Tayyaba Shahzad is a dedicated non-profit professional with over 8 years of experience driving youth empowerment, civic engagement, and community development initiatives. As a Job Coach, she empowers individuals to unlock their potential, amplify their ideas, and access opportunities for growth. With an innovative, human-centric approach, Tayyaba supports emerging leaders and changemakers in navigating the social impact space. She’s managed projects for organizations like FUEL, Love & Help Heal, and Apathy is Boring, and founded her own collective, Weaving Threads. Tayyaba is passionate about community development, city building, and the intersection of both. In her free time, she loves travelling, scrapbooking, and trying out new recipes.

Cynthia is an urban planner in the public realm with experience in policy analysis and project management. Although her expertise lies primarily in technical aspects, she has a strong interest in exploring the creative side of urban design and is passionate about learning how to create vibrant, engaging spaces. She understands the need for community engagement to create and implement the necessary policies to achieve vibrant communities. In her free time, Cynthia enjoys travelling and recreating recipes from around the world. 

Jane is an urban planner with experience in arts-based community engagement for equity-seeking groups. She is interested in exploring how engagement processes can be made more creative, approachable, and compelling for people of all abilities and ages. 

Malek is an urban planner who is passionate about community engagement, equitable urban development, and mapping. He is interested in finding ways to encourage the participation of racialized youth in the planning process. Malek brings experience in research and community engagement through work in the private sector as well as academic institutions and non-profit organizations in the Greater Toronto Area. He also enjoys taking dance classes, exploring the city, and going to concerts.

Inez is a graduate of the University of Waterloo’s Planning program, where she has discovered her passion for placemaking and child-friendly cities. She has experience working in both public and private planning sectors and is now excited to explore the realm of a non-profit organization with Urban Minds. In her everyday life, Inez sees the potential in transforming towns and cities to reimagine the landscape for prioritization of urban design principles that cater to people instead of cars. As Inez’s career progresses, she aspires to become an urban designer to address social inequities and to advocate for complete communities.

Shilpa is an architectural designer and educator with a master’s in architectural product design from CEPT University. Her work bridges architecture, product systems, and civic engagement, with a focus on making cities more inclusive and people-centred. She has taught design, history, art, and interior design, leading design thinking workshops that inspire students to explore ideas through collaboration and visual storytelling. She believes that design is a tool for dialogue, one that empowers young people to take part in shaping their environments, communities and their collective future. With a background in building systems, research-driven design, and architectural practice, she combines technical expertise with a deeply human-centred approach to design. Outside of work, she enjoys creative, investigative, and explanatory storytelling, playing the guitar, watercolour painting, and exploring cities on heritage walks.

Bhuvaneswari is an Architect and Urban Designer/ Planner passionate about creating people-centered, inclusive, and sustainable spaces. She believes that good design can bring communities together and make cities more livable for everyone. With experience in planning, design, and community engagement, she enjoys finding creative ways to connect people with the spaces around them. She’s also deeply passionate about youth engagement and loves empowering young people to see themselves as changemakers in their cities. Through her work, she hopes to blend creativity, collaboration, and storytelling to make city-building more accessible and inspiring for all.

Paul is a recent graduate from the University of Toronto with an Honours Bachelor of Arts, specializing in Architecture and Urban Studies. As an aspiring urban designer and planner, he’s passionate about creating equitable public spaces, housing, and transit infrastructure that make a real difference in cities and their inhabitants. During his undergraduate studies, Paul developed architectural and urban design projects, including collaborating with a multidisciplinary team and local government on a “Toolkit for Youth Engagement in Urban Revitalization” for his Multidisciplinary Urban Capstone project. He’s also passionate about event planning, seeing it as a powerful way to connect people and strengthen communities.

Paul is an architect and urban planner passionate about how cities grow, move, and connect people through thoughtful land use and transit planning. He is deeply interested in the relationship between urban land economy, mobility, and socio-cultural systems, and how these forces shape daily life. Having worked on international design and planning projects across mixed-use, commercial, and leisure developments, he brings experience in development review, site planning, and urban design documentation. He believes that meaningful change in cities starts by engaging and educating youth, helping them understand how urban systems work and inspiring them to build better communities. In his free time, he enjoys playing badminton, photography, exploring cities, and outdoor trails.

Fiona is an undergraduate student currently in the Honours Planning co-op program at the University of Waterloo. Interested mostly in land development and transportation planning, she hopes to contribute her past experiences in project management and community engagement to the Urban Minds team and foster an environment where youth feel welcomed and empowered to participate in shaping the fabric of their cities. In her spare time, she’s passionate about art and design and enjoys drawing, playing games, and spending time with friends. 

Satnam is an urban planner currently pursuing her Master of Arts in Planning at the University of Waterloo. She is passionate about creating inclusive, accessible, and sustainable communities through thoughtful transportation and infrastructure planning. With experience in both the public and private sectors, she has contributed to projects that strengthen mobility networks, support community engagement, and advance environmental resilience. As an advocate for youth empowerment, Satnam is excited to help connect young people to the world of urban planning and inspire the next generation of changemakers. In her spare time, she enjoys crocheting, exploring local cafes, and spending time outdoors with family.

Shifa is an undergraduate student pursuing Urban Planning at the University of Waterloo. She’s passionate about community development planning and designing inclusive, connected city transit systems. She loves exploring cities and researching their unique initiatives in utilizing their urban space for their residents. She believes that by understanding what a community desires, cities can design their spaces to be equitable and inclusive to all demographics. Outside of volunteering, Shifa enjoys travelling to new cities, reading, crocheting, and photography.

Mikiya is a planner who is interested in building resilient and sustainable communities and making planning more accessible for youths. He brings experience in environmental planning, data analysis, and engagement. While completing his Master’s degree in planning, Mikiya conducted research related to conservation and transportation planning. Outside of planning, he enjoys running, watching horror movies, and exploring different neighbourhoods with a cup of coffee in hand.

Bertha Asiimwe is a fourth-year architecture student at the University of Toronto, where she’s minoring in Global Leadership. She’s passionate about how design can help people feel a sense of belonging—making spaces that help everyone feel seen, included, and connected. Her interests bring together architecture, urban design, and community work, especially focusing on youth and people of colour. Aside from her studies, Bertha loves empowering young people and creating opportunities for them to get involved in shaping their environments, whether through design, leadership, or policy. She works as a Residence Don at the university, supporting students and helping build a strong campus community.

Alicia is a first-year student at the University of Waterloo with the long-term goal of becoming an urban planner. Recognizing that youth will inherit the cities we design, she is dedicated to involving them in creating equitable and sustainable urban spaces. She also has an interest in planning for efficient public transportation that contributes to urban sustainability and equity. In her free time, she likes playing Dungeons and Dragons and going on nature walks.

Sabaa is pursuing a degree in Urban and Regional Planning at Toronto Metropolitan University, where she explores how inclusive design and community engagement can build stronger and more connected cities. She is passionate about involving youth in city-building conversations and believes their perspectives are key to creating equitable and forward-thinking communities. Drawing from her experiences in planning, mentoring, and facilitation, Sabaa approaches every project with curiosity, collaboration, and a commitment to social sustainability. She hopes to continue shaping spaces that reflect the diversity, creativity, and resilience of the people who inhabit them.

Sonelle Crawford is an urbanist dedicated to building equitable, inclusive, and sustainable communities. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Toronto Metropolitan University. Working in the non-profit sector, she has contributed to the development of youth-focused architecture and planning initiatives that explore city-building through cultural identity and storytelling. Her work spans policy research, stakeholder engagement, and cultural heritage preservation, with a focus on Afro-Caribbean placemaking and community-led development. Sonelle has also contributed to several community–academic partnerships, including the Black Experiences with Planning in Canada project at Toronto Metropolitan University, advancing research and practice that promote equity in urban planning.

Farah is an urban planning student at the University of Waterloo. She is passionate about shaping the built environment in ways that improve quality of life and make cities more inclusive, accessible, and people-focused. As a youth herself, Farah brings a creative and fresh perspective to how we approach urban challenges. She is especially drawn to how GIS helps us see the bigger picture and identify patterns in land use, transportation, and community needs. Wherever she contributes, she likes to bring a storytelling element to engage the community and tell meaningful stories that reflect the people that live there.

Ava is an undergraduate Social Science student at McMaster University planning to specialize in Political Science. She is passionate about community development and public policy, especially the ways in which equity and sustainability can be promoted through proper design. Ava believes the key to a thriving community is a well-planned, people-based structure, with focus on inspiring and engaging youth. She is incredibly excited and ready to contribute all she can to build and strengthen her community.

Crystal is an incoming civil engineering student. She is deeply inspired by architecture and the built environment, with a strong interest in how structure and aesthetics come together. Through her work with Urban Minds, she supports the Networking Events & Camp Team, helping create opportunities for youth engagement and collaboration. In her spare time, she loves photography, visual arts, and time outdoors.

Emily is pursuing a path in civil engineering. She previously volunteered as a graphic designer on the 1UP Creatives Team. She is passionate about making a positive impact in her community. In her free time, Emily enjoys going on walks, reading, and playing games.

Emily is a high school student with a strong interest in urban planning and community engagement. She is passionate about creating inclusive cities where everyone’s voice is heard and valued. Through her involvement with Urban Minds, Emily hopes to help young people not only gain access to opportunities, but also feel empowered to share their ideas and shape the future of their communities. She believes that meaningful change starts with outreach, collaboration, and giving students a platform to make a real impact.

Nisya is going into her first year of the undergraduate Planning co-op program at the University of Waterloo. She is interested in heritage conservation and land development planning, and is excited to contribute to an environment of active youth engagement and community involvement through Urban Minds. Advancing the accessibility and awareness of city planning is of particular importance to her. In her free time  she enjoys learning more about cities and their histories, while also having a passion for drawing, reading, and trying new foods.

Salma is a student who has always been passionate about innovation and problem-solving within her communities. As an artist by nature, Salma loves using her creative skills to come up with ideas for spaces that are both accessible and visually appealing. Her experience as a graphic designer for the 1UP Creatives team, as well as a member of her 1UP school chapter, have given her experience in team-building and collaboration when it comes to imagining innovative spaces. In her free time, Salma enjoys cooking, baking, as well as spending time with friends and family.

Enrique is an urban planner with a passion for land use planning, place-making, and sustainable urban design. He graduated from the University of Waterloo with a Bachelor of Environmental Studies in Planning, specializing in urban design and geography and environmental management.

He has experience supporting land use planning and permitting processes for infrastructure projects. As a Candidate Member of the Ontario Professional Planners Institute and the Canadian Institute of Planners, he is on the path to becoming a Registered Professional Planner (RPP).

He is particularly interested in the synergy between urban and rural areas, and how they can collaborate to create more climate-resilient communities through shared innovation and thoughtful planning.

In his free time, he enjoys staying active through sports and exercise, and relaxing with movies and TV shows.

Naomie is an Urban Studies student at the University of Toronto. Having a background in Architectural Technologies, she is interested in the built environment and how sustainable and inclusive design can shape healthier cities. She uses her training in construction drawing production to draft plans for affordable housing units. Naomie is passionate about working with youth and is always fascinated by their ideas and perspectives on how to implement change. She is an artist, bringing her love for creative expression to spaces where others can be inspired and express themselves. In her free time, you’ll find her painting, chatting with friends and family or going on jogs. 

Adam is an undergraduate student at Toronto Metropolitan University currently studying Urban and Regional Planning while specializing in Housing and Development planning, he plans on furthering his education by pursuing a Master’s degree in the planning field. He is passionate about building strong communities and increasing the presence of all voices in the planning process to ensure everyone is represented, and feels strongly about neighbourhoods being accessible and built for everyone. He has experience in the private sector and is looking forward to working with a non-profit for the first time. In his free time, he enjoys reading, traveling, playing games and spending time with friends and family.

Dhenu Patel is a fourth-year Urban and Regional Planning student at Toronto Metropolitan University, specializing in Transportation Planning and Design with a minor in Politics. She is passionate about building accessible, sustainable communities and enjoys working at the intersection of policy, law, and community engagement within the planning context. Outside of her studies, Dhenu loves going to concerts, traveling, and taking on creative DIY projects.

Sunny is an Urban and Regional Planning student at Toronto Metropolitan University. Sunny is passionate about equity within urban design and fostering sustainable community spaces for all. He is excited to support youth on their journey to get more involved in the planning profession, and to empower them to take steps in creating change in their own communities. Sunny brings volunteer experience in youth engagement, urban forestry, and experience with attending community meetings around the City of Toronto to better support his advocacy efforts. During his free time, Sunny enjoys playing music, exploring new places, and spending time in nature.

Ella is pursuing an undergraduate degree in Planning with a minor in Geography and Environmental Management at the University of Waterloo. She is passionate about building cities that are equitable and sustainable for all. Through her work experience in the public sector, she has developed a keen interest in civic engagement and education. She believes that robust, inclusive, and meaningful engagement processes are crucial for solving today’s wicked problems. In her role at Urban Minds, she is incredibly excited to engage youth in developing solutions, who have some of the brightest and most innovative ideas. In her free time, she enjoys veggie gardening and hanging out with her cat. 

Bri is a dedicated community advocate with a Bachelor of Commerce from McMaster University, currently serving as a Real Estate Agent. Her tenure in recreation services with the Cities of Hamilton and Brantford has fueled her passion for community development, particularly in parks and recreation. Bri champions the inclusion of youth voices in urban planning, believing they offer invaluable insights for designing inclusive communities. She is enthusiastic about joining an organization that empowers youth and exposes them to diverse career opportunities. In her leisure time, Bri enjoys photography, playing with her dog, and staying active through running and swimming.

Chloe is an urban planner who specializes in land use planning, with previous experience in construction and civil engineering. She is excited to join the Urban Minds team, introduce youth to the field of urban planning, and empower them to participate in the development of equitable and sustainable cities. In her free time she enjoys gardening, watching musicals, cycling, and curling up on the couch with a good book. 

Talia holds a Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning from Toronto Metropolitan University and a Master of Development Practice from University of Waterloo. Driven by a commitment to sustainable and equitable development, she is passionate about how inclusive planning can transform public spaces into environments where everyone feels they belong. 

With experience in the nonprofit sector, Talia focuses on advancing community wellbeing through accessible and participatory processes. She is dedicated to supporting meaningful work that creates safe, inclusive, and resilient communities, particularly for women and youth.

Aaryan is an undergraduate student pursuing Urban Planning at the University of Waterloo. He is passionate about shaping the built environment to make cities more sustainable, inclusive, and equitable for all demographics. With a strong focus on environmental planning, Aaryan is especially drawn to urban farming and agriculture as tools for building stronger, more self-sufficient communities. He is also deeply interested in uncovering patterns in community needs to inform more meaningful and impactful planning decisions, believing that thoughtful, forward-looking planning enables cities to grow in ways that truly serve their residents. Outside of planning, Aaryan enjoys playing the drums, cooking, and researching history and geography.

Shanzay is an aspiring urban planner and undergraduate student at the University of Waterloo’s Planning Co-op program. She is passionate about enhancing civic engagement and elevating public voices within political structures and decision-making processes. Shanzay is especially interested in methods to increase civic engagement amongst youth across all levels of government. Shanzay hopes to one day see an Ontario with robust inter-municipal transit featuring frequent trips and extensive network coverage. In her free time she enjoys playing games, reading, and spending time with her family, friends, and cat.

RPP, MCIP

Stephanie is a planner dedicated to creating liveable and breathable spaces within growing cities. She brings over a decade of work experience in land use and open space/park planning. She is a passionate advocate for civic youth programs, recognizing their potential to build a strong foundation for civic engagement, understanding of municipal governance and policies, and networking opportunities.

Allison Liu is a municipal planning professional passionate about how cities evolve and who gets to shape them. She holds a Master of Urban Innovation from the University of Toronto and brings a multidisciplinary perspective across urban planning, economic development, and municipal policy. Her work focuses on policy research, stakeholder engagement, and translating complex urban challenges into practical, community-centered solutions. At Urban Minds, Allison is excited to support partnerships and initiatives that empower youth to actively shape more inclusive, vibrant, and accessible communities.

Ana is a recent graduate of McMaster University’s Environment and Society program, with concurrent certificates in Urban Studies & Planning and Environmental Sustainability. She is passionate about creating inclusive, accessible, and sustainable communities, with a particular interest in transportation planning and the ways infrastructure can shape mobility and connection across communities. Her interests centre on understanding how urban spaces can be designed to better support accessible movement and more equitable community life. These interests have been shaped by her academic research on pedestrian safety and her municipal experience supporting infrastructure and regional developments. Ana is excited to contribute to UrbanMinds by supporting strategic fundraising and partnership initiatives that empower and engage the next generation of city builders.

Devesh is a Grade 12 student currently pursuing a career pathway in business. He is thrilled to join this team and contribute his skills at a higher level, while also being passionate about learning and collaborating with others. Devesh is grateful for this opportunity to grow and make a positive impact. As he embarks on this new journey, he is reminded to never forget his roots or where he started. This serves as a grounding reminder for him to stay humble and appreciative of the experiences and values that have shaped his identity and character.

Gauri is an urban studies undergraduate student at the University of Toronto. She is passionate about urban inclusivity, resource management, and how social policy can actively improve urban life and expansion. She loves exploring various urban centres to see how they have developed and changed over time to support their residents and community. She has a background in working with youth and is excited to work with them again in an urban planning environment.

Leyla is a graduate of the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Architecture and currently works as a Development Coordinator at a land development company. She is deeply interested in housing, urban planning and shaping cities to meet the needs of the future. Passionate about building better communities, Leyla is committed to advancing her career in the development field and contributing to a more livable, accessible, and well-planned Ontario. Her vision includes a future where housing is well-designed and responsive to the evolving needs of the residents. In her free time, Leyla enjoys baking, spending time with friends and going to the gym.

Ishani Khanna is an urban planning student at the University of Waterloo with a strong interest in designing sustainable and equitable communities. She is passionate about how thoughtful design and planning can shape spaces that are more inclusive, accessible, and people-centred. Through her studies and volunteer work, Ishani has developed an interest in community engagement and empowering youth to have a voice in shaping the places where they live. She enjoys combining creativity, design thinking, and storytelling to help communicate ideas and inspire more people to get involved in building better communities.

Violeta is a current undergraduate student studying Urban Planning at the University of Waterloo and is extremely passionate about positive community design and youth advocacy.  With a background in working with youth in creative and recreational environments, Violeta brings unique perspectives to her volunteer work. She is enthusiastic about helping Urban Minds engage with youth, empowering them to voice their opinions about their communities. In her spare time, she loves to paint, go camping, and experiment with different design softwares. In the future, she aspires to further her career in urban design and landscape architecture.

Audy is an Urban and Regional Planning student at Toronto Metropolitan University. Having previously been a Graphic Designer with 1UP, she is eager to continue to advocate for youth-led urban changemaking initiatives through her contributions at Urban Minds. Audy has a strong interest in the intersection between urban planning, the environment and Indigeneity and how to design public spaces that uplift all three of those principles. In her free time, she enjoys reading nonfiction books, taking walks in nature, and spending time with family and friends.

Vida Mirkovic is a recent graduate of Sustainable Urban and Transportation Planning from Seneca Polytechnic and completed her undergrad at the University of Toronto in Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, and Environmental Ethics. Combining these two interests, she is passionate about how environmental systems and people can coexist in urban spaces. Also, working in the nonprofit sector on active transportation initiatives, she is passionate about equitable and safe city planning, high-quality public realm, and community well-being. In her spare time, she is a jeweler and enjoys riding her bike and spending time outdoors! 

Aleena is a candidate in the Post-Professional Master of Interior Design program at Toronto Metropolitan University, where she also completed her Bachelor of Interior Design. With a background in design and visual communication, she is passionate about sharing ideas that inspire youth-led urban changemaking. Aleena is interested in how design communication can be used to create sustainable, inclusive, and equitable built environments. She is also deeply interested in healthy interior design and architecture, exploring how spaces can support well-being and promote care for their inhabitants. In her free time, Aleena enjoys sketching building facades, exploring the city, and spending quality time with family.

Ashley is an incoming first-year university student with a strong interest in city-building disciplines. As a former member of 1UP Creatives for two consecutive years, she is passionate about amplifying youth voices in underrepresented fields. She aims to bridge the gap between the technical aspects of urban development and the communities they impact, with the goal of creating change at both local and greater levels. In her free time, Ashley enjoys creating art, learning new songs on various instruments, and playing badminton.

Fahima is a Master of Landscape Architecture candidate at the University of Toronto and holds a Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning from Toronto Metropolitan University. She is passionate about the potential of cities and how thoughtful, inclusive design can reimagine urban spaces to better serve both people and the environment. With a strong interest in urban design, Fahima values community engagement as a key part of the design process and is committed to creating resilient spaces where communities—especially vulnerable ones—can thrive. She hopes to grow into a designer who addresses social inequities through landscape architecture and planning. Outside of work, Fahima enjoys long walks, exploring the city, reading, and spending time with her cat.

Humza is a first-year Civil Engineering student at the University of Toronto. He was previously a Photo and Video team lead with the 1UP Creatives team, notably MCing day one of the 1UP 2025 Conference. Humza aims to become a civil engineer to make a tangible difference in his community, one that people can see, feel and walk on! He enjoys photography, playing volleyball or ultimate frisbee, camping and anything else that gets him outside.

Jayden Pan is a high school student passionate about architecture, design, and city building. He was previously a Senior Graphic Designer on the 1UP Creatives Team where he created visual graphics that helped communicate ideas about urban planning and youth engagement. Jayden has a strong passion for drawing and creative design, which fuels his aspiration to become an architect and create meaningful spaces for people and communities. His favourite piece of architecture, the Sino-French Science Park Church, inspires his interest in how architecture can thoughtfully combine culture, form, and nature.

Jonathan, a Grade 12 student, is passionate about urban planning and youth engagement. He’s the Co-Executive Director of More Transit Southern Ontario, advocating for improved regional transit and serving as a dedicated youth advocate. He works with youth organizations like the Toronto Youth Cabinet and the Young Politicians of Canada. Since 2024, he was previously a Graphic Designer for the 1UP Youth City Builders Program by Urban Minds, and later became a Senior Graphic Designer and 1UP Chapter President. Jonathan is excited to join the Urban Minds team to get youth involved in creating equitable and sustainable cities for all. In his free time, Jonathan loves volunteering for various community organizations and enjoys travelling by train.

Maxine is a recent graduate from McGill University, holding majors in urban studies and biology. As an aspiring urban planner, she is interested in issues of land development and environmental conservation, and  ultimately hopes to create green spaces that are accessible to all. She is passionate about youth engagement, and is excited to use her skills in community outreach and communication to empower young people to take an active role in their cities. Outside of her work, Maxine enjoys reading, photography, and live music.

Nathan Abraha is a journalist and writer based in Toronto covering culture, the arts, and politics, with an interest in history. His next project, Beles Magazine, is a startup focused on connecting Eritrean culture and the diaspora overseas.