I curate connection by intentionally creating spaces where diverse voices are heard and collaboration can come together to drive meaningful outcomes. Locally, at SAIT Students’ Association (SAITSA) we used to host the Clubs Expo, where student clubs come together to pitch their goals and engage peers. This event focused on cross-club collaboration, encouraged new students to share ideas, and helped them find communities aligned with their interests which helped in strengthening both the social and academic engagement. 

Globally, as SAIT’s Global Student Ambassador I connected prospective international students with current student experiences where I was able to help them navigate cultural and academic challenges. This involved coordinating with students, faculty, and international partners to ensure programs are inclusive, accessible, and responsive to individual needs.

In my work with the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA), I was very fortunate to be in a position where I was able to take students’ voices and elevate it to policymakers. Leading the campaign for Canada Student Grants helped secure a historic $1.1 billion investment which demonstrated how individual stories when connected through organized advocacy can drive national impact.

While building TroofAi Inc., I initially focused on building AI tools to detect misinformation and deepfake fraud but by listening to different community members and educators I realized that technology alone was not enough as people needed guidance, even some education, and transparency to trust and use it effectively. This experience transformed my approach which showed me that centering the experiences of others is essential for creating ethical, impactful, and sustainable solutions that does not address only one issue but multiple issues collectively.

Connection will be at the heart of my future work because meaningful and lasting change depends on collaborative relationships. For the innovation side, our solutions are most effective when they are co-created with the communities they serve through integrating diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise. 

To harness the power of connection we need networks that bridge sectors, cultures, and disciplines. This includes linking youth with mentors, businesses with communities, and technology with ethical oversight. By aligning stakeholders around shared goals we will be able to transform individual passion into collective impact. As from experience, connection allows ideas to scale, resources to be shared efficiently, and solutions to adapt to evolving challenges.

I believe connection can drive the future of sustainable and inclusive development by creating ecosystems where every participant’s voice matters. For example, combining technological innovation with human-centered collaboration ensures that advances like AI are used responsibly, ethically, and inclusively. Similarly, connecting youth with policymakers and community organizations will open more opportunities for economic growth while reducing inequality.

In my future work I aim to nurture relationships that are built on trust, empathy, and most importantly a shared vision which will ensure that every project not only achieves immediate goals that we set but also strengthens the capacity of communities to thrive independently. By placing connection at the core of any work, development will eventually become a collaborative journey where individuals, communities, and systems grow together to create lasting, positive change.