Youth Advisory Committee

Aaniqa is a second-year undergraduate student at Queen’s University pursuing a Joint Honours degree in Political Studies and Health Studies. Aaniqa is a passionate advocate for social justice and is particularly involved in improving access to healthcare in low-income communities. Aaniqa has worked on numerous initiatives, ranging from long-term care initiatives in Latin America and Africa to food security in her local community of Markham, Ontario. Aaniqa is also an avid freelance journalist and is currently the Features Editor of the Queen’s Journal. Some of their hobbies include sculpting, reading mystery novels, and exploring Toronto.

Aarishi is 17 and currently lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She has lived in four countries and enjoys reading, biking, and art. She’s an avid music listener, a soccer and Formula 1 fan, and has conducted a self-research psychology project on culture and psychodynamics. She also plays table tennis competitively and teaches kids. She will complete her high school diploma next summer and is considering a career path in law, economics, or aerospace. Aarishi hopes to give back to her community as much as possible by sharing time with organizations around her.

Aly is an accomplished youth mentor and children’s teacher serving his neighborhood. He is the founder of DBWatches, a company offering mentorship for youth on practical business foundations. He is also one of the pioneers of the Senior Care Club, a club that connects youth with seniors in the local area. Aly is also the recipient of the Mark Osborne Award and is in the process of creating a financial literacy book for youth. In his free time, you can find him boxing or practicing jazz piano.

Amna is currently in her third year of studies at the University of Alberta, where she’s pursuing an undergraduate degree in psychology. In her free time, she loves pursuing her hobbies, specifically reading, writing, and gaming. She is excited to work with the AKFC and explore all the opportunities it offers to partake in youth engagement programming and global citizenship!

Ava, a grade 11 student in Vancouver, is committed to service and advocacy. She has held roles including class president and has sat on the Youth Advisory Council of WE Charity. Ava founded the American Sign Language Club at her school and is the co-leader of the Seniors with Seniors program, which helps bridge intergenerational connections. Ava is currently undertaking her Duke of Edinburgh Award and has played on her school’s senior field hockey team since grade 10, where she exemplifies the values of teamwork and dedication.

Chimdy is a first-year Health and Life Sciences CEGEP student from Montreal, Quebec. She is deeply passionate about international development and women’s rights advocacy. With a strong commitment to giving back, Chimdy actively participates in community initiatives such as tutoring, hospital volunteering, and sustainability projects. In her free time, she enjoys reading, which fuels her curiosity and broadens her perspective. Dedicated to creating meaningful change, Chimdy strives to combat poverty, address global warming, and contribute to building a better, more equitable world for all.

Ella is an eleventh-grade student in Saint John, New Brunswick. In her community, she is very academically and musically involved. She is deeply passionate about research and is grateful to say that she has pursued her interests as a student enrolled in AP Research. Outside of academics, she plays the violin and the clarinet, and is part of an auditioned choir at her school. Music fuels her and largely contributes to the person she is today.

Gagan is currently a grade 12 IB diploma student who is continuing her studies in health sciences. During her free time, Gagan is a dancer and a dance teacher. She also volunteers at a local hospital and various community organizations. Gagan is extremely passionate about issues relating to gender equality and youth involvement in the community. Through her experiences in school and in the community, she has taken a special interest in global issues and can’t wait to contribute her ideas and learn from the others on the council!

Malika is devoted to advancing social equality and sustainable development. She is a passionate advocate for vital aspects of diversity, equity, and inclusion and has a keen interest in the complex interactions that exist between labor, industry dynamics, and public policy. Actively involved in various social and community initiatives, Malika underscores the significance of diversity and cultural inclusivity as fundamental pillars of sustainable progress and recognizes the importance of connecting environmental stewardship with broader societal objectives.

Mishika is a recent Geographic Analysis graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University and will start her master’s degree in the fall. Born and raised in Toronto, Mishika has always been interested in how cities are shaped and the various factors that contribute to that, such as the well-being of community members. She hopes to help work towards creating more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient cities. She enjoys walking around Toronto and listening to podcasts in her free time.

Muzhda is an 18-year-old refugee and girl’s right to education activist. She is the founder of CodeGreenAfg.org, an organization that provides support and relief to families in Afghanistan. She is also a Youth Delegate at the United Nations’ Commission on the Status of Women 68. Muzhda is passionate about global peace and positive change.

Rasul is a 19-year-old youth leader and social justice activist. Having been aware of global problems since he started high school, Rasul first worked as a volunteer in numerous NGOs, before becoming a youth advisor and campaigner for climate movements. Rasul accelerated the Green Transformation efforts of many municipalities and companies in Turkey and pioneered the participation of young people in decision-making processes. He currently lives in Canada and works on climate change, youth advocacy, green policy development, community and cultural engagement initiatives.

Sameer is a graduate of Upper Canada College, and currently a third-year business student at Ivey Business School at Western University. He has been involved in a variety of leadership positions with a strong passion for fostering intersections and engagement between business, youth, and international development, and delivered a TED-Ed talk on this topic. In addition to being a track and field competitor in discus throw, Sameer enjoys playing the Kalimba and is a social media entrepreneur and coach, training people globally on how to monetize digital content.

Su is a driven IB student from Ottawa, Canada. She is passionate about STEM and social justice and aims to leverage technology to promote awareness and involvement among youth. Her independent initiatives include combatting misinformation and exploring intercultural relations with international students. Su strives to continue making an impact alongside fellow youth as part of the AKFC Youth Advisory Committee.

Sydney is an active youth in Whitehorse, Yukon, partaking in community theatre, volunteering with Special Olympics Yukon, tutoring, and playing rugby. Whether Sydney is cramming for physics tests every other night or singing to her heart’s content, she keeps it busy. Sydney is devoted to making a change in her community while being appreciative of all its beauty. They acknowledge that they are working, and learning on the traditional territory of the Kwanlin Dun First Nation and the Ta’an Kwach’an Council and are appreciative of all they have done to preserve the land for over a millennium.

Ziya is an IB student, neuroscience enthusiast, and youth advocate passionate about STEM and creating better opportunities for youth in her community. Alongside years of independent Alzheimer’s research, Ziya has led community youth initiatives, sharing her ideas through platforms like TEDEd, where she filmed and presented a talk on the health benefits of “Awe”, and the Canada Wide Science Fair. Her commitment to advocacy and STEM extends beyond local efforts, contributing to national and global initiatives. Currently, she is focused on making an impact through research, innovation, and leadership.