Susana Mas is the founder of Verifiably, an independent online publication focused on supporting the capacity-building of underserved communities to navigate an increasingly complex information ecosystem including disinformation online. She is the former manager of the first bilingual Canada Teen Fact-Checking Network, an internationally-renowned program from MediaWise of the Poynter Institute. Susana oversaw two cohorts of teens and the production of 40 fact-checking videos between July 2024 – June 2025. The teens debunked misinformation on a wide range of topics they found on social media, including health, politics and AI while sharing a media literacy tip with their peers. As an independent journalist, Susana has focused on collaborating with nonprofits and immigrant-serving organizations to close the information equity gap through media literacy and fact-checking initiatives. She is an award-winning journalist with over 15 years of experience working in radio, TV, print and online, including 10 years as a Parliamentary journalist where she covered politics and immigration for CTV, CBC, and the Ottawa Citizen. Susana is an advocate for mental health and compassion. She is also fluent in French and Spanish.

Dr. Ripudaman Singh Minhas is a Developmental Paediatrician with the Women’s and Children’s Health Program at St Michael’s Hospital and an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto. His research interests are in the development, behaviour, disability, and rehabilitation of children in urban settings and in newcomer immigrant and refugee families. He is currently working to develop interventions to support the developmental potential of children in the unique context of their social determinants of health and inequity. His team uses Community-Based Participatory Research principles to guide the co-creation and implementation of family-based interventions and the evolution of health systems.

His current focus is in supporting parenting in communities experiencing marginalization. This includes the Maple Circle program which aims to support the parenting journey of families of refugee background, and “Our Kids Health“, a social media-based health literacy program to support families.

Sophie Nadeau is a bilingual media expert with nearly thirty years of experience in newsrooms and boardrooms navigating the complicated world of storytelling and strategic communications. She is currently leading a special team at the Canadian Medical Association that is working to support, create, and promote trusted health system information in the Canadian media ecosystem. This work includes leading Healthcare For Real – an initiative to help Canadians make sense of the health care system with context and solutions. The project has a particular focus on fighting health misinformation and supporting physicians doing work in Canada on that issue.

Previous to this role she way Vice President, Corporate Reputation, Executive Training & National Earned Media at Edelman Canada. In her time with the firm, she counselled more than 100 companies and organizations from every sector on a range of complex issues. She coached CEOs & C-suite executives on how best to connect with people about the things they care about. From 2009-2014, Sophie was the Senior Media and Communications Advisor for U.S. Government operations in Canada. From President Obama’s first visit to Canada, to former Secretary Clinton’s multiple trips and hundreds of issues and challenges in between, she was at the centre of local, national, international media and the Canada – U.S. relationship. Sophie spent the first part of her career as a journalist and television producer working with several national media organizations.

She holds a Masters Degree in Communications (with honours) from the University of Ottawa (Ontario) as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Communications from the University of Regina (Saskatchewan). Her academic research focuses on the impact financial pressure and tight resources have on story choice in the newsroom.

Soliana Lijiam (She/Her) is a first-year medical student at the University of Toronto. She has worked alongside various organizations including Our Kids’ Health, the Canadian Medical Association’s Healthcare for Real initiative, and the University of Toronto’s BIPOC Health Hub to design digital resources and coordinate community events to improve health literacy among underserved populations. Soliana is also engaged in youth-led and health equity research, serving as a co-principal investigator for a SickKids-based project examining the impacts of early screen use on adolescent health, and formerly a research assistant at Trillium Health Partners investigating barriers to cancer screening among Black and immigrant populations in Peel.

Chelsey Bray is a passionate advocate for equitable access to sport and physical activity, with a strong focus on inclusive and community-driven program development. With a Master of Human Kinetics in Sport Management from the University of Windsor and a BA in Sociology from St. Thomas University, Chelsey brings both academic insight and practical experience to the sport and recreation sector.

Her graduate research explored gender equity and inclusion in Canadian sport, including how sport administrators implement transgender-inclusive policy, and how women athletes navigate access, representation, and opportunity. This research continues to inform her work on the ground—shaping programs that prioritize safety, belonging, and equitable participation for all children and youth.

Over the past decade, she has worked across government, non-profit, and grassroots sport organizations to design and support initiatives that remove barriers to sport—particularly for equity-deserving communities. Her work is grounded in a commitment to inclusion, long-term athlete development, and informed by her lived experience as a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

Chelsey currently serves as a Regional Sport Consultant in Nova Scotia, where she collaborates with schools, clubs, municipalities, and provincial organizations to create safer, more accessible spaces for young people to thrive through sport and physical activity.

Dr. Taru Manyanga is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Medical Sciences at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC). Taru is affiliated with the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of British Columbia, and the Health Active Living and Obesity (HALO) research group at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. He completed the entry-to-practice Physical Therapy degree and an MSc in Community Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba, before attending the University of Ottawa for a PhD in Epidemiology. Taru’s research applies an equity lens in examining and promoting fitness, and active healthy lifestyle behaviors (i.e., physical activity, sleep, less screen time) in children and youth with a particular interest in rural and underserved populations.

Sarah Profitt-Wagner is the Manager – Communications, Fund Development, School and Youth with Special Olympics PEI. Special Olympics uses the medium of sport to assist persons with an intellectual disability to become all that they can be – physically, mentally, socially, emotionally – and to become accepted, respected and productive members of society. Along with sport, Special Olympics also offers Athlete Leadership and inclusive health opportunities.

Sarah first worked for Special Olympics PEI through an internship program for new university graduates in 2011. Following the internship Sarah took the opportunity to work overseas and travel, which, along with sport, is one of Sarah’s major passions. Upon returning to Canada in late 2014 Sarah began volunteering with Special Olympics PEI. Shortly thereafter Sarah accepted the position as Membership Services Coordinator. Over time Sarah’s role has evolved to include responsibilities in youth program development along with business development.  Through her role with Special Olympics PEI Sarah is responsible for the implementation of youth programs, with a specific focus on school partnership programs.

Sarah is a former competitive Rhythmic Gymnast and a graduate of McGill University. Sarah lives and works in Prince Edward Island with her husband and young son.

Michael Cheng is a psychiatrist at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), an Associate Professor at the University of Ottawa, co-founder of a mental health website, eMentalHealth.ca, and a post-pandemic parent of two.

He works with children, youth and families by (re)connecting them to basic needs and people and activities that bring purpose, belonging, meaning and hope.

Tatum Wilson is the CEO of Children’s Mental Health Ontario. He has over 20 years of experience in multiple health and social policy environments, including government, academic health science centres, and advocacy organizations. His accomplishments include overseeing the development of Ontario’s first Comprehensive Mental Health and Addictions Strategy and managing the development and implementation of Ontario’s first Poverty Reduction Strategy. Previous roles include Director of the Youth Strategies Branch, Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services; Director of Stakeholder Relations at the Council of Academic Hospitals of Ontario; Director of Community Engagement and Planning at CAMH; and other senior roles in government.

Chrissy Sadowski is the Strategic Partnerships and Community Engagement Manager at Young Caregivers Association. Growing up as a young caregiver herself, she understands the stress that can come along with that position. Now as a parent of a child on the spectrum, she recognizes the toll it can take on siblings as well. Her children were involved in Powerhouse programs beginning at a young age and still utilize their supports today. Between her own children and countless others, Chrissy sees the importance that Young Caregivers provides through counselling, programs, camp and more.

With a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Brock University and a Broadcasting Diploma from Niagara College as well as a rich Montessori background in leading CASA, Lower Elementary and teacher training, Chrissy has a wealth of experience and knowledge in supporting children, being an advocate for marginalized communities and public speaking.

She lives with her four children, husband, 4 cats and 2 dogs in Niagara.

Grace Smith is a project manager, educator and administrator who has worked in community, educational, and arts settings for over 10 years. Currently the Operations and Administrative Specialist at the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence, she is proud to facilitate the National Young Caregivers Roundtable and enjoys liaising with the Centre’s grantees and partners.

She has previously worked as an independent theatre producer and director, satire writer, coordinator for the Toronto ReelAbilites Film Festival, and Manager of the Wagner-Green Centre for Access and Inclusion. Grace comes from a family of wonderful caregivers and is passionate about creating better support systems for caregivers, care providers, and care recipients.

Oliver is the Young Carers Coordinator at AMI-Quebec, based in Tiohtià:ke / Mooniyang / Montreal. His work at AMI-Quebec supports caregivers aged 5-30 through workshops, individual support and mentorship. He is a passionate advocate for policy change to support young carers and their families, working at federal and provincial levels. He enjoys collaborating across health, education and community sectors to build capacity for youths’ concerns to be recognized and addressed, from young caregiving to 2SLGBTQIA+ students’ issues. As a caregiver himself, to a chronically ill friend and to his partner with a disability, he strongly believes in peer-based support and empowerment. He holds a BA in Public Health with a focus in Disability Studies from the University of Victoria.

Lucy Diaz is a first-year UBC Science student passionate about advocacy and accessibility. She is a life-long youth advocate focusing on health equity and physical accessibility in washrooms. Lucy is a member of the Young Leaders Committee with the Rick Hansen Foundation, the Youth Advisory Council with Children First Canada, and a board member of BC Heritage Fairs.