YAC members

Tanner Evan Bergsma
(they/them)

Tanner is a Canadian autistic international bestselling author, TEDx speaker and youth leader advancing mental health, inclusion and systemic change worldwide. With an academic background in psychology, Tanner combines lived experience with policy leadership and frontline advocacy to drive meaningful, evidence-informed solutions. Tanner serves on multiple nonprofit and municipal boards, contributes to national initiatives, and represents Canadian and North American youth on the global stage. Tanner also collaborates with intergovernmental organizations to advance the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and youth-driven policy, working to strengthen communities and amplify voices that are too often unheard.

Fionnuala Braun

Fionnuala is completing a Master of Arts in History at Carleton University, where she focuses on queer self-actualization and forms of activism in postwar France. She brings a diverse portfolio of expertise, including several years of research on post-pandemic public trust through a public health policy and research lens, as well as work on the spread of online misinformation. As an individual on the autism spectrum, Fionnuala is committed to advocating for democratized access to archival materials and increased visibility of disability within archival spaces. She is also interested in better understanding how libraries and archives can better collaborate with smaller community heritage initiatives to create a centralized space for the preservation of heritage materials.

Yushan Chou
(they/he)

Yushan graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2025 with a Bachelor of Arts in Ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern Studies, and a minor in Linguistics. During their studies, they developed a strong interest in promoting accessibility to, and respectful engagement with, museum and archival collections. Most recently, they worked as a collections assistant with the Museum and Archives of Vernon.

Lukas Houchane
(he/him)

Lukas is a Grade 11 student at Grace Christian School in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. He has many interests, including art, music and running, and is an active volunteer in his community with a strong passion for serving others. Lukas is excited to discuss his ideas with the YAC and to learn from others from different backgrounds and experiences. After high school, he plans to pursue post-secondary studies and a degree in the medical field.

Shelby-Marie Lalonde

Shelby-Marie grew up in Ottawa, Ontario. Passionate about Canadian history and literature, she recently earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Ottawa. Her goal is to pursue graduate studies in archival science and history. She looks forward to engaging in collaborative discussions on the future of information science, digital issues, and archival practices in minority and Francophone communities.

Hugo Leduc-Bergeron

Hugo holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication, Digital Media and Society from the Université du Québec à Montréal. He is currently completing an internship at Hydro-Québec’s Research Institute, where he applies his communication and administrative support skills. He also teaches chess in elementary schools. His areas of interest include cultural mediation, access to knowledge, digitization, as well as sports, cinema, and finance, which he approaches from an educational and civic perspective.

Ilyass Mofaddel

Originally from Quebec, Ilyass is a third-year student at the University of Toronto in information science. He is deeply interested in the roles that archives and official documents play in our democracy, as well as ways to make information more accessible to all segments of society. Beyond that, he greatly enjoys writing, visiting libraries and eating good couscous.

Caitlyn Rose

Caitlyn is a recent graduate of the School of Disability Studies at Toronto Metropolitan University, where she conducted research related to care, disability arts and accessibility. She is passionate about community and building a more accessible and equitable future. In her free time, Cait can usually be found reading, knitting or attending COVID-safer arts and culture events.

Kamran Shukoor
(he/him)

Kamran is a first-year medical student at the Medical University of the Americas, originally from Calgary, Alberta. He aims to become a physician and has an interest in mental health and addiction. Kamran was appointed as Honorary Mayor of Calgary and named one of Canada’s Top 10 Under 18. He previously served as his high school’s student council president and as editor-in-chief of its newspaper. While trained in the sciences, Kamran also maintains a strong interest in history, knowledge systems and information stewardship.

Crystal Ziyu Wang

Crystal is a Grade 11 student in Toronto, Ontario who is extremely passionate about public health and international development. She enjoys exploring all aspects of human geography and has experience working with advisory groups and community organizations. Crystal brings enthusiasm and a strong commitment to youth engagement. She spends her free time playing chess, watching association football and cycling with friends.

Bella Andrews (she/her) is a Grade 13 student at Frontenac Secondary School in Kingston, Ontario. She has a range of hobbies that keep her busy, including embroidery, digital and traditional art, and reading classic literature. Additionally, Bella has a keen interest in history and aspires to pursue her passions by obtaining a Master of Art conservation from Queen’s University.

Alexia Benn (she/her) is originally from Vancouver and acknowledges the territory of the Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh, Esquimalt, Songhees, and W̱SÁNEĆ nations on which she was raised. She graduated in 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and a minor in public administration from the University of Victoria. Alexia has worked in the public sector with nonprofits, municipalities, and First Nations for seven years. Fond of hiking, swimming, reading, and gardening, she is passionate about dismantling systemic oppression through the transformative power of community, empowerment, genuine collaboration, and effective policymaking.

Nicole (Nic) Boyington (they/she/her) is a lover of history currently pursuing their BA in the subject at Carleton University. If asked to narrow down their areas of interest, they would say mythologies, how people engage with history, history of gender and sexuality, and medieval history, although they would lament leaving out all sorts of fascinations. When they’re not reading (scholarly or otherwise), they can be found sharing their passion as a tour guide telling ghost stories or convincing themself not to buy more dice for DnD.

Axel Brett (he/him) is a fifth-year history and museum studies student at the University of Lethbridge. He is passionate about preservation and heritage management in his local community. He has also volunteered for museums in his hometown of Grande Prairie and plans to pursue a master’s degree in museum studies. Axel is excited to join the YAC to meet people from different fields and gain new perspectives and experiences that will help him in the future. In his spare time, he enjoys collecting board games, playing football, and watching cartoons.

Marie-Pier Crevier (she/her) is a fourth-year student pursuing a joint major in history and political science. In 2020, she had the privilege of working as a page in the House of Commons, where she served Canadians from across the country. She was also a guide in France at Beaumont-Hamel and Vimy, contributing to the preservation of Canadian heritage. Currently, she holds a position within the Canada Border Services Agency. Marie-Pier is also a proud defender of the rights of people with disabilities. Her greatest passion is classical ballet, which led her to discover a love for music and theatre. Today, she continues to dance in an adult group in her community. Her journey reflects her quest for knowledge as well as her commitment and passion for the arts.

Thea Duffie (she/her) is pursuing a Bachelor of Design, majoring in interdisciplinary design. Her academic journey began with a combined honours in contemporary philosophy and classics, but the pandemic led her to pivot towards a more creative career path. With her keen eye for aesthetics and appreciation for creativity, she focuses her studies on graphic design for print publishing and brand design. With her background in philosophy and classics, Thea brings a unique perspective to the design world, blending critical thinking with artistic innovation to create impactful visual experiences.

Piper Glenn (she/her) grew up in Thunder Bay, Ontario, and is now in her second year of a history and media studies joint undergraduate degree at Trent University in Peterborough. She has worked at the Thunder Bay Archives as well as the Trent University Archives and hopes to have a full-time archival job after she finishes her master’s! Her favourite part about archives is the heritage and preservation side of the work.

Kay Good (she/her) Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Kay is currently working towards her library and information technician diploma at Mohawk College. She is Anishinaabe, with family from Mississauga of the Credit First Nation as well as Whitefish River First Nation. Kay has dedicated herself to advancing her career in the library system, working for five years as a library page for her local public library and archives. She brings a passion for learning and diversity to the YAC.

Monet Hoyt (she/her) is pursuing an international Bachelor of Arts in history and archaeology at Memorial University of Newfoundland. She recently completed her third summer as a tourism information officer and has a deep love for her home province. Her passion lies in developing connections between places through the exchange and exploration of story. In the future, Monet hopes to work with the loaning of exhibits between museums so that stories can reach even further. She looks forward to what she will learn and have to offer during her time with the YAC.

Stephanie Jean Pierre (she/her) is a first-year arts student at McGill University from Hamilton, Ontario. With experience working at her public library, she understands how libraries reflect and enhance the community. Passionate about environmentalism, feminism, and the arts, she is committed to community involvement and is excited to further explore these interests through her academic and extracurricular pursuits.

Julia Madden (she/her) currently lives on Treaty 7 territory in Calgary, Alberta. She is in her fourth year of a bachelor’s degree at Mount Royal University, with a major in sociology and a minor in anthropology. She plans to move on to a master’s program following graduation. This year she will be working with the YAC as well as with her university as an undergraduate research leader on campus. Research is not always boring! It can tell us a lot about our histories, cultures, and ourselves. In her spare time, travelling, concerts, and hiking are her go-to hobbies.

Devin McCrae (he/him) was born and raised in Port Moody, British Columbia. He is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in behavioural neuroscience at Simon Fraser University (SFU). His passion lies in community engagement, which is why he is a peer mentor at SFU’s Indigenous Student Centre. Additionally, he coaches two wrestling teams and dedicates much of his time to helping seniors with neurological disorders. Devin’s goal is to become a physician. He firmly believes in applying a systems-thinking approach to tackle complex problems and sees YAC as an excellent opportunity to gain diverse perspectives from across Canada. In his free time, he loves swimming, hiking, climbing, and trail running.

Elizabeth Olufowobi (she/her) is an undergraduate student at the University of Calgary, studying international relations. As an immigrant, she developed a passion for understanding diverse cultures and human behaviours, which sparked her interest in international affairs. She has also explored psychology through online courses and personal research. In addition to her academic pursuits, Elizabeth has a profound love for art, particularly drawing and painting. Her ultimate goal is to make a positive impact on her community through her work in international relations, with a continued focus on human behaviour and global issues.

Lily Overacker (she/they) is in her fifth year of a Bachelor of Arts in anthropology and history, with a minor in Indigenous studies, at the University of Lethbridge, located on Treaty 7 territory. She is a citizen of the Métis Nation of Alberta and grew up in a small town called Blackfalds on Treaty 6 territory in central Alberta. It was there that she became active in youth advocacy for 2SLGBTQ+ initiatives and community outreach work. Throughout her academic journey, Lily has been involved in several community-engaged research projects. She is currently working on her honour’s thesis, which delves into the realms of Métis family, oral history, and archival narratives.

Ruby Sadowski (she/her) is currently in her first year of CEGEP at Vanier College in Montréal, with plans to attend McGill University to pursue studies in art and science. She is aiming for a career in art conservation and is excited about the opportunity to reconnect with everyone as she participates in LAC’s Youth Advisory Council again this year.

Eliza Siddiqui (she/her) was born in Calgary, Alberta. She is in her second year of studying international relations at the University of Calgary. She loves getting involved with her local community by volunteering for organizations like the U of C’s Students’ Union and tutoring for EquaLearn. Eliza looks forward to discussing diverse Canadian stories with the YAC and collaborating with youth from across the country. In her spare time, she enjoys making art, crocheting, and listening to music.