One of Time magazine’s 2021 Next Generation Leaders and named on Maclean’s Power 50 List in 2022, Chika Stacy Oriuwa, MD, is a medical trailblazer spearheading change in health care and beyond. Currently a resident doctor in psychiatry at the University of Toronto, Oriuwa is a graduate of the school’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine, where she was valedictorian of her year and concurrently earned a master’s degree in health systems leadership and innovation. She served a variety of board positions and has helped to curate spaces of wellness and inclusion. Oriuwa was also honoured in Mattel’s #ThankYouHeroes campaign with a one-of-a-kind Barbie doll made in her image to commemorate her contributions as a frontline healthcare worker. Recently, Oriuwa established the Dr. Chika Oriuwa Award for the Advancement of Black Health at Temerty Medicine, which will be awarded annually to a graduating medical student who has demonstrated their dedication to advancing health in the Black community. Dr. Oriuwa lives in Toronto with her husband, Dale, and their two young children.

Asante Haughton is a lot of things–entrepreneur, activist, organizer, speaker, writer, poet, and mental health worker–but stories and storytelling are at the heart of his work. Asante believes that stories have the ability to connect, build rapport, convey empathy, and forge linkages that support a shared endeavour in improving lives. Asante has leveraged stories, his own and others, to resounding success. His accomplishments include two TEDx talks and being named as one of Canada’s top 150 influencers in mental health. Notably, he also co-founded the Reach Out Response Network, an organization whose advocacy directly paved the way to the Toronto Community Crisis Service, a new fourth emergency service that responds to folks experiencing mental health crises with mobile crisis teams instead of police officers. Though his achievements have earned Asante a significant public profile (and even a Wikipedia entry), he is most gratified when a client or consumer of his work conveys that he has changed their perspective or even their lives. Nothing is more important to him.

Ryan Forsyth is an Award-Winning Mental Health Speaker and Advocate, host of the Life in Red Podcast and Promotions Coordinator for JUMP! 106.9 and boom 99.7 in Ottawa. He is a music geek and sports fanatic who’s passionate about helping people open up about their mental health and redefining a healthier version of masculinity.  

Named one of the Peak’s Emerging Leaders for 2024, Hailey is a social impact leader who has dedicated her career to empowering people to see their potential. She has spent 8+ years leading social service organizations and is passionate about mental health, youth wellness and taking a strength-based approach to community development. Some of her career highlights include founding the Yukon Distress & Support Line, establishing a collective impact strategy for northern disability-serving organizations, creating foundational training for front-line workers in the territories and becoming a thought leader for mental health in the workplace and inclusive hiring. In July 2023, she became the Executive Director of Unsinkable, a national mental health charity founded by Olympian Silken Laumann that harnesses the power of storytelling to bridge the gap between those struggling with their mental health and steps towards mental wellbeing. She holds an honours degree in Psychology from Queen’s University and a postgraduate certificate in Nonprofit Management from Simon Fraser University. Hailey is also a contributing writer to KBI Inspire Magazine, a digital publication focused on youth mental health and a coach for the Fora Network for Change Rise on Boards Program