Meet the 2026 Second Harvest National Youth Council

Following its inaugural year in 2025, Second Harvest’s National Youth Council is back, bringing together passionate young leaders from across Canada committed to building amore sustainable, equitable and resilient food system. Representing diverse regions, academic backgrounds and lived experiences, council members share a common goal: reducing avoidable food waste while strengthening food security for communities nationwide.

From nutrition and public health to environmental science, policy, finance and youth advocacy, the 2026 National Youth Council offers a unique mix of perspectives and skills. We’re excited to introduce this year’s cohort and can’t wait to work together to tackle hunger and food waste.

Amelia Frame

‍Guelph, ON

Amelia Frame is passionate about the intersection of nutrition, food sustainability, and public health in Canada. Her experience managing the Feeding Our Future program at Second Harvest strengthened her interest in sustainable food systems and improving equitable food access. With a background in nutrition, Amelia hopes to work as a community dietitian, combining her interests in food security and dietetics to help more Canadians access nutritious food. Amelia looks forward to collaborating with young leaders across the country who share her commitment to reducing avoidable food waste and strengthening Canada’s food system.

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Sara Gould

‍Mississauga, ON

Sara Gould is passionate about serving the community by advancing food literacy levels and improving access to nutritious food. As a recent graduate of Humber College, where she grew her expertise in nutrition and health promotion, Sara brings an in-depth understanding of the relationship between food and holistic well-being, impacting our health and connection to culture, land and community. As a volunteer at Second Harvest, she continues to learn about our food system while supporting the administrative team and participating in food sort events. As a member of the council, Sara looks forward to collaborating with like-minded peers and advocating for improved food security to nurture both people and the planet.

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Uyanda Mntambo

‍Toronto, ON

Uyanda Mntambo is a recent Bachelor of Arts  graduate in Global Development Studies with a minor in Political Studies. She is passionate about environmental stewardship, sustainability and addressing the social challenges associated with environmental change and food insecurity. She joined the council to increase youth engagement in conversations around food waste and to help advance innovative ideas to reduce it. Outside of work, Uyanda enjoys hiking, camping and canoeing.

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Evan Wilson‍

Antigonish, NS

Evan Wilson is an Earth and Environmental Sciences master’s student at St. Francis Xavier University with a strong interest in developing circular food systems that support environmental health and vulnerable populations. He coordinates a research project with the Population Health, Equity and Advocacy Research Lab focused on food rescue in the Maritimes and its impacts on nutrition, economics and the environment. Evan also works in small-scale sustainable agriculture, runs two community garden sat the university, and collaborates with local environmental groups to advocate for sustainable change. He is grateful to serve on the council and looks forward to building on his knowledge of circular and sustainable food systems.‍

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Rieley Winslow

Ponoka, AB

Rieley Winslow is an undergraduate student with experience in community engagement and a strong interest in addressing food insecurity through climate-conscious solutions. She is particularly drawn to Second Harvest’s mission of food rescue and redistribution, and its critical role in reducing food waste and mitigating climate change. Rieley plans to pursue a master’s degree in Agricultural Food Production Microbiology, a path that has deepened her interest in sustainable agriculture, resilient food systems and environmental impact. As president of the Lacombe Composite High School Rotary Interact Club, Rieley led food drives, fundraisers and community projects at local, national and international levels. Rieley also gained valuable experience working with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) collaborating on food safety and food waste research projects focused on innovative waste-reduction solutions. Rieley is eager to contribute a youth perspective, collaborate with peers across the country and support initiatives that create meaningful, long-term change.

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‍Danielle Dulay‍

Halifax NS

Danielle Dulay is a recent graduate of Acadia University with a BA double major in Psychology and Law & Society. Growing up in the Philippines, Danielle became aware of the realities of food insecurity alongside food waste, sparking her passion for food justice, sustainability and youth-led action. Danielle’s work and community involvement focuses on youth advocacy, public education and creating meaningful social impact.  As a member of Second Harvest’s National Youth Council, Danielle is excited to collaborate with other young leaders to amplify youth voices and help drive meaningful, sustainable change.  

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Ali Tahir

‍Calgary, AB

Ali Tahir is a fourth-year student at the University of Calgary, pursuing a dual degree in Finance and Economics. As a member of the Youth National Council for Harvest for Humanity, Ali combines strong financial acumen with a demonstrated commitment to social innovation. His passion for sustainable systems was highlighted during the Hunter Hub Entrepreneurial Competition, where he was a semi-finalist in the Social Impact Challenge for a project focused on food waste reduction. Ali brings diverse professional experience to the council, including his time as a financial analyst at Brookfield Real Estate, where he developed complex financial models and cashflow projections. He also served as a marketing analyst for Rax, where he leveraged AI tools to drive user acquisition and brand awareness. A driven leader and entrepreneur, Ali has achieved top placements in competitions such as the RBC Fast Pitch and the British Petroleum Trading Competition. He is eager to apply his analytical skills and entrepreneurial spirit to drive tangible outcomes for food security and food waste reduction.

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Carson Wong

‍Vancouver, BC

Carson Wong is an undergraduate student at the University of British Columbia, where he studies human geography and international relations. He joins the Second Harvest Youth Council with a strong commitment to improving food security for communities across Canada and a passion for educating young people about reducing food waste and promoting sustainable, low-carbon practices. Carson brings practical leadership and operational experience from working in foodservice, where he serves as a line cook and mentors teammates on proper waste disposal, recycling practices and responsible kitchen operations. Through a combination of research interests, education and hands-on volunteer experience, Carson hopes to collaborate with communities and organizations locally and globally to advance a more sustainable, food-secure future.‍

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Ilham Hakim‍

Vancouver, BC

Ilham Hakim is an undergraduate student at the University of British Columbia with a strong interest in food waste reduction and youth-led climate action. In her free time, she enjoys baking, running and volunteering in her local community. Her passion for food waste reduction grew through firsthand experiences working on a blueberry farm and at a bakery, where she saw large amounts of edible food discarded due to cosmetic standards and lack of recovery systems. These experiences helped motivate Ilham to contribute to youth-driven, practical solutions that reduce food waste and strengthen food recovery systems across Canada.

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Alyssa MacIvor

‍Merigomish, NS

Alyssa MacIvor is a first-year Biology student at Acadia University with a strong interest in community initiatives and student leadership. She previously served as a member of the Pictou County Climate Change Committee and is passionate about food waste and food security, particularly because of their close connection to climate change and community well-being. Through her involvement in campus clubs and sports, Alyssa has developed strong communication skills and experience collaborating with others and engaging peers. She is excited about the opportunity to be part of the Second Harvest National Youth council and to help drive meaningful, youth-led change.