Bunmi Afolabi (she/her)
President and Co-Founder
Bunmi Afolabi is one of the co-founders of YSYF and is currently serving as president. She holds an MA in Development Practice: Indigenous Development from the University of Winnipeg and a BA in Sociology and Family Social Sciences from the University of Manitoba. Bunmi currently lives in Treaty 1 territory and is lucky to work in her desired field as a policy analyst. As a leader, Bunmi draws from her lived experience, educational and professional background and wide-ranging skill sets to steer the organization in carrying out its mandate of improving the socioeconomic and health outcomes for women and youths in Doryumu, Ghana. She is a passionate advocate for liberation, justice, and equity.
Sauliha Alli (she/her)
Co-Founder
Sauliha Alli is a collaborative leader, strategist and social advocate who inspires others to contribute to a shared vision of equitable access to health and education for women and youth globally. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Science Degree in Neuroscience and Psychology from the University of Toronto, where she has held several award-winning leadership roles.
As a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarship in 2019, she served as an short-term volunteer in Ghana for World University Service of Canada (WUSC), where she developed and managed a training program in occupational health and safety that collectively impacted over 220 artisans. Upon returning, she co-founded YSYF to respond to the needs of the Doryumu community that had welcomed her, and shared this experience in a TEDx Talk exploring the opportunities for learning and exchange between medicine and international development.
As Executive Director, Sauliha hopes to establish strategic partnerships to expand the reach of YSYF and create meaningful learning opportunities for members of her team, while building on local knowledge and skills. Outside of the office, she is an expressive painter, shower singer and over-energetic goofball who spends her evenings eating chocolate on the porch.
Marwah Sadat (she/her)
Vice-President of Project Development
Marwah Sadat is a first-generation Afghan-Canadian passionate about addressing global health disparities and understanding the root causes of poverty and social injustice. She holds a BSc in Molecular Biology and Anthropology from the University of Toronto, and a MSc in Global Health from McMaster University. She is currently pursuing her MD at the Memorial University of Newfoundland. With her interdisciplinary educational, NGO, and research background, Marwah understands the importance of dialogue with communities to better incorporate peoples’ lived experiences, narratives, and Indigenous knowledge as a step towards decolonizing sustainable development and aid. For this reason, Marwah joined YSYF for its mission to empower women and youth in culturally relevant ways that also emphasize self-determination. In her free time, she can be found in a café with her nose in a book while sipping on (many) cups of coffee.
Ayesha Karim (she/her)
Vice-President of Human Resources
Ayesha is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health, having previously obtained a Bachelor of Applied Science in Nutrition and Food. With an extensive background in graphic design, she is deeply passionate about empowering communities locally and globally, advocating for healthcare accessibility, knowledge translation, and engaging in research. Outside of her commitments at YSYF, Ayesha actively participates in youth empowerment initiatives and serves as a research assistant at Nutrition Discovery Labs at Toronto Metropolitan University. Notably, she recently presented research on the emotions and perceptions of dietitians, as well as research on consumer cravings, preferences, and desires for sugar and sweet foods at the Dietitians of Canada and Canadian Nutrition Society Conference.
Funmi Afolabi (she/her)
Finance Officer
Funmi is rejoining the team this year as the Finance Officer. She holds a MA in Public Administration from the University of Manitoba and works as a health policy analyst. Funmi is excited to use the experience and knowledge from her academic and professional background to support the important work of the organization. In her spare time, she enjoys arts and crafts activities, watching TV, and reading a good book.
Arianna Halani (she/her)
Outreach Liaison
Arianna Halani recently graduated from the University of Ottawa, with a Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences! She joined YSYF as the chapter president of uOttawa, and is now working as a mentor with all of the YSYF university chapters, to guide them throughout their year. Arianna is excited to build upon her previous experience, to help university chapters bring the mission of YSYF to their own communities. She is passionate about advocating for women and youth, both in her community and internationally, and is looking forward to continuing on with YSYF!
Parjanya Parikh (she/her)
Secretary
Parjanya recently graduated from the Neuroscience Specialist Program at the University of Toronto where she was also the President of the YSYF UTSC Chapter. With a desire to continue her work at YSYF, she decided to join YSYF Canada. Parjanya is excited to work with everyone to support YSYF’s mission of amplifying the rights of women and youth in Ghana.
Shreyansh Kushwaha (he/him)
Graphic Designer
Shreyansh is a designer and student on a journey of understanding design, mastering the art of problem solving, and helping startups leave a meaningful legacy so they don’t get lost in the noise. He is currently pursuing his bachelors in user interface and experience design from the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, India. He is fond of branding and typography and loves to read books and listen to music.
Sahar Mohmand (she/her)
Website Manager
Sahar is currently an undergraduate student at the University of Toronto, pursuing a specialist in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology and a minor in Psychology. As an Afghan-Canadian, she is conscious of the impacts of the social and medical determinants of healthcare globally. She aspires to help improve the provision of basic healthcare rights and construct a world where life expectancy is not determined by one’s race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. By joining the YSYF team, Sahar hopes to connect with young minds through advocacy and education. Otherwise, Sahar can be found solving puzzles, baking, or enjoying nature with a long hike.
Tanmaya Ramprasad (she/her)
Content Creator
Tanmaya is a recent graduate from the University of Toronto. She is majored in International Relations and English. Having come from a medical and defense background, her values are firmly rooted in building and aiding communities regardless of race, gender, or class. Having worked with YSYF closely, her passion for narrative building and decolonized journalism continues! She connected instantly with YSYF’s motivations and goals as she has worked with local women of her community in India and provided them with employment and empowerment. Her goals at YSYF include connecting with a broader audience and bringing much-needed attention to female and youth empowerment in Ghana as well as developing a deeper understanding of the Ghanaian culture. In her free time, she enjoys reading and watching declutter videos as a form of therapy! Tanmaya is also a dog lover and she will stop to pet every dog on her way!
Victoria Ige Onah Ramprasad (she/her)
Content Creator
Victoria is a social worker who works with young people. She is passionate about education and educating others. In her spare time she loves to read, sing and her latest hobby-crocheting. Her friends would describe her as kind, compassionate and daring.
Aditi Sahhu (she/her)
Content Creator
Aditi Sahu graduated in 2022 from the University of Toronto, Scarborough with Honors in a Bachelor of Science Degree, double majoring in Human Biology and Mental Health Studies. During her undergrad, she dedicated her time to non-profits including the Global Brigades UTSC Chapter and the University of Toronto International Health Program. A keen learner of how public and global health are ever-changing, she wanted to dedicate her time to non-profit organizations such as YSYF. As a content creator, not only would she be able to learn about sexual and reproductive health from an interdisciplinary lens but she can dedicate time to something that holds meaning to her and will always do so in the future.