“Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more. (Luke 12:48) ”
Nathan Barreth
TOP 30 UNDER 30 HONOUREE | 2026
About
PROFILE SNAPSHOT
AGE: 20
PRONOUNS: He/Him
HOMETOWN: Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada
CURRENT RESIDENCE: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
ORGANIZATIONS:
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- Rotary International
- Calgary Drop-In Centre
- Calgary Cowboys Minor Football
- Kiva
- Alberta Children’s Hospital
- Médecins Sans Frontières
- University of Calgary
- Rotary International
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 committed to ensuring that individuals in underserved communities, both locally and globally, have equitable opportunities for health and well-being. I believe everyone deserves access to the resources needed for a healthy, dignified life.
Locally, this commitment has guided my work with Rotary International, the Calgary Drop-In Centre, the Alberta Children’s Hospital, and Calgary Cowboys Minor Football. As Co-President of the University of Calgary Rotaract Club, I have led community initiatives to support marginalized groups, including at-risk youth and the unhoused. I co-founded Compassion Calgary, a student-led non-profit that provides essential support to the unhoused through targeted donation drives. At the Alberta Children’s Hospital, I volunteer in a pediatric hospice and respite care facility, offering compassionate care and emotional support to patients with terminal illnesses or significant impairments. As a youth football coach, I mentor young men in self-discipline, respect, and resilience.
Globally, I have been engaged with initiatives through Kiva and Médecins Sans Frontières, focused on transforming health outcomes in under-resourced and conflict-affected regions. I co-founded the University of Calgary Kiva Chapter to provide zero-interest microloans that enable individuals in low- and middle-income countries to access essential medical care. These loans are also designed to empower the 1.7 billion people worldwide without access to financial services to launch businesses, pursue education, and improve their living conditions. I have also served as an executive of the University of Calgary Médecins Sans Frontières Chapter, advancing healthcare delivery in regions devastated by natural disasters and conflict.
My research further reflects my commitment to addressing health disparities. Under the supervision of Dr. May Choi, Dr. Marvin Fritzler, and Dr. Eugene Krustev, I conduct clinical and translational research to identify novel autoantigens, develop diagnostic assays, and assess the clinical relevance of autoantibodies in specific autoimmune conditions. This work aims to enable earlier and more accurate diagnosis of systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases, improving prediction, prevention, and management.
Through local volunteerism, international initiatives, and health research, I remain dedicated to improving health outcomes for underserved populations, one day and one person at a time.
What are the ways in which you curate connection?
I believe meaningful work is rarely accomplished alone; collaboration drives lasting change. This principle has guided my leadership in campus groups, local charities, and international non-profit organizations.
Strategic partnerships with dedicated, mission-driven undergraduate students have strengthened the local and international service initiatives I have led. Collaborating with peers at Rotary International and Kiva has deepened my understanding of the complex challenges we address. The commitment shown by my colleagues at the Calgary Drop-In Centre and Compassion Calgary has increased the impact of our projects on the community. I am grateful for the connections I have made with others who share my commitment to service.
Building meaningful connections with those we serve is essential for lasting impact. As a youth football coach, I focus on developing genuine relationships that go beyond transactions. I aim to teach my players lessons in self-discipline, respect, and resilience, fostering trust and mutual respect that extend beyond the field.
Ultimately, relationships are central to effective collaboration and meaningful service. By cultivating these connections, we maximize our impact on communities and individuals.
What role will connection play in your future work?
Connection will be central to my future work and will guide my engagement with the communities I serve. Centring those I aim to impact is essential for achieving meaningful change.
In my future community-based work, I will prioritize listening to local community members and leaders to understand better the root causes of health disparities among underserved and marginalized populations, including addiction, mental health challenges, and houselessness. These insights will guide interventions that address key social determinants of health and help reduce inequities in my community.
I plan to extend this connection-centred approach to international work by addressing healthcare disparities in under-resourced settings. I aim to collaborate with humanitarian organizations such as Médecins Sans Frontières to provide essential care, and to partner with physicians and health leaders in low- and middle-income countries to drive systemic improvements. I also hope to contribute to strategic partnerships that develop sustainable, locally informed solutions for lasting global health impact.
As a researcher, I intend to foster impactful partnerships with scientists, physicians, and patients to advance diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life for individuals with autoimmune conditions within a patient-centred system.
I envision a future where those most affected by health challenges design and lead solutions. As a leader, I am committed to championing connection and empowering communities as partners in shaping their health outcomes.
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