OUR TEAM |
Ryan Lo
Co-Founder M.U.P., B.E.S. Ryan is an urban planner, community engagement practitioner, and youth advocate. As Co-Founder of Urban Minds, he bridges the gap between youth and decision makers by developing youth engagement strategies with municipalities and community partners. His work includes organizing the annual 1UPToronto Conference and the 1UP Leaders Lab program, where high school students learn about city building and gain practical skills in civic leadership. Ryan has extensive experience in facilitating engagement events for placemaking and transportation projects across Canada and the US. |
Angela Ng
co-founder M.Arch., B.Arch.Sci. Angela is an architectural designer, educator, and youth advocate. As Co-Founder of Urban Minds, she elevates youth voices in the decision-making process of cities by delivering educational school workshops about urban planning and by mentoring a growing network of high school students. Angela is the recipient of the Sappi Ideas That Matter Grant, which funded the production of her 1UP Starter Kit, a key resource for high school students to lead their own community design-build projects. Her design expertise is recognized as winner of the City of Toronto’s Everyone is King: Design-Build Competition with her team’s youth-friendly curb lane public art installation, #WouldYouRatherTO. |
ADRIANA CERIC
Growth Coordinator Adriana is a grade 12 student at Waterloo Collegiate Institute in Waterloo, Ontario. Since she was young, she has always noticed problems in the way her community was built and her dream is to one day innovate sustainable, life-sized and inclusive cities for all. As a 17-year-old, she believes that age is no barrier for what one can achieve, and she knows that youth input is the key to add solid foundations to our work, play and home environments (pun intended). When she is not doing schoolwork, she can be found editing her podcast or trying out online recipes. |
Matthew James
Growth Coordinator Matthew is a prospective Urban Planning and Architecture student. Through both his academics and time with Urban Minds he hopes to develop a greater understanding of design and collaboration to assist in shaping and provoking impactful conversations which embrace the many nuances of today's generation. |
BRIANNE LEE
PROJECT Coordinator Brianne is a young city builder, energized by opportunities to make our cities more resilient and inclusive. She currently supports residential development projects in the GTA challenging the status quo - integrating ambitious sustainability goals, user-centric technology and meaningful public space. With previous experience at the Centre for Sustainable Food Systems at UBC and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Brianne values research and engagement prioritising young and underrepresented voices. |
Jane Law
project COORDINATOR Jane is an aspiring urban planner with experience in arts-based community engagement for equity-seeking groups. She is interested in exploring how engagement processes can be made more creative, approachable, and compelling for people of all abilities and ages. Jane has previous experience working in the role of community engagement with the City of Toronto, the Toronto Youth Food Policy Council, the Toronto Ward Museum, and multiple Business Improvement Areas. Besides planning, you can find Jane participating in zoom ballet class in her basement, baking new recipes in the kitchen, and reading books in the comfort of her room. |
ENOSH CHEN
Outreach Coordinator Enosh Chen is a first-year undergraduate in the Honours Planning program at the University of Waterloo and an Outreach Coordinator at Urban Minds. He chose to study urban planning because he believes that there are always opportunities to enhance communities around the world. Besides urban planning, he is interested in designing graphics and teaching kids. |
Eric CHEN
Outreach Coordinator Eric is an architectural designer and architect in training with experience in graphic design. He is interested in understanding and addressing how the built environment manifests a disconnect between decision makers and everyday people on the street. He believes that voices not often heard in the city building process - especially youth - can create a better built environment for everyone. He is excited to empower youth in the GTA to become engaged and informed in shaping the world around them - no matter how big or small. Although his passion for architecture has guided him so far, Eric enjoys cooking new recipes, and finding new areas to explore by bike or foot. |
SELINA PHAN
Outreach Coordinator Selina is passionate about cities, especially in thinking about how to make our cities more sustainable and affordable. She holds a dual Bachelor's degree in Urban Development and Business Administration from Western University and the Ivey School of Business. She has been involved in research projects examining local economic development strategies and the impact of COVID-19 on food retailers in Ontario. Her professional experience includes strategy development; scaling social ventures in food security, women's empowerment, and education; and real estate development across retail, industrial, and multi-residential assets across Canada. Outside of work, she enjoys cycling around Toronto to discover new things to eat! |
AREEJ ASHRAF
program coordinator Areej is a transportation planner with a keen interest in community development and youth engagement in city building. She has worked on a diverse set of transportation projects including transit planning, parking and active transportation in the GTA and Halifax. Areej is passionate about championing diverse voices in planning and incorporating equity and inclusivity in her work. As a Program Coordinator, she helps develop and facilitate key programming with the Urban Minds team and its partners. When she isn’t wearing her planning hat, Areej enjoys hiking and practising calligraphy. |
DENELLE CARVALHO
program coordinator Denelle is an aspiring urban planner based in Toronto. She is passionate about environmental justice and strategies for achieving representative public engagement in city building. Denelle has an academic background in geography and planning, and has experience working in food systems research and on a variety of urban agriculture projects at the University of Toronto. As Program Coordinator at Urban Minds, she hopes to use this experience to provide support and leadership opportunities for youth taking an active role in creating sustainable, accessible, equitable, and beautiful spaces. Besides urban planning, Denelle is an active community gardener and an amateur henna artist. |
JENNIFER KHUU
program coordinator Jennifer is an urban planning student at Ryerson University who is passionate about youth empowerment, social planning, and environmental conservation. She is always eager to learn more about fostering sustainable and thriving communities that boost the wellbeing of all citizens. Her passion for community engagement developed through working with Secure the Food Mississauga and Volunteering Peel. Jennifer also enjoys playing the piano and learning new languages in her free time. |
federico palacios
research analyst Federico is an urban planner in training with experience in youth and community engagement. His academic training in Environmental Studies and Food Security allow him to frame his work using equity-based and sustainability perspectives. His experience with Camp Outlook, the Ontario Science Centre and Real Food for Real Kids have cemented his passion for youth engagement. Federico is excited to be working alongside Toronto's youth so as to inspire a lifetime of meaningful civic engagement. A serial hobbyist, Federico is happiest in a dance studio, a pottery studio or zipping around town on his bike. |
OUR ADVISORY BOARD |
AMUNA BARAKA-CLARKE
Amuna is passionate about access. She has almost three decades of experience working in the areas of homelessness, education, social justice, legal advocacy and policy. Currently, she works as the Director of Human Resources and Operations for the Jane/Finch Centre. She is also a CivicAction DiverseCity Fellow and sits on various boards. She has an undergraduate degree in Political Science and English Literature and a Master’s degree in Public Policy, Administration and Law. 
catriona moggach
Catriona is a recent graduate of the professionally accredited Master of Planning degree in Urban Development at Ryerson University, Toronto. She is passionate about cities and creating equitable environments in which individuals are able to facilitate positive change in their lives. Her areas of interest include Indigenous housing policy, affordable housing, poverty alleviation, environmental sustainability, and creating vibrant communities in Canada and internationally. |
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Our 1UP Executive Team serves as our youth advisors on our projects and initiatives.