Abdul Nasan, Youth Leader. I am a Syrian immigrant and a Bachelor of Health Student at the University of New Brunswick. I enjoy engaging in meaningful discussions and connecting with others who are passionate about creating change and sharing their voice. I value equity, diversity, and inclusion, as well as open conversations about important issues, whether in community spaces, research settings, or everyday life. What drives me most is understanding the bigger picture how different factors and perspectives shape our world.
Alex Preagola, SCC Analyst, Knowledge Mobilization. Experienced storyteller specializing in program-based, evidence-driven narratives that amplify the voices and experiences of young people.
Aliyanna Gordon, Youth Leader. I’m a student leaser based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, committed to building inclusive communities and empowering young people to lead. My work is grounded in deep commitment to representation and creating spaces where underrepresented voices are not only heard, but uplifted. I’ve been recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Black Women in the Promising Youth category, and I’m a two-time recipient of the Lieutenant Governor’s Respectful Citizenship Award. These recognitions reflect my dedication to advocacy, community development, and meaningful youth empowerment.
Chantelle Edwards, SCC Lead, Skills Development. Passionate about using relationship building to create safer spaces for youth.
Christian Everall, SCC Coordinator, Skills Development. Experienced facilitator in Participatory Action Research though her community involvement in Prince Edward County.
Dave Shanks, SCC Associate Director, Skills Development. I want to live in a city, and province and a country that values and cares about children and youth.
Dominique Bloxom, Community leader from Beaver First Nation, Alberta
Emma Ann MacDougall, Youth Leader. I’m passionate about leadership and community involvement, especially through volunteering and creative expression. Growing up in a rural area has taught me the importance of stepping up to make a difference—whether by organizing school events, staying informed on current issues, or supporting local projects. I’m actively involved in youth leadership programs like Step Up and Rotary Youth Parliament. These experiences helped me discover my true passion for making a difference.
Emma Cognet, SCC Coordinator, Skills Development. Passionate and experienced in youth employment experiences, and in creating safer spaces and building trustful and meaningful relationships with youth.
Fiona Amara, SCC Lead, Analysis and Knowledge Mobilization. It feels rewarding to pursue meaningful work that impacts the lives of youth.
Fiona Lacey, Program Lead, Peer Support and Young Caregivers, The Ontario Caregiver Organization. She is the Program Lead for Peer Support and Young Caregivers at the Ontario Caregiver Organization and has been in the role since 2022. At OCO, Fiona manages 1:1 peer support programming and online caregiver support groups. She graduated from the University of Toronto with an honours Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Women and Gender Studies. Since 2012, Fiona has focused on youth engagement, mental health, mentorship, and peer support. Her previous roles have involved facilitating youth empowerment in-school programming and managing youth and family engagement programming at a mental health agency
Hanna Laboucan, Youth Leader from Beaver First Nation, Alberta
Heather Lawford, PhD, Professor, Bishop’s University, SSHRC TII Canada Research Chair, Youth Development, 3M National Teaching Fellow, Co-Director, Centre of Excellence for Youth Engagement
Heather Ramey, PhD, Associate Professor, Brock University, Co-Director, Centre of Excellence for Youth Engagement
Jennifer Markides, Ph.D. 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
Jocelyn Gallant, SCC Coordinator, Skills Development. From Golden, BC to Prince Edouard Island, it feels incredible to connect and work with youth from across Canada.
Kwaku Agyemang, SCC Lead Production and Content Creation. With a media production background and a degree from Toronto Metropolitan University, he brings valuable skills to scale the organization's communications impact.
Lauren Wengle, SCC Coordinator, Skills Development. An energetic, creative individual who finds joy in connecting with new people and uses the power of conversation to build trust, challenge stigma, and spark hope around substance use and community care.
Leah Lizotte, Community leader from Beaver First Nation, Alberta
Lillian Veal, Cadet. Lillian is in Grade 12 in Milton, ON. She has been a cadet at 820 Chris Hadfield Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron for 6 years. She is a member of the senior cadet leadership team and the 820 Flag Party.
Linda Rose-Krasnor, PhD. Professor Emeritus, Brock University, Founding Academic Director of the Centre of Excellence for Youth Engagement
Matt Drabenstott, PhD, The Students Commission of Canada. Bringing 12+ years of youth engagement to scalable upstream initiatives, he designs and evaluates multi-year, national programs that promote holistic well-being. Published 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 8+ 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.
Mohamad Zaher Sharbaji, Youth Leader, New Brunswick Teen Resource Centre. Through his participation in the Building Home Project, where he created an art installation representing the struggles of homeless youth. Beyond advocacy, he volunteer at the Horizon Hospital and as a patient volunteer with Dalhousie Medical School, contributing to medical training and education. His leadership extends to the Canadian Armed Forces, where he serve as a Weapons Technician, developing teamwork, discipline, and problem-solving skills.
Nola Charles, Youth Leader, Vancouver Youth Strategy. Before transitioning to postsecondary, Nola focused her efforts on community engagement, anti-racism, and youth empowerment outside of school. At her high school, Nola played a key role in establishing the first mentorship program for Black students, fostering a sense of belonging and confidence. She has also contributed to the City of Vancouver’s first anti-youth violence action plan and helped facilitate important dialogues, including the Educators Anti-Racism Summit.
Olivia Lee-Wo, Cadet. Olivia is in Grade 11 in Milton, ON. She has been a cadet at 820 Chris Hadfield Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron for 5 years. She is a member of the National Cadet Advisory Council.
Pallvi Sehijpaul, SCC Coordinator, Skills Development. Her main areas of research interest include identity-based conflict, violence prevention and countering violent extremism.
Rebekah A. Norman, MA (She/Her), Research Coordinator and Relief Program Facilitator, Young Caregivers Association. She is a young adult carer, a PhD candidate in the Department of Child and Youth Studies at Brock University, and a Research Coordinator at the Young Caregivers Association, where she co-founded and leads the Young Caregiver Council of Canada, a grassroots advocacy group of young carers across Canada. Rebekah’s research centers around supporting young carers and their families, with an increased focus on critical theory, mental health, disability, and care. Her background is in participatory and arts-based methods of collaboration with young carers, including research exploring the relationship between leisure and care.
Roy Murnaghan, Youth Leader. As someone who lives with an anxiety and depression disorder, it is important to me to advocate for youth like to me to have equal opportunities to become leaders and advocates for their communities. Through volunteering with the Students Commission of Canada, I’ve met many youth from all around Canada that are facing similar challenges to myself. Since getting involved, I’ve been able to become a leader myself and facilitate spaces for more youth to become leaders as well.
Sharif Mahdy, Chief Executive Officer, Students Commission of Canada
Sky Scrimshaw, Youth Leader from Beaver First Nation. Plays volleyball, was the captain of her team, has been playing volleyball for 6-7 years, about to graduate from high school – middle blocker or right side
Steven Whitaker, Founder, Sports, Wellness and Achievement Network (SWAN)
Stoney McCart, SCC Director of Program Development, Co-Founder Students Commission of Canada, Centre of Excellence for Youth Engagement
Tanya Halsall, PhD, Scientist, University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research at The Royal, Adjunct Research Professor, Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University
Tara Switenky, SCC Lead, Skills Development, 25+ years experience working with young people in education, justice and community settings in Canada and international locations
Tavin Betts, Youth Leader. I’m Tavin, I’m a 17-year-old Grade 12 student from Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory that works as a motorsport marshal, which has heavily sharpened my ability to handle high-stress and quick-changing environments. I think goals are very important and with that being said, my biggest goal is to push myself beyond my own limits because I believe the mind is often our biggest obstacle.
Todd Ward, SCC Director of Art and Visualization. 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.
Vanessa Turchio, SCC Lead Research and Impact Measurement. 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.
Victoria McLuckie, ALP Coordinator, 820 Chris Hadfield RCACS and Lead- Skills Development, SCC
Yana Berardini, PhD, Assistant Professor, Child and Youth Studies, Trent University
