I am passionate about diversity and inclusion in STEM fields, sustainability, and mental health advocacy. To foster a strong sense of community and act as a positive role model, I became involved in advocating for inclusion and diversity in STEM by volunteering as Rural and Indigenous Coordinator and Volunteer Coordinator with Let’s Talk Science. I have also worked as an Engineering Ambassador for the Discover Engineering Program at UofC. It is important for me to foster a sense of community among engineers and support students through informal and formal mentorships with the Cybermentor Program, Schulich Ignite, and StemPals. I have also joined the Sustainable Development Goals Alliance and ReImagine17, where I organize events that focus on storytelling, challenges in international development, and student involvement with global issues in local settings. I make sure to center the SDGs as a vision for defining the collaborative way forward within youth spaces.

To understand the SDGs while contributing to an organization that promotes sustainability, equity, and youth leadership, I joined ReImagine17 as a resource coordinator. ReImagine17 is a non-profit national community of youth working to reimagine progress towards sustainable development through intersectional and interdisciplinary collaboration. RE17’s goal is to amplify youth action towards the SDGs by co-creating spaces for knowledge-sharing, program development, and advocacy between institutions of higher education.

I am a co-project manager for the LITE computer project with Project 90, collaborating with HOPEthiopia. This project focuses on quality education and empowering communities. The project will help students in Harbu Chulule, a rural village south of Addis Ababa, by providing a functional computer lab powered by solar panels. Our team is responsible for raising funds and planning an outreach trip to Ethiopia to provide the school with new mini PC’s to encourage digital learning.

The work I have done wouldn’t have been possible without the help of mentors, friends, and the community. Every project that I have been part of stemmed from the help and support from the community in terms of financial support, guidance and providing resources. I am super grateful for my community to provide me with a tremendous amount of opportunities and support throughout my volunteering journey.

Partnership and collaboration are key when establishing team goals. It is always fun to work with a passionate and talented group of individuals all working towards a shared goal. While on your journey, remember to empower others along the way; “Lift while you climb.”