Hello! I am a multidisciplinary designer and have been with the Laidlaw Foundation for over five years, working to strengthen our global Scholar community and amplify the impact of our programmes. My work lives somewhere between design, education, and anthropology, usually with sticky notes involved. I studied Human Sciences as an undergrad and am currently doing a Master’s in Anthropology at UCL. Degrees I struggle to explain at parties. Born and raised in Kazakhstan 🇰🇿 Outside of work? Probably in the ceramics studio, wandering aimlessly with a podcast in my ears, attempting a handstand, or watching far too much TV. Big fan of nature and very small bugs.

Hello! My name is Elliot and I am a student at the University of Toronto hoping to study law, history and political science. When I am not frantically writing essays I like to spend my time outdoors skiing, hiking, climbing, biking, running... you name it! I also love reading and writing and I hope to be able to publish some of my work one day! I am really passionate about social justice and advocacy and I hope to be able to use my skills to help those in need, whoever they are and wherever they may be! 

Hello, I'm Chiara! I'm a student of Political Science, Ethics, Society & Law, and Urban Studies at the University of Toronto. I'm incredibly interested in studying social movements, especially the more right-leaning movements formed recently in the internet age. In my free time, I paint and play video games!

As a student of Health & Disease, Immunology as Psychology, I am eager to pursue a career in medicine or research! I am deeply passionate about menstrual health 

Daniel is a Lester B. Pearson and Laidlaw Scholar at the University of Toronto's Trinity College, where he is pursuing a specialist in International Relations with minors in Economics and Political Science. Daniel's experience, skill set, and interests lie at the intersection of multilateralism and human rights. He has interned at the foundations of two Nobel Laureates (Gabo Foundation & Compaz Foundation), the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Colombia and, most recently, the Organization of American States (OAS). He has also served in multiple volunteer positions at the Canadian International Council, the Victoria Foundation, UWC Colombia, and CISV International. His studies, internships, and volunteer positions have led him to visit 23 countries. Daniel is an avid traveler and an amateur photographer.

Hello! I recently graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Psychology Research from the University of Toronto. I’m passionate about youth mental health and how humour can be used to support resilience after adversity. My Summer 1 research project explored the relationship between childhood adversity, aggression, and self-regulation — deepening my understanding of the psychological impacts of early trauma. In Summer 2, I led a Leadership-in-Action project at SOS Children’s Villages in Cape Town, where I designed and facilitated a comedy-based mental health program for teens. That experience led me to found HaHaHelps — an organization that uses improv comedy to support youth mental health through accessible, community-led workshops. I'm currently piloting the full program in South Africa, with plans to expand to more communities globally. Please feel free to connect :) Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/younessrobert-tahiri Email: youness@hahahelps.org

Hello! I'm Tyler Carriaga, a recipient of a full-ride merit scholarship at the University of Toronto, where I'm studying Architecture and Public Policy. I strive to continue evolving my personal and technical skills in my journey of learning how to help (quite literally) build greener, more resilient, and equitable communities.

My name is Alice (she/her) and I have just finished my first year at the University of Toronto studying Cognitive Science, and Philosophy as a National Scholar. I am from a small province called Newfoundland and Labrador, but studied for two years at Pearson College UWC in Victoria, British Columbia. I am really passionate about mental illness - specifically about how our conception of mental illness shapes the way we treat people with mental illness in medical institutions, and in society. I am also very invested in the climate justice movement. 

Hi everyone, I am thrilled to be joining the 2024 Laidlaw Cohort. I am an incoming third-year undergraduate student studying Political Science and Psychology at the University of Toronto, and my hometown is Edmonton, Alberta. Some of my hobbies include music, volleyball, hiking, and making new friends. Shoot me a message and I would love to get in touch!

Hi everyone! My name is Lilah and I am going into my fourth year at the University of Toronto studying Economics and International Relations. I am deeply passionate about climate justice, and am particularly interested in exploring how public policy can be used to mitigate the climate crisis.

Hello! I'm Petrina and I'm currently studying philosophy at the University of Toronto. As a member of the 2024 Laidlaw Scholars cohort, I am interested in philosophy, specifically philosophy of religion and phenomenology.