Sarah works and lives in amiskwaciwâskahikan (Edmonton, AB) and is passionate about supporting youth-led movement work, building communities of care, and creating experiences of belonging. Sarah believes it’s important to see and hear yourself in the art you enjoy and enjoys curating community and music events that enable experiences of belonging. In her own artistic practice Sarah enjoys writing music that explores the intersections of place and identity through narrative storytelling. Outside of work Sarah also enjoys knitting, reading science fiction books, and cycling in Edmonton’s river valley.
Our Team
Sarah Alemu
RISE Coordinator - Edmonton
Sarah Alemu
RISE Coordinator - Edmonton
She/Her (S/H)
Aissatou Bah
Social Media Manager
Aissatou Bah
Social Media Manager
She/Her (S/H)Making creative digital content is Aissatou's bread and butter, which is why she's a Social Media and Content Manager at AisB.
A Humber PR alum and settler in Tiohtià:ke (commonly known as Montreal), Aissatou has a knack for turning ideas into tangible results. With over 7 years of experience in her field, she's helped grow many brands and foster a sense of community within them. Passionate about storytelling and community building, Aissatou is known for producing content that consistently sparks online conversations and meaningful interactions.
"I'm truly blessed to work alongside the brilliant teams behind Apathy is Boring over the next year, helping them bring awareness to the important work they do to encourage young Canadians in their civic duties."
Jennifer Block
RISE Program Manager - West
Jennifer Block
RISE Program Manager - West
She/Her (S/H)Born and raised on Treaty 1 territory, Jennifer currently works and lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Jennifer holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Winnipeg where she double majored in Political Science and Indigenous Studies. Currently, she is working towards a Master's Degree in Public Administration in the Political Science Department at the University of Manitoba.
Through her studies, Jennifer has developed an interest in understanding how democratic systems and values can be strengthened by citizens and institutions. She is a passionate advocate for democracy, firmly believing that a well-informed and engaged public is essential to safeguarding the integrity of Canada’s democratic system.
Belinda Campbell
RISE Coordinator - Winnipeg
Belinda Campbell
RISE Coordinator - Winnipeg
She/Her (S/H)Belinda was born and raised on Treaty 1 Territory, and is a recent graduate of the University of Manitoba, where she obtained a Bachelor of Social Work, and is currently registered and in good standing with the Canadian Association of Social Workers. Belinda has ample experience working with youth, having worked as a mentor and coordinator for the RISE program, and through a variety of roles in various sectors including health care and family services. Belinda has worked as a facilitator in multiple roles and is also well experienced with supporting people one on one having worked as a direct support professional for over 4 years. Belinda believes that community is intrinsic to everything we do and prioritizes building safer communities both within her personal and professional life. Belinda is passionate about youth led civic engagement and believes that youth have the power to create positive change within their communities, they just might not know it yet.
Riley Campbell
RISE Coordinator - Halifax
Riley Campbell
RISE Coordinator - Halifax
They/Them (T/T)
Drew Carlson
Build Lead
Drew Carlson
Build Lead
She/Her (S/H)Drew endeavors to combine arts and activism; she believes that by investing in the cyclical legacies between cultural contributors and their communities, we promote creative critical thinking and societal longevity.
Born on Duwamish land near Seattle, Washington, Drew grew up drawing and painting outside of drama club and choir practices. Youth and volunteer programs have been personally and professionally formative for Drew; In 2020, she decided to use the performing and people-skills from her degree in Theatre Performance and minor in Anthropology for community organizing. Now, she's recruited, trained, coordinated, and mentored volunteers for various organizations fighting for artists, workers, voters, and tenants.
Drew has facilitated mental-wellness content creation meetings for the L.E. Foundation, and supported tenants in Vancouver's CRAB Park during forced decampment. She has doorknocked with UNITE HERE for unionizing efforts, and managed grassroots volunteer teams for a progressive municipal party, helping collect thousands of petition signatures for vacancy control in Vancouver. Drew also mobilized voters in the '22 U.S. midterm elections, and oversaw workshop operations at Base Building for Power, a non-partisan organization training new activists on community organizing.
When she's not at work, Drew is usually crunching on popcorn, starting a 2am creative project, or enjoying a scalding hot bath.
Jasmine Cha
RISE Coordinator - Calgary
Jasmine Cha
RISE Coordinator - Calgary
She/Her (S/H)Jasmine is an advocate for peace, justice, and a recognized member of Alberta's Top 30 Under 30 for her commitment to reducing inequality worldwide. Known as a Digital Changemaker, she leverages her skills to create genuine impact by resolving tech challenges and addressing social issues.
Jasmine is empowered by empowering youth to become leaders and changemakers. She fosters inclusive spaces where everyone can develop the skills, confidence, and opportunities to contribute meaningfully. Her belief in the power of young voices to drive social progress drives her work.
With extensive experience in digital inclusion, equity, and gender equality, Jasmine aspires to nurture the next generation of leaders. She amplifies voices, inspires collaboration, and equips them with tools to shape a more equitable future. Jasmine remains dedicated to fostering transformative change through mentorship, education, and advocacy.
Erika De Torres
Impact and Development Director
Erika De Torres
Impact and Development Director
She/They (S/T)Erika immigrated from the Philippines to Canada when they were six, becoming a Canadian citizen when they were 10. Since then, Erika developed a great interest in Canadian democracy and participates as much as they can. They completed an MA in Political Science at McGill University and a BA in Political Science from Simon Fraser University. Their MA research examined whether or not place of residence affects an individual's political preferences in Canada. They worked in higher education as a teaching assistant, research assistant, and supported a variety of academic departments.
Erika previously worked with a number of non-profits in Vancouver and North Vancouver. They facilitated workshops on anti-discrimination and anti-oppression, obtained grants and funds, organized conferences, festivals, concerts, workshops, collaborated with partner organizations and worked directly with youth and young people to support them.
"Apathy is Boring leads in youth empowerment using the model of Youth Led Democratic Innovation through its engaging programs. I'm so proud to be a part of an organization that puts action to words - working for youth, with youth, and it's by youth!"
Sarah El Hassani
Operations Manager
Sarah El Hassani
Operations Manager
She/Her (S/H)Sarah was born in Amsterdam and moved to Canada when she was 16 years old. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in Law and Society from Concordia University and is a certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM).
Sarah is passionate about helping others, having volunteered at agencies that help children with learning disabilities, and encourage people to get the flu vaccine. She has also worked as an intake counselor opening new files and helping people in crisis.
“When I heard I got the chance to join Apathy is Boring, a small spark lit up within me. Finally, I can be part of an amazing team and help them with their mission — which also became mine. AisB is full of wonderful surprises, and every day, it amazes me even more!”
Tanisha Garing
Outreach Coordinator
Tanisha Garing
Outreach Coordinator
She/Her (S/H)Tanisha is based in Kjipuktuk (Halifax), first moving to the east coast to attend Dalhousie University and complete her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Law, Justice & Society. Fast forward many years, she has enjoyed integrating more closely into the cozy community that is Kjipuktuk. Having collaborated with various community-based non-profits, Tanisha values building community, acts of solidarity, and mutual aid.
In her free time, she enjoys telling everybody about her very adorable, chunky cat, going on very fast walks, and eating butter noodles.
“I’m endlessly grateful to work with such a compassionate, unique group that is the Apathy is Boring team! I’m constantly learning and relearning the many ways youth envision a more fruitful democracy and community they want to engage with.”
Ashley Igboanugo
Partnerships and Engagement Manager
Ashley Igboanugo
Partnerships and Engagement Manager
She/Her (S/H)Ashley is a dynamic advocate for equity and inclusion, driven by a deep-rooted passion for social justice. With an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in French, she combines exceptional interpersonal skills with a keen analytical mind.
Having navigated diverse roles, from program coordination to policy analysis, Ashley brings a wealth of experience in building strategic partnerships and fostering community engagement. Her work in public health and social policy has fueled her commitment to addressing systemic inequities and promoting positive change at the grassroots level. Ashley is passionate about amplifying youth voices and believes in the power of youth to drive meaningful change.
"Joining Apathy is Boring felt like the next natural step for me. It's not just an organization—it's a movement. Apathy is Boring is youth-serving and youth-led, making it the perfect platform to drive intentional change. Together, I believe we can harness the power of youth engagement to shape a brighter future for generations to come."
Darnell Jones
Programs Director
Darnell Jones
Programs Director
He/Him (H/H)While studying Community Recreation and Leadership Training (CRLT) at Dawson College, Darnell began working in community centers in Montreal. Over the years, Darnell has worked at Westhaven Community Center, Loyola Community Center and Tyndale St-Georges Community Center. Aside from his work in the community he has also kept himself busy teaching at the elementary, CEGEP and university levels. He is also a graduate of the Health and Physical Education program at McGill University.
Throughout the last 14 years in the field, Darnell has worked diligently on establishing and maintaining positive interpersonal relationships with youth, families, colleagues and community partners. After 10 years of experience at Tyndale St-Georges Community Center as the former Director of the Children, Youth and Families department, Darnell is excited for a new challenge!
“I am very excited to begin my journey at AisB because this opportunity allows me to continue to learn and develop both personally and professionally. Although this is a slightly new mission and clientele, my purpose remains the same: to help others by providing them with enriching experiences.”
Siya Khara
RISE Coordinator - Vancouver
Siya Khara
RISE Coordinator - Vancouver
She/Her (S/H)Siya is a passionate youth advocate with over 10 years of experience working with young people to foster empowerment, education, and social change. A proud Vancouverite, Siya holds a Bachelor of Science in Geography and Environmental Studies from the University of Victoria. Throughout their career, Siya has been dedicated to building positive connections with youth, guiding them toward realizing their full potential in a rapidly changing world.
Committed to the idea that empowering youth is key to creating a brighter future, Siya is excited to engage with local youth through Apathy is Boring. With a deep belief in the transformative power of youth engagement, Siya continues to work toward building a more inclusive, informed, and active generation.
Leighetta (Lee) Kim
Social Media Coordinator
Leighetta (Lee) Kim
Social Media Coordinator
They/Them (T/T)Lee is an interdisciplinary artist and communications professional with an obsession with all things art, food, and politics. Born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba (Treaty 1 Land), They have since taken root in Montreal/Tiohtià:ke/Mooniyang where they are an active organizer in Montreal’s Pan-Asian community. Lee’s work in all disciplines aims to question and elaborate on the intersection between politics and aesthetics. They are particularly interested in archives, histories of migration, and non-traditional forms of political engagement and community building.
You can often find Lee biking around town or barbequing up a storm at their local park!
“Working at a youth-focused political organization like Apathy is Boring feels like a breath of fresh air! I’m so grateful to be part of such an amazing team doing important work.”
Molly McKenzie
Research and Development Assistant
Molly McKenzie
Research and Development Assistant
They/Them (T/T)Molly was born and raised in so-called Vancouver on unceded Musqueam, Coast Salish, and Tsleil-Waututh land, and currently resides on unceded Kanien'kehá:ka Traditional Territory.At McGill University they pursued a degree with a first-class honours in Gender, Sexuality, Feminist, and Social Justice Studies and a double minor in Religious Studies and Indigenous Studies. Throughout their years living in Tiohtià:ke, Molly has been passionate about creating community resources centering anti-oppressive values and making
nuanced, theoretical subjects accessible and easily understood beyond academic spaces. They are so excited and grateful to be a part of the AisB team and the tangible change they are making!
In their free time, you can find them on stage or in the audience in Montréal’s theatre community, lounging in the park, or playing with their cat, Squiggle.
Samuel Miriello CRHA
Managing Director, People & Operations
Samuel Miriello CRHA
Managing Director, People & Operations
All pronouns (A)Samuel is a community builder and human resources strategist based in Tiohtià:ke (Montreal). As Managing Director, Samuel brings a people-first approach to Apathy is Boring’s operations, ensuring that the team has the supportive infrastructure needed to empower youth across Canada.
A graduate of the John Molson School of Business at Concordia University, Samuel has spent his career at the intersection of organizational management and social justice. Before joining Apathy is Boring, he served as the Director of Human Resources for RÉZO, where he championed inclusive workplace policies and played a key role in destigmatizing public health language for the LGBTQ+ community.
With a background that spans student activism, media creation, and non-profit leadership, Samuel understands that meaningful civic engagement requires both passion and practical systems. He believes that when young people are given the right tools and platform, they don’t just participate in democracy, they reshape it to be more equitable for everyone.
Why I care: "I believe that apathy isn't a lack of caring, but often a lack of access. My work is dedicated to removing those barriers so that every young person can see themselves as a powerful agent of change in their community."
Ash Montgomery
Director of Communications
Ash Montgomery
Director of Communications
She/Her (S/H)Ash is the Director of Communications & Strategic Engagement at Apathy is Boring. Originally from small-town Québec and now based in Montréal, she’s a Concordia Cultural Studies alum who’s long been fascinated by the power of words and their impact. With over a decade of experience in storytelling, brand strategy, and community building, Ash leads the charge in shaping how AisB connects with youth across the country.
Her career has spanned the nonprofit, education, and health sectors — always with a focus on purpose-driven work. Ash brings a strategic lens to everything from campaign planning and media outreach to cross-team collaboration and audience engagement.
A lover of music and the messy magic of creative expression, Ash is passionate about using communications to spark conversation and inspire action.
"To me, strong communications isn’t just about messaging — it’s about creating moments that really move people. That’s why I’m so proud to help get the word out about Apathy is Boring and the amazing work our team does."
Sydney Penner
Research and Evaluations Lead
Sydney Penner
Research and Evaluations Lead
She/They (S/T)Sydney is the Research and Evaluations Lead at Apathy is Boring. Following her degree in Psychology from Simon Fraser University, she has worked in both clinical mental health and addictions and non-profit social sciences research. Her clinical research has examined concurrent mental disorders and substance use, with an emphasis on sleep rhythms.
Recently, Sydney conducted a sleep study in a psychiatric in-patient population and founded a mental health knowledge translation podcast that was presented at the Michael Smith Health Research Putting Patients First conference and was featured by the Canadian Psychology Association. In the non-profit sector, she has led studies examining the intersection between disability and workplace health and wellness, and emerging trends in Canada's young workforce.
She is passionate about Participatory Action Research (PAR) and interdisciplinary methods, and community-based knowledge translation and mobilization.
Sam Reusch
Executive Director
Sam Reusch
Executive Director
She/Her (S/H)Sam Reusch is the Executive Director of Apathy is Boring, one of Canada’s largest non-partisan, democracy organizations. Since stepping into the role in 2020, she has led the organization through a period of growth and transformation, expanding its national reach and deepening its impact at the intersection of civic engagement, youth leadership, and democratic innovation.
With nearly a decade of experience in the democracy sector, Sam has been a leading voice on issues of participation, elections, and democratic resilience. She has spearheaded initiatives such as the Better Democracy Roadmap and the Canadian Democracy Endowment, positioning Apathy is Boring at the forefront of efforts to strengthen trust and accountability in institutions and build a democracy that is fit for the 21st century.
Beyond her role at Apathy is Boring, Sam serves as a board member with Volunteer Canada and is a recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal for her contributions to civic life in Canada. She regularly contributes to national conversations on democratic reform, youth engagement, and the future of civil society in Canada.
Mariam Salaymeh
RISE Coordinator - Montreal
Mariam Salaymeh
RISE Coordinator - Montreal
She/Her (S/H)Mariam Salaymeh (she/her) is the RISE Coordinator for Apathy is Boring in Montreal. Born in Kitchener to Bulgarian and Palestinian parents, she studied anthropology, linguistics, and communications. Fluent in a few languages, Mariam has lived in Montreal, Prague, and Tokyo, and tries to bring a global perspective to local community projects.
She recently served as City Manager for the DEVlabs project, organizing national summits in four cities and overseeing youth-led initiatives based on community-gathered data. Mariam has a background in broadcasting from CKUT 90.3 FM, where she also serves on the board, along with the board of the Musée des Ondes Emile Berliner in Saint-Henri. She is a strong advocate for refugee rights, reliable transit, Indigenous Reconciliation, public green spaces and community initiative funding. In her spare time, she enjoys tennis, music and cheering for the Raptors.
Tayyaba Shahzad
RISE Coordinator - Toronto
Tayyaba Shahzad
RISE Coordinator - Toronto
They/She (T/S)Tayyaba "Tubz" Shahzad is a multifaceted non-profit professional with 8+ years of experience empowering youth. As a job coach and employment liaison, she mentors and motivates young individuals. With a versatile skill set and adaptability, Tubz seamlessly navigates various roles, driving leadership and amplifying others' work. With experience in grant writing, facilitating arts workshops, and hosting community, Tubz manages her collective, Weaving Threads, which provides arts-based programming for QTBIPOC youth.
Holding a BA in Political Science and Criminology, Tubz uses her knowledge to support young entrepreneurs tackling social justice causes. She brings energy and a collaborative approach to her work, believing in uplifting others alongside herself. Outside of work, Tubz enjoys many hobbies including scrapbooking, reading, and traveling.
Karelle Sikapi
RISE Coordinator - Ottawa
Karelle Sikapi
RISE Coordinator - Ottawa
She/They (S/T)Karelle’s love for community building has followed her throughout her life, with experience in activism going back to her high school days. She loves to seize opportunities to connect with her local community, understand its needs, and bring about positive change for the people around her. Having turned their lockdown hobby into their main art medium, Karelle enjoys hosting beginner crochet workshops and introducing people to the world of fibre arts. Nonetheless, Karelle has always considered sociology their first love, and completed their BA in sociology at Carleton University.
Irmak Taner
Projects Lead
Irmak Taner
Projects Lead
She/Her (S/H)Irmak was born and raised in Istanbul, Turkey, and has been living in Montreal for the past 10 years. Her curiosity about people, individually and collectively, led her to a degree in Psychology and International Development Studies at McGill followed by a graduate degree in Anthropology at Concordia. She believes in the power of community organizing and as an aspiring artist she is always looking for ways to bring arts into action.
She has worked in various academic and non-profit contexts organizing workshops and events, bringing people together and facilitating connections. In her free time she likes to experiment with up-cycled crafts and lay down at parks.
“When I first got involved in Apathy is Boring as a volunteer a few years ago I was just so impressed! The positive energy, the empowering spirit and the capacity for change that Apathy is Boring brings forth for youth is infectious and I am so thrilled to be part of this family”
Stephanie Yee
RISE Program Manager - East
Stephanie Yee
RISE Program Manager - East
She/Her (S/H)Stephanie is a settler, artist and community worker living in Kjipuktuk (Halifax) the unceded and unsurrendered ancestral land of the Mi'kmaq people. Since moving to Kjipuktuk in 2008, she has found a sense of self through engaging in a network of communities devoted to reflection, learning and the building and maintaining of relationships. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from NSCAD University where she focused on nonverbal communication. Her career in the arts has allowed her to travel across North America to create space for dialogue on the intersections of gender and race. The aim of her work, both artistic and not, is to present accessible entry points to lesser known concepts and perspectives.
She has an affinity for disco, dancing and food made with butter.
"I'm still in shock that an organization like Apathy is Boring exists, let alone that I get to work for it! Everyday I see new ways my colleagues reach out to support one another. I truly believe in the programming because it is carried forward by folks who consistently ask themselves, "How can we make things better for everyone?"