Here are some of the recipients of the 2023 Emerging Leader Award. Check back tomorrow to see more the complete list of Emerging Leader Award Winners. If you missed yesterday’s story you can find it here. 

Mikayla Hunter (She/They)

Mikayla advocates for several causes, such as founding the Queer & Trans Health Sciences Graduate Student Group and acting as a research assistant for Measuring Equity and Generating Action in Cancer. She emphasizes how leading with humility has expanded their advocacy.

“While I think that we are all more likely to get involved with advocacy that touches our own hearts in some way, leading with humility means that what you advocate for doesn’t always necessarily have to impact you or your own desires. What is important to the people I lead is therefore important to me, even if I have nothing to gain.”

Mikayla’s view on leadership is to always uplift the people she leads. Change takes many hands, and the leader may be the one to bring all the pieces together, none of it would be possible without the other people who contribute.

Tréchelle Bunn

For Tréchelle Bunn, leading with humility allows everyone to feel safe, heard, seen and valued. She has been an active leader and advocate for causes she is passionate about, founding the Reconciliation Run Half-Marathon, being a mentor in the Neechiwaken Indigenous Peer Mentor Program, acting as a delegate for the Native Women’s Association of Canada – Generation for Equality and being Youth Chief of the Southern Chiefs’ Organization. In her election speech she said:

“I want to lead alongside my fellow youth and community members in partnership as a collective. Leading with humility is sharing the leadership role and encouraging others to get involved and utilize their voice for positive change.”

Tréchelle shared that her value for leading with humility was instilled in her by her parents. She credits her them for teaching her that great leaders empower those around them and great leaders are selfless, humble and balanced.

University of Manitoba Emerging Leader Awards are given annually students who support the University’s educational mission by contributing to the social, cultural or economic well-being of communities on or off campus; encourage cross-cultural understanding, and demonstrate sustained leadership and initiative worthy of recognition. Law’s three recipients for 2022 more than meet these requirements.

Dr. Richard Jochelson, Dean of Law, has worked with all three of these students in some capacity throughout their law school careers. “We are extremely proud that our students have received this prestigious recognition for their leadership,” he said. “Each of these three individuals has demonstrated their outstanding leadership skills and made major contributions to the law faculty, the legal community, and to the broader community.”

The Faculty of Law asked each student what drove them to study law, what they accomplished in law school and what lies ahead for them. We also discussed what leadership means to them and what it took for them to step forward and take on leadership roles.

Michael Badejo, Class of 2022, MLSA President, articling at Fillmore Riley LLP

Michael Badejo

Michael Badejo had thought of going to law school since high school. He just took a few detours to get there, including a short stint of pre-med at the University of Manitoba, and a joint degree/diploma from the University of Winnipeg and Red River College in Creative Communications.

He finally arrived at Robson Hall after a career in media relations and strategic, corporate communications with experience as both a self-employed contractor and full-time employee as a strategic advisor and communications specialist with numerous major local organizations like the Winnipeg Airports Authority, the Chartered Professional Accountants of Manitoba and Deer Lodge Centre Foundation.

“These roles deepened my understanding of our community, while also helping to shape my approach in law school – particularly in how the law manifests practically for everyday people,” he reflected. “It really made me try to approach every fact set, every scenario, every hypothetical legal conflict in a manner that puts both pragmatism as well as “how will this work in real life” front and centre.”

Badejo made an effort to tie his skill in leadership and getting parties on the same page with the brand-new skillset he was honing in law. It was a vital element of his approach to making law and successful partnerships more accessible both in his capacity as an individual learning a new profession, and as the head of an organization that, in the midst and initial aftermath of the pandemic, needed to renew its goals of ensuring the best possible experience for the students of Robson Hall.

“I’ve always had an interest in using critical thinking, strategic messaging, and good old fashioned common sense to help those around me,” Badejo said. “Coming from a career in strategic communications, this seemed like the natural evolution to accomplish that goal on a bigger scale and with the ability to make a positive impact in our shared community by giving back. Law school has provided me the opportunity to do that and more, so I’m glad to report that the multitude of experiences that compose law school lived up to those aspirations and then some.”

“Leadership to me is about recognizing where you came from – that you are who you are because of a shared community – and the notion that if you have the ability to make a positive impact, you have that responsibility.” – Michael Badejo, Class of 2022

Among major highlights this year for Badejo was leading the MLSA as they safely reinvented many of their traditional social and professional development events for the new normal, rebuilding the interpersonal connections that were somewhat blunted by the pandemic. He is most proud, however, of his executive team’s work with the Dean, signing an historic memorandum of understanding with the Faculty of Law to renovate student-facing spaces with Law Student Endowment Funds worth more than $700,000. This first-of-its-kind agreement also facilitates the immediate construction of a gender-inclusive washroom in the Faculty’s Common Room. “This agreement not only bolsters the entirety of the place that law students call home in Manitoba,” said Badejo, “but also reinforces the notion that dignity and acceptance of everyone is top of mind at Robson Hall.”

For all of the recognition and goals that he and his team were able to garner and accomplish this year, there was a consistent thread for Badejo from day one.  “We all have individual spheres of influence big and small,” he said, adding, “I believe that we should all do what we can to give back to our community, and work together in pushing the needle forward for those who come after us.”

Shawn Singh, Class of 2022, PSLP participant, articling at Manitoba Prosecution Service

Shawn Singh

Shawn Singh came to Robson Hall prepared with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Criminology. Having already spent his undergraduate years studying theories of anti-social behaviour and how to encourage people to work together as a community, he already had a strong foundation for his current articling position with the Manitoba Prosecution Service.

“I was first inspired to pursue law because of my parent’s journey to Canada,” he explained. “They came here from Guyana, where guerilla violence was rampant and citizens could not trust the government. From early days, they taught me that Canada is one of the safest places in the world because we have strong institutions and people who care about each other. Because of their experience, I wanted to be part of the justice system to continue our tradition of keeping people safe and protecting the values that we all share.”

Singh worked as a research assistant for several law professors and published research prolifically. He found many ways to apply what he learned in Criminology about structural discrimination, the disadvantages that marginalized groups face, and the role of EDI initiatives in terms of making a meaningful difference. He worked for Assistant Professor Brandon Trask during the summer of 2021 and throughout his third year of law, and was also a research assistant for Marc Kruse, Indigenous Legal Studies Coordinator. Singh helped Trask publish a suite of articles regarding access to justice during the pandemic and supported Kruse as he developed Robson Hall’s new Indigenous legal clinic and the school’s Indigenous legal literature database. Before working with Trask and Kruse, Singh worked with Dean Richard Jochelson and Associate Professor David Ireland as their student editor. Together, the team worked to produce a chapter in Canada’s first book on digital privacy law in the modern era. In total, he published five articles and three book chapters between his 2L and 3L years and intends to revise two term papers into three more publications with the Manitoba Law Journal.

A major highlight of Singh’s law school career was being selected to take part in the annual President’s Student Leadership Program. Outside of the PSLP, he took on many leadership roles at Robson Hall. He served as class representative for the MLSA during 2L, was a member of the Academic Committee in 3L, and was Thomson Reuters Representative in both 2L and 3L, where he worked with liaison librarian Matthew Renaud to organize training sessions, liaise with students, and improve student knowledge about Westlaw Edge and the brand more generally. 

Singh’s contributions to the Robson Hall community were recognized when he was selected as the law school’s Outstanding Student for 2022. He was chosen to participate in the Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning’s Student Teacher Recognition Reception, where he recognized Assistant Professor Brandon Trask as his law school mentor, as well as his high school mentor, Mr. Adriano Magnifico.

Singh could be counted on as a willing and dedicated volunteer to represent Robson Hall. He was an ambassador at two UM Virtual Open Houses, and spoke with high school students in Winnipeg about pursuing a law degree at the Louis Riel School Division’s Arts and Technology Centre’s post-secondary career fair. While the pandemic was keeping students at home, Singh also joined Mr. Magnifico on his podcast, “Adventures in Careerland” for episode 28 of season 3 to share his story with LRSD students while they learned remotely

Aside from being an ambassador for Robson Hall, Singh engaged heavily in the Faculty’s student groups. He co-chaired the Robson Hall Chapter of the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers (CARL)with Samantha Harvey in 3L, volunteered with Pro Bono Students Canada at the Manitoba Law Reform Commission, volunteered with the Law Library Hub and with the Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council’s Welcome Place, and invigilated with several law school competitions.

“I am excited to see where things go from here, but am grateful that I have the chance to work in Manitoba’s largest law firm to learn about the practice of law and where my skills fit best in the mix.” – Shawn Singh, Class of 2022

Currently articling with Manitoba Prosecution Service, Singh intends to continue along a career path of criminal law. “Many of my publications were focused on the Charter implications of the pandemic and the technologies that our systems now depend on.  I hope to make my research a key part of my work, regardless of where I end up,” he said. “In addition to these rights and implications, I also hope to support the shift towards Truth and Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, which has been a key part of my work so far. Either way, I am excited to start the next part of my journey here in Manitoba – and am sure that I will be back at Robson Hall to give back to new law students and help them find their path.”

Adam Kowal, Class of 2023, outgoing Co-President, Manitoba Indigenous Law Students’ Association

Adam Kowal

It is easy to assume Adam Kowal was part of this year’s graduating class, although he still has one more year to go. Serving as co-president of the Manitoba Indigenous Law Students’ Association in his second year of Law, Kowal has already achieved a lot, and as such, is ready to pass the torch to incoming 2L students as he takes on other challenges in his third and final year – not the least of which is completing his Juris Doctor degree.

Kowal arrived at Robson Hall by way of a route more scenic than most. Out of high school, he completed a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy at UM, studied medicine for three years, started a Masters in philosophy, but left that shortly before completion. With student loans mounting, he worked full time in hospitality, then air traffic control recruitment training until the pandemic hit. By then, the small-town-raised he had got accepted into law school, and started his first year at a virtual Robson Hall.

“I got interested in law school while I was in medicine,” Kowal explained. “While I was in medicine, I noticed that we were successful at pulling a lot of people out of the river, but we weren’t really successful at going further upstream to figure out why they were falling in or to help prevent that.”

Upon discovering that it wasn’t front-facing members of the medical community who were making important policy decisions, Kowal wanted to know more about who these decision-makers of public health policy were. A lot of them, he learned, had “these things called JDs.”

Fast-forward a few years, and Kowal found himself working on major leadership projects with his award-winning colleagues while in the midst of working towards obtaining his own JD. “It’s really nice to see that Shawn and Michael were both edified by winning the [Emerging Leadership] award as well,” he said. “And it’s very fitting because Michael and Shawn and I all work sort of in triangle fashion on a variety of projects together. So it’s unsurprising and well deserved.”

Together with fellow MILSA co-president Dustin Seguin, Kowal and Singh worked together on helping the Associate Dean’s office develop the Indigenous Externship clinic that will be available for 3L students to take, starting in the fall of 2022. As the front-facing member of MILSA, Kowal worked with Badejo, the MLSA President, on various projects throughout the past year.

Kowal served on the Indigenous scholar hiring committee and the committee that hired Marc Kruse for the Indigenous Legal Studies Coordinator along with Dr. Richard Jochelson, Dean of Law, and other faculty members. He served on the Indigenous law student admissions panel with some Indigenous practicing professionals, and worked with University of Manitoba’s Donor Relations staff in Major Gifts and the Faculty of Law Class of 1980 to help develop a bursary for incoming Indigenous students. On top of all this, he also somehow got through his second year of law school.

A key words Kowal used to describe the extra-curricular work he took on was ‘service.’ “I think that leadership is, at the end of the day, a service role,” he said. “It’s an answer to stand in the gap on behalf of others, or when others can’t for themselves. And I think a large part of that is being graciously accountable to either the team that you take a leadership role with or the project you take a leadership role with.”

“You have to be accountable for the group or the project you inherit at whatever state you inherited it in – that is now yours. You don’t blame anyone else. You don’t look at anyone else to explain why things are aren’t a certain way – that’s yours. And then you’re accountable for what you pass on and leave for others as well.” – Adam Kowal, Class of 2023

“I think the best leaders make themselves redundant at the end of the day, whether that’s team growth, or project growth or project completion,” Kowal reflected. “I think at the end of the day, all the best leaders invariably have to move on because their job is finished or they’re no longer required in that role.”

Upon learning of his and his fellow law students’ selections as Emerging Leader award recipients, Kowal realized that all three of them, Badejo, Singh and himself, all served their communities where there was a need, taking on things that were not necessarily their problems, and leaving things better when they left them. “That’s inspiring to see in students, right, like, it’s tough to be a student, full stop. And then it’s tough to be a student leader on top of that, and prioritize your time and manage things,” Kowal said. “I am so very impressed with both those gentlemen.”

Kowal decided not to stay in a leadership role with MILSA for his third year, thinking that it would be a good chance for other law students starting their second years to have the same opportunities he had. Rather, he will remain in an advisory capacity, and is willing to help out as needed. “I think it would be selfish for me to stay on because I was able to make wonderful relationships with faculty and staff and be involved in wonderful projects that are worth more than just putting on the CV,” he said. “I think it’d be selfish to hold on to that, because others can greatly benefit from that. And not just for their CVs – they can grow as people surprisingly quickly during their last year of law school tenure ship.”

“To me the Emerging Leader Award is recognition of my contributions to UM and my community,” said Brigham. “The process of applying for the award gave me an opportunity to reflect on the skills and experiences I gained as a student. Receiving the award helped me recognize my own leadership style and reflect on my leadership experiences.”

The award didn’t signify an end to Brigham’s leadership involvement, rather it ignited the realization of her leadership potential.

Determined to make a difference in the community by embracing change and making connections, Brigham has actively participated as part of the Orientation team for the past three years. Continuously adapting to unexpected challenges brought on by the pandemic, she has recently taken on a Programs Assistant position within the Student Life office, facilitating both in person and online events.

“The biggest thing I discovered about my leadership development is there is no one-size-fits-all leader,” noted Brigham. “My leadership style is very different from the style I envisioned leaders needed to have.”

Brigham realized through event planning, training volunteers and facilitating virtual event sessions that regardless of your leadership involvement or development, as a leader, you are constantly evolving and learning.

“For any UM student who is considering applying for this award, I would say the Emerging Leader Award is for everyone,” said Brigham. “No matter what stage you are in in your leadership development, this award recognizes people by the quality, not quantity, of leadership. Reach out to family, friends and colleges who know you best to better understand the impacts you’ve made within your community.”

The application deadline for the Emerging Leader Award is April 8 at 4:30pm.

For more information on the Emerging Leader Award, please visit the website. Any additional questions about the award can be directed to emerging.leaders@umanitoba.ca.

In the 2020/21 academic year, 64 Emerging Leaders were recognized for their impact on the UM community. One of the recipients, Madison Reed, expressed to us what being a recipient of the Emerging Leader Award meant to her. “Even though I wasn’t getting involved on campus for the purpose of recognition, it was still really nice to see the things that I had been doing were noticed and acknowledged by the university.”  

Students are encouraged to apply for the Emerging Leader Award and get recognized for their own outstanding contributions, while faculty and staff are also welcome to nominate an outstanding student.

Applications for the 2021/22 Emerging Leader Award are now being accepted. The application deadline is April 8^th, 2022 at 4:30pm.  

The University of Manitoba’s Emerging Leader Award recognizes students who are committed to the social, cultural or economic well-being of our community. Students who foster cross-cultural understanding, or demonstrate sustained leadership and initiative are encouraged to apply.

For more information on the Emerging Leader Award, please visit the website for selection criteria, letters of support, the selection process and the application questions.

Any additional questions about the Emerging Leaders Award can be directed to emerging.leaders@umanitoba.ca

We asked Carmen the following questions:

Tell us about yourself

My name is Carmen Huang, I am graduating this semester with my Bachelors of Environmental Design and will be going back in the fall to pursue a Master of Interior Design degree. I love getting involved and being a part of the community that is within the Faculty of Architecture.

What are you most proud of regarding your educational achievements?

I am most proud of my growth and confidence that this was the right path for me. A big achievement that I am most proud of is starting CanU and being able to connect the Faculty of Architecture with future potential students. Being able to commit to CanU and my education and balancing life while excelling in school is a big achievement I am proud of!

Who or what inspires you?

My parents would always bring me to show homes growing up, let me choose finishes, look through floor plans and constantly let me rearrange my room. They sacrificed the most for my sisters and me, and always push us to work towards our dream jobs. They inspire me to pursue a career that I will love going to and doing.

How did your time at UM influence your current career path?

My time at the University of Manitoba and being within the Faculty has allowed me to make connections and create close and valuable relationships that I can depend on. Without the time I spent in studio, I would not have been as connected to my peers. My peers and friends have inspired me to keep pushing and growing as a designer.

What is one piece of advice you would give to students thinking about joining the Faculty of Architecture?

The advice I would give, that I’m still working on, is that the learning curve is huge and not to be discouraged by that. While it may take a couple of months or years before you get comfortable with crits and presentations, do not take the criticism personally. You will not be perfect, and the professors are there to stand behind you but also push you to be better. In the design world, you will never stop being critiqued and never stop learning, it’s okay to be hurt by a crit but bounce back stronger!

What professor, instructor, mentor, Elder, or teaching experience has had the most impact on your learning at UM?

The biggest impact on my learning would be a ‘Food for Thought’ lecture by Candice Wei. Candice spoke about her personal experience and design journey and I really connected to that! I was also able to go out for dinner with my Professor Kurt and her after her presentation, this allowed me to get to know her on a personal level. As she discussed opening her own interior design firm and the work it took to get there, I found it very inspiring at her age how much she was able to accomplish and realized that if I wanted to pursue the same journey it was possible.

What is one thing people don’t know about you (or your educational journey) that they would be surprised to learn?

While it may seem that I knew exactly what I wanted to do right when I got into University, I did not. For a long time before university, I always loved the idea of architecture and interior design, but I did not think it was realistic in terms of obtaining a career in Winnipeg. I was very set on the Faculty of Science or something in healthcare as a lot of my family was also pursuing the medical route. I always felt like I was taking a risk by not pursuing science or healthcare until my 4^th year (ED3) that I realized having a career outside of STEM was obtainable. I am happy my parents pushed me to do something I was passionate about and that I stuck it out.

Congratulations to all the University of Manitoba Emerging Leader Award recipients!

A natural litigator

An admitted chronic debater (“I do my best debating at the dinner table with my boyfriend”), Antonchuk knew she wanted to go into law from a young age. “The idea of being able to help people throughout their hardest times, working on court cases and crafting legal arguments, has fuelled my desire to work in this field and make a difference in my community and the world,” she explained.

Prior to starting her Juris Doctor degree, she completed a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice at the University of Winnipeg, and then worked for two years as a legal assistant at a mid-sized Winnipeg firm. “I would definitely say that both of these experiences built a strong foundation upon which to start my legal career, and have benefited me in so many ways,” she said.

Because of her love of – and skill in arguing, she knows that litigation is the career path for her. That combined with life experience working in the serving industry, “where employment rights are often a distant and foreign concept,” she said, she plans to focus her practice in employment law, “so that I can be a resource for others in the industry.”

An exemplary leader

Introduced in 2006, the Emerging Leader Awards have recognized students who have demonstrated a commitment to furthering UM’s educational mission by contributing to the social, cultural, or economic well-being of communities on and off campus. Recipients have consistently encouraged cross cultural understanding and exemplified sustained leadership initiative worthy of recognition.

A busy Level 2 Officer volunteering with the 6 Jim Whitecross Royal Canadian Air Cadets Squadron (RCACS), Antonchuk took some time out to chat about her activities that make her an exemplary leader.

What community activities both in and outside of law school have you been involved in & what cross-cultural and leadership initiatives?

Outside of law school, I volunteer with 6 Jim Whitecross Royal Canadian Air Cadets Squadron, which is part of the national Royal Canadian Air Cadet program. The cadet program is the largest youth program in the country, and focuses on citizenship and leadership. The program also provides meaningful experiences that you truly can’t find elsewhere. I myself was a cadet from the ages of 12-19, and spent numerous summers away at different camps. I have had the opportunity to participate in both a national marksmanship competition and a provincial biathlon competition. Upon completing the program, I felt like I needed to give back because I personally got so much out of my time with them. This upcoming year will be my 7th year volunteering with 6 RCACS. Through this role I get to work with the level two cadets (aged 13-14), ensuring that all their training requirements are met, recruiting instructors for lessons, and even teaching various lessons every now and again!

During my time at Robson Hall, I have been involved in a variety community activities. In 1L I volunteered with Pro Bono Students Canada at the Community Legal Education Association, working with their Law Phone-In/Lawyer Referral Program. In this position, I would speak with clients and then direct them to various legal resources or lawyers across the province based on their needs.

Last year, I took on the role of Student Representative for the Women’s Legal Forum of the Manitoba Bar Association through the Feminist Legal Forum, which has allowed me to plan and host various events that bring both students and practicing female-identifying lawyers together on important topics that impact our community in the legal world. I also was one of the co-coordinators for last year’s biggest networking event, the Law Banquet, and this year I am taking on the role of Co-Chair of the Professional Development Committee. As I have spent quite a bit of time working in the legal field, I am excited to use that experience to help students navigate their way through all things professional development-related. This includes not only networking and recruitment events, but also providing students with a variety of panels and workshops to keep them informed about various aspects of practicing law.

Lastly, I am also a member of the Diversity in Law Group and the Bilingual Students’ Association.

What if any courses, professors, or lessons learned so far during your time spent at the Faculty of Law have helped influence the direction of your legal studies and possibly career path?

Last year I took Stacey Soldiers’ Aboriginal Law, Criminal Justice and Family class, and it was by far the most impactful class that I have taken while at Robson Hall. As future legal professionals, I think it is so important to learn and understand the history of Indigenous peoples in Canada and actively work towards reconciliation. In light of recent events this year, having this knowledge is even more essential. Stacey did an amazing job teaching the class, bringing in impactful and engaging speakers to have hard conversations with, and overall just providing so many resources that helped me further understand not only the history of Indigenous peoples but also the institutionalized discrimination that they still face today.

Congratulations, Taylor, on receiving the Emerging Leader Award!

Here are some of the recipients of the 2021 Emerging Leader Award:

Ewurafua Opoku-Agyeman

As a Faculty of Arts undergraduate student in their second year, recipient Ewurafua Opoku-Agyeman began their leadership experience in service of Faculty of Arts students as the arts lounge director on the Arts Student Body Council (ASBC). Opoku-Agyeman managed their role exceptionally by recognizing issues in the Arts Lounge and taking initiative to resolve them. Following this role, they were elected as the vice-president of ASBC, where they prioritized and exceeded expectations in establishing greater engagements among departmental groups. As ASBC president in 2020-2021 during the height of the pandemic, Opoku-Agyeman worked diligently with council members to provide the student body with options to stay digitally engaged through various initiatives, most notably the Arts Relief Program, which offered support to students struggling during the pandemic.

When asked what Opoku-Agyeman has learned through their leadership involvement at the University of Manitoba, they stated “Through my leadership involvement here at the university, I have learned the importance of advocacy. I have gotten the opportunity to see first-hand the power that advocating for change holds. I also learned the power of teamwork. Serving in a leadership role does not necessarily mean that you always have to do everything by yourself; it teaches you to delegate tasks and work efficiently with your team. Afterall, teamwork makes the dream work. I believe this to be the backbone of leadership and being a leader.” 

Jamie Pfau

Jamie Pfau

Jamie Pfau is a University of Manitoba graduate student who is currently completing a master of social work in the leadership, management, and policy stream. Pfau has excelled throughout their life as a natural leader in formal and informal settings, supporting and uplifting those surrounding her with each opportunity that presents itself. Pfau’s strong awareness of social issues is carried forth in their actions, as they have been a treatment foster parent for 10 years on top of being a full-time student and lead researcher. Alongside this, Pfau’s family works diligently to successfully provide housing options for domestic violence survivors and their children, as well as youth aging out of foster care.

Upon asking Pfau what inspires them to continue as a leader, they responded “Passing it on to the next generation has inspired me to continue. Everything I do, I know our children are watching. Our children see how fulfilling it is to help others and genuine happiness is created from this – not collecting possessions. I also want my fellow humans and our community to know that they are worthy of love, support, empathy and a true sense of belonging. It is a true gift to help others feel this way.”

Bryden Bukich

Bryden Bukich

Bryden Bukich is planning to continue to bring his passion for leadership forward with him as he enters into the master of science degree in Indigenous Health in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management at UM next year. Bukich is a proud coach of the 14U North American Indigenous Games male basketball team and has managed to continue to provide players a way to safely stay connected and have access to training over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Bukich is also a member of the Indigenous Engagement Circle, Academic and Student Working Groups in Kinesiology, and was a PERKS student council senator, Neechiwaken Mentor, and student representative for the Kinesiology BIPOC Hiring Committee during the 2020-21 academic year. Outside of volunteering, Bukich is a research coordinator for the First Nations Health and Social Secretariat of Manitoba, where they are researching ways of educating Canadian nurses in anti-racist health care practices for Indigenous Peoples.

When asked how UM has supported Bukich’s leadership journey, he stated “I have had the great fortune within my faculty to learn from and be supported by some incredible mentors who motivate, inspire, and challenge me daily. As well, the University of Manitoba has time and time again allowed me to step out of my comfort zone, giving me various platforms to advocate for and support underserved and underrepresented populations. Working along so many like-minded people has made UM feel like home, and has been lifechanging as I pursue a career in medicine and Indigenous health research.”

Selection Committee Members for the 2021 Emerging Leader Award

We want to acknowledge that this year’s awards would not have been possible without our amazing selection committee. Thank you for all your contributions!

Angela Soulsby (Undergraduate Student, College of Nursing, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences)

Judy Piasta (Communications Coordinator, Graduate Studies)

Justin Rasmussen (Student Advisor, Indigenous Student Centre)

Kevin Boreskie (Graduate Student, Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management and Rady Faculty of Health Sciences: Applied Health Sciences)

Leah Deane (Director, Student Services Bannatyne, Student Support)

Lisa Tinley (Associate Director of Athletics and Recreation, Active Living Centre)

Matt Semchyshyn (Marketing and Communications Officer, St. Paul’s College)

Sherry Peters (Registrar/Confidential Assistant, St. John’s College)

Teri Stevens (Communications Officer, Marketing Communications Office)

Zach Unrau (Student Life Coordinator, Student Life Office)

2021 Emerging Leader Award Recipients

Undergraduate recipients:

Ahmad Majeed, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences: Health Studies

Aleena Shah, Asper School of Business

Allison O’Brien, Faculty of Arts

Aminollah Montazeri Pour Agha, Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management

Angela Griffith, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences: Health Studies

Anh Sang Tran, Faculty of Science

Anika Khan, Faculty of Arts

Anna Stacey, Faculty of Science

Ashley Dawn Wolfe, Faculty of Arts

Atlin Reichardt, Asper School of Business

Audrey Garcia, Faculty of Science

Breanna Duncan, Faculty of Arts

Bryden Bukich, Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management

Carmen Huang, Faculty of Architecture

Chiamaka Nwadike, Price Faculty of Engineering

Chloe Dreilich-Girard, Faculty of Arts

Claire Risbey, Faculty of Science

Clare Brigham, Faculty of Science

Cole Austin Coughlin, Faculty of Science

Danial Ismael Peirson, Faculty of Arts

Diana Prince, Faculty of Science

Divleen Mangat, Faculty of Science

Evan Chan, Desautels Faculty of Music

Ewurafua Opoku-Agyeman, Faculty of Arts

Fiona Vickers, College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences

Guneet Uppal, Faculty of Science

Harman Kaur Vats, Faculty of Science

Jayelle Friesen-Enns, College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences

Jessica Ritchie, College of Nursing, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences

Justin Langan, Faculty of Arts

Kyle Briscoe, Desautels Faculty of Music

Laura Stoyko, Price Faculty of Engineering

Lauren Gray, Faculty of Science

Madison Reed, Faculty of Science

Mahyar Mirrashed, Price Faculty of Engineering

Natalie Kathler, Faculty of Arts

Nicole Singcay, Extended Education, (Awarded Bachelor of Science)

Rebeka Gauthier, Faculty of Arts

Reem Elmahi, Faculty of Science

Sem Perez, Faculty of Science

Shelly Lam, Faculty of Science

Skylar-Ann Christina Dyck, Faculty of Arts

Snimar Bali, College of Pharmacy, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences

Stephanie Kalo, Asper School of Business

Tahbit Dewan, Asper School of Business

Tanmay Bhatia, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences: Health Sciences

Taylor Antonchuk, Robson Hall Faculty of Law

Tolani Olanrewaju, Faculty of Science

Yashas Ravi Samtani, Faculty of Arts       

Zoe Quill, Faculty of Science

Graduate Recipients:

Aaron Klymasz-Swartz, Faculty of Science: Biological Sciences (Master’s student)

Akshi Malik, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences: Physiology and Pathophysiology (PhD student)

Bradley Feltham, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences: Human Nutritional Sciences (PhD student)

Corrine Margaret Jane Clyne, College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences (Master’s student)

Daniel Schwade Araujo, Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management: Applied Health Sciences (Master’s student)

Erin White, Faculty of Arts: Psychology (Master’s student)

Farinaz Jonidi Shariatzadeh, Price Faculty of Engineering: Biomedical Engineering (PhD student)

Jamie Pfau, Faculty of Social Work: Community of Health Sciences (Master’s student)

Jocelyn Elias, College of Nursing, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences (Master’s student)

Joshua Okyere, Faculty of Arts: Peace and Conflicts Studies (PhD student)

Katherine Chimney, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences: Genetic Counselling (Master’s student)

Kimia Shadkami, Faculty of Science: Computer Science (Master’s student)

Muhammad Aldhshan, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences: Physiology & Pathophysiology (Master’s student)

Toby Le, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences: Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (PhD student)

“Know that you deserve to be proud of what you have already done and celebrate that.”

-Taylor Tutkaluke

Have you left a positive mark on your community on or off campus? There may be a global pandemic going on, but we still want to recognize the outstanding contributions students like you have made! The University of Manitoba’s Emerging Leader Award recognizes students who are committed to the social, cultural or economic well-being of our community.  While your efforts may have looked different this year, students who foster cross-cultural understanding, or demonstrate sustained leadership and initiative are encouraged to apply. Past recipients have been involved in a range of activities like being a peer mentor, creating and organizing events, and participating on student council.

Apply today: Applications for the 2021 Emerging Leader Award are now being accepted. The application deadline is April 16, 2021 at 4:30pm.

Meet one of last year’s emerging leaders

We chatted with one of last year’s winners, Taylor Tutkaluke, a fourth year student in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management who is also the Executive Coordinator for the Métis University Students Association (MUSA) and the Indigenous Representative for Physical Education Recreation Kinesiology Student Council (PERKS). 

As an Emerging Leader Award recipient, what does the award mean to you?

Receiving this award encourages me that the work I do for the community is valued. Active participation is necessary to make our campus and community a better place  and I am happy to be involved in that work without compensation or recognition. With that said, there is no better feeling than an external source validating the various projects I am involved in. This award reiterates that I am slowly growing into the woman I aspire to be.

What motivates you to contribute to the social, cultural or economic well-being of communities on and off campus?

My greatest motivation with respect to social wellbeing is knowing that as opportunities continue to be inclusive and accessible, people who are interested will eventually find those spaces. During my first few years of university, I had a hard time finding and participating in events that would have made my university experience better. I want to contribute to reducing barriers standing in the way of connection for UM students, staff, and faculty. Culturally, there is always work to be done to promote community wellbeing, specifically at a colonial institution, such as the University of Manitoba. My motivation is fueled by wanting to create an environment inclusive to all racialized people. As a white-passing Indigenous person, I have had the privilege of never feeling like I did not belong at school. Cultural community has been such a huge piece of my support system growing up and throughout university, and I firmly believe everyone deserves the same opportunity.

What would you say to encourage someone to submit an application for an Emerging Leader Award?

I would urge students to consider applying for this and any award, even if you think you are undeserving. It never hurts to put your name in the hat! The work you do may be valued more highly by others than you think it is yourself. It is important that the community knows what your efforts have entailed and the goals you have already achieved or plan to achieve in the future. Know that you deserve to be proud of what you have already done and celebrate that rather than wondering if it is enough to qualify you to be thanked for your work.

Student leaders from all areas are welcome to apply for the Emerging Leader Award (ELA).

Staff & Faculty: If you know a great student leader, please encourage them to submit their name for consideration.

Among the 2020 Emerging Leaders recipients is Jennifer Simone, an undergraduate student in the Faculty of Science. Simone recognized the need for a free on-campus cooking class, and worked with the Campus Food Strategy Group to help provide University of Manitoba students this opportunity. Simone as a Student Ambassador for Science Co-op worked diligently to encourage networking between potential employers and students, as well as prepared students for these employment opportunities by aiding them in their professional development. The commitment and enthusiasm Simone showed in this Student Ambassador role allowed her to be selected for the UM Co-op Student Champion Award.  

When asked how has the University of Manitoba supported her leadership journey Simone said “The U of M has facilitated this journey of self-discovery for myself and many others by offering ample sub-communities for students to learn from and give back to, in addition to opportunities to recognize and celebrate students’ achievements in areas beyond academics, such as this award.”

Laura Lucas from the Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources leadership experiences began with a 2018 trip to Ecuador where she was able to facilitate workshops through Community Service-Learning (CSL), and in the Welcome Program as a Mentor to new international students. Lucas has volunteered at the Australian Progress Conference, and a climate change festival called ART+CLIMATE=CHANGE while on exchange in Australia. On campus, Lucas has hosted drop-in informational sessions at the International Centre, promoted her CSL experience on Instagram and in-class presentations. Lucas has even received an undergraduate research award for her project on the Rainbow Community Garden, where she showed how the garden helps Winnipeg’s refugee and immigrant population transition into the community, and the sort of challenges they experience. Lucas has also pursued another project for the Southern Chief’s Organization Youth Council related to language revitalization among Indigenous youth. 

When asked what inspires Lucas to continue she said “I’m inspired to continue being an advocate for cross-cultural exchange because, as an environmental studies graduate, I know that a lot of the problems facing the world require global cooperation. The more we can understand what is going on in different parts of the world, the more empowered we will be to work together to find solutions.”

Sari Glow has served as the head programming coordinator for Science Rendezvous for two years, leading a team of ten individuals over the course of 8 months, collaborating with other faculties and community members. As a liaison between the public and volunteers within this role, Glow has shown excellent interpersonal and problem solving skills.

When Glow was asked about a quote or philosophy to live by Glow said “A quote that inspires me is: “If you have some power, then your job is to empower somebody else” – Toni Morrison. My personal philosophy is to lead by example with patience, kindness and open-mindedness, and to support and empower others as they develop into leaders. Collaboration and mentorship are key components of leadership. Leadership, as I have experienced as the Head Programming Coordinator for Science Rendezvous, involves seeding an idea in a group of people and giving others space to help grow that idea. It has been imperative that as a leader I am able to direct but also listen to direction and adapt my approach based on suggestions or constructive criticism from others.”

Nathan Wilson a Price Faculty of Engineering student joined the University of Manitoba Engineering Society (UMES) in 2017 as a Frosh Integration team member in the interest of practicing his values relating to student engagement and inclusion. Later, Wilson invested himself further into UMES as Head Director of the Publications team, and was elected as Vice Stick Communications (VSC) in 2019. In the VSC role, Wilson led a sponsorship package overhaul and website update, while implementing strategies that saw a 37% increase in UMES social media engagement. This led to Wilson accepting a position as the Media & Marketing Director for the student-led 2020 Canadian Engineering Competition, where he experienced many facets of leadership. Currently, as the newly appointed Vice Stick Corporate Relations, Wilson has plans of improving UMES visibility within the community, and bringing the Conference on Diversity and Engineering (CDE) to Manitoba with help of the recently established CDE Development Committee.  

Wilson was asked what he learned through leadership involvement at the University of Manitoba, and he stated “Through my experience in the University of Manitoba community, I have found that the rewards of involvement are only limited by the contributions you are willing to make. Many of the most valuable experiences in my academic career have come from attending and organizing national and regional student conferences, which foster collaboration and willingness to embrace new perspectives. I believe the exposure to the duties and challenges of participation in student organizations result in a more well-balanced engineer and person.”

Lastly, we also want to acknowledge that this year’s awards would not have been possible without our amazing selection committee. Thank you for all your contributions!

Selection Committee for the 2020 Emerging Leader Award:

• Leah Deane (Director, Student Services Bannatyne, Student Support)
• Jasmine Frost (Grad Student, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences: Medical Microbiology)
• Kayla Lariviere (Undergrad Student, Robson Hall Faculty of Law)
• Jaclyn Obie (Communication Officer, Marketing Communication Office)
• Sherry Peters (Registrar/Confidential Assistant, St. John’s College).
• Judy Piasta (Communications Coordinator, Graduate Studies)
• Justin Rasmussen (Student Advisor, Indigenous Student Centre)
• Sarah Saunders (Lead Coordinator, Student Life)
• Matt Semchyshyn (Marketing and Communications Officer, St. Paul’s College)
• Lisa Tinley (Associate Director of Athletics and Recreation, Active Living Centre)

Learn more about the Emerging Leader Awards here.

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT RECIPIENTS:

• Chinenye Akaluka, Faculty of Science
• Aderonke Mariam Akinloye, Asper School of Business
• Arij Al Khafagi, Faculty of Arts
• Ameen Alnaser, Faculty of Science
• Bilal Ansari, Asper School of Business
• Charisma Castel, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences: Health Sciences
• Kyra Cebula, Faculty of Science
• Tabitha Clavecillas, Faculty of Arts
• Nick de Hoop, Faculty of Science
• Danielle Desjarlais, Faculty of Architecture
• Ishaanee Didwania, Faculty of Arts
• Kirsten Fleury, Faculty of Science
• Taylor Galvin, Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources
• Jhannine Geronimo, Faculty of Science
• Ava Rose Glesby, Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management
• Sari Glow, Faculty of Science
• Avery Hallberg, Faculty of Arts
• Haya Izhar, Faculty of Science
• Sarah Jensen, Science, Faculty of
• Antonina Kandiurin, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences: Health Sciences
• Carlie Kane, Faculty of Arts
• Megha Kaushal, College of Pharmacy, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences
• Ahmed Kidwai, Faculty of Science
• Abby Koch, Price Faculty of Engineering
• Laura Lucas, Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources
• Elbereth Luo, Faculty of Arts
• Bruna Maciel, Faculty of Science
• Stephanie Molloy, Faculty of Arts
• Nick Noonan, Robson Hall Faculty of Law
• Oghogho Okoro, College of Nursing, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences
• Taylor Orchard, Faculty of Science
• Dhanvi Prajapati, Faculty of Science
• Tony Quach, Asper School of Business
• Bradley Reichardt, Asper School of Business
• Jennifer Simone, Faculty of Science
• Kaylee Smith, College of Nursing, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences
• Angela Soulsby, College of Nursing, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences
• Iqra Tariq, Faculty of Science
• Taylor Tutkaluke, Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management
• Shayla Welechenko, School of Dental Hygiene, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences
• Nathan Wilson, Price Faculty of Engineering
• Samuel Jeffrey Woode-Amissah, Faculty of Arts
• Brandon Wozniak, Faculty of Science

GRADUATE STUDENT RECIPIENTS:

• Kevin Boreskie, Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management and Rady Faculty of Health Sciences: Applied Health Sciences (PhD candidate)
• Kenneth Brezinski, Price Faculty of Engineering: Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD candidate)
• Jacqueline L. Hay, Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management: Applied Health Sciences (PhD candidate)
• Kavisha Mehta, College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences (Master’s candidate)
• Anna Mikhailitchenko, Faculty of Science: Biological Sciences (Master’s candidate)
• Shirin Moossavi, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences: Medical Microbiology (PhD candidate)
• Daniel Plourde, Price Faculty of Engineering: Civil Engineering (Master’s candidate)
• Sakib Rahman, Faculty of Science: Physics and Astronomy (PhD candidate)

Charisma Castel a Rady Faculty of Health Sciences is an undergraduate student who leads as a Faculty Council Representative, and as a member of the Grad Committee in the Community Health Students’ Association. Castel has also been a Peer Mentor with the Neechiwaken program, and a Communications Coordinator for the University of Manitoba Indigenous Students’ Association.  

When asked what inspires her to continue Castel said, “Not only as Indigenous student, but as an Indigenous mother of two, I’ve had to overcome a variety of tough barriers to be here pursuing my educational endeavors 800+ kilometers away from family and friends. Growing up, I did not really have anyone I could look up to and reference when questioning my capabilities (besides my mother), therefore I have realized the need for positive role models in the Indigenous community is high. Knowing I could be even the slightest bit of inspiration for anyone who may doubt themselves definitely plays a big factor in my need to succeed. On top of that, my greatest inspiration truly comes from my children. I want them to know that if mom was capable, they’re more than capable too.”

Danielle Desjarlais from the Faculty of Architecture during the 2019-2020 school year has been collaborating with CAFÉ Prairie in the Faculty of Architecture to organize an event called Nation-to-Nation: A Conversation on Indigenous Principles, Perspectives, and Practices in Shaping Canada’s Architecture event. The purpose of this event was to provide Indigenous voices space of Architecture policy. As a member of the Indigenous Circle of Empowerment (ICE), Desjarlais has also learned how to harness her voice as a Cree woman and Architecture student through the opportunity to attend Speechcraft sessions with Toastmasters. Desjarlais has served as representative for the Indigenous Design and Planning Students Association (IDPSA), and the Indigenous Student Representative for both the University of Manitoba Association of Architecture Students (UMAAS), as well as the Student Architectural Society (SAS). 

When asked about what she has learned through your leadership involvement at the University of Manitoba Desjarlais stated, “When the pandemic was announced, I was unexpectedly given time and space to reflect on what kind of leader I want to be and what my role is in moving our society forward. I began to develop an understanding to what leadership means for me; I believe the fundamentals of leadership should come from moving through life with a good heart and continuing to walk through life with grace, patience, and understanding, while simultaneously being proud of your own identity and culture. I would also like to mention how our women are strong, humble, and silent leaders, especially within our Indigenous environments; these are the qualities I see to be a powerful foundation for good leadership.”

Angela Soulsby of the College of Nursing has volunteered her time at the Traditional Graduation Powwow and was the Elder assistant at the first Land Based Gathering in 2019. Soulsby is Cree-Metis womxn and Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) member. She is active in the MMF Bison Local, Métis University Students Association (MUSA) and a member of the University of Manitoba Indigenous Students Association, and recent alumni to the Indigenous Circle of Empowerment (ICE) 2019-2020. As Bison Local delegate, Soulsby attended the 51st Annual General Assembly of the Manitoba Metis Federation, as well as the Infinity Women Secretariat. In the spring of 2019, Soulsby participated in the Indigenous Summer Internship Program (ISSIP), and through her position at the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, she was also asked to join the Manitoba Primary Network for Member Integrated Healthcare Innovation Network (MPN).

When we asked how the University of Manitoba has supported her leadership journey Soulsby stated, “University of Manitoba supports my leadership journey by making programs such as the Aboriginal Nursing Cohort Initiative (ANCI), the Indigenous Summer Student Internship Program (ISSIP), and the Indigenous Circle of Empowerment (ICE) student leadership development program available to Indigenous students like me. In ANCI, I benefit from smaller class sizes, extra tutoring hours, and weekly tutorials. As part of ISSIP, I took a position at the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy (MHCP) and successfully stayed on as a Research Assistant. In ICE, we focused on leadership skills such as energy management, decision-making, and public speaking. We also met with and held meaningful conversations with Indigenous leaders from various sectors such as healthcare, governance, education, leadership, energy, news, media, and security and, learned teachings from and participated in ceremony with Elders. These programs are vital for our success as Indigenous Peoples. These programs gave me the strength I needed to focus, work hard, and get the grades needed for Nursing.”

Learn more about the Emerging Leader Awards here.

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT RECIPIENTS:

• Chinenye Akaluka, Faculty of Science
• Aderonke Mariam Akinloye, Asper School of Business
• Arij Al Khafagi, Faculty of Arts
• Ameen Alnaser, Faculty of Science
• Bilal Ansari, Asper School of Business
• Charisma Castel, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences: Health Sciences
• Kyra Cebula, Faculty of Science
• Tabitha Clavecillas, Faculty of Arts
• Nick de Hoop, Faculty of Science
• Danielle Desjarlais, Faculty of Architecture
• Ishaanee Didwania, Faculty of Arts
• Kirsten Fleury, Faculty of Science
• Taylor Galvin, Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources
• Jhannine Geronimo, Faculty of Science
• Ava Rose Glesby, Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management
• Sari Glow, Faculty of Science
• Avery Hallberg, Faculty of Arts
• Haya Izhar, Faculty of Science
• Sarah Jensen, Science, Faculty of
• Antonina Kandiurin, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences: Health Sciences
• Carlie Kane, Faculty of Arts
• Megha Kaushal, College of Pharmacy, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences
• Ahmed Kidwai, Faculty of Science
• Abby Koch, Price Faculty of Engineering
• Laura Lucas, Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources
• Elbereth Luo, Faculty of Arts
• Bruna Maciel, Faculty of Science
• Stephanie Molloy, Faculty of Arts
• Nick Noonan, Robson Hall Faculty of Law
• Oghogho Okoro, College of Nursing, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences
• Taylor Orchard, Faculty of Science
• Dhanvi Prajapati, Faculty of Science
• Tony Quach, Asper School of Business
• Bradley Reichardt, Asper School of Business
• Jennifer Simone, Faculty of Science
• Kaylee Smith, College of Nursing, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences
• Angela Soulsby, College of Nursing, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences
• Iqra Tariq, Faculty of Science
• Taylor Tutkaluke, Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management
• Shayla Welechenko, School of Dental Hygiene, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences
• Nathan Wilson, Price Faculty of Engineering
• Samuel Jeffrey Woode-Amissah, Faculty of Arts
• Brandon Wozniak, Faculty of Science

GRADUATE STUDENT RECIPIENTS:

• Kevin Boreskie, Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management and Rady Faculty of Health Sciences: Applied Health Sciences (PhD candidate)
• Kenneth Brezinski, Price Faculty of Engineering: Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD candidate)
• Jacqueline L. Hay, Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management: Applied Health Sciences (PhD candidate)
• Kavisha Mehta, College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences (Master’s candidate)
• Anna Mikhailitchenko, Faculty of Science: Biological Sciences (Master’s candidate)
• Shirin Moossavi, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences: Medical Microbiology (PhD candidate)
• Daniel Plourde, Price Faculty of Engineering: Civil Engineering (Master’s candidate)
• Sakib Rahman, Faculty of Science: Physics and Astronomy (PhD candidate)