“All it takes is one person for change to happen, so don’t wait on others and take action! ”
Naomie Bakana
TOP 30 UNDER 30 HONOUREE | 2026
About
PROFILE SNAPSHOT
AGE: 23
PRONOUNS: She/Her
HOMETOWN: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
CURRENT RESIDENCE: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
ORGANIZATIONS:
- All Nations Full Gospel Church (ANFGC)
- African Studies Expansion Taskforce
- Calgary Student Alliance (CSA)
- Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA)
- Canada International Black Women Excellence (CIBWE)
- Students’ Union, University of Calgary (SUUC)
- University of Calgary Board of Governors
GLOBAL IMPACT FOCUS (SDGs)
I am most passionate about:
What specific issue(s) are you working to address, and what motivates you to do so?
I am currently focused on making education more affordable and accessible. Growing up in a low-income household motivated me to persevere despite challenges such as food insecurity, financial stress, and imposter syndrome. These experiences continue to drive my commitment to supporting others. Through my advocacy with the Students’ Union and the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations, I have worked directly with policymakers and government officials to address student concerns and promote support throughout their academic journeys.
Gender equality is another sustainable development goal I am passionate about. I was elected as the first Black woman to serve as Students’ Union President in 83 years, and this is also the first all-women executive team. While progress has taken time, these milestones demonstrate greater representation and inclusion. I also mentor young women in my community at All Nations Full Gospel Church, which serves a primarily immigrant population, to help instill confidence in the next generation.
What are the ways in which you curate connection?
I cultivate connection by listening before I react. In decision-making, my biggest goal is to hear different perspectives before taking action because I know I am not the most knowledgeable on every topic presented.
In my campus work, I regularly engage with students, university staff, and government officials. I enjoy meeting new people, listening to their stories, and learning how I can contribute. As a leader, I am passionate about using my voice to support the communities I serve.
Listening to international students encourages me to seek new approaches to challenges. Having attended university in my home province, I recognize that my socioeconomic barriers differ from theirs. I have observed a persistent stigma around food security, with many students hesitant to use campus food banks or seek support due to cultural shame. This understanding motivates me to advocate for access to basic human needs as a right, not a privilege.
What role will connection play in your future work?
Connection is the foundation of developmental work. If individuals don’t feel they can relate to a cause, they automatically don’t have the passion to move it forward.
Something I see missing is pure human connection. Generalizing situations, versus taking the time to understand individual stories, makes a huge difference. In my experience, people just want the opportunity to be seen and heard. Stripping them of this creates friction and unaddressed gaps. Sitting down with groups, hearing them out, and taking the time to understand and acknowledge where they are coming from is key!
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