In the last five years, we've seen a community flourish.

Abul Bashar

Bashar is a 3rd year international student at the University of British Columbia pursuing a Bachelor of International Economics degree coming from Bangladesh. He is currently working for the Social Impact Lab at the university’s Centre for Community Engaged Learning. He is also working as an Outreach Coordinator to launch the Youth Impact Challenged hosted with the support of impact-focused venture capital firms InvestEco and Renewal Funds. In addition to that, he is working as a Social Innovation Program Intern for Yukonstruct, a vibrant community of makers, entrepreneurs, nonprofits, startups, and more. Bashar has been an entrepreneur and intrapreneur all his life founding social ventures back in his home country, Bangladesh, focused on climate awareness and food wastage among other SDGs. Previously, he led a project for Bangladesh’s largest startup consulting firm, BetterStories Limited, in designing a program for young people between the age of 18 to 25. Bashar is extremely passionate about social ventures, impact investments, financial technology, democratized and decentralized economics, and system design. He believes in the power of ideas to initiate and establish systems that are ethical and sustainable. Outside of studies, you can find Bashar hitchhiking across Canada, or couchsurfing in remote suburbs, or mountaineering in the Rockies. Bashar is always down for discussing new ideas, anything about development economics, social procurement, axiology philosophy, effective altruism, empathy in education, and the future.

Adarsh Sailesh

Adarsh is a graduate of the Bachelor of International Economics program at UBC. He recently joined KPMG as an analyst in their Transfer- Pricing and Economic Services group, although he eventually hopes to pursue a career in public policy. He has a broad range of interests academically, including a  deep passion for learning about new technology and its implications for society and business. Outside of work, you can find him going for long runs, playing tennis, or attempting to cook something (hopefully edible). He is also an avid volunteer, currently volunteering for Junior Achievement BC.  Adarsh is excited to begin his journey with SIA and hopes to learn as much as he can about social entrepreneurship space in Vancouver.

Alanna Man

Alanna is in her final year at UBC studying Geography- Environment & Sustainability. She enjoys the interdisciplinary nature of her program and is excited to apply it within the commerce sector once she has graduated. She believes that businesses have the biggest impact on our society making it imperative to know how to wield it for a positive impact. She looks forward to finding what sustainability means in different contexts as she establishes her career. Outside of school she can be found consuming stories whether through books or videos, she heavily supports mediums that feature marginalized groups, believing in the power of representation and stories. SIA is the perfect place to gain practical skills for her current career goals, she is honored to be in this fellowship and is eager to learn.

Alina Pace

Alina Pace is a student at McMaster University, enrolled in the interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences program and pursuing a combined honours in Biology. A passionate educator and organizer, Alina is a member of the Board of Directors for Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG) McMaster, organizing and documenting local activism and community events in the Hamilton area. As the Vice President of Graphic Design for Student Art Spaces Toronto, Alina has worked extensively to improve accessibility to arts education for youth, through events such as workshops, exhibitions and the 2021 ArtReach Summer Intensive. Outside of their work, Alina is also deeply interested in learning about the intersections between urbanism, public health, and the arts. In their free time, you can usually find Alina rock climbing, shooting film, or reading. Sometimes all at the same time.

Atharv Agrawal

Atharv Agrawal is a Lester B. Pearson International Scholar at the University of Toronto studying economics, data analytics, and peace, conflict, and justice. Atharv is very passionate about developing climate resilient societies. He is currently working at Peak Power, a Canadian climate tech company that is making traditional power plants obsolete. He is the cofounder of the video podcast “Different Boat, Same Storm,” which has reached viewers in 10 countries around the world and has been featured in The National, the CBC's primetime show. He was also invited to speak at TEDxUofT. Atharv is a researcher at the Reach Alliance, a research and leadership initiative by the Munk School, University of Oxford, University College London, Tecnologico de Monterrey, and the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth. He is also an executive at Global Spark, a global education non-profit. He has previously worked at the LEAP-Pecaut Centre for Social Impact as well as the IBM Pro Bono Initiative. Atharv is also an avid swimmer, a comic connoisseur, a culinary aficionado, and a freestyle jumprope enthusiast.

Christine He

Christine is a 5th year Bcom student at the University of Alberta and is studying HR as her major. From the first year of Bcom, Christine has been involved in the school club, Business Exchange Association (BEA), that both promotes and help enhance exchange experiences in the faculty. To her excitement, she will also participate in a 2022 Korea Summer Exchange! Throughout Covid, she also started a Pen Pal Program that gathered over 100 Bcom students from all around the world. In addition, she also took part in various case competitions to which she began to gain interest in Consulting and Small Businesses. Outside of school, you can find Christine exploring different cafes for her coffee addiction, hanging out with friends, or attempting her next bouldering problem. Christine is very excited to start the SIA program, meet other fellows, and dive into the scene of Social Enterprises.

Danny Xu

Danny is a recent graduate from Wilfrid Laurier University where he studied Business Administration. He has been involved with organizations such as the Waterloo Alternatives Fuels Team and HOPE Initiative which showcased his passion for social impact. Currently, he is a rotational finance associate at Scotiabank. Working at a bank, he started to notice the important role banks play in transitioning their customers to a more sustainable future. He hopes to continue to learn about sustainable finance with SIA. Outside of work, you can find Danny at Squash Clubs, trying new restaurants, and going on late-night desert runs with friends

Defne Avci

Defne is a third-year student at McGill University completing a BCom degree in business analytics, marketing and retail management. Outside of the classroom, Defne likes to get involved in on and off campus extracurriculars. She is the co-founder of Persevere, a non-profit organization that aims to support community development through the arts. Defne is very passionate about retail, specifically fashion, and is keen on revolutionizing the industry to become more ethical and sustainable. She has demonstarted her interest through her apparel business venture, Habytual, founded during Covid lockdown as well as her involvement in Fashion Business Uncovered, a student-run conference that explores and educates about the different facets of the fashion industry. In her spare time, Defne likes to explore various second-hand shopping stores around Montreal as well as ski and figure skate during the winter months. Defne is very excited to start her journey as a SIA research fellow!

Elaine Lok

Elaine is a 4th year undergraduate student at the University of Toronto completing a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in International Relations and Environmental Studies. She is also the Co-VP of Mentorship at the University of Toronto’s Student Women’s Association. Elaine has conducted research on rural sustainability and nature conservation issues in Hong Kong. She hopes to learn more about social innovation and entrepreneurship through the SIA Program to tackle these local environmental issues. Outside of academics, Elaine loves to explore the outdoors, try new recipes, and visit film festivals.

Emily Lau

Emily is passionate about engaging young people in sustainability issues in empowering, inclusive, and diverse ways. She graduated from the University of Waterloo in 2018 with a degree in Environment Studies with a focus in community engagement and water issues. Outside of work Emily enjoys crafting, live music, and reading. Emily's excited to be an SIA fellow to learn more about social impact and all the work that's being in the space right now.

Eunice Lui

Eunice is completing her dual degree studies at the University of British Columbia, studying both Kinesiology and Business Management. Her passion for healthcare has led her to take on roles as a Medical Office Assistant and a PCR Test Collection Assistant during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, she has worked as a research assistant for the Centre for Rural Health Research throughout the past year, and discovered an interest for uncovering the struggles of healthcare professionals and residents in rural communities. During Eunice’s free time, she likes to plan travel itineraries, bake desserts for her friends and family, and hike around beautiful British Columbia.

Fahad Sainudheen Koorimannil Valiyamannil

Fahad is currently enrolled in the Master of Engineering Leadership (MEL) in Clean Energy Engineering program at UBC, Vancouver. Fahad joined this program to grow professionally and contribute towards the sustainable and circular economic future of the world. A climate change docuseries, ‘Years of Living Dangerously’, steered Fahad towards renewable energy as the form of his impact towards fighting climate change during the junior year of his undergraduate degree at Penn State. He then interned at a Solar manufacturing facility in India during that summer and then later worked as a Solar and Energy Storage design engineer for 3 years after graduation. As Fahad have realized through his work, master’s courses and its related projects, sustainability is a complex issue that needs not just technological innovation but also social innovation. He hopes to develop skills and insights about leading social innovation and finance for a net-zero future.

Jasneet Pritam

Jasneet Pritam is a Kenyan-born Artist pursuing a BFA and majoring in visual studies (3rd Year) at the University of Calgary. Jasneet's interest in sustainability stems from her passion for all things design and her goal to learn how to become an impactful interdisciplinary designer. Jasneet intends to apply this mindset formally by pursuing her current interests in sustainable architecture after her undergraduate degree. She also has a keen interest in graphic design and its application in Social Media and Marketing, with volunteer and professional experience in this area. Jasneet has also worked as an artist with works displayed in multiple group exhibitions and personalized commissions. She is looking to grow in an analytical capacity to complement her design thinking during this fellowship and is also excited about interacting with and learning from all the individuals she gets to collaborate with at the Social Innovation Academy.

Jenny Ge

Jenny B. Ge has worked in the Government of Ontario since 2016 in various roles, most recently as a Senior Policy Advisor responsible for electric/autonomous vehicle innovation programs. She has worked at the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, the Ontario Treasury Board Secretariat and spent 3 years at the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, developing expertise in healthcare policy and programs. Jenny holds a Bachelor's degree in Biology, Honors Specialization in Genetics with a Minor in French Studies, from the University of Western Ontario in addition to an Honors Business Administration degree from Ivey Business School. She is a graduate of the Masters of Arts in Public Policy and Administration program at Toronto Metropolitan University. Jenny is passionate about technology and social impact, and has been an avid community volunteer since 2006, supporting vulnerable populations and youth.

Joseph Lyons

Joseph is a 5th-year student at the University of British Columbia completing a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) in Global Supply Chain & Logistics Management. Through his internships, he has helped improve the operations of companies in the luxury retail, climate tech, and maritime sectors. In addition, Joseph has been the creator and host of an educational podcast on global supply chain issues, a teacher and mentor to Kenyan entrepreneurs in Nairobi, and the host of open mic nights in Vancouver’s slam poetry scene. Driven by the philosophy that “a rising tide lifts all boats,” Joseph is passionate about helping propel community growth through bridging economic and social gaps. Outside of school, Joseph likes to cook for friends and family, go for sunset runs along the water, play video games, and catch up on his long reading list.

Kathleen Haryanto

Kathleen is a student at the University of British Columbia, where she pursues International Relations with a focus on economic development. She is a recipient of the International Major Entrance Student (IMES) award, the Outstanding International Student (OIS) award, and most recently, the Faculty of Arts International student award. Outside of the academic space, her personal experience with and witnessing poverty has fueled her interest in financial literacy, poverty alleviation, and the circular economy. Kathleen aspires to combine global ideas and economic methodologies in order to provide people with effective and meaningful solutions. Besides, Kathleen plays a unique role on campus, where she manages $44,000 of grants and introduced three new grant opportunities for Arts students. She has also volunteered in various clubs and non-profits, mostly assisting communities with sustainable initiatives. In her free time, she enjoys exploring restaurants, sightseeing, and exercising.

Ke Bei

Ke has been navigating the healthcare system since childhood. This led to an interest in the medical science field where she is now completing a PhD in immunology at the University of Toronto. Her research focuses on how regulatory T cells an immune cell type that maintains homeostasis and prevents autoimmunity, fails its function in patients with chronic lung allograft dysfunction after transplant. Her work involves both learning and utilizing laboratory and computational skills. Through her studies and experiences, which led her to recognize the difficulties that patients face in having their voiced heard, she became involved in patient advocacy and patient-oriented research design. She is passionate in driving healthcare and research to be inclusive and collaborative with the patient-family experience and needs as the central focus. Outside of her studies you can find her with her reptiles and invertebrate pets. She also loves to express her creative spirit through various mediums.

Kelly Yang

Kelly is passionate about creating social impact in the community. Through her volunteer work at SWAN Vancouver, Kelly is constantly learning about the advocacy for im/migrant sex workers’ rights and the decriminalization of sex work in Canada. International development (decolonized), feminism and plastic reduction are also causes that Kelly cares about. Kelly is currently working at the Aquilini Beverage Group as a Senior Accountant. Aside from wine and spirits, her work also involves financial analysis and modelling — she is very interested in discovering how she can utilize these skills in social impact and impact investing. Prior to this position, Kelly worked in corporate tax at KPMG Vancouver, where she obtained her CPA designation. Outside of work, Kelly can be found taking hip-hop dance classes, exploring restaurants, snowboarding, reading or binging thrillers/dramas.

Kim Nguyen

Kim is a recent Labour Studies and Political Science graduate, from McMaster University. Previously, Kim served as the Vice-President of the Labour Studies Students Association at McMaster University where she helped facilitate student-led events to engage students, industry, and faculty within the community. Kim was also a Research Assistant to Hamilton City Councillor Nrinder Nann, where she provided research, analysis and summary of literature on Sustainable & Equitable Economic Recovery. Since graduating, Kim has held various full-time roles at multiple Education-Technology companies, such as Riipen and Lighthouse Labs where she was able to learn about future trends in the Future of Work, strategic workforce development and skills development. Kim is very passionate about social entrepreneurship and is very excited to join the Fellowship to learn more about social innovation and create meaningful relationships with like-minded peers! Outside of work, Kim loves to spend time outdoors with friends, thrift, and travel whenever she can.

Kyle Zhang

Kyle is a recent Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) graduate from York University. During his studies, he was the VP of Finance for the Entrepreneurship Development Association and STEM Fellowship YorkU. Kyle is passionate about sustainability-driven change and organized a university-wide case competition structured around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to educate others on social and environmental issues. He is also interested in community development and helped lay the groundwork for the Corner @ 240 in 2019, Toronto’s first share and reuse hub. He is currently developing the impact measurement framework for the Corner @ 240 and applying the knowledge from his recently completed SASB Fundamentals of Sustainability Accounting Certificate. Kyle aspires to work for a social enterprise that is committed to uplifting marginalized communities and investing in sustainable initiatives. Outside of work, Kyle spends time on his sustainable clothing brand, CNTRARN, a counter-culture brand that repurposes old items.

Lisa Chen

Having worked as a marine biologist and educator around the world, Lisa is extremely passionate about ocean conservation and education. She is an avid reader, world traveller, gardener, and photographer who enjoys a warm cup of tea. Lisa recently completed a Master of Marine Management degree at Dalhousie University with a research project focusing on creating an ocean literacy framework to guide future ocean education initiatives and create an ocean literate community. This research was inspired by her experience with the Canadian Conservation Corps, which taught her the importance of experiential learning in inspiring conservation efforts. She is the Founder and CEO of the Let's Talk Butts campaign and Marine Way, which focus on tackling cigarette butt litter and ghost fishing gear. In her spare time, Lisa can be found volunteering with Canadian Youth Biodiversity Network, Canadian Wildlife Federation, Ocean Wise, and other environmental organizations.

Lisa Shin

Lisa is a 4th year student at Western University pursuing a double major in Health Sciences and Psychology. She is originally from South Korea but moved to Calgary in the 2nd grade and is now a Londonite. Lisa has previously held many leadership roles at non-profit organizations and community centres around youth engagement and volunteerism as well as child and youth support. She is currently interested in health literacy and literature translation for youth. Utilizing her interest and background of working at the public library since grade 9 and academic library in university, she hopes to become a medical librarian connecting people to information after graduating next year.

Meenakshi Ramanathan

Meenakshi graduated from the University of Alberta in Biological Sciences and Psychology in 2017.Currently, she is a Banking Advisor with ATB Financial, Alberta- based bank. Outside of work and academics, she has worked with non-profits such as REACH, Volunteer Alberta and Technology Alberta to help bridge the gap of organizations looking to advance youth talent/representation. Meenakshi is extremely passionate about social finance and innovation to address social issues such as access to healthcare and education. And, hopes she can combine her experience working in Financial services and Nonprofits to build capacity for social enterprises.In her spare time you’re likely to find Meenakshi visiting local cafes and restaurants exploring different cuisines. Enjoying long walks in nature and going to local community/ leadership events to educate herself on what her local communities are upto. Meenakshi is excited to join the Fellowship to connect and learn from like-minded, impact-driven individuals on different social impact projects in the upcoming year.

Minhee Han

Minhee is an ESG controversies analyst at impak Finance. She studied in Communication focused on journalism. After finishing her bachelor's degree in South Korea, she came to Toronto for her gap year then decided to move to Canada for new challenges. So she moved to Quebec city and learned french before she started her MBA in Global Business at Université Laval. While her studies at Université Laval, she grew a passion for sustainable development. She wants to contribute to acceleration of changes in the business world. In her free time, she strolls in the city or in the nature.

Nevicia Case

Driven to improve health outcomes, Nevicia defended her PhD in Psychiatry at McGill University in 2022, where she conducted research on the influence of cognitive factors, such as depressed mood and alcohol use/misuse, on decision-making processes and risky driving. Beyond her scientific research, Nevicia is a One Young World Scholar at Johnson & Johnson, where she leads the development of a social impact measurement tool for clinical research. She is also the interim Vice-Curator of the Montreal Hub of the Global Shapers Community, a World Economic Forum community, where she has led Hub partnerships and the impact measurement of their in-house tool which facilitates alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals. Additionally, she is the co-founder of Health Innovation Initiative, a non-profit organisation which aims to strengthen health innovation in Canada. Nevicia enjoys fitness, challenging herself with new piano pieces, and exploring new travel destinations.

Nicole Rodriguez

Nicole holds a BSc in Biological Sciences & Psychology from the University of Alberta and is currently finishing her MSc in Medicine in the Department of Pediatrics, with a focus on maternal mental health, infant neurodevelopment, and the gut microbiome. She is a cofounder of BAWSE Communities Inc. (www.joinbawse.com), an ADHD mental health community app in progress that creates virtual coworking hubs designed for students living with ADHD. Additionally, Nicole serves as a peer startup advisor for Startup Edmonton, one of the city’s main entrepreneurial hubs. She is a very passionate learner and a vocal mental health advocate, with a deep love working on social impact projects — especially projects that have intersections on health, tech, and social sciences. Outside of work and studies, Nicole loves to explore different artistic cafes in the city, attending cultural events, going to the farmer’s market, thrift shopping, and trying out random hobbies (her latest one is candle making!). Nicole is super excited to start her internship and meet new friends from her SIA cohort!

Nicole Toole

Nicole is a Program Analyst at Grand Challenges Canada for their Options for Pregnancy Termination Innovation Initiative (OPTions Initiative). In this role, she focuses on innovative and transformative approaches to increasing access to existing pregnancy termination methods in low- and middle-income countries and the testing and development of new methods to pregnancy termination, menus induction, and conception interruption. Nicole holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Politics and Global Development with a Certificate in Business. She is excited to learn and growth with the SIA fellowship, and in particular to develop her social financing skills.

Paahul Banwait

Paahul is a 3rd-year student at the University of British Columbia completing a Bachelor of Commerce Degree with a concentration in Marketing. She had also completed a Professional Bread and Pastry Arts Diploma at the Northwest Culinary Academy of Vancouver. She was a Chair Member of the Events Committee of the University of Calgary Fashion Network, a club that aimed to promote sustainable practices in fashion. She has familiarity working with start-ups to create marketing strategies and experience in professional baking. She hopes to combine her love for food and her passion for sustainable business to learn more about sustainable food business practices. Outside of baking and studying, you can find Paahul trying out new tricks on aerial silks or finding new parks to explore with her big fluffy dog, Sochi. Paahul is thrilled to be a fellow at SIA and hopes to explore more with the social innovation scene in Vancouver.

Primo Huang

Primo is currently a 3rd-year student at the University of British Columbia completing an International Economics degree. He has been involved in numerous clubs at UBC and most notably is a part of 180 Degrees Consulting, the world’s largest consultancy for non-profits & social enterprises. As a person who strives to grow, Primo is interested in learning more about social finance and innovation to help address some of the pressing social and environmental issues, specifically issues like the lack of education and poverty. He hopes that through SIA, he can contribute his past experiences and studies to help social enterprises create an impact. Outside of his studies, you can find Primo eating new foods, exploring the outdoors, and watching some new sitcoms.

Rona He

Rona is in her 4th year at the University of Waterloo studying a dual-degree of Math and Business, with a concentration in Sustainable Economics. She is currently completing a co-operative work term with Microsoft, where she is helping build out the Green Canada Sustainability practice which serves as the Centre of Excellence supporting organization-wide achievement of Microsoft’s carbon, ecosystems, and development goals for 2030. She also previously held positions with LEAP | Pecaut Centre for Social Impact and 180 Degrees Consulting, where she was able to apply her consulting and business administration backgrounds to complex problems facing non-profits within Canada’s social sector. She is a firm believer in the potential behind adapting private sector practices to catalyze social sector impact, in particular with respect to economic development and policy-level intervention. Outside of work, she is an avid-reader and aspiring world-traveller – always open to destination recos and bucket lists!

Safder Raza

Safder is a first-generation Pakistani immigrant to the unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples (aka Vancouver). Since getting his degree in engineering from UBC in 2016, Safder has made several career pivots, and is currently diving deep into the people and planet-saving potential of web3/blockchain technology. He is driven by helping others find their passion and community, maximizing coordination towards positive social and environmental impact, and dismantling barriers to opportunities for marginalized groups. When he's not doing these things, he is often out in the mountains - trail running or skiing depending on time of the year. He likes talking about emotional intelligence, the outdoors, and tech for social impact.

Sarah Ali

Sarah is a 4th year student at the Schulich School of Business at York University completing her bachelor of business administration with a double major in operations management and information systems and marketing. She conceptualized and brought to life The Recruitment Series during her time as a content director for Humans of Schulich to help her fellow students navigate the virtual internship hunt during the pandemic. Sarah has recently discovered a love for coding through her prescriptive analytics course where she got the chance to use Python to solve goal programming, stochastic, and linear programming problems. She also thoroughly enjoyed her time as a marketing intern for Yardi Systems where she developed a knack for market research. Outside of school, Sarah can be found following along with various strength training workouts on YouTube. Sarah is thrilled to be a part of the Social Innovation Academy and cannot wait to take on meaningful projects during her fellowship.

Selena Yang

Selena is a 3rd year student pursuing a Bachelor of International Economics at UBC. Selena has served in various non-profit and student-led organizations, particularly in the realm of youth empowerment. Most recently, Selena has served to promote financial literacy across high schools in Metro Vancouver and has worked on providing consulting services for social enterprises as a part of Ethos Consulting. She is passionate about supporting others and is interested in the intersections of economics, business, and social impact. She aspires to combine her background within nonprofits, the public sector, and business to help address pressing issues, notably those related to inequality, education, and sustainability. Outside of work, she enjoys improving her culinary skills, taking photos, as well as exploring and discovering more about the world around her. Selena is looking forward to learning more about social innovation and being able to make a positive impact with social purpose organizations.

Shivansh Mohan

Shivansh is a student at Western University studying in the Business program. Shivansh is passionate about social entrepreneurship and finance. He is eager to apply his skills and knowledge to grow and advance social entrepreneurship and be an impetus towards social change. Shivansh is looking forward to collaborating with entrepreneurs, finance professionals and change-makers to drive innovation for social good. Outside of work, you can find Shivansh playing Guitar or volunteering with different organizations such as the Habitat for Humanity.

Shreya Jaiswal

Shreya is pursuing a Master of Engineering Leadership in Clean Energy Engineering at the University of British Columbia. She is passionate about making an impact in the sustainability space and supporting the United Nation's Sustainability Development Goals. Shreya is currently volunteering at Lighter Foodprint, a climate labeling non-profit organization where she works on developing business strategies and innovative customer success solutions. She aims to develop her skillset in consulting and impact investing. Prior to moving to Canada, Shreya worked as a Wells Engineer at ExxonMobil, India where she provided remote support to the business units all around the world. She also has a bachelor's degree in Aeronautical Engineering. During her free time, she loves exploring places, food, and music. Shreya is very excited to start her journey of learning with SIA and making a difference with their projects.

Valeria Widjaja

Valeria has a Bachelor’s of Honours Business Administration (HBA ‘22) and a Certificate in Sustainability from the Ivey Business School at Western University. She believes everyone wants to feel understood so, she seek to understand. Because of this mindset, Valeria has always looked to connect with people, so she naturally gravitated towards learning psychology & business. Therefore, as she approaches business problems, she considers the impact it has on people and our planet. Valeria has experience in sustainable finance, qualitative impact assessment, Indigenous Knowledge, and skills in data analytics. She’s passionate about using business for social good and using data to empower those decisions. Beyond school & work, you can find her playing sports (she’s currently training for a triathlon!), being out in nature, shooting on film, thrifting, or reading!

Vanessa Pereira

Vanessa has a Bachelor of Business Administration from the Schulich School of Business at York University. She embarked on an exchange to Singapore during her undergraduate career, where she found her passion for climate action and sustainability. Since graduating in 2020, Vanessa has worked at two non-profits in fundraising, marketing, and communications. At present, she works at a Toronto tech startup focused on consumer insights and data partnerships. She recently co-led an initiative in partnership with Cycle Toronto known as the Youth Cycling Ambassador Program. The program focused on advocating for equitable access to active transportation options, particularly cycling, in the suburban areas of northwest Toronto and engaged youth between the ages of 16 to 30. Aside from this, Vanessa enjoys long walks, travelling when she can, watching cool shows and discovering new music. She is very excited to explore the social innovation space as an SIA Fellow this year.

Vivian Zhong

Vivian is a third-year Accounting and Finance student at the University of Waterloo. Outside of school, she enjoys getting involved in her community, through taking on roles such as Co-President at ACE Waterloo, a professional development organization that hosts case competitions, workshops, and training sessions to prepare future business leaders, and sitting on the Board of Directors at the Green Career Centre, a non-profit that aims to prepare youth, BIPOC and newcomers for green careers. Vivian is very passionate about the intersection of business, technology, and sustainability, and is interested in learning more about the solutions that can arise from these interdisciplinary connections. In her spare time, you can find her watching true crime documentaries on Netflix, going on walks, or playing the piano. Vivian is ecstatic to be a Social Innovation Fellow, and looks forward to learning more about social impact and sustainable finance.

Jamil

I have a passion for sustainability, place-based investing, and connecting with my community. Everything we are trying to accomplish at the Victoria Propel Impact Fund blends perfectly with my skills, passions, and future goals

Mayukh

I hope to prevent climate change and empowers business that can make a change on such issues while improving economic resiliency and poverty prevention.

Cassie

Living on Vancouver Island, I have developed a greater appreciation for the natural world, and what can be done to restore and protect it. Growing up as a female athlete, I am passionate about fighting for gender equality across all sectors and supporting female empowerment by contributing to local female sports associations.

Lucas

I was drawn to join the VIPIF due to my deep care for environmentalism and social justice. With my skills in financial analysis and experience working with Social Enterprises, I hope to help improve the Vancouver Island community with VIPIF.

Lianne

Inspired by the power of social finance, Lianne is a commerce student who seeks to transform how organizations define investing success by emphasizing the importance of social and environmental returns. Lianne's experiences of working in education and with different Indigenous communities have equipped her with a unique life view that continues to influence her actions today. She is also excited to be working alongside a driven team of diverse students to support Vancouver's social purpose organizations.

Pranav

Pranav is passionate about the application of scalable social enterprises on larger-scale problems in developing countries. He wants to explore impact investing as an opportunity to influence positive change in business cycles and serve as a catalyst for social innovation. He’s excited about getting involved with the local community in Vancouver through VPIF and further exploring this diverse city through the lens of the fund and its members.

Jaiya

Jaiya is very curious about the way we measure impact. From a young age, she has been exposed and interested in the social impact / non-profit space. She is eager to connect with other sustainability leaders and innovators. Making a positive difference drives her, and she is grateful for this opportunity to work with the VPIF team.

Jasleen

Jasleen’s background, academics and professional experience culminate in a values–based approach to business - an approach where empathy and social returns precede profit. Her extensive experience with non-profits, particularly in the Downtown Eastside, inspired her to explore finance as a catalyst for social good. Now, she is eager to deepen her understanding of the social finance ecosystem while supporting Vancouver’s incredible social purpose organizations!

Shantanu

Passionate about the social aspect of finance and intrigued by how decisions must be made in uncertain environments, Shantanu is excited to bring his quantitative economics background and combine it with qualitative judgments to create tangible impact in Vancouver and beyond.

Ziyaan

Ziyaan Virji is an altruistic award-winning change-maker that has found purpose in creating social impact. He is the Founder and CEO of For The Menstruator, a global nonprofit he started when he was 15 and has gone on to empower over 14000 menstruators in 10 countries around the world. He has previously served on the board of Climate Cardinals and Helping Hands Tanzania. He is a renowned public speaker, sharing his story at events in 8 different countries including Tedx! His work has been featured on major publications namely BBC, DW, RTL, etc. He has won various accolades, including the Princess Diana Award, WAFF’s Global Teen Leader, Future 25Under25 and more!

Doris

Besides being on the back of a horse or on top of a kiteboard in Squamish, Doris is inspired by the potential capital has in shaping our society. As a second year at UBC Sauder, she is beyond excited to work with a group of like-minded peers and explore the intersection between social impact and finance.

Tareeq

Tareeq is in his third year at the University of British Columbia, and is pursuing a Dual Degree Program with a BA (Major in Psychology) and a Master of Management (MM) through the Sauder School of Business. He is particularly interested in learning about ways in which organizations are able to enhance and amplify their positive impact at both a local and global scale. With extensive fundraising experience in the area of poverty alleviation, Tareeq is passionate about creating meaningful social change and is looking forward to working with the VPIF team to achieve this goal.

Shaan

The social good — or the idea of leaving each community better than he found it — has long been a guiding principle in Shaan’s life. As a volunteer, he’s had the opportunity to gain perspective on the socio-economic inequalities present in our world. As an academic, he’s developed an analytical skillset to examine these issues. As an associate, he aims to apply what he’s learned in the classroom and seen outside of it to make the world a better place.

Zain

I have a passion for sports having played rugby, wrestling, cross-country, track & field, and most importantly basketball as I am a huge Raptors fan. I also enjoy traveling and helping others. I have spent a year abroad teaching English, and am currently serving as the VP of Finance at a nonprofit organization.

Zain

I have a passion for sports having played rugby, wrestling, cross-country, track & field, and most importantly basketball as I am a huge Raptors fan. I also enjoy traveling and helping others. I have spent a year abroad teaching English, and am currently serving as the VP of Finance at a nonprofit organization.

Tahir

I am passionate about applying my skills and education to create meaningful social, economic, and environmental change in the Calgary community. I am inspired by the shift towards impact investing in finance and hoping to create a brighter future for vulnerable communities through the CPIF.

Jessica

I am incredibly excited to join the CPIF and contribute all that I can to the community. Enacting systemic change to create positive impact starts with empowering grassroots organizations and I cannot wait to do so with my team in Calgary.

Amyra

Determined to give back to the community by using her educational background in finance to make a positive change in her local community. I hope to create impactful change and fulfill my social responsibility by focusing on impact investing and driving social change.

Vincent

"Passionate about finding new ways to implement technology and finance to create a shift for a more positive and sustainable future. He is excited to join CPIF to learn more about social organizations around Calgary and how to use the skills he learned in class to make a difference."

Anh (Edina)

“The only way to impact change is to move investment capital to companies that are doing good things”. I am very excited to actively engage in positive social changes with such a knowledgeable and driven team, who I can learn so much from. I am also interested in psychotherapy, social and developmental psychology, and spirituality. Besides, I extremely enjoy connecting with other like-minded people, and I look forward to my time at CPIF!

Kiyomi

“A finance student with a long tenure at a typical financial institution, I’m honoured to join this team and shift the focus from profit-only, to people-first in the business space. With a particular passion for psychology and the mental health struggles Canadian face, I look forward to making an impact in my local community and furthering the influence of socially aware investing.”

Nur

I am passionate about social finance as a means to create positive impact in our society. I am excited to work with social entrepreneurs and like-minded individuals to address local issues and allocate funds to organizations that are building resilient and sustainable communities for future generations. Through the Calgary Propel Impact Fund, I hope to develop and apply my skills in the impact investing space and sustainable business practices.

Natasha

Natasha is a student at Western University studying in the Global Development Studies and Business program. She is excited to learn more about the intersection of finance and social impact while generating a tangible impact in the London community.

Firuza

Ever since working as a Youth Marketing Assistant with the Canadian Mental Health Association in 2020, I have been passionate about supporting socially-aware ventures in the London Community. Some of my professional interests include digital marketing, corporate social responsibility, ESG, and economic development. Talk to me about music, bubble tea, and sailing!

Anna

Anna has always been passionate about understanding how she can create a positive impact. During her first two years at Western University, she also began to develop an interest in finance, and became curious about exploring the intersections between sustainability and finance. Through joining the London Propel Impact Fund, Anna hopes to give back to the London community while learning how to be a sustainable investor.

Labiba

Labiba is an Ivey HBA 2023 candidate who spent her first two years of university studying Health Sciences. She is passionate about creating healthier and more connected communities and looks forward to developing her skills within the social impact space to support those in London and beyond.

Venkateshwaran

Venkat is a student at Western University studying Political Science and Business program at the Ivey School of Business. Venkat has always been immersed in the social impact space and is excited to learn more about the crossover between finance and social impact as an associate in the London Propel Impact Fund!

Shivansh

Shivansh is a student at Western University studying in the Business program. Shivansh is passionate about social entrepreneurship and finance. He is eager to apply his skills and knowledge to grow and advance social entrepreneurship and be an impetus towards social change. Shivansh is looking forward to collaborating with entrepreneurs, finance professionals and change-makers to drive innovation for social good.

Duomi

Hi! My name is Duomi and I am a student at Western University studying International Relations and Business. Some of my social interests include access to education, gender parity, and sustainable consumption. I’m excited to learn more about social finance and make an impact in the London community!

Arshi

Arshi is an HBA 2024 candidate at Ivey Business School. She is passionate about sustainability and is excited to develop new skills that enable her to create an impact in the communities that she is a part of. In her free time, she enjoys exploring art and fashion. Arshi wishes to pursue a career in finance or consulting, or start her own business.

Helen

Helen's previous volunteer and extracurricular experiences have instilled her love of giving back to the community and creating a positive impact. She is eager to collaborate with her team of like-minded students to enact meaningful change within Kingston.

Shaynah

Shaynah is a student at Smith School of Business, with a growing passion for the intersection between community work and finance. She is undoubtedly present in the social work industry and looks forward to further involvement during her education at Queen's. In her free time, Shaynah is inclined towards creative work such as video editing.

Jessica

Jessica is completing a Bachelor of Commerce at the Smith School of Business. Driven by a passion for social impact and a keen interest in finance, Jessica is delighted to be a part of the Kingston Propel Impact Fund. She is eager to learn within the evolving impact investing space and make a difference in the community.

Ethan

Ethan is a student at the Smith School of Business who is driven by making change and finding solutions. He is always looking for new and exciting opportunities to gain learning experiences. Impact work has been something that has been part of his life for as long as he can remember. That is why the Kingston Propel Impact Fund brings an exciting opportunity where he is looking to merge his interest in finance and his lifelong commitment to making change.

Yash

Yash is a commerce student at Queen's University. She is passionate about bringing together the world of business and social impact and aims to work towards the unique needs of the Kingston community. Outside of the fund, she was a first-year representative for Queen's Helping Haiti and the Finance Intern for Queen's residence society. In her free time, she is an avid reader and loves to sink her teeth into a good puzzle.

Emman

Emman is a student at the Smith School of Business. Propelled by her previous volunteering and extracurricular initiatives, she plans on being a part of creating change for the Kingston community alongside exploring her interest in finance. She is thrilled for the opportunity to collaborate with her fellow peers as well as learn about the advances of impact investing. She is especially interested in the implementation tactics of impact investing and how it addresses ESG and the business environment.

Ashton

Ashton is interested in the intersection of social innovation and finance, which led him to get involved with the Kingston Propel Impact Fund. He is excited to create change within the broader Kingston community and to take a deeper look at investing through a social purpose lens.