Celebrating Youth Who Lead With Courage: Meet the 2025 Thrive Youth Leadership Award Recipients

Every year, the Thrive Youth Leadership Awards recognize young people who lead with courage, creativity, and compassion. These awards celebrate youth who uplift their communities, overcome challenges with resilience, and inspire others through their actions.

This year, we are proud to introduce two exceptional young leaders whose journeys reflect the heart of Thrive Youth’s mission: helping young people discover their strengths, build confidence, and become leaders in their communities.

2025 Youth Leadership Award Recipient: Sofie Khan

Name Sofie Khan

Leading Through Action and Innovation

Eighteen-year-old Sofie Khan’s leadership journey began in Thrive’s Youth Lead Impact

program in 2022. Through a sustainability-themed team project focused on reducing fast-fashion waste, she discovered her capacity to create meaningful change through collaboration, problem-solving, and creative action.

A Voice for 250,000 Students

Today, Sofie is a Computer Engineering student at Toronto Metropolitan University, representing 6,000 students as the Computer Director of the Metropolitan Undergraduate Engineering Society. Previously, she served as President of the TDSB Student Senate, advocating for more than 250,000 students across the city.

Empowering the Next Generation

Sofie’s impact extends beyond campus. She co-founded MiracleMinds Canada, a youth-led nonprofit bridging the STEM gap for underserved students, and created The Application Era, a mentorship platform that has already supported over 1,100 students navigating the university application process.Her resilience—shaped by overcoming a medical misdiagnosis and financial barriers—continues to guide her commitment to empowering others through mentorship and leadership.

2025 Youth Leadership Award Recipient: Yekta Yousefian

Courage in a New Country

Fifteen-year-old Yekta Yousefian moved to Canada less than two years ago, facing the challenge of building a new life in a new language and culture. Through Thrive’s creative and community-building programs, she found a place to express herself, build friendships, and grow her confidence.

Leadership Through Kindness and Inclusion

Yekta leads with quiet strength. She welcomes new students, supports classmates, and helps create inclusive environments where others feel comfortable and seen. Her own experiences as a newcomer give her deep empathy for those who feel unsure or out of place.

Growing as an Artist and Community Leader

Over the next few years, Yekta hopes to deepen her art practice, build confidence in public speaking, stay active in music and volunteer work, and continue supporting peers. Her leadership shows that impactful change can come from small acts of care, creativity, and inclusion.

Why These Leaders Inspire Us

Sofie and Yekta reflect the future of youth leadership: resilient, creative, compassionate, and community-minded. Their stories embody the values at the core of Thrive Youth’s work, and we are honoured to celebrate their accomplishments.