How can YOU influence public policy?

Recently, Sakariya has worked to shift educational pipelines and inclusion efforts with his alma-mater, Ivey School of Business as a member of the EDI Council and a founder of BSIC (Black Students at Ivey Collective). He’s been able to help Ivey revamp their EDI strategy and partner with the private sector to implement transformative programming to Black students and advocate on their behalf to administration.

Sakariya is passionate about distributing opportunity and access to disenfranchised communities, especially those experiencing housing. Previously, he’s been part of a group of 10 young people across Toronto who worked on a Youth Engagement Strategy to help the city of Toronto how it can engage with disenfranchised and disinterested youth in their 20-year plan.

Additionally, he’s been involved as a Youth Fellow in the City of Toronto and has been featured on CBC Radio on numerous occasions regarding his work representing his community at various levels in Toronto.

Her passion for equitable education and social policy stems from her work running Mikinakoos (Little Turtle) Children’s Fund in coordination with the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority.

Prior to joining Teach For Canada, Deanna worked as a Policy Analyst in the Privy Council Office, providing briefings for the Prime Minister and senior government officials on key Indigenous priorities. Key priorities included support of the permanent bilateral mechanisms established between the Government of Canada and First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation leaders from across the country, as well as the examination of relevant federal laws, policies, and operational practices related to Aboriginal and treaty rights, international human rights standards, including the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.Deanna has also worked within Health Canada’s Climate Change and Health Adaptation Program. Often having her feet ‘in two different canoes’ – one eager to advance Indigenous policy in Canada, and another striving to center Indigenous methodologies and experiences in research and practice – Deanna brings an interdisciplinary perspective to her work.

Deanna received her Bachelor of Education with distinction from Western University, and is concurrently a SSHRC Doctoral Scholar, studying First Nations education governance. She is also undertaking a Master of Public Health in Indigenous Health at the University of Toronto. Deanna is a 2022-23 Action Canada Fellow.

Ian grew up in a farming community in central Alberta: for the first ten years of his life his parents had a dairy farm and since then they have farmed bison. His grandparents immigrated to Alberta from the Netherlands.

Ian now lives in Montreal. In addition to his overseas experience, he has also lived, worked and studied in Moncton, New Brunswick; Gatineau, Quebec; and in Ottawa and Toronto. He is a board member at Citizens for Public Justice, a faith-based public policy and advocacy organization, and has also been involved in refugee sponsorship initiatives in Ontario and Quebec.

They are also an Ontario Legislature Internship Program alum and previously worked with Global Affairs Canada as a member of Canada’s G7/G20 Summits team. Outside of work, Leslie enjoys cycling, exploring new towns and cities and spending time at home with their toddler and partner.

Catherine Maurice is a communications specialist based in the Greater Montréal area. She currently works as Director of Media Relations and Operational Communications for exo, a public transit authority that oversees the north and south shores’ bus and paratransit services, as well as commuter rail services throughout the Greater Montréal area. Exo serves over 82 municipalities and the Kahnawake community.

Before working for exo, Catherine held various positions at the local, provincial and federal levels for nearly 13 years. From 2014 to 2017, she acted as press secretary and communications director for the offices of the mayor and executive committee at the Ville de Montréal.

In 2010, Catherine had the opportunity to work as an election observer for the Organization of American States (OAS) during the first round of the presidential elections in Haiti.

Catherine has a law degree and spent a few years working as a lawyer in the Estrie region. During that time, Catherine was active in her community and even served as president of the Young Bar of Bedford in 2005.

While alpine skiing is Catherine’s true passion, she is also a Pilates enthusiast. In summer, you will almost certainly find her working in her garden or riding her bike.