Alex Dalton
Having grown up on a beef and potato farm outside of O’Leary, Ms. Dalton moved to New Brunswick for eight years for her postsecondary education (undergraduate degree at Mount Allison University and University of New Brunswick’s Law School). During her studies, she volunteered extensively within executive positions with UNB International Law Society, UNB’s Law Pro Bono Students Canada Chapter, the Atlantic International Studies Organization and was an elected councilor at Mount Allison University’s Students’ Administrative Council. Having moved back to PEI permanently in the spring of 2015, Ms. Dalton would speak to the challenges young people face in returning to the Island, notably surrounding employment issues. |
Ali Younis
After immigrating to PEI and completing his Bachelor of Business Administration degree at UPEI, Ali Younes has already established himself as a successful entrepreneur at the young age of 25. Among his successful ventures are two restaurants (Pizza and Poutine Co. in Charlottetown, and Mussels and Bubbles in Cavendish), a food truck, a grocery store (Mango, with locations in Summerside and Charlottetown) and, most recently, a brick manufacturing facility (the PEI Brick Company in Crapaud). To share the lessons he has already learned Ali has already begun to give back to future students by appearing as a guest lecturer and assisting with the feasibility of their future business plans. Ali brings a high level of management and business acumen to the Youth Futures Council. |
Emma Huestis
At the young age of 17, Ms. Huestis is an active member of her community. She is a member of the Millview-Vernon River 4H Club. Through this membership, she’s had the opportunity to gain leadership skills as a senior member on the planning committee for fundraisers. Ms. Huestis is also a student representative on her school’s District Advisory Council and has been fortunate to bring a number of important issues to the attention of the Department on behalf of her peers. Her next project includes volunteering with the Canadian Parents for French where she hopes to start a club to encourage French immersion students to practice their French outside of the classroom. Her experiences will provide great insight to the Council on the topics of French literacy, education and agriculture. |
John Ployer
John Ployer has been a lifelong resident of Prince Edward Island. Born in Charlottetown, and raised in the Cardigan area, John is well engaged in the island community. Both being a member of PEI 4-H, and in the extracurriculars at both Montague regional, and at UPEI where he currently attends; volunteerism and engagement have been lifelong pursuits of his. John is currently a business student at the University of Prince Edward Island, but still lives in Martinvale with his mother. John is a proud islander and wishes to make a career for himself here on PEI. |
Kenzie Lund
Identified as an emerging young leader, Ms. Lund is currently in grade 11 at Three Oaks Senior High. She is currently going in to her second year on the Youth Who Care Board at the Prince County Hospital. Through her role on the Board, she has assisted in fundraisers and monthly board meetings. Kenzie believes membership with the Youth Futures Council will provide her with an opportunity to give back to her community. With ten years experience in dance, Ms. Lund will also bring an arts and cultures lens to the Council. |
Luke Poirier
With roots in rural, western PEI and a member of the Acadian community, Mr. Poirier believes the sciences is often overlooked and has spent most of his academic career bringing outreach and advocacy for the science community. During his undergraduate degree, he was heavily involved in the Biology Society. During his two graduate programs, he’s maintained strong ties with programs that encourage and foster science education. Most recently, he’s been named the coordinator for “Let’s Talk Science” at UPEI, which conducts science and technology outreach to local public schools to provide fun and educational hands-on activities for children. Mr. Poirer believes graduate school grants the opportunity to truly make a difference and was the primary reason for returning home to UPEI for his Doctoral studies. He was recently recognized by 21inc as “Top 50 under 40 Emerging Leaders in Atlantic Canada.” |
Moira Shaw
Moira Shaw’s education and training brought her to the United States of America until September 2015 when she returned to rural PEI. Currently residing in Bloomfield, Ms. Shaw is eager to re-establish her community connections in Western PEI by providing her services as a volunteer to the Prince County Exhibition and the Bloomfield 4-H Club. Her role as a Pediatric Speech Language Pathologist allows her to work with many children whom she is keen to improve the future for in PEI. |
Nicole Mountain
Nicole grew up, and still lives, just outside of Kensington in Darnley. After graduating from Kensington Intermediate Senior High School in 2011, she continued on to UPEI. A few years into her time at the university, she realized it wasn’t her style of learning, so she transferred to Holland College. She found success in the Marketing and Advertising Program and graduated in 2016. Nicole has been an active community volunteer for over 10 years, many of which have been spent with the Canadian Cancer Society in a variety of roles. She has been the event chair of the Kensington Relay for Life and Independent Fundraising Committee for 5 years. Currently, Nicole is employed by the Kensington and Area Chamber of Commerce as Membership and Events Coordinator. She also works for Twin Shores Camping Area as their Marketing Development Officer. In the past, she was the Smokers Helpline Coordinator and Run to Quit Lead for PEI with the Canadian Cancer Society, and was a Project Manager with the IT Garage Internship program. |
Robert Larsen
At an early age, Mr. Larsen has expressed keen interest in being involved within his community. Throughout his high school career, he has played a key role with the Student Government Council at Three Oaks Senior High School. This year, he will be leading the Council in his role as President. His past experience as chair on the Constitution and Bylaws Committee will lend greatly to the work of the Youth Futures Council as it reviews policies and programs within government relating directing to young Islanders. Mr. Larsen has also been involved with the Albany Centennial 4H Club for eight years, two of which he spent as president. His leadership and experience surrounding the high school demographic will provide insight to the Council if discussions come up surrounding the transition from high school to post-secondary and in to the labour force. |
Taya Nabuurs
Since starting her university career three years ago, Taya Nabuurs displays incredible passion about issues facing today's youth, and advocates these issues through her involvement with the UPEI Student Union in various capacities. Currently, Taya works as the Vice-President Academic & External for the UPEI Student Union, where she advocates on behalf of post-secondary students to the university administration, as well as to municipal, provincial, and federal levels of government. Taya is one of the leading youth on PEI advocating for increased youth participation in the political process. She was highly involved as a volunteer in the Get-Out-the-Vote campaign during the 2015 federal election and in the lead-up to the November 2016 plebiscite, worked as a Public Education Officer for Elections PEI. Previously, she was involved in volunteer positions writing for the UPEI Cadre, as a volunteer with the UPEI International Buddy Program, and as Vice-President of the UPEI Political Science Society. |
Tyler Murnaghan
At the young age of 22, Mr. Murnaghan is an Island leader for diversity. Volunteering with the Brain Injury Association of PEI, Pride PEI and the Adventure Group, Mr. Murnaghan understands firsthand the needs of vulnerable, at-risk, youth living with life-altering disabilities and youth associated with the LGBTQ+ community. Apart from his work with these organizations, Mr. Murnaghan advocates for youth engagement (as seen through his work as a Candidate for Ward 6 in the 2014 Municipal Election in Charlottetown). He also considers himself a young entrepreneur, creating Tyler’s Temptations during his time with the Young Millionaires Program. |