Our Team

The dedicated leaders and accomplished advisors driving the mission of the Canadian Young Leaders Coalition.

Founder & National President

Elijah M. J. Nikiforuk

Elijah is a young leader who is passionate about the potential of Canada. In 2019 he served as a Student Ambassador to the Deputy Premier & Minister of Health of Ontario & was also a Student Guest of the Royal Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Washington D.C. Additionally, Elijah has enjoyed engaging in deep, thought-provoking conversations with various leaders such as Canada’s Ambassador to the United States, the Ethiopian Ambassador to Canada, as well as the Senior Economic Advisor to the President of the United States.

Elijah graduated high school as Chairman of the Student Council, Valedictorian of the Class of 2021 & received the designation of Ontario Scholar. After receiving Scholarships & Letters of Acceptance from Western University, Queen’s and the University of Ottawa, Elijah decided to study at Trinity Western University in British Columbia where he is the recipient of both the Provost’s Scholarship & the Founders’ Scholarship.

Elijah believes in the power of community, as well as the necessity of individuality.

Executive Team

Our Leadership

National Vice-President

Bella Jackson

Bella Jackson is a graduate of McGill University, where she gained a major in Political Science and double-minored in Anthropology and Economics. She has spent time in Israel, where she studied International Political Economy at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. There, she focused on the impacts of government reforms on economic development, innovation and investment. Bella’s academic writing has also been published by the Fraser Institute, Canada’s leading public-policy think-tank. She has well-rounded academic, volunteering, and work-related experiences and currently resides in Washington D.C.

Additionally, Bella is fluent in both French and English.

Chief of Staff

Matthew Penner

Matthew Penner is a graduate of Western Governors University where he gained a Bachelor of Science in Network Operations and Security, completing a 3+ year program in just 14 months. Matthew also holds a CASP (CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner) Certificate in cybersecurity engineering and has acquired numerous other technology-related licenses / certifications from distinguished institutions. Having previously worked as a Platform Operations Analyst at First West Credit Union, a Technology Consultant at GLC Solutions, Matthew is presently the Founder of VOS Solutions - the world’s first turnkey software solution for running programs end-to-end, from individual athletic careers to entire national development systems. In his spare time he is striving towards a Masters Degree in Leadership from Trinity Western University.

Strategic Council

Our Advisors

Experienced & Accomplished

General (ret.) Rick Hillier

Former Chief of Defence Staff

General (ret.) Rick Hillier served as the Chief of the Defence Staff of the Canadian Armed Forces from 2005 - 2008. He has extensive experience working in complicated environments across the globe.…

David Brown

Partner, WeirFoulds LLP

David Brown has been repeatedly named by Best Lawyers® as one of the best lawyers in Canada in the practice area of Corporate Law, having developed an active international practice representing finance firms in New York,…

Nola Kianza

Canadian Council on Africa

Nola Kianza is the Founder, President & CEO of the Canadian Council on Africa (CCAfrica) - a Pan-Canadian, national organization dedicated to fostering economic development between Canada and the Continent of Africa.…

Joanna Baron

Canadian Constitution Foundation

Joanna Baron serves as the Executive Director of the Canadian Constitution Foundation, a national legal charity dedicated to defending fundamental freedoms in courts of law and public opinion.…

Sam VanderVeer

Director, Scotiabank

Sam VanderVeer began his Financial Services career with Scotiabank in 2014. He has worked in the Office of the President & CEO, Investment Banking and National Accounts Commercial Lending.…

Kerry Colborne

Force 10 Capital Management

Kerry Colborne is the owner and Principal Broker of Force 10 Capital Management which specializes in private financing for residential, commercial and other real estate projects including construction. Prior to that she…

Frank Apa

President & Gen. Manager, Lexus of Oakville

Frank Apa started out as an Assistant to the Sales Manager at an auto dealership in 1974, eventually purchasing the Oakville Toyota dealership in 1991 along with his partner. Based on his success with Oakville Toyota,…

William Chang

Associate, WeirFoulds LLP

William Chang has experience in complex private mergers, acquisitions and dispositions and works with clients to draft and negotiate shareholders’ agreements, partnership agreements, non-disclosure agreements and…