Emerging Leaders Alumni Spotlights

Diana Yoon is a dynamic force in Toronto’s housing and climate movements. Diana leads government relations and policy at the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada (CHF Canada), advocating for the growth and continued success of co-op homes across the country. Previously, she championed equitable climate action and energy efficiency initiatives at Toronto Community Housing, Toronto Environmental Alliance, and The Atmospheric Fund. Outside of work, Diana serves on the board of the Circle Community LandTrust and mentors as a girl guide leader. She holds a Masters of Arts in Geography from York University and a post-graduate certificate in Environmental Visual Communications from Fleming College at the Royal Ontario Museum.

Lauren Castelino is an environmentalist, entrepreneur, consultant, and speaker committed to advancing equity and climate justice. She founded the Green Career Centre, a nonprofit that prepares underrepresented youth for careers in sustainability.

Her work focuses on building inclusive green economies by developing programs that support young women, newcomers, and BIPOC communities in navigating green job preparation and professional development. Through the Green Career Centre, she has led research on employment barriers, hosted green career events, and developed innovative tools like the Wage Subsidy Matching Tool, which has connected thousands of youth to funding opportunities.

A skilled fund development professional, Lauren has secured over $3.1 million, helping create green jobs, environmental events, and community spaces. In her master’s degree she researched philanthropy’s role in youth- and racialized-led climate justice movements, contributing to a historic $405 million commitment to combat climate change from nine Canadian funders.

Oghenerukevwe Erifeta is the first born daughter to a Nigerian household, and is currently living in Canada. Her early exposure to leadership within her family taught her that leadership is primarily about responsibility and service. She holds diplomas in Liberal Arts and General Science, and is a final-year student pursuing both a BSc and a BA. She has found a strong purpose in the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in academia and beyond. 

Getting into the student movement, Oghenerukevwe has advocated for policies addressing the intersectional challenges that students as well as all members of the community face, such as food insecurity, the housing crisis, rising unemployment rates, and more. She has also advocated for improvements in the post-secondary education sector and immigration systems. Finally, organizing and volunteering to create events and services that foster community development and engagement have been a huge priority for her. 

Through roles like volunteer and mentor with the Ambassador Leader Program at the University of Regina, Vice President External at the University of Regina Student Union, and currently, Regional Lead for Saskatchewan at the Canadian Federation of Students, Oghenerukevwe aims to create systemic change that benefits both students and the broader community. She has learned a great deal in her work so far, and is extremely honored and excited for all she will be opportune to learn through the Emerging Leaders program at the Broadbent Institute.

Megana Ramaswami is a communications leader with a passion for research, storytelling, and advocacy. With a background in print journalism and over a decade of experience in communications and marketing, she has helped startups, global organizations, and post-secondary institutions expand their reach and drive impact.

As Senior Strategist at Emdash Agency, she has led communications strategies, national campaigns, and media relations for organizations such as the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation and Stand.earth. She spearheaded the Assembly of First Nations’ “Closing the Infrastructure Gap” media campaign, securing national attention on the $350B shortfall in First Nations infrastructure, and helped develop the Public Service Alliance of Canada’s “Still Thirsty for Justice” campaign, which amplified Indigenous water advocates’ calls for action.

Committed to an intersectional approach to communications, Megana centres her work on advancing progressive organizations and policies that build a more diverse, equitable, and sustainable society.

Julius Chester lives in Winnipeg, which is located in Treaty No. 1 Territory and comes from the realm of political and community organizing. A second-generation Canadian from a working-class family, Julius spent many years fighting against conservative cuts to education and public health care and has worked to support and elect fellow progressives in his home province of Manitoba. In his role as the Director of Communications for the Manitoba NDP Caucus, he is responsible for writing, managing media relations and producing social media content.

Since 2022, Julius and his family have organized a community concert and mental health fundraiser to honour the memory of his late brother, Justice Chester (1997-2021). Their efforts have been welcomed with overwhelming support, having raised $10,300, with all proceeds supporting local mental health programming and awareness.

Kristen is an Information Management Consultant whose work in Black community archives sparked a need to better understand the ways mental health impacts Black history and Black community spaces. A third-culture kid with a deep interest in applying the principle of sankofa to the every day, Kristen uses her training as an archivist and her interest in governance, collaboration, community care, and community education in the many hats she wears both professionally and personally.

Ashley Cummings is a proud Inuk youth from Pangnirtung, Nunavut and currently living in Whitehorse, Yukon. As an alumna of the Prime Minister’s Youth Council, Ashley advised the Prime Minister on issues that have included (but are not limited to) rural and northern health/well-being, supporting ethical and Indigenous-led tourism, mental health and other issues affecting youth across Canada. Her colourful background living in Nunavut, Yukon, Nova Scotia, Quebec and New Brunswick has given her a comprehensive perspective on life for Indigenous young people from coast to coast to coast. Ashley currently works for Yukonstruct, a non-profit providing a community environment to makers and entrepreneurs alike. She has also recently been accepted to the Bachelor of Indigenous Governance program at Yukon University and she looks forward to meaningfully studying the ways she can work to better her communities. When Ashley’s not working, she loves sharing stories with friends, learning new skills, and exploring the beautiful places she calls home.