Youth Action Council and Governance Table Member

My name is Kyra Leddy. I am starting my journey of becoming a lawyer as a first year criminology student at Westerns’ King’s University College. My passion for mental health started when I began struggling with my own. Since this time I have spoken out about my journey with mental illness and worked with foundations towards the goal of helping youth take control of their mental health. I know these youth hubs are a great step to averting the Mental Health crisis in youth. I am very excited to be a part of this initiative!

Youth Action Council and Governance Table Member

My name is Jayden Leroux (He/him), I'm in the first year of my bachelor of arts in psychology. I'm interested in supporting youth services because I believe youth should have access to services tailored to their needs. I know that these services are important, and I'm so honoured to be a part of them.

CEO & Founder

Shannon (she/her) is a system change leader dedicated to creating people-centred teams, facilitating community partnerships, and creating transformative change to increase youth and community wellness in rural communities across Canada. Driven by a commitment to youth engagement, integrated care, diversity and inclusion, psychological safety, and the importance of including lived and living expertise, Shannon focuses on creating holistic people-centred care models. Having worked to enhance outcomes for children, youth, and their families in education for over 25 years, Shannon believes that working with local, national, and international contexts is instrumental in creating shared purpose and evidence-based integrated care models in her rural communities. Throughout her own mental health challenges and supporting those she cares for, she shamelessly advocates for mental health and substance use transformation on several local and provincial advisory boards, community health organizations and local integrated youth service organizations.

Co-Director of Youth Engagement & Collaboration, Youth Action Council Lead

My name is Reba Oldridge (she/her). I am a Master of Public Health Candidate at the University of Waterloo and have obtained my Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences from Wilfrid Laurier University. I am very interested in the life course perspective which is the idea that each stage of one's life influences the next, all having an impact on the trajectory of their future. Growing up in Huron County, I have seen first-hand how limited access to services for youth can have prolonged impacts on many aspects of their lives, including their mental and physical health. By ensuring youth have access to the right services at the right time, we can have a positive impact on the trajectory of their life course.

Youth Action Council Member

My name is Sydney Pruden (she/her) and I am currently employed at Hanover District Hospital as a Medical Radiation Technologist. I am interested in supporting integrated youth services in Huron, Perth, Grey and Bruce because I think it’s important that youth have access to the resources they need. Having these services will provide a safe space for youth to get help. By joining this program I hope to better the community with these resources by providing support and information where needed.

Director of Community Engagement and Co-Lead of the Family and Community Engagement Advisory Council

Christa (she/her) is a Compassionate Inquiry Practitioner, Certified Yoga and Qigong Instructor with a Certificate in Concurrent Disorders from CAMH. After years of struggling with addiction and depression, she attributes her 11 years in recovery and her positive outlook in life to her daily self-care practice, which includes yoga, qigong, and meditation, while surrounding herself with a loving, supportive community. Christa wakes up every morning with a passion for helping others find their peace in Recovery & Mental Health.

Director of Community Engagement and Co-Lead of the Family and Community Engagement Advisory Council

Patricia (she/her) is a mother, an academic and a community member. Her daughters are her joy and her teachers. They have taught her much about the importance of active listening and not stifling the power of their voices. Patricia is a Ph.D. candidate in Anthropology. Her Master’s and Doctoral research focused on making young people visible, highlighting their agency, and learning from what they have to say. The passion that gave rise to the long-standing desire to understand the lives of young people and help find youth-informed solutions to issues carried into community work, where she has worked on boards, councils and committees that directly or indirectly impact youth. Patricia believes that when passion meets action, success is sure to follow, and she is happy to be helping create infrastructures for a better tomorrow.

My name is Asher Moore and I am 11 years old. I joined the Youth Action Council as a way to contribute to my community. Some of my interests are musical theatre, Lego, and reading. I am excited to continue helping the Well!

My name is Deidre Schumacher (she/her), and I’m deeply passionate about mental health

advocacy and not only educating others about the systemic barriers that drive inequality, but also

actively working to dismantle them through community engagement and meaningful change.

I recently completed my Bachelor’s degree in Criminology at the University of Ottawa and am

now pursuing a Master’s degree in Social and Legal Studies at the University of Waterloo. My

academic journey has strengthened my understanding of the social and legal systems that shape

young people’s lives and fueled my commitment to building more accessible, inclusive, and

youth-centered communities.

Through my work with the Youth Action Council, I strive to amplify youth voices, reduce the

stigma surrounding mental health, and contribute to meaningful, youth-led initiatives that create

lasting impact.

Hi there! My name is Andréa and I am so excited to be a part of the Youth Action Council! This past spring, I graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Financial Management and have since moved back home to begin my career working in Economic Development for Bruce County.

Through my university studies and professional experience, I’ve gained an appreciation for how economic growth and community development go together in building sustainable and thriving local communities.

As a member of the Youth Action Council, I hope to continue building my passion for empowering young people, fostering leadership opportunities, and creating meaningful impact by strengthening youth connection and resources across our local communities.