Welcome | Meet the Co-Chairs | Schedule | Meet the Speakers | Sponsors

WELCOME

Thank you for joining us at Young Leaders Toronto 2024!

The Young Leaders program’s mission is to create a brighter, more inclusive future for youth living with vision loss, and we are excited to support you on this journey. Whether you’re exploring different career options, seeking mentorship, or aiming to develop essential skills, our program is here to provide you with tools and encouragement needed to thrive.

During today’s program you will have the opportunity to engage in discussions about intersectionality and advocacy and join a network of peers who share your experiences and aspirations. Our dedicated team is committed to fostering an environment where you can explore your passions, face your challenges, and seize the opportunities that lie ahead.

Throughout the day, you will have the opportunity to ask questions, meet your peers, and share your story. We want to thank our sponsors RBC Future Launch, Rhythm Pharmaceuticals and Johnson & Johnson for making this program possible.  

We are so excited to have you join us and look forward to learning more about you! 

Morgan Ineson, Senior Manager, Education, Fighting Blindness Canada 
Jackie Rosen, Officer, Education, Fighting Blindness Canada 
Alicia Chenier, Young Leaders Co-chair, Ontario  
Ali Usman, Young Leaders Co-chair, Saskatchewan 

MEET THE 2024 YOUNG LEADERS CO-CHAIRS

Alicia chenier

Alicia Grace Chenier is a motivational speaker, aspiring actor and college graduate who is currently pursuing a university degree in disability studies. A brain tumor survivor, chronic illness warrior and disability advocate, Alicia has lived through more lifetimes than the average 25-year-old. After losing most of her vision at a very young age, she dedicates her time to raising awareness about disability and sharing her story, while advocating for greater accessibility, equal access and inclusivity in her city and beyond. Alicia’s life motto is “blind girl in a sighted world”, adapting to navigating the world and living well with sight loss, and she will never lose her vision to create change.

ali usman

Ali Usman is a dedicated scientist pursuing a Ph.D. in Experimental Physics in Regina, SK. He has conducted research at prestigious institutions like CERN, Brookhaven National Lab, and Jefferson Lab, focusing on the origins
of the universe and sub-atomic particles. He’s an avid advocate for science outreach and volunteers extensively. Facing the challenge of retinitis pigmentosa, Ali is determined to make science accessible to people with
disabilities. His future goal is to work in science policy, promoting inclusivity and accessibility in the scientific world. Outside the lab, Ali enjoys cooking, traveling, hiking, and indulging in music and movies.

schedule  

Saturday, September 28, 2024
Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4W 2G8
Young Leaders Toronto runs concurrently with View Point Toronto. To see the full View Point agenda, please visit the View Point program page.

12:30–1:30 p.m.: Registration
Beeton Hall, 1st floor
Registration will be held outside of Beeton Hall on the first floor. You will also have access to the Community Resource Fair being held in Epic Hall on the second floor. Volunteers will be available to assist.

1:30–1:40 p.m.: Welcome Remarks
Beeton Hall
Join Morgan Ineson, Senior Manager, Education, Fighting Blindness Canada, to kick off our exciting day of programming.

1:40–3:00 p.m.: Navigating Intersectionality: Understanding Vision Loss through Diverse Lenses
Featuring Ben Akuoko, Esther Ignagni and Naheda Sahtout – Moderated by Ali Usman
Beeton Hall
Explore the complexities of vision loss through the lens of intersectionality in this interactive session. Panelists will discuss how their multiple identities influence their experiences of vision loss, advocacy and access. This session will include a panel discussion and small breakouts.

3:00-3:15 p.m.: Snack Break
Beeton Hall
Enjoy a selection of pastries and refreshments.

3:15-4:00 p.m.: Fireside Chat with Diane Bergeron – Moderated by Alicia Chenier
Beeton Hall
Diane Bergeron is the President of CNIB Guide Dogs and plays a pivotal leadership role in the World Blind Union (WBU). A lifelong advocate, Diane’s unwavering passion lies in championing a world without barriers, where individuals with disabilities are recognized and embraced for their abilities. Diane will speak about her career experiences and answer audience questions.

4:00-4:15 p.m.: Break
Bram and Bluma Appel Salon – 2nd floor
Stretch your legs and head upstairs to join View Point Toronto for the final session of the afternoon!

4:15-5:00 p.m.: VIEW POINT: Voices of Change: Transforming Lived Experience into Action
Featuring Dave Brown, Alicia Chenier and Mary Campbell
Epic Hall, 2nd floor
Join us for an insightful session exploring the intersection of advocacy and lived experience. You will hear from individuals who have navigated both the challenges and triumphs of living with vision loss, and learn how these firsthand experiences can inform and drive meaningful advocacy. Whether you are a community member, advocate, or ally, you will gain practical insights on how to amplify your voice and create impactful change.

5:00-5:15 p.m.: Closing Remarks
Epic Hall

5:15-6:00 p.m.: Social Hour
Epic Hall & Prologue
Meet members of the vision loss community, their families and friends and make new connections. Wine, cheese and a selection of hors d’oeuvres will be served.

6:15-7:00 p.m.: Travel Time
For those who wish to attend the optional evening activities, transportation will be provided. Please meet at the View Point registration table outside Epic Hall at 6:15 p.m.

7:00-10:00 p.m.: Young Leaders Dinner & Games Night
Join FBC for a special dinner and games night at a private residence in North York. Enjoy a delicious meal, the return of Young Leaders Trivia and some friendly competition. Games will be provided.

10:00 p.m.: Travel to Hotel and Check-In
For out-of-town Young Leaders who are staying overnight, transportation will be provided to your hotel, Novotel Toronto North York. Please check in at the reservations desk when you arrive. Check out time is 12:00 p.m. on Sunday.

MEET THE SPEAKERS

BEN AKUOKO

Ben Akuoko is an individual who lives with partial sight due to retinitis pigmentosa. He is a registered social worker, with a Social Service Worker diploma from Sheridan College, a Social Work degree from Laurentian University and a Masters of Social Work from the University of Waterloo. Ben currently works at the CNIB as an advocacy and accessibility Program Lead for Ontario West. He is a huge advocate in highlighting the importance of intersectionality in terms of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and disability. Ben is a firm believer that diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility should be top points of discussion in the community of individuals living with disabilities. In his spare time, he enjoys making hip hop and R&B music, podcasting, dancing, running, and weight training.

DIANE BERGERON

Diane Bergeron is the President of CNIB Guide Dogs and plays a pivotal leadership role in the World Blind Union (WBU), serving as both Treasurer of the WBU and Chair of the WBU Women’s Committee. As President of CNIB Guide Dogs, Diane’s leadership approach focuses on the handler perspective as she directs and oversees policies and procedures for the program. She has been a guide dog handler for 40 years and shares a profound bond with her CNIB Guide Dog, Carla. Diane resides in Ottawa, ON, where she enjoys fitness activities (as a past Ironman triathlon finisher!), camping and learning to play guitar.

DAVE BROWN

Dave Brown is the Host of NOW with Dave Brown on AMI TV, a daily TV talk show that explores real world events through the lens of disability and inclusion. Born with albinism and legally blind, Dave has been working in the broadcast industry for over 10 years, and has had the chance to make documentaries, host shows, and interview thousands of people. Broadcasting is Dave’s passion and he is grateful for every opportunity he gets to connect with people. He first fell in love with radio while listening to his Sony Walkman late at night when he was supposed to be sleeping. Dave makes his home in North York, ON and beyond broadcasting, he has a passion for sunglasses, fantasy football, and deep-fried cheese.

MARY CAMPBELL

Mary Campbell, RN, B.Sc.N., is a retired nurse who lives in Toronto.
A University of Toronto alumnus, she was diagnosed with wet AMD at age 65 in 2012. Due to unfortunate delays in treatment, she lost all of her central vision in her left eye. Six years later, she developed wet AMD in her right eye and was treated immediately, enabling her to preserve her vision. Mary keeps up to date with the latest AMD research in the hopes that her three adult children and six grandchildren will not be affected in the future. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, gardening, keeping fit with exercise classes, theatre and music.

DR. ESTHER IGNAGNI

Dr. Esther Ignagni is the director of Toronto Metropolitan University’s School of Disability Studies and is serving as interim director of the School of Social Work. At TMU, she also serves on the Universal Design in Learning Committee, School of Medicine Interprofessional Education & Collaborative Practice Working Group, Learning & Teaching Grants Adjudication Committee, FCS Teaching Standards Committee and Academic Standards Committee. Dr. Ignagni has led several curriculum innovations, including those that support the school’s unique online delivery for distance students. She led and collaborated on the creation
of open educational resources, community and industry collaborations, anti-racist and decolonial curriculum reviews, and interprofessional education initiatives. Dr. Ignagni holds a Ph.D. from the Dalla Lana School of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto.

DR. NAHEDA SAHTOUT

Dr. Naheda Sahtout is an award-winning academic, researcher, scientist, and leader. Dr. Sahtout completed her B.Sc. (Honours) in Biology from the University of Waterloo, M.Sc. in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of Guelph, and Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Saskatchewan. She is currently a Policy Analyst with Natural Resources Canada. Having tackled an academic journey with a visual impairment, Dr. Sahtout is passionate about advocating for inclusivity, diversity, equality, and accessibility in science, and committed to redefining the landscape and finding ways to help women and girls succeed. In her free time, she is the Managing director of the Muslim Achieving Excellence Scholarships Fund program, a national program dedicated to supporting excellence in youth.

Sponsors

Thank you to our sponsors RBC Future Launch, Johnson & Johnson, and Rhythm Pharmaceuticals for making this program possible.