Opening Ceremony (August 18, 5:45 PM - 7:30 PM)
James Andrew (He/Him)

James Andrew is from the Lil’wat Nation’s Mount Currie Band. Mount Currie is located just north of Whistler, and near Pemberton, BC. In 1996 James completed his B.Sc. in Life Sciences at the University of British Columbia.  In May 2005 he had received his M.Sc. (Health) through Yooroang Garang’s School of Indigenous Health Studies at the University of Sydney in Australia. Yooroang Garang means a "Strong Place.” Focus of study was on project and program development, and administration in Indigenous Community Health.  He has been with the University of British Columbia over 25 years. From 2002 to 2022, he was the Faculty of Medicine’s Indigenous Student Initiatives Manager. Prior to that he was the Community Liaison Coordinator for the Institute for Aboriginal Health which is now the Centre for Excellence in Indigenous Health. James is currently the Associate Director, Indigenous Initiatives, The Vice Dean of Education Office, Faculty of Medicine (UBC).

Keynote Presentation (August 19, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM)
Lev Bukhman (he, him)
Founder and Managing Director, Studentcare

Lev founded Studentcare in 1996 while still a law student at Western University. Basing his vision on his experience as Vice-President of Finance of McGill’s student government, Lev set out to create an organization with the culture, values, and capabilities to revolutionize student health care in Canada. Today, Studentcare is a national leader in student health care serving over one million students. In addition to a B.A. from McGill University, Lev holds a M.Sc. (Econ) from the London School of Economics and a LL.B. from Western University. He has also been profiled by the Montreal Gazette and La Presse newspapers as one of Montreal’s top “40 under 40.” Lev serves on the Faculty of Arts Advisory Board of McGill University. He is also an avid runner and skier who recently completed his latest half marathon, raising over $10,000 for charity.

Closing Ceremony (August 20, 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM)
The Honourable Niki Sharma (She/Her)

Niki Sharma was elected MLA for Vancouver-Hastings in 2020 and previously served as the deputy caucus chair and parliamentary secretary for Community Development and Non-Profits.Niki is a lawyer whose practice focused on representing Indigenous people, including residential school survivors. Niki has worked across B.C. as an advocate on climate policy and reconciliation. She has also been recognized for her work on combatting racism.Niki was elected to the board of Vancity Credit Union where she served as vice-chair and chaired the Climate Justice Working Group. She also served as chair of the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation. In these roles, she worked to improve her community and make life better for people and our planet.In 2017, Niki worked as a senior ministerial assistant helping to deliver more child care spaces for B.C. families.Niki was raised in Sparwood, B.C. A mother of two, she has lived in East Vancouver for more than 15 years and has deep connections in the community.


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Workshop Session A (August 19th, 12:00 PM - 1:15 PM) 
Topic: Good Governance & Success in Student Leadership
Speakers: Peter Guo, Surabhi Joshi, Ada Huang

Peter is the founding partner of MNP LLP’s Enterprise Risk Services team in BC. He also leads the Post-Secondary Centre of Excellence in BC and was the former head of the provincial Cannabis Industry practice. Adept in environments that span from the Board room to the shop floor, Peter has delivered assignments involving audit, risk management, IT transformation, cybersecurity, governance, and compliance. Prior to joining MNP, Peter was a partner at pwc, where he led the BC Systems and Process Assurance team. During that time, he established the first diversity and inclusion pilot for the Big 4 accounting firm’s Vancouver office and is now currently a partner sponsor for MNP Vancouver’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion program, as well as an active member of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade’s Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Council.

From IT systems, business processes, internal controls to financial statements, Peter has completed projects covering a diverse local, national and global portfolio, including post-secondary, start-up, technology, telecommunication, biotech, pharma, Indigenous, energy, transportation, banking, insurance, retail, distribution, mining, forestry, manufacturing, cannabis, and non-profit clients. In almost 3 decades of professional services, Peter created tools and methodologies and taught project risk management, IT governance, and internal controls for public and private companies and the public sector. He continues to deliver thought leadership and training to CPA BC, Institute of Internal Auditors, Information Systems, Audit and Control Association as well as at universities and colleges.

Workshop Session B1 (August 19th, 2:45 PM - 4:00 PM)
Topic: Sexualized Violence Prevention
Speaker: Niko Coady (She/Her)

Niko Coady is an intersectional feminist, incoming graduate student, and the Partnership Coordinator for REES (Respect, Educate, Empower Survivors). She has a B.A. in Psychology and Gender Studies, alongside a Certificate in Family Violence Issues. Niko is from Prince Edward Island and has worked with various organizations across Atlantic Canada focused on violence prevention, such as Action Now Atlantic, the Muriel McQueen Fergusson Centre, Liberty Lane, Women in Transition House Inc., and more. She also served as both Orientation Chair and Vice-President Communications at the UNB Student Union. Niko brings a broad perspective to post-secondary sexual violence from her personal and professional experiences, and works with over 30 REES Campus Partners and their Student Government organizations to implement trauma-informed online reporting, sexual violence prevention campaigns, and develop policies.

Workshop Session B2 (August 19th, 2:45 PM - 4:00 PM)
Topic: Knocking on the right door: A guide to advocacy 
SpeakerMohamed "Faris" Riazudden (He/Him), President of CUSA: 

Mohamed "Faris" Riazudden (he/him) is a 4th year Mechanical Engineering student from Dubai. Faris is the current President of the Carleton University Students ' Association and was previously the Vice President of Student Issues during the 2022/23 academic year. His journey began during his first year at Carleton where he became increasingly aware of the challenges faced by marginalized groups on campus and the isolation of leadership opportunities from the BIPOC community. This sparked a fire in him to create a more inclusive campus for everyone. He not only created CUSA's first campaign for international students. Faris has spearheaded major advocacy issues for students during his time at CUSA and led CUSA on its advocacy mission with different levels of government and the university administration and advocated for reproductive rights and justice, sexual violence prevention, education workers rights and more! His tireless work and unwavering commitment to social justice have made a profound impact on the lives of many, and he continues to inspire others to join in the fight for a more equitable and accessible world. In this workshop student leaders can expect an engaging session that equips them with the skills, and strategies to effectively champion their causes. Through interactive discussions, real-life case studies, and mock exercises, attendees will gain insights into the intricacies of lobbying and learn how to navigate the political landscape both in the university and also at the different levels of government.

MNP Job Readiness (August 20, 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM)
Topic: Session from MNP LLP Human Capital and Recruiting Team
Speakers: Kate Hurtado (She/Her) and Flora Cheung (She/Her)

In this ever-evolving complex world, university students and graduates are constantly trying to identify the differentiators that help them stand out from the crowd.  Similarly, employers are looking for students and graduates who have the key ingredients to succeed in the workplace and in their dynamic teams.  How does one navigate this complexity?  What are the secrets to successful job searches, recruitment and finding that role that speaks to you? How do you best present yourself to potential employers? What are the do’s and don’ts in resumes, interviews, social interactions, etc.? MNP’s Human Capital team interviews thousands of candidates – summer students, new graduates and experienced professionals – every year.  We have established recruiting processes and cycles, as well as one-off connections with key candidates who we believe will be valuable contributors, strong current team members and future leaders. We look for people that we can accelerate and add to their growth journey. Come listen to the people who make this happen for Canada’s fastest-growing professional services firm with over 8,000 people from coast to coast to coast. Learn how to stand out from the crowd. Ask the questions that you’ve been wanting to ask to the experts that pick great team members who succeed and thrive and grow their careers.

Workshop Session C2 (August 20th, 2:15 PM - 3:30 PM)
Topic: Fundamentals of Anti-Oppression
Speaker: Nadine Nakagawa, Bakau Consulting 

Nadine Nakagawa is an organizer, activist, intersectional feminist, creative writer, social justice fairy, city councillor and the co-founder of the Feminist Campaign School. She lives and works on the unceded and unsurrendered territory of hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ speaking peoples. When not working on community projects, Nadine prances with delight towards patches of wildflowers, wears flower crowns and dresses that encourage twirling, and can be found hugging trees and embracing whimsy. She is a creative writer and has a Master’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on communication and leadership

Workshop Session C1 (August 20th, 2:15 PM - 3:30 PM)
Topic: Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Decolonization – Understanding and Addressing the Stigma
Speakers: Hussein Samhat, Aya El-Hashemi, and Fardovza Kusow, BIDE Institute 

Hussein Samhat, (He/him)Co-Founder and Executive Director, BIDE Institute 

‍With an honors degree in Drama Education and Community, a Bachelor of Education, and currently pursuing a Master of Education in Critical Policy, Equity, and Leadership studies at the University of Western, Hussein brings various lived and learned experiences to the table with respect to equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization efforts. With his undergraduate thesis and research focusing on culturally responsive pedagogy and EDI&D practices within Canadian post-secondary institutions laid out the foundational framework of the BIDE Institute.Hussein’s passion lies in mentorship, student advocacy, and policy building. His background in non-profit and student organizations dates to his involvement with the University of Windsor Student’s Alliance where he served as Board Director, Student Senator, Board Chair, co-Chair of Senate Student Caucus, and finally as Vice-President Finance and Operations, his time with the UWSA allowed him to grow a deeper appreciation for student advocacy and post-secondary processes. Hussein also served as the President of the Arts Council Windsor and Region, where over the course of his term led the development of the organization’s strategic plan, implemented EDI&D representations and policies, and created opportunities for underrecognized artists in the community to showcase their work. Additional community work includes being the Program Coordinator for the Changing the Odds Summer Youth program, Arts Educator through Arts Can Teach, and more. When he is not leading the day-to-day of BIDE, Hussein is always trying out new recipes, attending hot yoga classes, and catching up on Netflix.






‍Aya El-Hashemi, (She/her)Executive Director, BIDE Institute

‍With an honours degree in Biomedical sciences and Biochemistry (health stream), and a Masters in Translational Health Sciences with her central research exploring the “Health Treatment of Migrant Workers within Southern Ontario,” Aya El-Hashemi is a driven academic and advocate. Aya continuously seeks ways to integrate her love for EDI&D work in her highly scientific realm of study. Aya’s continuous passion for student-led work, advocacy, and science led her to working within multiple on and off campus groups celebrating such. From organizing social justice forums in high school, she found that there is always more to learn and do within EDI&D. From there she served multiple terms as the VP of Student Advocacy for her faculty. This allowed her to gain a deeper appreciation for what it means to be an ally and create a safer and braver space for students within academic institutions. Acting as an inaugural member in the establishment of the EDI Taskforce within the Faculty of Science reformed her views on the fluidity and vast scope of EDI&D. Her time with the taskforce as the Social Media Coordinator, Student Working Group Lead, and a research assistant within the taskforce allowed her to explore the academic climate for underrecognized populations in Science and Ethnic diversity, cohesion, and persistence in research groups/lab contexts. In joining the BIDE Institute during her time as a master's student delving into “Health Treatment of Migrant Workers within Southern Ontario,” she was able to redefine learning inside and outside of the classroom for herself. Outside of BIDE hours, Aya loves to take part in casual sports, create art, and attempt to become a runner.











‍Fardovza Kusow, (She/her)Co-Founder, BIDE Institute 

‍Fardovza Kusow is a dedicated individual who completed Bachelor of Art with Honors in Psychology and is currently pursuing her Master's degree in Social Work at the University of Toronto. With a deep-rooted passion for social justice and mental health, Fardovza strives to make a positive impact in the lives of others and in the broader community.Before embarking on her graduate studies, Fardovza was an active and engaged student at the University of Windsor. During her time there, she actively participated in on-campus activities and organizations, immersing herself in the vibrant campus life. Fardovza's commitment to personal and academic growth allowed her to excel academically while also contributing to the development of a supportive and inclusive campus environment. Towards the end of her undergraduate journey, Fardovza had the privilege of co-founding BIDE Institute. This opportunity further fueled her passion for social justice and mental health, as she realized the importance of creating spaces that foster education and empowerment for individuals from diverse backgrounds. In her free time, Fardovza loves to watch movies, go for runs, and to go on road trips even though she hates driving.