Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) Members

Aqsa Samad graduated from the University of Toronto with an honors Bachelor of Science degree. During her undergraduate studies, she participated in initiatives such as Global Youth Impact, where young leaders discuss different ways to respond to current global issues, and the University of Toronto’s Health and Society Students’ Association, which ignited her desire to pursue a career in health. Aqsa joined YAC because its mission and goals resonate deeply with her, and she wants to contribute to greater social change and help to create a space where services are accessible for all individuals. Aqsa spends most of her free time volunteering, trying new food, and hanging out with her cat.

Craig Gauder graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Applied Science and engineering, and currently works as a software engineer in the financial industry. During his studies, he volunteered with the university's Engineers Without Borders chapter, where he was vice president of learning. There, he developed valuable leadership, outreach, and research skills while creating and facilitating a comprehensive curriculum for club members on relevant social issues. He is excited to apply his skills and experience to his role on the Youth Advisory Committee and work with such a strong team of peers. In his spare time, Craig enjoys practicing the piano, playing in a queer dodgeball league in the Village, and going for walks in the park with his canine pal Jupiter and partner Troy.

Dumebi holds a bachelor's degree in public health from Brock University, marking the foundation of her dedication to community well-being. Having lived in Lagos, London (England), and now Toronto, Dumebi embodies a global perspective reflective of her rich cultural experiences. She is fluent in English, French, and Spanish, which enhances her ability to connect with diverse audiences. Beyond her professional pursuits as a data analyst, Dumebi's interests include a love for travel, an eagerness to learn about new cultures, and watching rom-coms. She hopes to bring cultural richness, linguistic versatility, and analytical insight to further the YMCA's community engagement, youth development, and well-being mission.

Nicole is the enablement manager at a local fintech startup, Float, and a graduate of Ivey Business School. She started in tech sales over four years ago after falling in love with the social innovation economy during her undergrad. Nicole discovered social enterprises through MaRS and Enactus, which fused her passion for business strategy and social welfare. She eventually launched her own successful business of upcycling wheelchairs. The still-active venture is a part of the Western University business curriculum.  In the workforce across two companies, she's generated millions in the pipeline, rolled out training for teams of 30, sourced some of the largest deals, and generated hundreds of thousands in payment volume. These varied experiences allow her to bring a unique perspective from the private to public sectors — the art form of fostering collaboration and change across stakeholders with varying needs and goals.

Nigel Lake is a policy analyst with the Ontario Ministry of Health in the Supportive Housing Unit of the Addictions and Mental Health branch. He holds a bachelor of public affairs and policy management from Carleton University, specializing in social policy. Born and raised in Toronto, he passionately believes in the power of community building and the importance of community-led work. In addition to YAC, he's a member of YMCA Canada's Federation Development Network Task Force. Nigel believes in the mission and values of the Y and tries to live by them every day in his personal and professional life.

Nika Lennox is a recent graduate from the London School of Economics and Political Science, where she received an M.Sc. in international social and public policy. Her varied background includes experience in the non-profit sector in Canada and the United Kingdom, overseeing organizational development, volunteer engagement programs, and get-out-the-vote campaigns centered around youth voters. Nika also holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science and contemporary studies from the University of King’s College in Halifax, Nova Scotia. In her spare time, Nika is an avid knitter, rock climber, reality TV enthusiast, and lover of all things outdoors.

Shaunette George is currently a PhD student in the department of sociology at McMaster University, where she earned an MA and an honours BA, both in sociology. She also has a certificate in leadership & management in the not-for-profit sector from Mohawk College. As a lifelong volunteer in the GTA and abroad, Shaunette has experience working with underserved youth at risk of homelessness and adults with behavioural and developmental disabilities. With research experience working for non-profit organizations (the YGTA included) and McMaster University, she has gained valuable knowledge about the diverse population of the GTA, which will help her to develop and influence Canadian social policy in the future. In her spare time, Shaunette enjoys reading, being with her nieces and nephews, and travelling around the world.

Simran is a supply chain analyst with Mars Canada, with a bachelor’s in food engineering from India and a postgraduate degree in supply chain management from Cape Breton University. Simran, who recently moved to Toronto from Nova Scotia, is passionate about community development, especially community integration for international students. In Cape Breton, she volunteered with many local organizations: she was a board member for Cape Breton Credit Union, a mentor with Cape Breton Connector Program to guide international graduates and newcomers with career advice, and an advisor on the local immigration partnership's Immigrant Advisory Table. She also organized a fundraiser gala, raising $10,000 for a scholarship fund for international students studying at Cape Breton University. Simran currently sits on the Board of Directors for YMCA Cape Breton and volunteers as a mentor with Toronto's Connector Program. In her spare time, outside of volunteering, she likes to read novels and try new food places in the GTA. With YAC, Simran hopes to bring her experience and collaborate with an amazing group of peers to help achieve its mission and vision.

Sufiat Fusigboye holds a master of public health from Queen’s University, focusing on health services research and statistical analysis. She also holds a bachelor of science in biology and global development studies. She is passionate about health equity and has leveraged her public health expertise to advocate for various health equity causes locally, nationally, and globally. These experiences include assisting implementation science, such as turning research findings into practice, interventions in low- and middle-income countries, leading and supporting research publications that advocate for people who use drugs in the City of Toronto, and various volunteer experiences in her community. Currently, Sufiat utilizes her health service research and analysis skills to strategically establish the Pan-Canadian Organ and Donation Reporting System with her current employer. She enjoys long-distance running, stand-up comedy, and relaxing with her cat, Jelly, in her spare time. As part of the YMCA’s Youth Advisory Committee, Sufiat hopes to use her experience in public health to understand and serve the youth of Toronto.

Zahra Niazi is a Master’s student in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Toronto and a research associate intern at a UofT Neuroscience startup. She completed her Bachelor’s in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Waterloo. Zahra has held various mentorship and teaching assistant roles at both universities, where she helped first-year students transition into university life. She joined YAC because its values of inclusivity, integrity, optimism, and well-being resonate with her personally. Through YAC, Zahra hopes to use her experiences to be a voice for youth in her community. In her free time, she enjoys making matcha drinks, reading, and exploring cafés.