Meet the teams
Our organization is powered entirely by volunteers — from our Executive Director to our newest team members. This shared commitment fuels our mission and ensures that every initiative is driven by passion, purpose, and a deep sense of community. Together, our volunteers bring diverse skills, lived experiences, and dedication that make everything we do possible. Let’s meet the teams!
EXECUTIVE TEAM
(She/Her)
Executive Director
Kennedy is a Bachelor of Science (Biochemistry and Medical Molecular Biology) graduate who currently lives in Edmonton and works at the University of Alberta for two research institutes. She's passionate about science communication, and has coordinated multiple neuroscience and mental health-based outreach events in the Edmonton community. In addition to her academic pursuits, she is a musician who plays both piano and guitar, as well as an author with published works in both the academic and creative writing spaces.
(She/Her)
Director of Communications
Agnes is from Hong Kong, from where she moved to Vancouver in 2023. She is a mental health advocate and passionate about promoting the importance of mental wellbeing. She is hard of hearing, and knowing that life is not easy, she believes it is always better to grow up with supportive peers to share life's ups and downs together. Volunteering with Free Your Mind gives Agnes a chance to offer companionship to the youth who are struggling in their lives. In her spare time, she loves cooking and listening to music.
(They/Them)
Director of Accessibility
Victory has been a mental health advocate for most of their life. Having persevered through years of bullying, sexual harassment, and domestic violence, they now turn their pain into power. Victory is a Masters' student at Dalhousie University, where they study sociology. Victory researches strategies for mental health organizations to better engage under-represented youth, such as Black and Indigenous-identifying peoples. After founding Free Your Mind, they currently bring their insight to Free Your Mind as the Director of Accessibility, and a champion of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
SPEAK YOUR MIND BLOGGING TEAM
(She/Her)
Co-Director of Speak Your Mind
Ava is a current first-year student completing her Bachelor of Arts with a major in Psychology at UBC. She joined the Free Your Mind team to kickstart her career in the mental healthcare field, and to join a platform where she could share her knowledge and experiences with the intention to inspire others. Besides psychology, Ava’s academic passions have always centered around writing. When she’s not typing away on her computer, you can find her analyzing movies, trying fun food spots, and discovering new music. In her free time, Ava also practices her love for crochet and crafting through the small business she runs with her sister, and as an executive for her university’s Knit & Sew club!
(She/Her)
Co-Director of Speak Your Mind
Beatrice is currently an undergraduate student at Dalhousie University, majoring in Medical Sciences and completing certificates in Medical Humanities and Disability Management. She is passionate about health advocacy, neuropathology research, and the promotion of diversity, equity, and inclusion within health care settings. She joined the Free Your Mind team to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and to contribute to the development of psychologically safe environments. Outside of school, Beatrice enjoys reading, junk journaling, baking sweet treats, and trying out new restaurants or cafes.
(She/Her)
Blogger
Aasia is a grade 9 student based in Ontario. Her passion for mental health advocacy stems not only from realizing the stigma surrounding mental health on a global level, but her own interest in psychology and how the brain works. In her free time, you can find Aasia practicing the flute, reading books, experimenting with fashion, listening to music, volunteering, and writing. Aasia has always adored writing and jumps at the opportunity to express her emotions through written words. With her writing, Aasia hopes to inspire others to be open about their struggles, by possibly finding solidarity in her blog posts. These blog posts aim to normalize discussions surrounding mental health through casually writing about interesting topics related to the once vilified subject. Aasia has dedicated herself to a life full of learning, and she hopes to never stray far from her true self, a motivated, passionate individual who can't wait to make a positive change.
(She/Her)
Blogger
Eva is a grade 12 student, who has a creative vision of uplifting a professional environment. Whether that’s planning a time schedule to prioritize on daily tasks, or having experience leading a group of team members in debate club for school, and leading a student-led initiative to fundraise and encourage mental health awareness. This had given her prior experience and happiness of helping individuals to grow their skill set and become more confident in themselves. When Eva is stressed, the only way to cope is to establish a 10 km run in 45 minutes, watching the sunset near her home. Whenever you go, you might find her speed-typing on her laptop with earbuds plugged in for music (favourite genre includes R&B and hip-hop rap), doing school work and enjoying writing more on exciting topics to strengthen knowledge on various subjects, particularly on science. Finally, she plans to establish a future career in business, with a focus on marketing and project management, due to interest in evolving her leadership skills and understanding people’s perspectives to resolve conflicts.
(She/Her)
Blogger
Esther is an undergraduate student from Western University studying political science and financial economics. She’s very passionate about community work, civic engagement and youth mental health.
(She/Her)
Blogger
Nidhi is an undergraduate student at the University of Western Ontario, aspiring to major in developmental cognitive neuroscience. She has a very strong interest in psychology and the mind, and she is extremely passionate about mental health advocacy and eradicating the stigma surrounding mental illness. She finds inspiration in writing, which she uses as an outlet to express her emotions and connect with others. In her free time, you can find her reading, baking, playing several instruments such as the piano, clarinet, and alto saxophone, and watching Korean dramas.
(She/Her)
Blogger
Naomi is a fourth-year Bachelor of Arts
Psychology Major who is passionate about mental health and de-stigmatizing mental illness. In addition to enjoying her psychology courses, she is also interested in learning more about Asian Religions and Asian Philosophy. In her free time, she likes to draw, play the flute, and ice skate. Her favourite part of the day is the walk to and from university, during which she enjoys listening to music.
(She/Her)
Blogger
Pooja is a dedicated HR professional who is equally passionate about mental health and personal well-being. As a blogger for Free Your Mind, she is driven by the desire to support individuals in managing their emotions and achieving a sense of balance in their everyday lives. Pooja hopes to inspire positive change through her writing and offer practical insights to those seeking emotional wellness. Outside of her work, she enjoys activities that fuel her creativity and well-being, such as reading, playing chess, writing, and taking peaceful walks in the rain. Exercising and staying active are also important parts of her routine, helping her maintain both mental clarity and physical health.
(She/Her)
Blogger
Manpreet is a fourth year Psychology student living in British Columbia. Manpreet loves to spend her time volunteering in the community and on campus in the hopes of destigmatizing mental health. In addition to being dedicated to her local community, she is passionate about learning everything psychology has to offer while also writing to express herself. When Manpreet is not volunteering her time, she can be found either at work, baking something sweet, or curled up reading a new book with a cute drink. For self-care, Manpreet often finds herself listening to Spotify, journaling, practicing yoga or going for walks -which she highly recommends everyone try!
EVENTS TEAM
(She/Her)
Director of Events
Kennedy is a Bachelor of Science (Biochemistry and Medical Molecular Biology) graduate who currently lives in Edmonton and works at the University of Alberta for two research institutes. She's passionate about science communication, and has coordinated multiple neuroscience and mental health-based outreach events in the Edmonton community. In addition to her academic pursuits, she is a musician who plays both piano and guitar, as well as an author with published works in both the academic and creative writing spaces.
(He/Him)
Events Planner
Jiwon is currently in grade 10 and attending secondary school in Coquitlam, BC. He came to Canada to experience new things, new people, and a new environment. He joined the Free Your Mind event team to support students, especially international students, who are struggling with mental health. His ultimate goal in Free Your Mind is to make a better youth society with no one suffering from mental health problems. In his free time, he spends most of his time working out at the gym and watching movies with his friends.
(She/Her)
Events Planner
Zainab is Grade 12 student in Surrey, BC. She is passionate about social justice and advocating for those with disabilities. She is also a promoter for mental health, especially within students and strives for self-care. She joined Free Your Mind with the intent of creating a difference in the mental health community by supporting events and collaborating with others. In her free time, she loves to shop, travel, and read.
(She/Her)
Events Planner
Kasturi is a Grade 10 student from Markham Ontario. When she's not stressing about math, she enjoys baking, reading, and listening to music. She joined Free Your Mind with a great interest in mental health awareness and supporting youth wellbeing. She plans to pursue a career in the health sciences, while also continuing to support mental health advocacy.
(She/Her)
Events Planner
Emily is a recent psychology graduate from University of the Fraser Valley who joined FYM help uplift the voices of youth with lived mental health experience through fun and accessible events. Emily's main interests are fashion and gaming, and often spends her free time sewing or volunteering at her local cat shelter. It can be hard to show ourselves the same kindness we give to others, and Emily's favourite affirmation in these moments is "It's everybody's first time being alive".
(She/Her)
Events Planner
Rain is from Hong Kong. She recently relocated to Calgary and enjoys volunteering in community to connect with different people. She worked as a social worker in Hong Kong in the youth mental health field. She is passionate on creating a youth-friendly and non-labelling community, and treasures listening to youth’s voices! She believes that everyone is full of potentials and resources for tackling their life difficulties. She wants to increase people’s self-awareness and find new possibilities of copings so as to make better choices.
MARKETING TEAM
(She/Her)
Director of Marketing
Nita is currently an undergraduate student studying Psychology at the University of Alberta. She has always been passionate about mental health, as well as communicating with others through creative forms such as art. Through Free Your Mind, she hopes to help others gain knowledge and awareness of the intricacies of mental health and maintaining wellness for those struggling and those in the community who want to help. She's excited to work with the team to provide the public with insight and inspiration.
(She/Her)
Digital Marketer
Denise is a fresh graduate from York University and is currently residing in Toronto, Ontario. Using her Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, she aims to spread awareness and break stigmas surrounding mental health and well-being. She strongly believes that people would seek more help if we normalize talking about mental health topics and that this is her way of creating a real-world impact. Denise loves everything creative — from creating promotional plans, posting silly little videos online, down to her personal hobbies. She enjoys doing nail art, travelling, going on walks, and baking during her free time.
(She/Her)
Digital Marketer
(She/Her)
Digital Marketer
Rahi is a tenth grade high school student passionate about understanding and broadening awareness around mental health. She is Indo-Canadian and takes great pride in her cultural identity, which she actively strengthens and promotes within her community. Through her dedication to knowledge, and sharing it with others, she hopes to foster acceptance, empathy, and positivity of the perception of mental health, and is incredibly thankful for Free Your Mind providing her with the opportunity to do so. In her spare time, she can be found reading, painting, baking, and exploring mathematical concepts.
(She/Her)
Digital Marketer
Eliana is an optometric assistant passionate about health in all its forms. A 2023 graduate of the University of Alberta with a major in Physiology, she is fascinated by the intricacies of the human body and mind. From a young age, Eliana has been committed to understanding mental health, striving to gain insight into the struggles faced by those with mental illness while navigating her own journey of self-acceptance and compassion. Through her involvement with Free Your Mind, she is excited to raise awareness about mental health and contribute to a more accessible and accepting world. In her free time, you can find Eliana sipping caramel lattes at local cafes, volunteering, reading, journaling, watching true crime documentaries, or working out at the gym to achieve her fitness goals.
(She/Her)
Digital Marketer
Toik is a third-year psychology student who dreams about doing art therapy with youth who struggle with mental illness. She is a passionate advocate of mental well-being and actively tries to reduce stigma in her community. Aside from her studies, she spends her free time making art, whether it be drawing, embroidery, scrapbooking, or painting, among other mediums.
(She/Her)
Digital Marketer
Jeannice is a graphic design student who plays a key role on the marketing team, managing graphic design and video creation. She has a passion for using her creativity and skills to promote mental health awareness at Free Your Mind. Aside from her work, she loves to read, draw, and has a keen interest in psychology, always seeking to deepen her understanding of the human experience. During her free time, she enjoys unwinding by playing the piano, using music as a way to relax and recharge.
(She/Her)
Digital Marketer
Zara is a Grade 12 student from Ontario who is passionate about mental health and wishes to further deepen her knowledge on the subject through pursuing psychology in her post-secondary education. She is committed to being an advocate for mental health through opportunities within her community and with Free Your Mind, aims to continue this and help make a difference on a larger scale. In her free time, she enjoys reading, having fun with graphic design, playing video games, and biking.
IT TEAM
(He/Him)
Technology Specialist
Jayden is a junior in London, Ontario and an aspiring software engineer. As someone who has personally witnessed the importance of mental health, Jayden is committed to the initiative's goals of decreasing mental health stigma and encouraging people to lead healthy mentalities. Jayden loves public speaking and programming, having experiences such as being a representative at the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum and several web-dev related roles in different non-profits. He also loves to engage in writing, being a Gold and Silver recipient in the Scholastic Writing Awards in the Canadian region and involved in several publications both in school and in his community. Outside of academics and hobbies, Jayden likes to walk or swim, especially in the summer.
Land Acknowledgement
In the spirit of reconciliation, Free Your Mind acknowledges that we live on and connect across the traditional territories of many First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. As an immigrant-majority not-for-profit organization built on Indigenous lands, we recognize the ongoing legacies of colonialism and commit ourselves to responsibly centring Indigenous voices in our efforts toward decolonization.