COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS
Community Champions are the leaders of our mental health movement, and work towards educating, connecting, and empowering people. They have shown tremendous commitment in the field of mental health advocacy.
We support Champs in accomplishing their mental well-being goals as ambassadors of the Unsinkable community.
Meet our champions
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Growing up within two different cultural immigrant households and being first generation Ukrainian and second generation Italian Canadian, she understands the journey of what it means to pave an unconventional path, one that is filled with hardship, adversity, and redemption. Giustina dropped out of high school twice, left home as a teenager and went on to become the first university graduate in her family.
Giustina has traveled the world speaking to youth, educators, and global businesses about the importance of believing in yourself and how not only being part of a community is necessary to live an enriching life but also our responsibility to the Earth and each other.
She is someone who navigates what it means to live with C-PTSD, as a sexual assault survivor and losing her grandmother during the pandemic she continues to be a living example that no matter what curveball life throws you, you get to choose how you respond. May that be with courage and deep inner strength to keep going, and to keep going after that.
With a background in trauma informed counselling, leadership facilitation, motivational speaking, and life coaching, Giustina brings a non-clinical anti-oppressive approach to the mental health community she works within and alongside.
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Read my Unsinkable story here.
Barbie Liss has a BA in Psychology and is a Certified Life Coach, Reiki & Energy Healer, International Retreat Facilitator and a Personal Trainer. She is an hereAdvocate for Restorative Justice, Societal Healing, and the Reclamation of Elder Women in Society.
A 60 year old divorced Mom to three amazing adult Humans, and Mother-in-Law to one. Barbie’s story became known when her daughter’s sexual assault case become the first in North America to conclude with restorative justice.
Since then, she has coached hundreds of women to reclaim voice, value and worth and walk with empowered confidence as they cross thresholds into next chapters.
Barbie challenges conditioned societal perspectives, heals generational wounds, and shifts individual mindset; teachings gathered along a personal story of healing and self reclamation following a toxic marriage and the secondary trauma experienced after her daughter’s assault.
Barbie guides women to heal, release and reclaim. To celebrate their transition through years, to embody the power of their wisdom, and to rise in empowered self-love and acceptance, as they walk through life's chapters. She embraces the knowing that endings offer beginnings, and she offers her clients a loving space to become all that they are here to become.
Topics of interest for speaking engagements:
Mom-life
Divorce
Toxic marriage
Break ups
Sexual assault support
Restorative justice
Aging
Supporting children through trauma
Secondary trauma
Starting over in life
Connect with me here:
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Read my Unsinkable story here.
Jacob Grosberg is a Canadian mental health advocate, motivational speaker and philanthropist. At the age of 14, he founded a charity fund in honour of his dad after he died by suicide. Jacob and his charity, The Conan Fund (conanfund.org) work closely with many well known organizations, charities and hospitals to advocate and support for mental health and suicide prevention. Jacob is a former speaker for WE movement @ WE Day Toronto, WE Day Montreal and mini WE day Niagara Falls, as well as a previous speaker for schools within the York catholic district school board and Toronto catholic district school board. Jacob and his charity have raised over $14,000 and supported hundreds of thousands of people. Jacob has been featured in many news articles, news segments and even has his own place in the Ontario shores foundation for mental health sciences hospital in Whitby, Ontario after him and his charity made a large donation. Jacob is also a founding ambassador and community champion for a well known mental wellness organization, Unsinkable stories, founded by silken Laumann. Jacob and The Conan Fund have also completed many other initiatives to support mental health such as the support the homeless initiative that was completed in 2019.
Topics of interest for speaking engagements:
Public speaking
Suicide
Loss
Mental health
Suicide awareness
Connect with me here:
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Read my Unsinkable stories Here and Here
Mikaela Brewer is an author, speaker, researcher, mental health advocate and activist. She has played basketball for Team Canada and Stanford University where she graduated with a B.S. in Human Biology, minor in Creative Writing, and a Notation in Science Communication in 2020. As a multi-disciplinary writer & researcher, Mikaela has published poetry, fiction, neuroscience & sport psychology research, news, features, and op-eds for a variety of platforms, journals, and organizations. Mikaela is passionate about exploring the intersection of science and storytelling as it relates to mental health. In 2021, she co-founded Timeout Software, a digital mental health platform for athletes. She currently lives in Barrie, ON.
Topics of interest for speaking engagements:
Depression
OCD
Suicidality/attempt, hospitalization
The mental healthcare system (as a patient + now working in the field)
Crisis response
Connect with me here:
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Read my Unsinkable story here.
Tyler Smith is a mental health advocate, Unsinkable Community Champion, Kids Sport Alberta Ambassador, founder of Not Alone, Public speaker and Co-host of Speak Your Mind Podcast. After surviving the 2018 Humboldt Broncos bus crash, Tyler became passionate about mental health awareness and supporting others to take action towards mental well-being.
Topics of interest for speaking engagements:
Humboldt bus crash
Male mental health & vulnerability
Athlete mental health
Connect with me here:
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Read my Unsinkable story here.
Arissa Roy is a 16-year-old high school student in Toronto Canada, a youth activist, author, and the founder of an international organization- Project Power Global, or PPG for short (www.projectpowerglobal.org). She fights for access to education within I do because I believe that when we work towards an educated world, we are working towards peace and equality. She has collaborated/volunteered with organizations such as Unsinkable, Project Giveback, Plan International etc, and has been featured on major media including “Assembly”, the Malala Fund newsletter, CBC, Readers Digest and more. She strongly believes in the power of storytelling and that is why her unique story is at the forefront of all her endeavours. Moreover, Arissa uses social media platforms including Youtube to spread messages of positivity and kindness.
Arissa's story dates back to 2017 when she visited a small school in the slums of Delhi India. During this experience, she was able to work with children her age and younger who were suffering from poverty and inadequate education. She could not believe the conditions these individuals were in and knew she wanted to dedicate her life to changing these circumstances.
In early July of 2020- amidst a global pandemic, Arissa realized the importance of following your passions, as well as the power of a voice, and decided to finally launch her organization. A yea r and a half in, she is working with a team of over 15 youth from around the world on projects that improve the quality of education coast to coast.
Additionally, Arissa serves in many other organizations including Unsinkable, as the chair of the youth council, Fridays for future, and CanWaCh (Canadian Partnership for Women and Children Health).
All in all, Arissa aims to teach youth around the world that we cannot wait for others to make a change. We all have a voice and it should be used.
Topics of interest for speaking engagements:
Grief
Confidence issues
Youth activism
Perfectionism
Connect with me here:
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Read my Unsinkable story here.
Jenille Patrice is a mental well-being champion and cheerleader. After a slew of untreated traumatic life events, her mental health quickly deteriorated started to show up physically in her life forcing her to address and being her healing journey from traumatic childhood, teenage and young adult experiences. Jenille shares her journey and learnings with others through online inspiration and motivation and accurate, non-judgemental conversation surrounding mental health. Her main goal is to provide a space where the stigma and stereotypes associated with mental health and and mental illness are not blockers to others beginning their own mental well being journey.
Topics of interest for speaking engagements:
Depression
PTSD
Anxiety
Discovering mental health
Trauma healing journey
Connect with me here:
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Read my Unsinkable story here.
Maria Estrada is a mental health advocate, motivational speaker and child and youth counsellor specializing in mental health and addictions. Maria has dedicated her life to raising awareness about mental health. After immigrating to Canada as a child, Maria experienced bullying, anxiety, depression and the stigma associated with mental health. After a failed suicide attempt at the age of 15, Maria realized she needed help. This led to a journey of self-advocacy, mental health diagnoses, addiction, relapse and recovery. Now, Maria uses her personal story as a way to help others. She is the recipient of the 2017 United Way Halton Hamilton Community Speaker Award and 2019 Vicky Award for Shine In Shine Out. Maria is currently writing a book in hopes to inspire others along the way.
Topics of interest for speaking engagements:
Anxiety
Depression
CPTSD
BDP
Bi-Polar
Addiction
Eating disorder
Bullying
Immigration
Stigma
Navigating the mental health system
Connect with me here:
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View some of my Unsinkable work Here and Here.
Pamela Fitzgerald has worked in the fitness industry for 15 years. After graduating from the Fitness and Health Promotion program at Humber College, Pamela continued to further her knowledge of human anatomy and the neuromuscular system through the specialized education programs; Muscle Activation Techniques and Resistance Training Specialist. Pamela has done extensive work with specialized cadaver dissection programs providing her with a thorough understanding of the muscular system and human body.
Pamela helps those she works with to increase strength and muscular output, enhance range of motion and improve mobility. Pamela is committed to helping people enjoy all the activities they love with a strong and healthy body, mind and spirit. She delivers the tools people need to connect to a love of self through mindfulness and movement. Pamela is a certified yoga instructor and meditation facilitator.
Pamela is a published fitness model and former physique competitor giving her unique perspective on body image and mindset struggles. She works as a public speaker, personal one on one muscle specialist, group training instructor, Yoga instructor, anatomy instructor, nutrition coach and meditation facilitator. Pamela hosts empowerment events which usually include the therapeutic element of horses. She is committed to providing events and experiences that allow us to create the moments that inspire us to be our true selves.
Topics of interest for speaking engagements:
Public speaking
Meditation facilitation
Fitness/ Health
Retreats and events
Body dysmorphia
Body image
Binge eating
Depression
Over exercising
Self sabotage
Disconnection from self and purpose
Connection and therapy with horses
Connect with me here:
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Read my Unsinkable story here.
Selin Özünaldım is a 19-year-old global gender equality activist from Türkiye. She is a National Gender Youth Activist for UN Women and a HeForShe Advocate under the entity of UN Women. Selin is a member of Global Feminist Coalition for Gender Transformative Education hosted by United Nations Girls' Education Initiative in support with Unicef. Selin is the founder of the first Girl Up Club in her country, supported by the UN Foundation, and the founder of Girls Who Code in Türkiye. As well as being a State of Youth Youth Board Member for Kids Rights, she is also Youth Ambassador of Women Against Violence Europe which is co-founded by the European Union. Selin is excited to reach more, inspire more and empower more!
Topics of interest for speaking engagements:
Sustainability
The SDGs
Youth involvement
Empowering adolescent girls
Global gender equality
Mental health and well-being
Sharing my own anxiety story
Connect with me here:
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Read my Unsinkable story here.
Asante Haughton has emerged as a leader in mental health and diversity. A veteran of the speaker circuit, Asante has presented across the globe, including a pair of TEDx talks telling stories detailing the impact of family trauma on mental health. Through his work, Asante was also named as a CAMH 150 Difference Maker, being awarded the distinction of being one of the top 150 difference makers in Canadian mental health. Recently, Asante’s poetry and writing was featured in AfriCANthology, a collection of poems, stories and essays from Black Canadian artists and thinkers. Since 2019 as the host of Cypher, a web show that takes caregiving stories and turns them into songs. In addition, Asante is a contributing editor to Inspire Magazine, a wellness resource for youth, and a co-host of Inspire Magazine’s podcast, LIfe Outside the Box. In June 2020, Asante co-founded the Reach Out Response Network, an advocacy organization that played a leading role in successfully lobbying the City of Toronto to implement four crisis response pilots that will remove law enforcement as first responders for wellness checks and other non-emergency calls. Finally, in his 9 to 5 life, Asante is a manager, designer and facilitator for Peer Support training programs at Stella's Place and for the City of Toronto's Community Healing Project, which supports youth exposed to community violence with wellness and capacity building.
Having firmly entrenched himself in the mental health space at large, Asante is now devoting his time, energy and focus to the intersections of race and mental health, seeking to amplify the myriad experiences of Blackness across the diaspora in order to shed light on the ways in which being Black in a world that seeks to diminish Blackness impacts the mental health of Black people. Asante believes in confronting current and historical truths about our world and the human condition, however uncomfortable those truths may be, in order to move toward healing. When not trying to save the world, Asante can be found laughing at his own jokes, Netflix'ing, checking his fantasy football stats, watching cartoons, and being frustrated with Toronto sports teams. Though Asante can be pretty laid back, he is loud about his advocacy and drive for change as he aims to deliver a message of social awareness, justice, community betterment, and above all, hope.
Topics of interest for speaking engagements:
Depression
Anxiety (social, agoraphobia, GAD)
Suicidality
Blackness/racism
Cis-male hetero privilege
Connect with me here:
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Read my Unsinkable story here.
Dave Boddy is the League of Valiants Founder, Lightstream Partner, Mental Health Champion, Rogue Energy Affiliate, Podcast Producer and Director, and Public Speaker.
Topics of interest for speaking engagements:
Concussions
ADHD
Depression
Anxiety
Mental health and gaming
Overcoming obstacles
Finding your internal hero
Connect with me here:
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Read my Unsinkable story here.
I’m Laurie McCann, a police officer, wife, mother, dog mom and an avid runner.
I have been a police officer for 24 years, I am a proud mom of two beautiful teenage girls. One that struggles with mental health. She has been diagnosed with ADHD, ODD and anxiety.
I run 6 days a week. Running for me, is my "Me Time" and Metal Wealth. I need to run! It truly keeps me grounded.
Connect with me here:
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Read my Unsinkable story here.
Megan Kee is a social entrepreneur and passionate advocate (for mental health supports, affordable housing, harm reduction, and climate action). In 2018—two years after her brother passed away from an overdose, she founded Twentytwenty Arts, an organization that produces socially impactful art projects, in his honour. In 2021, she founded Twentytwenty Design, a design and marketing agency that works with charities and non-profits to help them maximize their impact.
Topics of interest for speaking engagements:
Mental health challenges (bipolar disorder and anxiety)
Addiction
Grief and loss (overdose)
Connect with me here:
Instagram (personal)
Instagram (non-profit)
Tik Tok (personal)
TikTok (non-profit)
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Read my Unsinkable story here.
Ryan Forsyth is an Award-Winning Mental Health Speaker and Advocate, host of the Life in Red Podcast and Promotions Coordinator for JUMP! 106.9 and boom 99.7 in Ottawa. He is a music geek and sports fanatic who’s passionate about helping people open up about their mental health and redefining a healthier version of masculinity.
Topics of interest for speaking engagements:
Men's mental health
Healthy masculinity
Connect with me here:
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Wynnikka Matthews is a young black woman with a physical disability, born and raised in Toronto. Wynnikka is also known as “Wyn Inspires”. She self-published her memoir at the age of 22 called “Brighter Days Ahead”, where she opens up about her journey living with a physical disability called “Brachial Plexus Injury | Erbs Palsy. From adapting to everyday living, overcoming many forms of bullying, self-hate/self-harm to learning to love and accept herself, Wynnikka continues to share her story to inspire others. Wynnikka is a Speaker and Advocate for things such as her disability- BPI | Erbs Palsy & mental health through her awareness and merch pages. Wynnikka is also a Co-Podcaster on love and relationships, a Community Healer, Senior Peer Mentor and more.
As a Community Healer and the Senior Peer Mentor with the Community Healing Project in Toronto, Wynnikka has developed her passion for working with others and raising awareness for Mental Health, especially within the BIPOC Community. Through her work and using her voice, she strives to raise awareness, uplift, meet and inspire others while also being inspired by their journeys as well!
Connect with me here:
Instagram (personal)
Instagram (community)
Instagram (podcast)
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Humble and cultured. What you see is what you get. That Motivated Kid is building a motivated community, creating viral energy and a vibe that truly is alive. Every message has felt like a statement of intent. A new piece added to the puzzle. Visually captivating, with an authentic and transparent message introducing a refreshing narrative that has yet to be seen.
A Toronto creative & motivator. He inspires the masses through his story of struggle, perseverance, and achievement. Marcus Smith embarks on his journey of growth sharing his experiences as he faced challenges in his athletic career, that sidelined him to spectate the sport he devoted himself to.
Through the trials and tribulations, he found solace in using his story to inspire all walks of life. Sharing empowering messages to shift the perspective of failure into a positive relationship. Failure opens doors to a realization that extends far beyond our capabilities and comfort. It shows us who we are meant to be and the power we have to change our circumstances.
Together We Rise Above.
Content Creator That Motivated Kid
Owner of Rise Above Toronto Co.
Host of the No Doubt Podcast
Brock University B.A Arts - Honors Media Communication Studies '17
“Passionate about connecting, inspiring, and empowering | Sparking positive mental health awareness and advocacy through authentic and transparent conversation.”
@ThatMotivatedKid | www.ThatMotivatedKid.com
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Always being an active member within his community, Joshua is a passionate advocate for youth mental health and suicide prevention following his own personal experiences.
Passionate about mental health and the well-being of others, Joshua has been an active youth mental health advocate and has worked to help not only raise awareness but also push for changes to improve the mental health of youth. This includes with the YMHM Canada, a community association that he started in 2020. Joshua has also drafted reports for increased youth suicide prevention and mental health that have helped to provide insight into key issues from a youth perspective. Working to ensure that suicide within Canada and his community is reduced, Joshua continues to advocate daily for youth mental health and suicide prevention. Joshua previously sat on the Unsinkable Youth Council where he helped to develop programs for youth through Unsinkable, and he currently sits on the National Advisory Council for the Mood Disorders Society of Canada, the National Initiative For Eating Disorders, as well as an advisory member on the HWAD CYC for Hon. Filomena Tassi.
Speaking engagements:
Information about speaking, consulting, and writing contributions and topics can also be found at joshuamjbell.ca/services.
A range of speaking topics are offered including:
Lived experience mental health topics (anxiety, suicide, body image, etc.)
Mental health policy
Youth mental health related topics
Suicide prevention
Youth engagement and community involvement
LGBTQ mental health related topics
Social Media Links:
Website: joshuamjbell.ca
Instagram: @joshuamjbell
Threads: @joshuamjbell
Twitter: @joshuamjbell
Facebook: /joshuamjbell
LinkedIn: /in/joshuamjbell
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Kelli Chu believes the greatest lessons in life are the ones we find off the beaten path. Kelli Chu’s journey from a major car accident, with 11 surgeries and permanent injuries, to a renowned advocate for limb difference and mental health is a testament to resilience. She shares her story and insights through speaking engagements, including a TEDx talk, and founded “Limitless Living,” a mindset coaching program empowering women to overcome personal health challenges. Kelli embodies empowerment, turning life’s challenges into opportunities, and helping others live without limits in order to create a fulfilling future.
Website | https://kellichu.com/
Instagram | @itskellichu | https://www.instagram.com/itskellichu
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/kelli-chu-speaker-coach/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelli-chu-speaker-coach/
Speaking Topics:
Resilience
Mental Health
First year experience
Orientation
Fraternity & Sorority Life
Athletes
Personal Development
Diversity & Inclusion
Wellness
Identity
Leadership Development
Professional Development
Women’s Empowerment
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When I was in the 4th grade, the thought of becoming a professional athlete inspired the drawings my teachers would ask of us during our free time. I would have drawings of myself playing soccer for the biggest clubs in the world or several drawings of the Olympic rings. What started from drawings has now manifested itself; the journey has led me to become a professional Bobsleigh athlete – a sport that neither my friends, family, nor I would have ever thought I’d be in, but a sport that has grown on me.
Growing up with a speech impediment, it was hard for me to feel confident around others. Never truly knowing how to deal with the frustrations, my one ‘’escape’’ has always been sports. I loved playing sports growing up—I was always one of the most athletic, if not the most athletic in my school or on sports teams. Sports were my way of communicating. What I lacked in one area, God blessed me with in another. I could go on the soccer field and play for hours. I could run a 100m or 200m race without the thought of my speech ever intervening. The label of someone who stuttered became: ‘’Holy! You are fast!’’ or ‘’Wow! You are so athletic.”
It's the kind of confidence and belief I want to place in others, everyone has a talent of their own and something they are good at, use that to your advantage. Continue to work on your craft and the sky's the limit. Luckily for me, it was sports and I am grateful for that to this day, but for others, it can be a school subject, playing an instrument, singing, etc. Whatever it may be, use that to show others despite your differences you're fully capable of doing and achieving what others have or continue to achieve.
Topics
Inclusion
Diversity
Stuttering
Perseverance
Mental Health
Social Media
Instagram- kenmpindou
LinkedIn- Kenny M'Pindou
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Dancia Kendra Susilo is a humanitarian and serial entrepreneur. She has always been a self-starter, creating environmental initiatives since age 11 and mental health initiatives since age 12. She began her first official business at age 15.
Susilo had a long and fulfilling career in the media/arts and entertainment industry since the age of five. Her work primarily consisted of commercial modelling, theatre acting, writing, singing/songwriting, and graphic design. She does continue to write, and has published two books. She has multiple peer-reviewed publications with the British Psychological Society and presented at the Division of Health Psychology conference.
Susilo is involved in various organizations and communities. She has held and continues to hold leadership positions with multiple organizations such as Ottawa Victim Services, Ottawa Canadian Film Festival, Centretown Community Health Centre, Ecology Ottawa, GAPAP, and The Missing Link Project.
Susilo is an alumnus of uOttawa with a double BA in Psychology and Linguistics and Wharton (UPenn) with a post-graduate certification in Digital Marketing. She is currently studying through King’s College UK, working towards her MSc in Psychology and Neuroscience.
Topics of interest for speaking engagements:
Perfectionism
Identity
Depression/Suicide (ideation, attempt, hospitalization)
Disordered Eating
Resilience/Perseverance
Turning weaknesses into strengths
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Entrepreneurship/ Leadership
Modelling/Pressures of being a Public Figure
Fitness/Health/ Neuroscience of Mental Health
Connect with me here:
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Jennifer joined the Unsinkable Champions community in September 2023, having previously served as the organization's Executive Director. Jen's passion for mental health storytelling stems from her personal experiences with anxiety, and her family's experiences with a range of mental health issues including anxiety, depression, bipolar, and ADHD.
Jen is a visionary catalyst for change across all aspects of her life, and is dedicated to helping others grow personally and professionally. At home, she is learning every day as a parent to young adults while navigating the complex grief that comes with being a suicide survivor following the loss of her Dad. At work, Jen is an interim executive and consultant, bringing high impact leadership and expertise in health, benefits, and absence management to help corporations and NFPs thrive during times of change.
Jen is a senior advisor at Excellence Canada, where she works with organizations to be recognized for their leadership in Mental Health at Work® and Healthy Workplace®. She is a certified workplace mental health leader and trained peer supporter.
Jen is a dynamic public speaker, panelist, and moderator. Bring her in to energize and inspire audiences around the following topics:
• Unsinkable @ Work
• Unsinkable Entrepreneurs
• Mental health peer support
• High functioning anxiety
• Accessible daily practices to support mental resilience
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Liv (she/they) is a 22-year old mental health advocate and youth speaker from a rural community outside of Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. She completed her undergraduate degree with distinction from University of Waterloo, in Honours Social Development Studies and Peace and Conflict Studies in the Fall of 2023. Liv holds a certification in Positive Psychology from University of Pennsylvania, though she will tell you that her years of working alongside young students in mental health community spaces have been the most influential avenue of learning so far.
Liv has been open about their journey with mental illness as a young adult. They have discovered through lived experiences how important it is to take care of yourself and seek help when you need it, after struggling to graduate high school and navigating mental illnesses throughout her life. She is passionate about sharing her story with others so they know they are not alone.
As the co-founder of a provincial-award winning mental health awareness initiative, Bridges of Hope, that hosted youth-led community events across Waterloo Region, Liv's unique experience with community/social leadership, personal lived experience and compassion-focused advocacy lies at the foundation of her work. Liv has been a youth speaker for organizations such as Jack.org, Peregrine Leadership, Canadian Student Leadership Association, Digital4Good, and many more. She is excited to be working with Unsinkable as a Community Champion to further her reach with youth connection and collaboration.
Topics of interest for speaking engagements:
Mental health advocacy
Lived experience with anxiety, depression, OCD, BPD
Compassionate, human-first leadership
Queer identity
Overcoming academic struggles (high school, specifically)
Making a difference in your community
Perfectionism
Social media usage
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Raffela is a mental health activist, content creator, and entrepreneur based in Edmonton (Treaty 6 Territory). She regularly shares about being neurodivergent, living with mental illness, and body image issues on her social media in order to help others struggle a little less.
Speaking topics:
I’m comfortable with anything surrounding mental health and body image, such as neurodivergence, weight stigma, diet culture, atypical anorexia, social media, fatphobia, etc.
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Keosha is an award-winning artist, activist and educator who builds spaces for wellness and collective liberation. As a poet and writer, Keosha is notable for centering self-actualization, womanism and generational healing in her work. She closely explores the diverse narratives and identities of Black and racialized people to champion their stories and use Black joy as rebellion. In 2016, Keosha founded Our Women's Voices, a Toronto-based non-for-profit focused on amplifying the voices of women and making social change through arts, education and community organizing. With her BA in Psychology and roots in creative arts, Keosha has graced many stages and rooms as an educator and public speaker, exploring themes of mental health, race and gender advocacy. Keosha's work can be found in collaboration with Facebook, Nike, Art Gallery of York University, Never Apart Magazine & more. Her poem "A Prayer for Black Women" has been shared nationally and featured in CBC’s Poetic License. In 2021, Keosha debuted her first mental health series titled Black & Vulnerable also on CBC. Most recently, Keosha was the recipient of the Community Hero Award presented by TFC for her contributions towards her community. Ultimately, Keosha Love is a storyteller and pivotal voice that inspires others to use theirs.
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Hala is deeply committed to the belief that everyone has the power to make a significant positive impact. She stands out for her efforts to ensure opportunities for social engagement are integral to the educational experiences of young people, rather than being merely an add-on. Hala’s dedication is evident in her leadership role as the DeGroote Impact co-chair, where she inspires over 500 students to explore and contribute to the impact sector. At the McMaster Social Impact Hub and in her capacity as a diversity, equity, and inclusion strategist within the Ontario Public Service, Hala champions the inclusion of diverse voices and the empowerment of communities. Her authentic and passionate advocacy for change is found in each role she takes on.
Speaking Topics:
Systems Thinking
Self-compassion practice
Managing expectations
Nervous Systems Breath-work
Cross-Sector Collaboration in the Social impact Space
Imposter syndrome
Engaging Youth in the Workplace and Leadership.
interested in becoming a Community Champion ?
Please fill out the form below and we will get back to you!
COMMUNITY CHAMPION Alumni
We are incredibly grateful to have had your time, support, and the opportunity to witness your vulnerability. Each of you played an integral part in helping us become who we are today. Most importantly, you’ve shown our community what it means to be Unsinkable.
Thank you.
