I joined RISE because I not only wanted to take an actionable part in my community but I also wanted to join a collective that strives to provide opportunities for and empower youth like myself to find their voice to engage in the issues that impact them most. I am beyond excited to launch a project along my Edmonton Cohort!

Anurika Onyenso is a community builder, researcher and advocate dedicated to strengthening youth civic engagement in Edmonton. She co-founded Dear Future YEG to help create inclusive pathways for young people, especially those from immigrant, racialized and neurodivergent communities, to participate meaningfully in civic life. Anurika brings experience in social impact, policy research and community programming and is passionate about health equity, gender equality, digital rights and creating systems that reflect the voices of young people who are often overlooked. She is driven by a belief that local action can transform lives and is dedicated to helping build a youth-led platform that listens deeply, responds to community needs and empowers the next generation of leaders.

Iqmat works at the intersection of community service, community-based participatory research, social justice, and civic engagement, driving meaningful action to improve well-being and equity for underserved communities. She is deeply committed to diverse, human-centred approaches that help build more sustainable and resilient communities. As a Co-Founder of Dear Future YEG, she hopes to empower and engage local youth looking to enhance their civic leadership capabilities, cultivate meaningful connections, and grow their professional skillset and knowledge base.