Youth Council Members

Meet the 2024/2025 Youth Council Members

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Hannah, Co-Lead 
About Hannah

Location: Sherwood Park

What motivated you to apply?
I accepted the position as the Co-Lead for the WISEST Youth Council because I was excited to work with the youth and continue developing my leadership skills! I have been so fortunate to have been involved with so many components of the WISEST program, both as a participant and as a volunteer, and have learned so much from these opportunities so I wanted to continue giving back to WISEST. I was also super excited to continue working with my Co-Lead, Clara, who I met when working with WISEST in 2022 and we became quick friends! I love the community that WISEST builds and am so excited to continue to be a part of that.

What are you most excited for as a member of the WISEST Youth Council?
Working with the council members! Each council member brings such unique experiences and I always value learning from other people.

 

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Clara, Co-Lead
About Clara

Location: Grande Prairie

What are you most excited for as a member of the WISEST Youth Council?
I am always looking for ways to stay involved with WISEST through their abundance of programs. There comes a sense of accomplishment and awe seeing the work each Youth Council completes at the end of the term. I want to support our members in attaining their goals and guide them with their projects.

What are you most excited for as a member of the WISEST Youth Council?
I look forward to seeing each council member grow both individually, and collectively as a group. I am constantly amazed by the work completed by our council, as well as their drive to succeed.

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Erika, Co-Lead
About Erika

Location: Edmonton

What are you most excited for as a member of the WISEST Youth Council?
One of the aspects of the council I am most excited for is building relationships and working with the other council members. Although we have gone through different journeys in STEM, it’s enlightening to see how some aspects of being a woman or a part of an underrepresented group are universal. Being able to speak with others who share similar or different understandings of the experience of being a minority in STEM is an essential part in understanding the world, and therefore an integral part of creating projects that cater to a multitude of perspectives.

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Terryanne
About Terryanne
What are you most excited for as a member of the WISEST Youth Council? Going into my 3rd year on the council I am excited to continue working on Youth Council projects and connecting with council members. Every year I look forward to getting to know the incoming members of the council, the experiences and perspectives they have shared have been invaluable to me.
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Sienna 
About Sienna
What do you hope to gain from this experience? I hope to connect with a community of young people with diverse perspectives, who are passionate about STEM and creating a more equitable world for future generations of scientists.
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Mandy
About Mandy
What motivated you to apply for the WISEST Youth Council? I admired that the WYC is a space where I'm able to engage with other innovative-driven individuals in an inclusive environment focused on topics related to STEM. Discussing how to move forward over outdated barriers and beliefs and redefining who and how you can thrive in STEM is my primary reason for being a part of the WYC. 
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Elizabeth
About Elizabeth
What perspective do you think you bring to the group?  I believe I can bring a positive attitude to the group, while also being a mind of reason at times. The main perspective I hope to bring is that even those who are struggling can do great things in their time of need.
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Japji
About Japji
What do you hope to gain from this experience? I hope to continue to build a place for myself in STEM through networking, exploration, and advocacy as a member of the WISEST Youth Council. I am certain that my time with this organization will allow me to not only inspire other young people in their STEM journeys, but also learn from and collaborate with an incredible team passionate about achieving equity in STEM.
Kristy
Kristy
About Kristy
What perspective do you think you bring to the group? I believe that it is important to have diverse perspectives in the group, because this diversity leads to creating new and unique solutions, all while making a lasting impact. Coming from a francophone environment that is rich in cultures, I will bring new insights to the group, which will serve to enrich our ideas and our input as a Council that strives to make STEM an inclusive domain.
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Sophia
About Sophia
What are you most excited for as a member of the WISEST Youth Council? I am most excited about the chance to actively contribute to projects that push the boundaries of knowledge. I am driven by the opportunity to collaborate with brilliant minds, bring fresh ideas to the table, and see our collective efforts make a real difference! What energizes me most is being part of a team where curiosity and impact come together. Help create a spark of broader excitement for science in our community!
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Takdeer
About Takdeer

What motivated you to apply for the WISEST Youth Council? As an initial applicant, I was inspired by many of the Faces of WISEST, such as Dr. Veena Netrakanti and Dr. Sonia Kang as I relate to their pathways. I have been influenced to continue for the third year after seeing how supportive the WISEST community is.

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Kaylie
About Kaylie

What motivated you to apply for the WISEST Youth Council?
I want to help in bridging the gender gap in STEM, which could be accomplished by sharing my perspective and working on WISEST projects that will help women and gender diverse individuals find their voice and belonging in STEM.

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Elizabeth
About Elizabeth
What do you hope to gain from this experience? I hope to grow both as a leader and an advocate, further developing valuable skills in collaboration, leadership, and project planning through my experience on the WISEST Youth Council. I’m also excited to connect with like-minded peers, and collaborate with mentors and fellow council members who share a passion for promoting equity in science.
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Maria
About Maria

What perspective do you think you bring to the group? I bring a rural perspective to the Youth Council. People from rural areas face unique barriers to pursuing STEM that often go unrecognized. By being on the Youth Council I hope to bring these issues to light and help the council mitigate these problems when creating their projects.

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Susanna
About Susanna
What are you most excited for as a member of the WISEST Youth Council? I feel optimistic trepidation. A sense of courage and happiness for what's to come but also uncertainty. Happy because I am making real progress towards helping others like me, and fearful because I've never done this before! I hope to really show off the fascination and curiosity I have for the world of STEM. Especially in architecture, and civil engineering.
Tanishka
Tanishka
About Tanishka
What motivated you to apply for the WISEST Youth Council? As a high school student in a small town, I wanted some place to express my ideas, and give something to the community. The WISEST Youth Council does this exact thing, which motivated me in applying. 
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Sia
About Sia

What motivated you to apply for the WISEST Youth Council?I wanted to connect with others who care about making STEM more welcoming and inclusive. For me, it’s also about being able to contribute in a way that has a real impact, even if it’s small, whether that be helping shape conversations, supporting new ideas, or just being part of a community that values equity. I saw this as an opportunity not only to grow personally but also to help make STEM feel more encouraging for people who might not always see themselves represented.

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Zeina
About Zeina
What perspective do you think you bring to the group? I bring the perspective of someone who has a combination of leadership, a strong foundation in STEM and lived experience. As a Muslim girl who wears the hijab, I’ve often had to navigate through spaces where I sometimes feel different or overlooked. I know what it’s like to not always feel understood, and that’s made me really value inclusivity. I also bring the perspective of someone who cares a lot about making sure others feel like they belong, whether that’s by speaking up, encouraging them, or just listening.