The BGC Canada Youth Advisory Circle is composed of up to 10 youth leaders aged 16-21 who hold strong connections to their BGC Club. Through their diverse identities, experiences and skills, they offer leadership, insight, and advice on the direction and work of BGC Canada projects at a national level. Participants get meaningful opportunities to build leadership, knowledge, and capacity, as well as access to networking, mentorship, and training.
Committed to providing representation for BGC youth across the country, the Youth Advisory Circle listens to the issues and goals of each province/territory and ensures youth voices are heard and shared on a national scale.
Meet our Youth Advisory Circle members
Elise
She/Her
BGC South East
Elise has been involved with BGC South East for 10 years as a member and now as a staff member. Attending both after-school programs and summer camps, her Club helped her gain the skills needed for the workplace, including how to interact with coworkers. For Elise, her Club is a safe space that has become a second home.
Elise’s favourite Club memory was how the kids in the after-school program celebrated her and expressed how much they missed her when she was moved to another shift, reminding her of the impact she can have on others and the importance of her role at the Club. Outside of the Club, Elise enjoys a wide variety of sports, doing puzzles, building Legos, and wants to pursue a career as an athletic trainer for a sports team.
This is Elise’s first term on the Youth Advisory Circle, and she is looking forward to representing youth at her Club and in her community.
Erica
She/Her
BGC London
Erica has been involved with BGC London for 9 years, participating in just about every program available. Her Club has helped her build confidence, make friends, and encouraged her to be her true self. It also gave her a safe third space to interact with the world, rather than being at home all the time.
Erica’s favourite memory from her Club was getting to explore her city during a Just for Girls summer program where they discovered eco-friendly parks, tried fishing, and learned about eco-consciousness. Outside of the Club, Erica enjoys photography, reading, arts and crafts, volunteering, travelling, and playing video games, and plans to pursue careers in journalism and social work.
As a new member of the Youth Advisory Circle, Erika wants to help make Clubs more accessible for children & youth, especially those from disadvantaged communities.
Eva
She/They
BGC Red Deer & District
Eva has been involved with BGC Red Deer & District for over 10 years, as a participant, volunteer, and now staff. Her Club has helped her build connections and community, and has given her opportunities to push herself and grow. Eva is inspired by the leaders who showed her that she can do hard things and were always there to help.
Their favourite Club memory is attending summer camp at Camp Alexo, specifically Phoenix Camp, where they went horseback riding and backpacking. Outside of the Club, Eva enjoys outdoor activities, rock climbing, swimming, and drawing. Eva hopes to study digital design and set production.
As a first-time Youth Advisory Circle member, Eva wants to raise awareness of youth mental health and wellbeing and looks forward to representing youth in her Club and amplifying their voices and experiences.
Grace
She/Her
BGC Durham
Grace has been involved with BGC Durham for over 7 years—attending every program they offer—and now works part-time at her Club. Her Club has helped her build confidence, become less shy, and provided new opportunities to share her voice.
One of Grace’s favourite memories from her Club was a holiday decorating competition where they created a fully functional reindeer-themed Monopoly game on the wall. Outside of BGC, she enjoys reading, writing, and playing video games. Grace is a second-year biomedical sciences student at Ontario Tech University and wants to become a dermatologist. She is also a 2025 BGC Canada Youth of the Year.
As a returning member of the Youth Advisory Circle, Grace hopes to build on her experience from last term to connect with and amplify more youth voices across the country.
Jabin
He/They
BGC Wetaskiwin
Jabin has been involved with BGC Wetaskiwin for 6 years through many different programs. His Club has helped him be more confident in who he is and to grow in his leadership and social skills. They’re particularly inspired by the Club’s youth director and manager, who have always supported them, opened doors, and helped expand their leadership skills.
One of Jabin’s favourite memories from Club was volunteering at a Halloween auction with LeadUp, where he helped with childcare. He dressed up as a cat and had the most fun being silly and letting his personality shine with the kids. Outside of the Club, Jabin likes learning random things, playing D&D, and cosplay creation. After high school, he wants to study child and youth care at NorQuest College.
As a new member of the Youth Advisory Circle, Jabin wants to help others and give back the way the Club has given to him. He is particularly interested in helping youth experiencing mental health challenges.
Riley
He/Him
BGC St. John’s
Riley has been involved with BGC St. John’s in various ways since he was five years old and is now a staff member. His Club helped him work through anger issues, overcome challenges, and develop his social and leadership skills. He is inspired to be for others what a former Club staff members were to him growing up, and credits Club staff for helping him become the person he is today.
A favourite memory of the Club for Riley was when he was 10 and made a cosplay costume with the help of Club staff. Outside of the Club, Riley enjoys theatre, playing video games, writing, and playing D&D. He is interested in potentially studying TV and film, recreation, or video game creation and design.
As a first-time member of the Youth Advisory Circle, Riley is excited to learn more about BGC Clubs across Canada and to help the youth at his Club.
Ruqaiyah
She/Her
BGC Eastview
Ruqaiyah has been involved with BGC Eastview since she was three years old and has participated in many programs as she grew up, eventually becoming a leader in any role she could. Her Club has taught her leadership skills and helped her build her confidence, making her less shy. Ruqaiyah credits her Club for helping her become the version of herself she wanted to be.
Ruqaiyah’s favourite Club memory was attending a baking club when she was quite young, where she got to try cheesecake for the first time and discovered how much she enjoys baking. She is inspired by a youth leader at her Club who always encourages her and always leaves her feeling heard, motivated, and more confident. Outside her Club, she enjoys reading, photography, and is curious to try new things. She is currently studying psychology and hopes to pursue a Master's Degree.
As a returning Youth Advisory Circle member, Ruqaiyah wants to help create more inclusive and diverse environments in BGC Clubs across the country and impact other youth the way her Club impacted her.
Our work is guided by many voices within the BGC movement, because when we work together, our impact is stronger.
