Our Young Leaders Program

Emma (she/her) is a researcher and sustainability advocate with a deep passion for marine ecosystems and climate justice.
Originally from France and Croatia, she moved to the traditional and ancestral land of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Nations, to be closer to unscathed nature and learn directly from Indigenous-led initiatives.
After an MA in Social Sciences, Emma recently graduated in Science and Policy of Climate Change from Royal Roads University, where her main works explored the role of climate change, phytoplankton and harmful algal blooms (HABs) in carbon cycling and biodiversity. She also contributed as a research assistant with the TRIAS lab to projects on GHG assessment and mitigation for alternative food systems, bridging science and sustainable policy.

Beyond research, Emma uses painting and collage to express environmental themes and foster a deeper connection to the natural world.
By co-developing a podcast series on « Women and Earth » for best practices in climate adaptation and ecosystem conservation, she also discovered a great interest in advancing climate education on pressing social, political and environmental issues.

Kevin is a multidisciplinary planetary health advocate. Initially inspired by the vitality he felt directly by practicing healthy behaviours, his focus evolved to encompass population-scale flourishing.

In 2021, he graduated from UBC’s School of Population and Public Health. His thesis identified opportunities for researching the impacts of climate change on early child development.

Throughout his health research career, Kevin has intuitively understood that the health of populations cannot be divorced from the health of the planet. To that end, he has twice represented British Columbia as a youth delegate at the United Nations: first at the High-Level Political Forum in 2019, and then at COP27 (UNFCCC) in 2022. Locally, he served as an Electoral District Association Executive Member from 2020 to 2021.
Most recently, he launched a biodiversity conservation campaign in which he cycled more than 8,000 km throughout Canada to visit and highlight Key Biodiversity Areas. He shared his experience online, blending biodiversity education with personal insights. His campaign has raised $3,000 for KBA Canada as of February 2025.

Fleur Damen is a science professional with a passion for nature conservation and sustainability, and a strong scientific background in forest science. Fleur completed her Master of Science in Forest & Nature Conservation at the University of Wageningen, the Netherlands, and is currently doing a PhD in Forestry at the University of British Columbia, where she focuses on climate change adaptation of the coastal temperate rainforest.

Fleur has spent a lot of time outdoors collecting field data for both her Master project and her PhD project. This included setting up camera traps in a remote area in Costa Rica to study habitat use of large mammals, as well as collecting growth data on hundreds of trees in British Columbia to study their climate resilience. She also did an internship at WWF where she studied the implementation of nature-based solutions and developed a framework to make it easier for nature-based solutions to be used more often.

Fleur has worked and volunteered for the Future For Nature Academy in the Netherlands, a network of students and young professionals in the nature conservation sector. She helped organize various lectures, workshops, fundraisers, and other activities to spread conservation awareness, coordinated the volunteers, and managed all communications. In her free time, she plays the violin and is a member of the Vancouver Pops Orchestra. She also likes to spend even more time outside, going hiking, cycling, skiing, snowshoeing, scuba diving, or running.

Simryn Dhensaw (she/her) is a Master of Science graduate in Marine Systems and Policies from the University of Edinburgh. She previously studied Political Science at UBC, focusing on environmental policy, where she developed a strong passion for sustainable marine stewardship, concentrating on riparian zone management.

Her work focuses on the intersection of community-based governance, policy change, and ecological resilience.
For her Master’s research, Simryn examined the Scottish aquaculture industry, its environmental impact, and the policies regulating its operations. Her work emphasized the need for mandated following periods in aquaculture to support benthic regeneration, mitigating the adverse environmental effects of production.
Outside of work, Simryn enjoys scuba diving, hiking, cycling, spending time with her dog outdoors, and skiing.

Olivia is a Chinese international student, studying & working on the unceded, ancestral, and traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. She will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Global Health with additional concentrations in urban studies and sustainability from UBC. She is passionate about working on issues along the entire climate/social justice ecosystem, dismantling different layers/levels/systems of power in the built-in environment, and building ethical spaces for different knowledge systems to thrive. 
With comprehensive work and research experiences in public and non-profit sectors, she is interested in building her career, examining the nexus of health, environment, and cities by being an urban planner.

In her spare time, Olivia loves reading and doing outdoor sports.

Aida is a passionate advocate for community-driven climate action, sustainability, and environmental education. Aida lives, learns, and recreates in Átl’ḵa7tsem/Howe Sound, where her deep connection to the region fuels her commitment to giving back through initiatives that promote environmental stewardship and strengthen community resilience. With a background in program coordination, education, and outreach, she has worked extensively with non-profits, municipalities, and community organizations to develop initiatives that empower individuals to engage in meaningful environmental solutions. Her experience includes designing and facilitating educational programs focused on climate leadership, waste reduction, and sustainable urban development.

Aida is currently the Squamish Program Coordinator for Youth Climate Corps BC, where she leads projects that connect youth with hands-on climate solutions while fostering collaboration between local governments and community stakeholders. She is dedicated to creating inclusive spaces for learning, dialogue, and action. When she’s not working, you’ll likely find Aida exploring the outdoors, climbing, or organizing community events that bring people together to drive change.

Daniela is a biologist with a background in ecology, conservation, and sustainability. She has strong knowledge of tropical ecosystems in Colombia, where she worked on conservation projects, including the creation of protected areas in páramos and research on territorial tensions for peacebuilding. Her work also focuses on the Caribbean manatee and its cultural and ecological relationship with fishing communities, exploring ways to promote coexistence and conservation. Daniela holds a certification in Geography and Territory Management, which has strengthened her understanding of land use, resource management, and conservation planning.

Now based in Vancouver, BC, she is involved in environmental education as an Aquatic Educator Volunteer at the Vancouver Aquarium, where she engages visitors in marine conservation. She is particularly interested in contributing to Indigenous resource management efforts in Canada, supporting conservation initiatives that integrate traditional knowledge and ecological stewardship. While her expertise lies in tropical ecosystems, she is eager to expand her knowledge of Canada’s landscapes, ecological challenges, and conservation strategies.

Jadyn Kuah (she/her) is a passionate advocate for the environment through community organizing. After working on fossil fuel divestment campaigns as a student at Queen’s University, Jadyn was a part of Green Corps Class of 2024, the Field School Environmental Organizing in the U.S. There, she led grassroots campaigns for marine protected areas, wildlife conservation, and waste-reduction with Environment Massachusetts and ran a canvass office in Boston with the Fund for the Public Interest. Returning to her hometown of Vancouver, she is ecstatic to grow as a steward of British Columbia’s wildlife and climate.

Qingyang (She/Her) is a dedicated sustainability advocate with a strong focus on natural resource conservation and environmental governance. With a Master’s degree in International Forestry from the University of British Columbia (UBC) and a dual Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources Conservation (Global Perspectives) and Ecology, Qingyang brings a wealth of academic and professional expertise to the conservation field. Her work spans both China and Canada, where she has engaged in data-driven policy research, biodiversity conservation projects, and local community-led stewardship initiatives. 

Passionate about climate justice, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development, Qingyang is committed to advancing inclusive and equitable conservation practices. She aspires to further explore governance strategies that reconcile conservation with sustainable development, emphasizing community-led approaches and intersectional collaboration. Through the CPAWS-BC Young Leaders in Conservation Program, she hopes to strengthen her advocacy and lobbying skills, build meaningful connections, and contribute to impactful conservation initiatives in BC and beyond.

Joseph grew up in New Zealand where he developed a love and respect for the outdoors at a young age. After obtaining his Bachelor of Economics and Commerce at Victoria University of Wellington, he realized that his true passion is the outdoors and pursued a career in conservation. Joseph then went to the University of Otago where he obtained an Environmental Management Diploma, and gained hands-on conservation experience, working primarily to improve wetland and riparian environments for Habitat Restorations Aotearoa in partnership with Iwi and community groups.

Joseph moved to Canada permanently in 2022 and is looking to learn more about conservation issues here, bringing the experience and practical skills he learnt in New Zealand into a Canadian context.

Grace grew up in the Bay Area in California, privileged to be surrounded by beautiful regional and state parks minutes from my home and National Parks just a bit further. Outdoor experiences naturally instilled in her a deep passion for environmental conservation and concern about climate change. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Conservation and Resource Studies at UC Berkeley in 2023. During this time she was particularly engaged with sustainability concepts, such as zero-waste principles and circular economy solutions. She is now a Master’s student in Sustainable Forest Management at the University of British Columbia. This program has illuminated the problematic practices and beliefs in forestry and the consequent risks to BC’s forests, ecosystems, wildlife and overall biodiversity. Her passion for conservation has now expanded to an interest in nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based management. Her favourite activities to destress and have fun away from work include practicing and teaching yoga (as a certified yoga instructor!) as well as snowboarding and painting.

Angell is a recent graduate with a strong background in energy management and environmental engineering. Passionate about climate action, she continuously explores various aspects of the sector, including biodiversity protection, carbon markets, and energy policy. She has contributed to China’s national biodiversity protection programs through her work with UNDP and is now focused on applying her expertise in British Columbia. Actively engaged in the local sustainability community, she volunteers with organizations such as CEP Vancouver and the BIPOC Sustainability Collective to deepen her understanding of regional climate initiatives and contribute to meaningful change.

Emma is a firm believer that significant change starts with bold ideas, the right people, and strategic financial and political incentivization. Raised in Belgium and the Czech Republic, and now based in BC, Emma has a deep appreciation for nature and the communities dedicated to its stewardship.

With a Master’s in Management and a Bachelor’s in International Relations from UBC, Emma has contributed to various environmental projects, including mycoremediation efforts as well as humanitarian engineering projects promoting sustainable water access. She enjoys organizing events that enhance outdoor access and support conservation, bringing people together to protect our natural environment.

As part of the Young Leaders in Conservation Program, Emma looks forward to refining her advocacy skills, diving into Indigenous-led conservation, and working with other changemakers. When she’s not advocating for the planet, Emma is all about strapping on her skis, hitting the backcountry trails, and soaking up the wild beauty of BC’s vast landscapes.

Maya Wade (she/her) is a MSc student at the University of British Columbia investigating the impacts of shrub expansion in Arctic tundra ecosystems on wildlife populations, habitat use and community composition. She holds a PgCert in Biodiversity, Wildlife, and Ecosystem Health from the University of Edinburgh and a BSc (Hons.) in Biology from Mount Allison University, where she worked on developing ex situ conservation strategies for the endangered shortnose sturgeon.

With a background in ecology and conservation, Maya is passionate about community-engaged research, decolonization, and fostering reciprocal relationships between people and the land. Living on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and səlilwətaɬ Nations, she strives to integrate diverse ways of knowing in conservation to promote environmental justice and long-term ecosystem resilience.

Sophy is an undergraduate student pursuing a BSc. in Natural Resources Conservation – Science and Management major and a dual degree with BEd. in Secondary Education – Biological Sciences Specialization at the University of British Columbia. She is passionate about conservation, sustainability, and education. With academic, extracurricular leadership, volunteer and work experiences for NGOs, private educational institutions, and governments mainly in China and Canada, she is dedicated to sharing a global citizen perspective on tackling socio-environmental problems and promoting sustainable practices.

In her free time, she enjoys a variety of styles of dancing (including but not limited to hip hop, contemporary, traditional Chinese dance, her own urban nature choreography/improvisation, and lion/dragon dance).