Exceptional Young Canadian Women Recognized for Community Impact
Five remarkable young women between the ages of 15 and 29 have been honored with the prestigious RBC Future Launch Future Leaders Awards, celebrating their outstanding contributions to transforming communities across Canada through innovation, collaboration and courage. The awards, presented by WXN (Women's Executive Network), highlight the incredible achievements of the next generation of female leaders who are making significant impacts in their respective fields.
Meet the Award-Winning Change-Makers
Lauren Castelino, founder of the Green Career Centre, has established herself as a powerful force in environmental advocacy and youth empowerment. Her organization specifically supports underrepresented youth, including BIPOC communities, newcomers and women, in accessing and securing green jobs through skill-building programs, leadership retreats and policy advocacy.
Castelino's impressive reach extends to over 500,000 youth across Canada, and she has secured more than $3.2 million in funding for impact-driven initiatives. Through her dedicated research efforts, she played a crucial role in informing a historic $405 million commitment to climate philanthropy from nine Canadian funders.
Reflecting on her career philosophy, Castelino emphasizes that "any program, project or organization must be designed by and for the communities it represents and serves." She defines powerful leadership as "practising servant leadership: using your voice, platform and influence to support and uplift communities that are often left out of decision-making spaces."
Healthcare Advocacy and Accessibility
Sara Emira, an award-winning occupational therapist at CAMH (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health), has been recognized for her work in addressing gaps in accessibility and health equity. Through her Instagram blog, Egyptian.OT, she provides valuable mentorship for students and early-career professionals from underrepresented backgrounds in healthcare.
Emira's approach to career development focuses on action rather than titles, noting that "we get so caught up in titles and credentials that we often forget that there are so many paths that lead to the same destination." Her personal triumph involved "shedding traditional notions of professionalism to be unapologetically me" and advocating for her communities "even when it means having uncomfortable conversations about systemic shortcomings."
Disability Rights and Policy Advancement
Rana Espiritu Nasrazadani, a disability rights and accessibility advocate serving as Senior Policy Advisor at the Ontario Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security, brings a unique perspective informed by her lived experience navigating interlocking systems of oppression.
As an award-winning advocate, educator and public speaker, Nasrazadani advances accessibility, equity and human rights across Canada using a strength-based approach to disability rights advocacy. Her work has gained national recognition, with features in CBC and The Toronto Star, establishing her as a sought-after public speaker on human rights issues.
The RBC Future Launch Future Leaders Awards represent a significant commitment to recognizing and supporting the next generation of Canadian women leaders who are driving positive change in their communities. These five young women exemplify the innovation, courage and collaborative spirit that the awards seek to celebrate, demonstrating that age is no barrier to making substantial impacts on society.
Their achievements highlight the importance of supporting diverse voices in leadership positions and creating pathways for young women to pursue their passions while addressing critical social and environmental challenges facing Canada today.
