Over the past year, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside organizations and communities who are deeply committed to building a more inclusive, compassionate, and equitable future. My consulting practice, Mission Driven Leadership and Strategy, is rooted in the belief that real change comes when we align values with action. This year has been a reminder that inclusion, innovation, and impact are not just words — they are guiding principles that have shaped each partnership and project I’ve been part of.

Youth Leadership: Creating Space with Y RISE

One of the most meaningful projects this year has been supporting the development of Y RISE, a program created to meet an urgent need: engaging boys and young men in efforts to prevent gender-based violence.

Too often, conversations about GBV overlook the role boys and young men can play in shaping safer, more respectful communities. Y RISE responds to this by offering a no-barrier, come-as-you-are space where participants can connect, talk honestly about relationships, respect, and identity, and build the skills they need to lead with empathy.

The sessions weave together conversation, activities, and reflection — all designed to break down harmful stereotypes and open up new ways of seeing themselves and others. At its heart, the program is about belonging: helping young people know they are valued, that their voices matter, and that they have the power to influence positive change.

For me, Y RISE is an example of innovation in prevention work — a reminder that when we create the right spaces for young people, they step into leadership in ways that ripple far beyond the room.

Walking the Path of Truth and Reconciliation: Y Winnipeg and Clan Mothers

Another profound highlight has been walking alongside Y Winnipeg on its reconciliation journey, and supporting the Clan Mothers Healing Village (CMHV), especially during the powerful Sunset Ceremony this past spring.

I’ve reaffirmed my belief that reconciliation must be lived as both a personal and professional practice — something that requires ongoing reflection and action. For organizations who are intent on real change, it cannot be an abstract concept or a checklist of activities. Instead, reconciliation requires creating space, opportunities, and safety for staff to learn, to reflect, and to grow.

This means understanding that the work is layered. Staff bring their own personal histories, experiences, and readiness to the journey. Leadership must not only model the way forward, but also create the structures and supports for staff to deepen their learning in meaningful, culturally safe ways.

At the Y, reconciliation has meant re-examining systems, creating opportunities for staff to learn directly from Elders and Knowledge Keepers, and embedding commitments into the organizational framework. At Clan Mothers, it has meant honoring ceremony, Indigenous ways of knowing, and the relationships that make community healing possible.

The lesson for me has been clear: reconciliation cannot be rushed. It is both deeply individual and fundamentally collective — and when done with care, it transforms not just organizations, but the people within them. This is what inclusion looks like when lived out in practice.

Building Community and Voice: ISSA and Muslim Youth Mental Health

This year also brought an unexpected but deeply meaningful opportunity: serving as emcee for the Islamic Social Services Association (ISSA)’s event on Muslim youth mental health.

When I was asked, my first thought was, “How did I end up here?” The answer, of course, lies in relationship. Over time, I’ve built trust and connection with ISSA, supporting their organizational growth and transitions. When the moment came to highlight an issue as urgent and important as youth mental health, it was an honor to step in, hold the microphone, and help create a space where young voices could be amplified.

Why does this matter? Because inclusion is not only about who sits at the table — it is about who feels safe and supported enough to speak. For many young Muslims, conversations about mental health can still be fraught with stigma. This event opened a door, and I was proud to play a small role in widening it.

Lessons and Looking Ahead

Looking back on these experiences, three themes stand out for me:

• Inclusion: Ensuring that diverse voices and lived experiences are not just invited but centered.
• Innovation: Being willing to adapt, evolve, and design new approaches that respond to community realities.
• Impact: Focusing on outcomes that create long-term change, whether in the lives of young people, within organizations, or across communities.

If this past year has taught me anything, it is that leadership in community means listening first, acting with integrity, and staying grounded in values. I am grateful for the lessons, the partnerships, and the trust that so many individuals and organizations have extended to me.

As I look ahead, I am excited to continue building with others who are committed to equity, reconciliation, and sustainable change. Together, we can continue to move beyond words and into action — creating ripples of impact that reach far beyond our immediate circles.