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Meet the 2025 Co-operators Young Leaders

The Co-operators Young Leaders Award celebrates the next generation of innovators in the Canadian co-operative and mutuals sector. These 10 talented, passionate and innovative young leaders from across Canada will participate in a yearlong leadership academy.

Olivia Champagne

SEIZE and Populus Solidarity Cooperative, QC

Olivia is a co-op builder and advocate for collective entrepreneurship as a tool for economic transformation. As a co-founder of SEIZE and Populus Solidarity Cooperative, she supports organizations to design democratic governance, secure financial sustainability, and grow solidarity economy initiatives across Canada. Outside of work, she enjoys crafting, tending gardens and DIY projects.

Vesta Sahatciu

Sustainability Solutions Group Worker Co-operative, QC

Vesta is a professional jack of all trades, having played roles that range from project management to business development to governance, and in a variety of sectors such as tech, radio, climate action, and co-op development. Vesta's passion for clear communication and a good gantt chart is only eclipsed by her drive to make the world a more democratic, fair, and equitable place to live and work.

Philippe Lavoie

COOPSCO, QC

After leading a school-based cooperative and completing two international missions in Morocco and Belgium focused on cooperation and leadership, I am now studying finance at Université Laval and hosting a podcast to make finance more accessible to youth. My passion lies in connecting with people, sharing ideas and building a more inclusive and sustainable vision of finance.

Fatim Kouyaté

Econocoop, ON

Fatim Kouyaté holds a bachelor’s degree in arts and currently works at Econo Coop as the Member Well-being Manager, where her role is to meet the essential needs of members and provide ongoing support. Dynamic, committed, and motivated by challenges, Fatim actively contributes to the success of the organizations she is part of. Fatim enjoys trying new foods and discovering new cultures.

Ryssa Alarcon

Saskatoon Co-operative Association, SK

Ryssa is a Marketing Manager at Saskatoon Co-op and a recent MBA grad. Beyond leading marketing across 7 retail commodities, she’s a passionate community builder, serving as a Co-Chair and fundraiser for organizations like Make-A-Wish and YWCA Saskatoon. In 2022, she received the YWCA “29 & Under” Women of Distinction Award. Outside of work, she loves singing, playing instruments, and traveling.

Kaitlyn Peters

Pollock’s Hardware Co-op, MB

As General Manager of Pollock’s Hardware Co-op, Kaitlyn Peters helps preserve the store’s century-long legacy in Winnipeg’s North End. She manages operations, staff, and events, working with members to strengthen Pollock’s place in the community. Outside work, Kaitlyn enjoys canoeing, camping, and spending time outdoors.

Sarah Jensen

Co-operative Housing Federation Canada, ON

Sarah grew up in a housing co-operative and now sits on the Board of CHF Canada and co-champions their Young Member Network. Over the last decade, they have worked as a co-op educator locally, nationally and internationally. In 2022, they received the Association of Co-operative Educator’s William Hlushko Award to Young Co-operative Educators. Sarah also enjoys hiking, reading, and making art.

Simran Gill

GenConnect, BC

Simran Gill is a youth leader and co-founder of GenConnect, a nonprofit organization fostering intergenerational connections. She has led events engaging 600+ seniors and youth. Passionate about equity, community care, and cultural inclusion, Simran brings heart, innovation, and lived experience to the co-operative movement by building bridges across generations with compassion and purpose.

Brittney Rosenberg

Lake Country Co-op, SK

Brittney is the Director of Marketing and Community Relations for Lake Country Co-op where she champions purpose-driven campaigns and initiatives that drive engagement, strengthen community connection and support long-term growth. Outside of work, you’ll find Brittney snowmobiling, fishing, volunteer, attending community events or dreaming up her next big idea over a strong cup of coffee.

Emily Power

Caroline Cooperative, ON

Emily is president of Caroline Co-op, a housing co-op in Hamilton. She led her tenant association in fundraising to purchase the apartment building from their landlord in 2024, the first example of a tenant-led, co-op conversion in the city's history. She holds a master's in urban planning from the University of Toronto and works at Flourish, an affordable housing development consulting company.

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