Welcome to new IHDCYH Youth Advisory Council members, and a round of applause for the Council's achievements over the last year

Welcoming New YAC Members and Thanking Our Newest Alumni

Welcome to Matthew Garrett, Sophie LeBlanc, and Iles Ousmer, who are joining the IHDCYH Youth Advisory Council (YAC) this summer!

Each year on International Youth Day, we welcome new members to the Council and recognize those who are transitioning to our growing alumni network. Since the YAC was established in 2020, 22 members have completed their terms and continue to be part of our alumni community.

A special thank you to Toluwani Ajayi, Ping Du Mont, and Eleanor Duffley for your enthusiasm, leadership, and engagement during your time on the YAC.

Celebrating a Year of Impact

Over the past year, YAC members played an important role in informing Institute activities, mobilizing knowledge, and building capacity for youth leadership across the health research ecosystem.

Highlights include:

  • YAC members brought a lifespan inclusion perspective to the next phase of development of the One Health Antimicrobial Resistance Research Strategy, alongside representatives from the Chief Science Advisor's Youth Council, the Health Canada Youth Leadership Team, and the Canadian Agricultural Youth Council.
  • Nifemi Adeoye and Ahastan Surees represented the YAC at the 2025 Canada Gairdner Awards Gala in Toronto alongside CIHR leadership.
  • The YAC welcomed Dr. Paul Hébert, CIHR President, for a discussion on career pathways and the value of pursuing unexpected opportunities in science.
  • Toluwani Ajayi, Finn Johnson, Nova Celeste, and Kira Young brought youth perspectives to IHDCYH Institute Advisory Board meetings in Saskatoon (Fall 2025) and Edmonton (Spring 2026).
  • Cassie Bruhm and Ping Du Mont participated in the Inspiring Healthy Futures Summit on Child and Youth Well-Being in Ottawa, connecting with youth, caregivers, researchers, and decision-makers and during an event featuring remarks from Senator Rosemary Moodie on Bill S-212, an Act respecting a national strategy for children and youth in Canada.
  • YAC alumna Nifemi Adeoye spoke at the 2026 CHILD-BRIGHT Network Conference, sharing insights on youth engagement in IHDCYH Talks and peer review.
  • YAC members served as peer reviewers for CIHR competitions, including IHDCYH Talks and Healthy Youth Initiative Team Grants.
  • All members contributed to the @cihr_youth Instagram account, sharing youth engagement opportunities and health promotion content. Several posts were co-created with Health Canada's Youth Leadership Team, reflecting a strong partnership built on a shared purpose of empowering youth.
  • Ping Du Mont co-presented with IHDCYH Staff at the 2026 Canadian Knowledge Mobilization Forum to champion the value of youth partnership across the health research ecosystem (see below for more details).

Congratulations to all YAC members and alumni for another year of leadership, collaboration, and impact.

Date modified: