草莓社区

Urooba is an undergraduate student at the University of Manitoba pursuing an Environmental Studies degree with a focus in Policy & Law and a minor in Health Studies. She is passionate about youth literacy, social impact, environmental sustainability, anti-colonial practices, and building community. Urooba is part of several national and global youth networks working to build global citizenship, cultural competency, professional development skills, and collaborating with different sectors to enact change through policy. In the future Urooba aims to pursue graduate studies and work internationally in the governance and health spheres. Urooba鈥檚 pastimes include writing, reading, hosting elaborate dinners, gardening, volunteering in the community, rollerskating, and performance poetry. She is ecstatic to work alongside such incredible members for this project. Feel free to connect with Urooba on social platforms.

Noel Baldwin is the Executive Director of the Future Skills Centre (FSC), a position he has held since June 2024. With nearly two decades of experience advancing strategic initiatives and public policy in postsecondary education, adult learning and skills development, Noel is a recognized leader in the skills ecosystem.

Since joining FSC in 2019 as Director of Government and Public Affairs, Noel has provided leadership in navigating the complex skills and workforce development ecosystem, forging strong relationships with federal departments, provinces, territories, municipalities, and international organizations like the OECD.

Prior to joining FSC, Noel served as Coordinator of Postsecondary Education and Adult Learning at the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC), where he led collaborative efforts with provincial and territorial officials on key education policy issues. Earlier in his career, he focused on improving access to postsecondary education at the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation. Noel has lived in five of Canada鈥檚 provinces and currently lives in his hometown of Ottawa with his family, including two kids enrolled in public school.

Pedro Barata is the President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Canada, a 45-member federation and Canada鈥檚 only national affordable homeownership organization. He is a passionate and values-driven leader with two decades鈥� experience driving multi-sector collaborations that achieve solutions for communities. Prior to Habitat, Pedro was executive director of the Future Skills Centre, where he led the start-up of the national research impact centre. Previously, at United Way Greater Toronto, Pedro held senior roles in partnerships, research, policy, evaluation, public affairs, and communications. Often called on for his insights into building inclusive and equitable communities, Pedro has held numerous advisory roles locally and nationally, in innovation, housing strategy income security and poverty reduction.

James is a social entrepreneur and pedagogue with 30 years鈥� experience leading nature education and advancing environmental knowledge and agency.聽 He has a track record of generating exponential growth, often through multi agency partnerships. James is a Regional Counsellor for the IUCN (North America and Caribbean), he Chairs the Canadian National Framework for Environmental Learning Advisory group and works with Governments, National and International NGOs and civic institutions.

James is someone who believes in people, especially the power and hope of youth.聽 He has benefited from living and working in multiple countries, communities, and cultures, and this lived experience helps him to empathise with a diversity of perspectives.聽 He is often asked to convene and connect to mainstream environmental education and amplify impact.

A 24 year veteran of the technology industry, most recently as Vice-President, Corporate Affairs and Corporate Social Responsibility for Cisco Canada, Willa has had a meaningful impact at the national level in Canada with her leadership of programming and advocacy work for Digital Equity and Inclusion, and capacity building across Canada鈥檚 Social Impact sector.鈥� Working with governments, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and communities across Canada, Willa galvanizes ecosystems of partners focused on sustainable change.

In 2014, Willa led the development and launch of Connected North, a ground-breaking program that leverages virtual technology to connect students in the remote North to opportunities not available to them where they live. Now led by charity partner TakingITGlobal, Connected North provides a digital curricula including experts-on-demand; youth mentoring and career guidance; virtual field trips; teacher training; mental wellness support and more. The network connects resources to over 42,000 students in 200 schools in remote Indigenous communities, from the Yukon to Nunavut.

Dr. Mariana Brussoni is Director of the Human Early Learning Partnership, an interdisciplinary research and knowledge mobilization centre at the University of British Columbia that working to improve conditions that promote an equitable start in life for all children and their families. Mariana is a professor in the UBC Department of Pediatrics and School of Population and Public Health, Investigator at BCCHR and lead of the Outside Play Lab. Her research investigates children鈥檚 outdoor and risky play, focusing on shifting parents鈥� and educators鈥� perceptions of risk, designing play-friendly environments, and changing systems to ensure children have the time, space and freedom to play outside every day.

Dr. Tracey Burns is Chief of Global Strategy and Research at the National Center on Education and the Economy in Washington, DC. Previously she was Chief of Research for the Centre for Educational Research and Innovation at the OECD. She has additionally served as an Expert for UNESCO鈥檚 Broadband and Future of Education Commissions and is a member of UNESCO Santiago鈥檚 High Level Technical Council for their Regional Comparative and Explanatory Study. She is a member of TeachAI鈥檚 Advisory Committee, advising education leaders on the safe, effective, and responsible use of AI in education.

Sabreena Delhon is the CEO of the Samara Centre for Democracy, a non-partisan registered charity with a mission to realize a vibrant culture of civic engagement across Canada. For over a decade she has directed multi-stakeholder research and outreach initiatives that have made an impact across justice, academic, and non-profit sectors. Sabreena has appeared as an expert witness before Parliamentary committees on matters relating to political participation and has been quoted about democratic engagement for various media outlets such as the Globe & Mail, CBC, Toronto Star and the New York Times.

Dr. Ellen Field is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education at Lakehead University. Her research interests are in policy and practice of climate change education in the Canadian K-12 system. She teaches Environmental Education (B.Ed) and Climate Change Education (M.Ed) in the Faculty of Education, and has engaged hundreds of in-service teachers in professional development workshops. She is co-lead of the Accelerating Climate Change Education in Teacher Education project, is an Associate Editor of the Canadian Journal of Environmental Education and co-chair of the Canadian Regional Hub of Monitoring and Evaluation of Climate Change Education (MECCE). Ellen is also an author of UNESCO鈥檚 Greening Education Guidance, a policy framework for countries to follow when integrating climate change education into the curriculum.

Cordella Friesen is the President and CEO of the YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg, bringing more than 20 years of senior leadership experience across the non-profit and public sectors. The YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg is Manitoba鈥檚 largest child care provider, and has four community hubs offering programs in health, fitness, aquatics, mental health, newcomer programs and programs for youth and children as well as Camp Stephens.

Previous roles include Assistant Deputy Minister of Cabinet Operations and Planning and the Assistant Deputy Minister of Environmental Stewardship as well as nine years in the provincial government for post-secondary eduction. She was also one of the leads of the Vaccine Implementation Task Force for the Manitoba government.鈥–ordella has expertise in policy and program development, governance, human resources, risk management, and capital and asset planning. She currently serves as a member of Manitoba鈥檚 Premier鈥檚 Business and Jobs Council, contributing to province-wide strategies for economic growth and community well-being.

A radical optimist and champion of the collective, Cordella believes that enduring change happens when communities, institutions, and individuals work together. She is a strong advocate for the power of storytelling and the role of shared experience in building empathy and connection.

Vivek is a senior medical student at the University of British Columbia and an aspiring clinician-scientist with an interest in child & maternal health. He is immensely grateful for his experiences in BC鈥檚鈥痯ublic education system from K-12, and鈥痠s driven to ensure that our system provides equitable opportunities for all children and youth to thrive. He approaches his work with PFE from a鈥痵ocial determinants of health lens, appreciating鈥痚ducation as a critical factor that impacts wellbeing鈥痑cross the life-course.

Dr. Charlotte Moore Hepburn is a faculty paediatrician鈥痠n the Division of Paediatric鈥疢edicine at the Hospital for Sick Children, an associate professor of Paediatrics鈥痠n the Department of Paediatrics鈥痑t the University of Toronto School of Medicine and an adjunct profession at the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (iHPME) at the University of Toronto. Having served as the Director of Medical Affairs for the Canadian Paediatric鈥疭ociety (CPS) and the Canadian Paediatric鈥疭urveillance Program (CPSP) from 2014 鈥� 2022, she is now the Medical Director of the Child Health Policy Accelerator, and the Co-Chair of the Paediatric鈥疎xpert Reference Group (PERG) at Health Canada.

Dr. Candy Ho is an international award-winning career development educator and scholar whose expertise is recognized globally through keynotes, consulting, and other engagements. Her insights have been featured in prestigious media outlets including BNN Bloomberg, The Globe and Mail, Financial Post, Canadian Business, National Post, and CTV News. Originally from Hong Kong, she currently serves as Chancellor鈥檚 Chair at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU), while also teaching in KPU鈥檚 Educational Studies department and in Douglas College鈥檚 Career Development Practitioner Program. Candy is Past Chair of CERIC, a Canadian charitable organization that advances education and research in career counselling and career development, in order to increase the economic and social well-being of Canadians.

Ruhee Ismail-Teja is a public affairs executive specializing in government relations, policy, and strategic communications. She holds experience in private, public, and non-profit sectors. Through her career, she has focused on developing policy to enhance the vibrancy of Canada鈥檚 business sector, support inclusive and sustainable economic growth, and help organizations navigate political and economic risk.

Ruhee currently serves as Vice President, Policy and External Affairs, leading public policy, advocacy and government relations, media relations and communications, equity and inclusion, and Indigenous economic reconciliation for the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. She works directly with businesses, governments, and stakeholders to encourage policy adoption that strengthens the business community and the Calgary community at large. Ruhee has previously served as an economic advisor to the Government of Quebec, worked in government relations in post-secondary, and in the upstream energy industry.

Mike Jancik is the Director of Deloitte鈥檚 Future of Canada Centre, where he leads the Deloitte Canada鈥檚 thought leadership and public policy hub focused on our country鈥檚 most important national issues, with the aim of helping to propel Canada into a new age of growth and competitiveness.

Prior to joining Deloitte served in senior roles in the Government of Ontario including in the Office of the Premier of Ontario and Treasury Board Secretariat, led Research and Evaluation work in Ontario鈥檚 Ministry of Education, and advised executives on issues at the intersection of business strategy and public policy.

Riaz J. Kara is an accomplished senior executive with nearly two decades of experience in the public sector, having worked within the federal public service and the provincial government of British Columbia, as well as at a federal Crown corporation. He has held senior policy leadership roles in housing, labour and employment, and has experiences that span strategic policy, regulatory management and business transformation.

Riaz holds a master鈥檚 degree in economic history from the London School of Economics and a bachelor鈥檚 degree in business administration from Trent University. In 2019, he completed the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government鈥檚 Executive Certificate in Public Sector Leadership. Riaz is also proudly a Board director of Christie Lake Kids, a 100-year-old non-profit focused on improving outcomes for children and youth. He also serves as Chair of its Governance and Human Resources Committee.

Victoria Kuketz is an established inclusion, public policy, education, and engagement professional focused on social impact. Currently, she is a 2025 Obama Foundation Scholar and most recently served as Director of Corporate Engagement at Catalyst. Her mission is to engage people and systems to cultivate community and collective effort towards positive societal change and a better future of work for all. She is also the Digital Democracy Fellow at the Public Policy Forum, hosts the global Catalyst podcast 鈥淏reaking with Tradition,鈥� hosts the 鈥淒emocracy Dialogues鈥� at TMU, and was a Civic Action Diverse City Fellow in 2022. Victoria holds an HBA and a Masters degree from the University of Toronto.

Kathleen is the Executive Director for the EdCan Network, where she previously served as the Program Director for Well at Work. As the Executive Director, Kathleen provides strategic leadership to the organization, leading the program management and partnership development. She is particularly interested in creating ecosystems where people can flourish and the role of K-12 education in creating a better future for all.

Kathleen studied population health before earning her Master of Business Administration from the University of British Columbia. She managed two cross-campus research projects to understand how the learning environment affects student mental health and wellbeing. Focused on bridging the theory-to-practice gap, Kathleen presented findings from her research into teaching practices that support student learning and wellbeing at the International Conference for Health Promoting Universities and Colleges and developed instructor resources to support the implementation of instructional practices that promote student wellbeing. Over the past several years her work has focused on building management and leadership capacity to support healthy and productive workplaces.

Parisa Mahboubi is the Associate Director of Research at the C.D. Howe Institute, where she leads the Institute鈥檚 human capital policy program. Her research focuses on social policy, with a particular emphasis on immigration, demographics, skills, education, and labour market issues. She has written extensively on these topics for the Institute, contributing to public policy debates in Canada. In addition to authoring research studies, she regularly contributes op-eds to The Globe and Mail and the Financial Post.

Prior to joining the C.D. Howe Institute in 2016, Parisa worked at the Statistics Canada Research Data Centre, and served as an Instructor and Research Assistant at the University of Guelph while completing her PhD studies. She holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Economics from Shiraz University in Iran, and a Master of Arts and a PhD in Economics from the University of Guelph.

Sharif is the CEO of the Students Commission of Canada (SCC) and the Centre of Excellence for Youth Engagement. With a career dedicated to serving youth and creating space for them to make positive change, Sharif has been with the SCC since 2010. He leads the organization鈥檚 cultural and financial sustainability, strategic vision, and operational excellence. Sharif holds an Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences from the University of Western Ontario and a Master of Arts in Leadership from Royal Roads University. He is also the Volunteer Chair of the National Alliance of Children and Youth (NACY), a national network dedicated to enhancing the well-being of Canadian children and youth. In addition, Sharif serves on several non-profit boards, including the Catalysts鈥� Circle (Past Chair), the Child Development Institute (Vice-Chair), and Mentor Canada (Treasurer).

Lissa has over twenty years of executive experience catalyzing national and international partnerships between industry, academia and government to drive global science, technology and innovation and build capacity in emerging technologies. She has built international partnerships with the UN, the World Bank, governments of over 30 countries, university networks and multinational companies.

Lissa is currently the Vice-President of Capacity Building and Innovation at the Information and Communication Technology Council and has held the positions of Vice-President of International Partnerships at Mitacs; Vice-President of Corporate Affairs at the Innovation Asset Collective; Vice-President of Global Government Affairs at the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR); President of Science&Tech Collab and Director of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies at McGill, among other roles within industry and the not-for-profit space in Canada, the UK and Australia. Lissa has worked directly with Chief Science Advisors, ministers, ambassadors, presidents of national research councils and leaders of Fortune 500 companies on six continents, and has built partnerships with the European Commission, NASA and the World Bank.

Elizabeth is leading Maytree鈥檚 work to advance economic and social rights in Canada. She is a dedicated builder and champion for the non-profit sector, with extensive experience in research, teaching, and direct service. Elizabeth has a deep history with Maytree; she previously served as its Director of Policy and was the executive director of one of Maytree鈥檚 signature ideas: the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC). Before returning to Maytree in 2014, Elizabeth established and led Mowat NFP at the Mowat Centre, University of Toronto, where she conducted and directed research on the challenges facing the non-profit sector. Elizabeth currently serves as the Chair of Making the Shift: A Youth Homelessness Social Innovation Lab at York University, and as the Chair of the City of Toronto鈥檚 Housing Rights Advisory Committee.

Matthew McKean is BHER鈥檚 Chief R&D Officer. He is a member of BHER鈥檚 executive team and oversees the organization鈥檚 diverse and growing member-driven research and programming agendas. Areas of focus include work-integrated learning (WIL), upskilling/reskilling, international talent recruitment, training, and retention, accessibility and EDI, the transition to net zero, navigating the AI revolution, as well as skills, talent, and the future of work more broadly.

Matthew has authored, co-authored, and directed hundreds of research deliverables, from infographics, briefings, and door-stop reports to podcasts, presentations, and op-eds. He writes, speaks publicly, and is a regular commentator and contributor to media, mostly on skills, talent, and education topics. His writing has appeared in The Globe & Mail, The Toronto Star, The National Post, The Ottawa Citizen, The Hill Times, The Conversation (Canada), This Magazine, Exclaim!, and elsewhere.

Dr. Kwame McKenzie is CEO of , which works in research and policy to improve health and health equity in the Greater Toronto Area. A practicing psychiatrist, he also holds positions as a full Professor at the University of Toronto and as Director of Health Equity at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). As an international expert on the social causes of illness and the development of effective, equitable鈥痵ocial policy and health services and systems, Dr. McKenzie has advised health, housing, education and social services ministers in Canada and the U.K. and has authored more than 鈥痑苍诲鈥�. He is a member of Canada鈥檚 National Advisory Council on Poverty, Co-Chair of Ontario鈥檚 Black Health Plan and Chair of the Board of Community Food Centres Canada.鈥疕e has also worked as a consultant to the World Health Organization鈥痑nd the World Bank. Dr. McKenzie has been a columnist for The Guardian and The Times and a presenter for BBC Radio, and he is regularly published in the .

Ikem鈥疧para is the Director of National Learning Partnerships at the Rideau Hall Foundation where he leads the design鈥痑苍诲鈥痙elivery of the organization鈥檚 commitment to advancing access to learning opportunities for all, across Canada. He has spent the last 20 years engaging public鈥痑苍诲鈥痯rivate sector partners in Canada, Tanzania, Kenya鈥痑苍诲鈥疌uba, to build relationships鈥痑苍诲鈥痵trengthen connections across national, linguistic, cultural鈥痑苍诲鈥痮ther borders. Following roles at Pathways to Education, Canada World Youth,鈥痑苍诲鈥疌anadian Jesuits International over the years, Ikem鈥痵ubsequently led Ontario Trillium Foundation鈥檚 strategy, grant-making鈥痑苍诲鈥痗apacity building work with a focus on inclusion,鈥痑苍诲鈥痠mproved outcomes for Black鈥痑苍诲鈥疘ndigenous youth. Ikem鈥痩ives with his partner鈥痑苍诲鈥痶heir two extremely curious children in Pickering, Ontario, the home of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island.

Jodie Rawn鈥痠s the Vice President of People & Culture at鈥疷NICEF Canada where she champions inclusive leadership, cultivates talent, and drives organizational excellence as part of the world鈥檚 most powerful force for children. A dynamic strategist, facilitator, and people leader, she brings deep expertise in leadership development, strategic planning, change management, and organizational dynamics.

Prior to this, Jodie was Vice President of Activation at鈥疌ivicAction where she worked across sectors to build inclusive & resilient cities, tackle complex challenges, and empower emerging leaders. She also held progressively senior roles in the鈥疧ntario government, focused on communications, strategy, and organizational transformation. Jodie is a鈥疭tar Metroland Media Urban Hero Award鈥痳ecipient and co-founder of the鈥疕ayden鈥檚 Hope Foundation which supports pediatric oncology families in Southwestern Ontario.

Jamison Steeve鈥痠s the President & CEO of the Metcalf Foundation. Prior to joining Metcalf in 2024, he served as Chief Strategy Officer at the YMCA of Greater Toronto and held senior roles at the Martin Prosperity Institute, the Institute for Competitiveness and Prosperity, and the Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society. He has also held significant roles in the Ontario government, including Principal Secretary to Premier Dalton McGuinty and Chief of Staff to the Minister of Health.

Jamison has taught public policy at both the University of Toronto and McGill University, and he has previously served as a fellow at both the C.D. Howe Institute and the Public Policy Forum. Jamison holds a BA (Honours) and a BEd from Queen鈥檚 University, an LLB from Dalhousie University, and is a graduate of the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Jamison鈥檚 most important roles continue to be husband to Carolyn, and father to Will and Natalie.

Janet has worked in a variety of positions within the K-12 education sector, having held senior leadership roles with the Vancouver School Board and at the provincial level in British Columbia. She currently serves as the National Executive Director for the Canadian School Boards Association, an organization representing provincial school board associations across Canada. She is also the founder of Stablehouse Solutions Inc, a consulting group focussed on supporting leaders to maximize their workplace impact. As a qualified mediator with the Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of Canada (ADRIC) and an International Coaching Federation (ICF) Professional Certified Coach, she regularly works with individuals and teams as they strengthen collaboration and navigate workplace complexities. She teaches with Queen’s University鈥檚 Industrial Relations Centre and is a Mentor Coach with the UBC Organizational Coaching program.

Anjum Sultana (She/Her) is an award-winning public affairs strategist who works at the intersection of gender equity, youth leadership, and global cooperation.

As a first-generation Canadian, Anjum leverages her expertise in public policy, programming, and board governance to be a catalyst and champion for social impact and economic inclusion in Canada and globally. A convenor and community builder, Anjum has spent the last 15 years advancing equity and access to opportunity for children and youth from diverse communities. With an interest in global affairs, Anjum has lived, worked, and travelled to over 25 countries.

Anjum is the Inaugural Director of Youth Leadership & Policy Advocacy at Plan International Canada, a global development and humanitarian organization focused on children鈥檚 rights and equality for girls. Anjum leads Team PLAY (Policy, Leadership, Advocacy, and Youth), a group of passionate change-makers, youth programming specialists, and policy advocates. The team works with young people across Canada to activate their global citizenship and unlock their leadership potential as well as engages in advocacy to influence Canadian and global decision-makers such as parliamentarians, UN agencies, and multilateral institutions.

Siobhan is a youth, civic engagement, and climate justice advocate from the prairies.聽With a B.Sc. in Environmental Science and Sustainability from Dalhousie University, Siobhan聽is rooted in intersectional, cross-sector approaches to problem solving. She has over 10 years experience聽in youth education and engagement, including as Co-Founder and Co-Director of Let鈥檚 Sprout,鈥痑 youth-led initiative that was dedicated to fostering youth creativity, authentic leadership and environmental education. She also served as the Programs Manager and Director for Youth Climate Lab for over 3 years. 聽She is currently working for the City of Saskatoon as the Public Engagement Advisor. Siobhan is also a lifelong creative who enjoys dancing, learning textile arts, and being inspired by nature and her loved ones.

Priya leads all OMA advocacy activities and represents the association publicly. She is a member of OMA鈥檚 Board of Directors and its Executive Committee and provides broad policy guidance to the OMA Chair. Priya joined the OMA following a distinguished career in the public sector. She embarked on public service in 2009 as a legislative assistant in the Minister鈥檚 Office at the former Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry, and soon became Chief of Staff to the Ministers of Natural Resources and Northern Development and Mines. She joined the Ontario Public Service as the Director of the Corporate Policy Secretariat at the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines in 2015 and became Director of the Strategic and Indigenous Policy Branch at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry in 2020. Priya brings a background in engineering and public policy to the organization.

In addition to her professional achievements, Priya has dedicated much of the last two decades to volunteering as a board member with various charities that offer essential services to her local community, including a focus on marginalized communities. Notable organizations she has supported in governance include Interval House of Hamilton and Casey House. Currently, she serves on the Board of Directors for her children鈥檚 daycare, reflecting her commitment to supporting family-friendly initiatives. Priya lives in Mississauga with her husband and two children.

Ryan is the Managing Director of Inspiring Healthy Futures and Director, Practice and Policy at Children鈥檚 Healthcare Canada. Ryan previously worked for over a decade as a consultant in healthcare strategy, human-centred research, and government advocacy. He is a strong and passionate community builder who believes in celebrating and incorporating every individual鈥檚 unique contributions and achievements. Taking a relationships-based approach, Ryan works every day to create safe and inclusive spaces for productive and transformational dialogue. With strong facilitation and strategic thinking as a foundation, he uses humour, creativity, and insight to help individuals and groups move forward collaboratively. Ryan earned a Bachelor of Knowledge Integration from the University of Waterloo and a Master of Design in Strategic Foresight and Innovation from OCAD University in Toronto.

As Executive Director Cory creates the organization’s strategy, ensures equity is integrated and practiced in all facets of YCL鈥檚 work and builds relationships to expand the impact of our work.聽Cory is an environmentalist and driven for her passion in sustainability and youth-led work. She was born in Belgium but grew up in Hong Kong, Ireland, England and immigrated to Canada at 15.

Cory graduated with a first class honours degree in international development and economics from Dalhousie University with certificates in intercultural communication and indigenous studies, where they won the green impact award. In 2024, they graduated from John Molson School of Business with a diploma in business administration.聽Cory has worked in the nonprofit sphere since 2017 with a focus on finance, operations, and business development for youth-focused organizations. Her passions revolve around climate justice, food security, LGBTQ+ social justice, mental health, and empowering/supporting youth to be change makers in their communities.