Founder & Committee Lead

Trent University

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Emma-Leigh is a first-year Health Sciences student at Trent University and one of the Committee Leads & Liaisons for the CMHS Youth Steering Committee. She brings extensive experience in youth advocacy through her role as the ALCDSB Indigenous Student Trustee, her leadership with Honouring Indigenous Peoples, her role as Co-Chair with Women in Leadership, and as Founder of The Circle of C’s Project. She is also a member of the Kids Help Phone National Youth Council, and values listening to diverse perspectives and collaborating with others to shape thoughtful, youth-informed ideas. Emma-Leigh is passionate about amplifying youth voice, advancing mental health equity, and creating meaningful change for young people. 

Founder & Committee Lead

Trent University

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Grace is a third-year Social Work student at Trent University and serves as a Committee Lead & Liaison for the CMHS Youth Steering Committee. In this role, she supports youth engagement, project development, and board-level communication, helping ensure youth voices are meaningfully reflected in Children’s Mental Health Services. Her leadership experience as a student trustee with HPEDSB and as Vice President of the Trent Social Work Society has shaped her ability to lead with empathy and purpose. Grace is passionate about making mental health services more accessible and turning youth ideas into meaningful action.

Co-Chair

Centennial Secondary School​

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​Maria is a Grade 11 student at Centennial Secondary School and serves as a Co-Chair of the CMHS Youth Steering Committee. She is also an elected Student Trustee with HPEDSB, where she advocates for student voice and well-being at the board level. Maria is passionate about making mental health support feel accessible and normalized for youth, and she values collaboration and open conversation as key tools for change.

Co-Chair

Nicholson Catholic College​

Lena is a Grade 12 student at Nicholson Catholic College and serves as Co-Chair of the CMHS Youth Steering Committee. Her leadership experience includes being a Peer Mentor, Student Navigator for international students, and Co-Chair for Relay for Life 2025 at her school. Lena is passionate about creating inclusive environments where youth feel supported, heard, and encouraged to get involved in mental health advocacy.

Secretary

St. Theresa's Catholic Secondary School ​

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Emily is a Grade 12 student at St. Theresa’s Catholic Secondary School and serves as Secretary for the CMHS Youth Steering Committee. In this role, she supports the team through organization, communication, and documentation to help ensure meetings and initiatives run smoothly. Emily is deeply committed to mental health advocacy and values helping the committee stay connected, focused, and effective in its work.

Equity & Insight  Representative

Nicholson Catholic College

Emily is a Grade 12 student at Nicholson Catholic College and serves as the Equity & Insight Representative for the CMHS Youth Steering Committee. She is also the re-elected ALCDSB Western Student Trustee and works at the provincial level to represent student equity, diversity, and inclusion concerns. Emily is passionate about advocacy, policy informed youth voice, and ensuring diverse perspectives are reflected in decision-making spaces.

Promo & Communications Assistant

St. Theresa's Catholic Secondary School​

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Reid is a Grade 11 student at St. Theresa’s Catholic Secondary School and serves as the Promo & Communications Assistant for the CMHS Youth Steering Committee. He supports the committee through social media, digital outreach, and creative content that helps expand CMHS’ reach. Reid is also the Co-Prime for Student Council at his high school, where he builds leadership and communication skills that he brings into his role at CMHS. He is especially passionate about connecting with younger students and helping start mental health conversations early in school communities.

Event and Engagement Ambassador

St. Theresa's Catholic Secondary School

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Josephine is a grade 10 student at St. Theresa’s Catholic Secondary School and serves as the Events & Activities Coordinator for the CMHS Youth Steering Committee. She supports the planning and coordination of workshops, activities, and events that bring youth together in engaging and meaningful ways. Josephine is also involved in her school’s Student Council and brings strong leadership, creativity, and collaboration skills into her work with CMHS. In addition, she serves as the Community Engagement Working Group Lead, helping strengthen connections between CMHS, schools, and the broader community.

Support and Engagement Ambassador

St. Theresa's Catholic Secondary School​

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Melanie is a Grade 9 student at St. Theresa’s Catholic Secondary School and serves as the Support & Engagement Ambassador on the CMHS Youth Steering Committee. She supports youth connection and participation and also helps contribute to the committee’s social media and online engagement. Outside of CMHS, Melanie is a competitive dancer, bringing creativity, discipline, and teamwork into her leadership. She is passionate about supporting youth well-being and helping create welcoming spaces for mental health conversations.