Check out our 2024 Youth of the Year Highlight Reel below!
Meet our 2025 Youth of the Year
Grace (She/Her), BGC Durham
Grace has been involved with BGC Durham for seven years as a Club member, volunteer, and Club staff. Throughout her Club journey, she has grown and developed skills such as leadership, public speaking, and communication.
Since joining the after-school program, Grace has participated in several different programs, from leadership, cooking, and tech club, and has taken on the role of emcee at several Club events. Now, she sits on BGC Canada’s National Youth Council.
Grace is passionate about youth advocacy, especially supporting young people’s creativity and complex ideas. Being a Youth of the Year gives her the opportunity to leave a lasting impression on others and make a positive change at a national level.
Mackenzie (She/Her), BGC Leduc
From Club member to Club staff, Mackenze has been involved with BGC Leduc in Alberta for four years. She credits her BGC Club with having a deep impact on her growth in emotional resilience, confidence, and leadership.
Looking back on her Club journey, her most memorable experience was participating in a science summer camp. The Club staff were so enthusiastic and welcoming that it inspired her to become a staff member herself. Outside of her Club, Mackenzie is deeply involved in her community and aspires to become a school teacher.
Mackenzie is driven by personal and communal growth through sports, leadership, and giving back to communities. As Youth of the Year, she can continue to be a positive role model for young people in BGC Clubs across the country.
Ruben (He/Him), BGC St. Alban’s Club
Ruben has been involved with BGC St. Alban’s Club for 10 years as a Club member, volunteer, and Club staff. He describes his Club experience as transformative, helping him build life skills like adaptability, teamwork, self-confidence, and leadership.
As a youth council member at his own Club, attending BGC Canada’s 2023 National Youth Forum was a memorable experience that shaped how he wants to show up for his community. Outside of the Club, Ruben is a leader in his school community, stays grounded in his values, and always finds ways to uplift others.
Ruben is passionate about being a voice for young people who want to make an impact. As Youth of the Year, he’s ready to show young people across Canada the power of youth-led change.
Yusef (He/Him), BGC London
Yusef has been involved with BGC London for 10 years as a Club member and volunteer. Since he was 6 years old, the Club has given him a safe space to be himself and develop confidence and skills like public speaking and leadership.
What started as a place to hang out after school turned into a space that challenged him to try new things, developing his confidence and pursuing his passion for business. A memorable experience for Yusef was leading weekly colouring sessions at a local seniors’ home through LeadUP 2.0—a youth leadership program offered by BGC Clubs.
Yusef is passionate about leadership and financial literacy. As Youth of the Year, he will continue to advocate for young people’s access to the same opportunities and skills he found at BGC.
Zahra (She/Her), BGC Ottawa
Zahra has been involved with BGC Ottawa for four years as a Club member and Club staff. Her BGC Club provided her with a welcoming community that helped her feel seen and empowered.
Throughout her Club journey, she has become more extroverted and developed the courage to lead and find her voice without feeling judged. Now, she’s a mentor at her Club, supporting others who are navigating similar challenges and responsibilities and helping them find their voices, too.
Zahra is passionate about education as a path to empowerment, rather than a requirement. As Youth of the Year, Zahra will inspire young people nationwide to discover their voice and passion in meaningful ways.
