Consulting, a boutique training and coaching firm that provides students, entrepreneurs, researchers and diverse communities with access to opportunities to improve collective prosperity, social capital, and economic dignity. Brenda's mission is to help organizations and individuals achieve their goals by providing dignity-informed guidance and support, leveraging her extensive knowledge and experience to drive results. Her passion for youth 3E (Education, Empowerment and Employment) and organizing meaningful experiences for people and communities led her to join the SCC. Brenda believes in the power of transformative journeys to change the way we learn, live, play and think about the world, interact with each other and the planet, and is committed to making a positive impact in her community.

Profile for Debra D. Kerby

Debra D. Kerby
Principal DDK & Associates

Debra D. Kerby
info@studentscommission.ca

With a long-held commitment to children and youth, Debra blends 20 years of diverse global and national nonprofit leadership experience with a demonstrated track record in good governance and financial transparency, including recognition by Charity Intelligence, MoneySense, and the Financial Post. Debra is currently leading DDK & Associates, providing strategic advisory to social impact organizations.

Debra has played a pivotal role in the foundational growth of Right To Play, the transformation of Canadian Feed the Children and most recently the mission-focused wind-down of The Learning Partnership. Prior to this, Debra held strategic marketing and communications leadership roles in the private sector including Warner Lambert, Labatt Breweries and Mariposa Communications.

Debra holds an M.Sc. in International Development Management from the London School of Economics; an International MBA from the University of Edinburgh; and an undergrad from Queen’s University.

Profile for Jean-Frédéric Hübsch

Jean-Frédéric Hübsch

Jean-Frédéric Hübsch
info@studentscommission.ca

Jean-Frédéric is a children’s rights advocate, legal researcher, and certified translator. As a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Ottawa’s Interdisciplinary Research Laboratory on the Rights of the Child, his research focuses on integrating children’s rights into the laws, policies, and practices that govern education systems in Canada. His work emphasizes direct engagement with children to help shape theory and practice.

Jean-Frédéric is also an active member of the Canadian Bar Association’s Child and Youth Law Section. He was previously counsel at the Office of the Ontario Ombudsman, where he led training, reviews, and investigations related to public complaints about administrative fairnes in provincial public services, with a focus on education. Before that, Jean- Frédéric spent nearly a decade working in Canada’s federal public service. He holds an LL.M. from Osgoode Hall Law School, a B.C.L. and LL.B. from McGill University, and a B.A. and M.A. in translation from the University of Ottawa. Jean-Frédéric has supported the SCC with expert advice on governance and policy since March 2022 as a member of the Audit and Risk Committee. He joined the Board in June 2024.

Profile for Brayden Bumstead

Brayden Bumstead
Relationship Manager in Commercial Financial Services, RBC

Brayden Bumstead
info@studentscommission.ca

Brayden Bumstead has been with RBC since 2022 and has gained experience in banking, strategy, and client relationships. He is passionate about and dedicated to continuous learning and skill growth. Currently, Brayden serves as a Relationship Manager in Commercial Financial Services at RBC. He previously held roles as an Associate in the RBC Indigenous Peoples Development Program and as a Client Advisor. While working as an Associate, Brayden spent 3 months working with the SCC on a rotational basis, where he was able to get involved on some key initiatives. Brayden holds an Honours Bachelor of Commerce from Laurentian University. He has been a Prospective Board Member under the Audit and Risk Committee at the Students Commission of Canada since October 2023 and became a Board Member in June 2024.

Our Staff

Profile for Florence Bergeron

Florence Bergeron
Incoming Chief Executive Officer

Florence Bergeron
info@studentscommission.ca

Lévis Qc. Unceded Territories of the Abenaki People

Florence has led teams and major projects in all areas of SCC’s operations, ranging from policy, strategy, revenue generation and research consultation for all levels of government across Canada, leading SCC’s research and knowledge mobilization team, its platform development, and executing major events such as Take Our Kids to Work, the #CanadaWeWant Conference series, and securing major opportunities to foster youth engagement with the likes of the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Joint Consortium on School Health, and most recently the Aga Khan Foundation Canada.

“From my experience convening thousands of youth together to experience the Canada I have heard they want, and heading up research from hundreds of youth programs, one of my objectives will be to respond to the calls of youth regarding language and culture, their desire to be strongly rooted in specific communities yet global in their vision, competencies and daily lives. I will continue to champion and role model, SCC’s leadership in responding to their call.”

Florence is a positive and passionate person, a big foodie, and a CrossFit enthusiast. #wildblueberry

Christa Romaldi
Incoming Chief Development Officer

Christa Romaldi
info@studentscommission.ca

Christa brings to the co-leadership team a 25-year history in cross-sector youth work, with three prongs: knowledge of grassroots groups, a focus on community and people development, and generation of program development proposals that fund SCC’s activities with youth. Christa's priorities lie within her development lens: “My extensive experience in both very downstream and upstream youth work has really shaped how I think about collaboration, how I understand youth programming, and how I frame problems into solutions that have sector-wide benefits. We, at SCC, look forward to expanding our strategic role in building and scaling local collaborations that collectively address on a national front the issues youth tell us they face in today’s turbulent world.”

Christa is an adventurous and energetic person, who spends her free time exploring the outdoors, the splendours of Montreal, and traveling with her partner and two sons. She has been to Australia, Southeast Asia, Africa and has extensively traveled North America; in many of these contexts she was working with children and youth.

Profile for Stoney McCart

Stoney McCart
Chief Strategy Officer

Stoney McCart
info@studentscommission.ca

Toronto, ON (Treaty 13)

Stoney, a co-founder of the Students Commission of Canada, began her journey at the SCC's first-ever conference in 1991 as an adult ally from Tiny Giant (TG) magazine. As publisher of TG, Stoney had converted an adult-written youth magazine into a youth-directed voice with an editorial board of 100 students from across Canada, reaching every high school in the country. As Executive Director of SCC from 1992 to 2017, she supported youth across Canada to turn their expressions of their ideas into action. She also helped establish and lead the Centre of Excellence for Youth Engagement to establish an evidence base for youth-driven work. Now, as SCC's Chief Strategy Officer. she is focussed on supporting the implementation of objectives of SCC's co-leadership team through mobilizing knowledge into strategic big ideas with partnering organizations, investors, donors, youth and adult allies that will enhance and amplify positive futures for all youth in Canada.

Profile for Abdi Mohamud

Abdi Mohamud
Associate Director, Program Delivery and Culture

Abdi Mohamud
info@studentscommission.ca

Toronto, ON. Treaty 13 Territory

Abdi has been working alongside young people since 2005, driven by a belief in their power and potential. Throughout his career, he’s helped create communities rooted in belonging, care, and possibility—spaces where youth can lead, grow, and show up as themselves while navigating complex systems. His connection with the Students Commission of Canada began years before his current role, through collaborations on initiatives like child welfare redesign and youth focused conferences such as #CanadaWeWant and Make Your Mark. These experiences strengthened his commitment to amplifying youth voice and supporting meaningful systems change. Outside of work, Abdi brings the same dedication to being a die hard Toronto Raptors fan—always cheering for the underdog.

Profile for Jessica Wilson

Jessica Wilson
Associate Director, Skills Development

Jessica Wilson
info@studentscommission.ca

Montreal, QC (Unceded traditional territory of the Kanien’kehà:ka)

Jessica (She/Her) holds a Master of Education and has built her career working across the education and non-profit sectors, with a strong focus on community engagement and program development. She has extensive experience working with youth and diverse communities, designing and leading initiatives that foster connection, leadership, and personal growth. Grounded in equity and inclusion, she is passionate about creating spaces where individuals feel seen, heard, and empowered. Based in Montreal, Jessica loves exploring new places, getting creative, discovering amazing food, and always having a good audiobook or playlist on the go. When she’s not working, she’s happiest spending time with her partner, two children, and dog, making the most of everyday adventures together.

Profile for Nishad Khanna

Nishad Khanna
Director, Research

Nishad Khanna
info@studentscommission.ca

Victoria, BC (Traditional territory of the Lekwungen-speaking and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples)

Nish has worked with the Students Commission since 2002. He believes that young people are crucial researchers; they have critical questions and knowledge needed to improve our communities. Nish enjoys youth participatory action research approaches to mobilize knowledge into action and action into knowledge. He has been involved in developing and implementing various youth programs, events and youth-engaged evaluation and research with our partner networks. Nish wants to live in a world where all young people can explore possibilities and thrive.

Todd Ward
Director, Art and Visualization

Todd Ward
info@studentscommission.ca

Oro Station, (Ontario) (Treaty 16 Territory)

Todd has been with the Students Commission from its beginning in 1991. A great believer in youth-adult partnership he combines a passion for the visual arts with a desire to encourage young people to share their thoughts and experience visually and affect positive change. In collaboration with youth he designs messaging that is relevant and meaningful for young people and the youth-serving organizations that promote youth well-being. He believes that, whether you're young or old, being part of something bigger than ourselves empowers us all. If Todd had a label it would read 'Grey is the new silver'.

Profile for Colin Richardson

Colin Richardson
Director of IT Strategy

Colin Richardson
info@studentscommission.ca

Colin has worked alongside the Students Commission of Canada since 2010, joining formally in 2025. With 20 years working providing technology solutions, Colin has worked with dozens of businesses and individuals to help them succeed with impactful technology. Colin has a Communication Arts diploma, numerous technical certifications and continually learns and adapts to stay current in an industry that is always moving. Early in his career he created computer literacy courses for beginners and seniors, facilitating lessons in group and one to one settings. In his free time, he is an avid fisherman, enjoys flight simulators and does his best to watch Arsenal Football Club at every opportunity

Profile for Chantelle Edwards

Chantelle Edwards
Community Lead, Toronto

Chantelle Edwards
info@studentscommission.ca

Chantelle is a Community Lead in Toronto for the Students Commission of Canada. Before graduating with a B.Sc. Hons focused in Forensic Science, she didn’t realize her passion for psychology and mental health awareness until completing minors in both Law and Psychology to fill her final year. Now she uses the research and statistical skills from her science background to help in her work as a community action research facilitator. Whether listening to or creating it, music is Chantelle’s deepest passion and favourite art form. Also a huge foodie, you can usually find her attempting to recreate all the mouth-watering, delectable recipes she’s discovered while watching Food Network shows at the gym.

Profile for Christian Everall

Christian Everall
Community Lead, Southeast Ontario

Christian Everall
info@studentscommission.ca

Christian Everall works with youth to amplify their voices in ways that affect changes in their lives at all the individual, social, and community levels. She has experience in Participatory Action Research though her community involvement in Prince Edward County. In her position as a Community Lead she works with the Sharing the Stories platform to help youth serving organizations to evaluate their programs and create reports that indicate why youth join their programs, why they stay, what qualities of the program youth like most, and which outcomes are the groups achieving through their work. She enjoys networking with all sorts of people that drive change in their communities and is always amazed at the ingenuity of youth.

Profile for Emma Cognet

Emma Cognet
Community Lead, Montreal

Emma Cognet
info@studentscommission.ca

Sherbrooke, QC (Abenaki Territory)

Emma (she/her/elle) is a community lead at the Students Commission of Canada (SCC). She completed a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (Hons) at Bishop’s University and is now completing her Master’s degree in Psychology in partnership with the SCC. She immigrated to Canada from France as a child. Emma is passionate about working closely with youth and making a difference in their lives. Through her work in various committees as well as in research and evaluation, Emma aims to connect with youth in a meaningful way to amplify and share their voices and ideas.

Profile for Émilie Des Marchais

Émilie Des Marchais
Coordinator, Research and Impact Measurement

Émilie Des Marchais
info@studentscommission.ca

Émilie is a Research and Impact Measurement Coordinator at the Students Commission of Canada. She joined the organization in 2026 while completing her Honours Bachelor’s degree in pre-clinical psychology. Working under the supervision of Dr. Heather Lawford, Émilie developed a strong interest in youth-centered research, which has inspired her commitment to working closely with young people. She aspires to become a university-level professor and researcher in psychology and sexology and firmly believes that youth should be meaningfully involved in all stages of research design.

Profile for Erica Ngai

Erica Ngai
Lead, Research and Impact Measurement (Network/SCC PME)

Erica Ngai
info@studentscommission.ca

Toronto, Williams Treaty (1923)

Erica is a Lead Research and Impact Measurement at the SCC. As a former education professional with a passion for research, she is dedicated to combining her expertise in both fields to amplify youth voices in Canada. Erica holds a research-based master’s degree in Comparative and International Education from the University of Oxford. Her extensive background includes organizing educational programs in Southeast Asia, volunteering as a long-term humanitarian worker in educational settings in Mexico, and holding leadership positions as a high school teacher in Hong Kong. Outside of work, Erica enjoys traveling, exploring cafes and restaurants, taking dance lessons, and indulging her love for flowers as a freelance florist.

Fiona Amara
Lead, Knowledge Mobilization

Fiona Amara
info@studentscommission.ca

Fiona has been working at the SCC since 2019. She graduated from Bishop’s University with a degree in Psychology and is deeply passionate about mental health awareness. She appreciates everything the SCC does for mental health, as well as the inclusivity of safe spaces. She loves working with young people across the country, and the #CanadaWeWant conference changed her outlook on things. It feels rewarding to pursue meaningful work that impacts the lives of youth!

Profile for Gabrielle Bonney

Gabrielle Bonney
Facilitator, Skills Development

Gabrielle Bonney
info@studentscommission.ca

Prince Albert, Treaty 6 territory (Saskatchewan)

Gabrielle started working for SCC in the summer of 2025 and they are now a Facilitator, Skills Development. They have been able to be involved with their city hall by helping to improve the public transit, lowering the age to work in the municipal elections, and planning a city wide youth event. Outside of Prince Albert, they were able to attend many conferences including giving a speech at Public Safety's Megaweek. They have many interests such as baking/cooking, public speaking, math/science, and the arts, and have a passion for youth voices, and finding opportunities to get people together. They're eager to learn more about being a change-maker, and hope to one day be a role model for people wanting to make a difference.

Profile for Homa Rouygari

Homa Rouygari
Governance and Compliance Officer

Homa Rouygari
info@studentscommission.ca

Homa is an experienced professional in governance, compliance, and leadership support. She holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in industrial engineering. Believing in youth for a brighter tomorrow and recognizing the importance of helping their voice get heard, she joined the SCC in 2024. Beyond her professional pursuits, she enjoys traveling and exploring new countries and cultures, playing table tennis, doing movie/series marathons, and diving into captivating books. Speaking English, French, Turkish, and Persian, she brings a multicultural perspective to her work.

Profile for Jay Bolton

Jay Bolton
Lead, Help Desk

Jay Bolton
info@studentscommission.ca

A dedicated professional with a passion for making a positive impact. Born in London, Ontario and raised in Huron County, Jay brings a strong sense of community values to his Skills Development role. With a half decade of experience as an IT Service Coordinator, he has honed his technical skills and developed a keen ability to troubleshoot and problem-solve. However, it's his upbringing as a volunteer that best defines him. Jay has dedicated himself to supporting local causes and giving back to his community. In his free time, he enjoys being at home with his wife, cheering on his beloved Liverpool Football Club, or attempting to live life by his personal motto “Optimism as a Revolutionary Act.”

Profile for Jocelyn Gallant

Jocelyn Gallant
Community Lead, Golden

Jocelyn Gallant
info@studentscommission.ca

Golden, BC (Unceded territory of the Ktunaxa people, shared with the Secwépemc people, and home of the Métis Nation Columbia River Society)

Jocelyn Gallant is a Community Lead for the Students Commission of Canada (SCC), in Golden, BC. She grew up in an Acadian village in beautiful Prince Edward Island and pursued her post-secondary education at the University of Guelph. After graduating, she taught English in South Korea and enjoyed travelling all over this wonderful world. Her travels brought her to Golden for a ski season where she fell in love with the mountain town and her life partner, Paul. Together they enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle, with their lovely family, Makaila, Samuel, and Evelyn. Jocelyn has worked with the SCC off and on since the Spring of 2021 and feels very fortunate for the opportunity to connect and work with youth from across Canada.

Profile for Jose Romero

Jose Romero
Lead, Finance

Jose Romero
info@studentscommission.ca

Jose works as a Lead, Finance for the Students Commission of Canada (SCC). He started working for the SCC in late 2020. Originally from Venezuela, Jose immigrated in 2006 with his family to Montreal, Quebec. He is a third-year Finance and International Business student at Concordia University. His passions include numbers, personal growth, and making the best of every day.

He hopes to discover more and better ways to make young people feel valued and share these methods with others. At the SCC, he hopes to expand his social network and people, which will help him develop new interests and reach new objectives.

Profile for Kadane Headley

Waltta Kadane Headley
Coordinator, Skills Development

Waltta Kadane Headley
info@studentscommission.ca

Kadane Headley is a passionate and dedicated Child and Youth Care practitioner with years of combined experience in various settings, including community, group homes, and a child and adolescent psychiatric in-patient unit. Over the course of 15 years, Kadane has focused on providing support and building meaningful connections with children and adolescents. Kadane's commitment to The 4 Pillars: Respect, Listen, Understand, Communicate™ guides her work. With a strong educational background and ongoing professional growth, Kadane combines her expertise in child and youth care with pediatric psychosocial care to make a positive impact in the lives of children and adolescents.

Kadane resides in Saskatoon, SK, which is situated on lands that were originally and continue to be inhabited by the Plains Cree, Saulteaux or Plains Ojibwe, Dakota, Nakoda or Assiniboine, and Métis nations.

Profile for Kaitlin Power

Kaitlin Power
Lead, Network Capacity Building

Kaitlin Power
info@studentscommission.ca

Kaitlin is Lead, Network Capacity Building, and joined the Student’s Commission of Canada in late 2022 after completing her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Wilfrid Laurier University. Kaitlin is a bubbly, charismatic person who is always looking to make new friends and build personal connections. She enjoys all things lifestyle (cooking, interior design, fashion, wellbeing) and is a total foodie!

In her early adolescent years, she recognized that she wanted to make a difference in the youth mental health space which led her to working and volunteering with various youth initiatives. She is eager to dive into her role at the SCC and amplify youth voices.

Profile for Lauren Wengle

Lauren Wengle
Lead, Storytelling

Lauren Wengle
info@studentscommission.ca

Lauren (they/them) is Lead storytelling at the SCC. They are an energetic, creative individual who finds joy in meeting new people and strives to cultivate connection. They have a bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Science and Psychology and joined the SCC in 2022 after working in gender-based violence education and prevention. Their passion for working with youth began during their undergraduate degree while doing peer counselling for university students. Since then, Lauren has discovered the power behind mobilizing youth voice for change and is able to embed this into practice in their work at the SCC. When they aren’t working, you can find Lauren making pottery or falling off their skateboard.

Profile for Moe Hirzalla

Moe Hirzalla
Lead, Full Stack Developer

Moe Hirzalla
info@studentscommission.ca

Mississauga Ontario (Treaty 13)

Mohammed Hirzalla is a seasoned professional with a passion for innovation and problem-solving. With over 3 years of experience in the technology industry, he has cultivated a diverse skill set encompassing software development, project management, and strategic planning. Mohammed's expertise lies in leveraging cutting-edge technologies to drive business growth and optimize operational efficiency. He has successfully led numerous cross-functional teams and spearheaded the development of innovative software solutions for both start-ups and established organizations. A lifelong learner, Mohammed stays abreast of the latest industry trends and continuously seeks opportunities to expand his knowledge. With his strong analytical expertise and collaborative approach, he is consistently driven to exceed expectations. Mohammed holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science and is committed to driving digital transformation in today's rapidly evolving landscape.

Profile for Monica Chander

Monica Chander
Lead, Partnerships and Program Development (On leave)

Monica Chander
info@studentscommission.ca

Southeastern Ontario (Crawford Purchase, 1783)

Passionate about holistic wellness, community capacity building, and youth leadership development; Monica has spent the last 10+ years bringing a strength-based approach and trauma-informed lens to managing projects, building interdisciplinary teams and partnerships, and engaging youth wherever they're at: residential care, transitional housing, youth justice, institutional and experiential education, community groups, the great outdoors, and the virtual world.

Profile for Nadia Hanif

Nadia Hanif
Lead, Research and Evaluation Partnership Development

Nadia Hanif
info@studentscommission.ca

Nadia joined the Students Commission of Canada in November 2022. Her dedication is to ensure that everyone has the space and tools needed to amplify their ideas and voices. Working with SCC has allowed her to feel like she can actively take part in this mission. Her background stems from Social Work and has worked with Employment Ontario for over eleven years. This afforded her an opportunity to hone her skills over the years and provided her with experience in networking, engagement, and capacity building. Outside of work you’ll be sure to find Nadia either on a dance floor, leisurely biking, hiking, learning a new craft, and or learning French!

Olga Bolivar
Senior Bookkeeper

Olga Bolivar
info@studentscommission.ca

Olga has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and has good working experience with profit and non-profit organizations. She is fluent in Spanish and English. Her dream is to get both a Nutrition certificate and a French certificate. She loves the environment and tries to look after the planet. In her free time, she does volunteer work and likes to math tutor primary students.

Profile for Pallvi Sehijpaul

Pallvi Sehijpaul
Lead, Events and Logistics

Pallvi Sehijpaul
info@studentscommission.ca

Vancouver, British Columbia (Located on the unceded, traditional territory of the Katzie, Kwantlen, Tsawwassen, Semiahmoo, Stó:lō Peoples).

Pallvi is a Lead of events and logistics. She was first introduced and became involved in Student Commission programs in 2018. She is an experienced project manager, having worked extensively in the public and private sector over the past decade leading research and event production teams. She holds a BA in International Studies, specializing in security and conflict studies, with a Political Science Minor. Pallvi has published and managed publications that are utilised as textbooks focused on national security. Her main areas of research interest include identity-based conflict, violence prevention and countering violent extremism. She is passionate about creating and fostering critical thinking skillsets, in order to foster connectivity.

Profile for Roy Murnaghan

Roy Murnaghan
Facilitator, Skills Development

Roy Murnaghan
info@studentscommission.ca

Roy is a Facilitator with the Students Commission of Canada. He grew up in North Rustico, PEI before moving to Downtown Toronto at eighteen. With the SCC, he supports programming at their youth centre in Toronto, content creation, and the development and adaptation of programming. He is passionate about work involving substance use harm reduction, mental health, and dating violence. Having grown up in a small town, and now living in a big city, he is conscious of the gaps that exist for youth on both sides of that spectrum and seeks to build a Canada where all youth can thrive.

In his free time, he loves to watch competitive Reality-TV, and post creative writing on his Substack page.

Profile for Sanaz Dehghannayyeri

Sanaz Dehghannayyeri
Front End Developer and Content Creation

Sanaz Dehghannayyeri
info@studentscommission.ca

Sanaz is a passionate software developer with a Master’s degree in Chemistry and a degree in Computer Programming. After discovering a love for technology, she made the exciting transition into the IT field. With a strong commitment to making a positive impact, she focuses on creating software that benefits young people and enhances their learning experiences. In her free time, she focuses on enhancing her knowledge of technology and exploring the latest developments in the field. Together, let’s empower the next generation to explore new horizons!

Profile for Tara Switenky

Tara Switenky
Community Lead, Prince Albert

Tara Switenky
info@studentscommission.ca

After university and several years of travel, Tara returned home in 2004 for a short holiday – and has yet to leave! Her education and employment background includes youth and family services, program development and delivery, mentoring, casework and management within education and community organizations. Often working with vulnerable or marginalized populations, Tara enjoys creating collaborative and proactive spaces that build both community connection and personal capacity. She is as an active, longtime volunteer for several local sport, culture and health services. Tara’s favourite roles are that of mom, aunty and grandchild, grateful for a diverse and deliberate connection to family and community. She joined SCC as a full time Network Coordinator in 2023. Tara is from Prince Albert, SK, treaty 6 territory, the traditional lands of the Cree, Dene, Saulteaux and Sioux peoples and the homeland of the Metis Nation.

Profile for Victoria McLuckie

Victoria McLuckie
Lead, Node Capacity Building

Victoria McLuckie
info@studentscommission.ca

Vic is a Lead with the Students Commission, she started working with us in November 2020. She grew up in Toronto and when she was 19, Vic went abroad to complete her BA(Hons) at the University of Glasgow in Political Science and Women and Gender Studies. She spends much of her free time volunteering with the Canadian Cadet Organization. It was through her work with the organization that her desire to work with young people was sparked. In her work life, she is most passionate about mental health advocacy and LGBTQIA2+ rights. Vic is an avid reader and camper, loves a good rainstorm and trying new recipes. When in doubt, you can find her tucked up on the couch with a warm drink and a good show!

Profile for Vanessa Turchio

Vanessa Turchio
Lead, Research and Impact Measurement (Node)

Vanessa Turchio
info@studentscommission.ca

Vanessa is a Lead Research and Evaluation Coordinator for the Students Commission of Canada. After completing her Master of Arts in Developmental Psychology, she joined the SCC in 2023. She has always had a passion for working with youth and contributing to meaningful research, as well as a keen interest in all things data science. She believes that adults have a lot to learn from young people, and that the four pillars on which the SCC is grounded – Respect, Listen, Understand, and Communicate – represent this notion.

Profile for Yray Akemu

Yray Akemu
Full Stack Developer

Yray Akemu
info@studentscommission.ca

Yray is a full stack developer with a passion for creating impactful digital solutions. Before diving into the tech world, he spent his days inspiring young minds as a teacher. His journey from the classroom to coding has fueled his commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of youth. When he is not debugging or designing, you can find him brainstorming ways to bridge technology and education. Let's build a brighter future together!

Centre of Excellence for Youth Engagaement

Profile for Heather Lawford

Heather Lawford, PhD
Academic Co-Director Centre of Excellence for Youth Engagement

Heather Lawford, PhD
info@studentscommission.ca

Heather Lawford is a Professor at Bishop’s University, a SSHRC TII Canada Research Chair, Youth Development, and 3M National Teaching Fellow. Her research examines the ways in which youth are able to reach their full potential and make meaningful contributions to their community. She is also interested in a narrative life-story approach to psychology. She seeks to understand how the stories we tell about ourselves shape who we are and who we become. Dr. Lawford leads the research and evaluation for SCC's Hearing Unheard Moments Project and the collaboration with 10 national partners, implementing in multiple communities across Canada.

Profile for Heather Ramey

Heather Ramey, CYW, PhD
Academic Co-Director Centre of Excellence for Youth Engagement

Heather Ramey, CYW, PhD
info@studentscommission.ca

Heather Ramey is an Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director, Department of Child and Youth Studies, Brock University. She holds a PhD in Lifespan Development Psychology. Her research is focused on youth engagement and youth adult partnerships, youth well being, activity participation, and child and youth care. As a child and youth worker and former children’s therapist, she is very interested in how youth engage with youth services. Rather than seeing children and youth as only recipients of services, however, she is particularly interested how child and youth advocate for themselves and others and shape the world around them, and in how children and youth help others and make positive contributions to others, communities, and the broader world. Dr. Ramey led the Centre and SCC team that conducted and produced the extensive research and consultations with youth across Canada for the second State of Youth Report for the Canadian government in 2025.

Profile for Jennifer Markides

Jennifer Markides, PhD
Member

Jennifer Markides, PhD
info@studentscommission.ca

Jennifer Markides is a SSHRC TII Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Youth Wellbeing and Education, Associate Professor, Curriculum and Learning, Werklund School of Education & Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary. and Co-Lead of One Child Every Child Indigenous Ways of Knowing. She is a member of the Métis Nation of Alberta. She received the Dissertation Award for 2021 from the Canadian Association of Curriculum Studies for her doctoral study, titled “Wisdom and Well-being Post-Disaster: Stories Told by Youth,” and was given an Outstanding Indigenous Scholar/Researcher Award 2021 from the Indigenous Inquiries Circle. Jennifer’s research focuses on the holistic wellbeing of youth and Indigenous education, towards systemic change and reconciliatory action. She prioritizes community-engaged partnerships where the research is responsive to the needs, interests, and knowledges of communities. She utilizes Indigenous research methodologies, emancipatory pedagogies, and arts-based approaches in her scholarship. She and SCC are collaborating on research and projects that foster intercultural exchanges and youth engagement.

Profile for Tanya Halsall

Tanya Halsall, PhD
Member

Tanya Halsall, PhD
info@studentscommission.ca

Tanya Halsall is a Scientist at the University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research at The Royal, and an Assistant Professor, School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa. Her research interests include youth development, system transformation, evaluation, upstream prevention and participatory reearch. Dr. Halsall and SCC are collaborating on a Healthy Youth Grant project called Digital Resistance, applying a Commerical Determinants of Health lens to engage youth in examining digital harms, as well as research and evaluation with multiple collaborations across Canada implementing the Icelandic Prevention model related to substance use.

Profile for Yana Beradini

Yana Beradini, PhD
Member

Yana Beradini, PhD
info@studentscommission.ca

Yana Beradini is an Assistant Professor, Child and Youth Studies, Trent University. Her research focuses on finding ways to understand and promote mental health and wellness of young caregivers, or of other young people who may be farther away from opportunities. Her recent work with SCC is promoting youth engagement and positive outcomes for youth across Canada. Her areas of interest are young carers, self-compassion, mental wellness, and subjective well-being.

Profile for Matt Drabenstott

Matt Drabenstott, PhD
Researcher, Knowledge Translation & Mobilization

Matt Drabenstott, PhD
info@studentscommission.ca

Kansa, Osage, and Kiikaapoi peoples (Cession 69)

Matt brings 10+ years of youth engagement to scalable upstream mental health initiatives. He designs and evaluates multi-year, national programs that promote post-pandemic well-being. A published qualitative researcher, Matt has gathered and analyzed thousands of youth and practitioner stories, weaving their voices into bold advances in how we connect and care. Educator with a lot of heart, Matt has taught for 6+ years at (post-)secondary levels; he also holds a Masters and PhD in Education. Matt is particularly passionate about helping suicidal young people choose to stay. He has been an active contributor to the Centre of Excellence for Youth Engagement and worked with SCC since 2017. He lives in the traditional lands of the Kansa, Osage, and Kiikaapoi peoples (Cession 69).

Sharif Mahdy
CEO Emeritus

Sharif Mahdy
info@studentscommission.ca

Toronto, ON (Treaty 13 Territory)

Sharif was the CEO of the Students Commission of Canada (SCC) and the Centre of Excellence for Youth Engagement for the past 8 years. Sharif has been with the SCC since 2010 and was accountable for ensuring the cultural and financial sustainability of the organization. Sharif has also supported the long-term strategic visioning and operational excellence of the organization. Sharif will stay connected with the SCC as a member of The Centre of Excellence for Youth Engagement.

Profile for Linda Rose-Krasnor

Linda Rose-Krasnor, PhD
Founding Academic Director

Linda Rose-Krasnor, PhD
info@studentscommission.ca

Linda Rose-Krasnor is a Professor Emeritus, Brock University, Founding Academic Director of the Centre of Excellence for Youth Engagement. She was a lead in establishing the Centre's Youth Engagement Framework and the development of the Centre. She continues to be involved in studies with the SCC focused on better understanding the process of youth involvement and strategies for promoting greater youth participation in activities and organizations. She has a particular interest in the role of youth engagement in the development of social competence and adjustment, especially among socially withdrawn youth.