Presentations & Public Speaking Spotlight

At the 2025 RCE Saskatchewan Education for Sustainable Development Recognition Awards Ceremony, Shiza was recognized as an award recipient and delivered a presentation highlighting her social initiative, the Youth MentorNet Café. She explained how the initiative contributes to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly by supporting youth empowerment, quality education, and stronger, more inclusive communities. The ceremony brought together educators, community leaders, and sustainability advocates from across Saskatchewan to celebrate initiatives that promote sustainable development and community impact. The occasion was further distinguished by the presence of notable guests such as the Honourable Bernadette McIntyre, Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, making it a meaningful moment of recognition and inspiration.

Shiza presented as the youngest workshop facilitator at the First Nations University of Canada during the Igniting Conversations: Indigenous Self‑Determination in Social Work Conference. During the discussion, Shiza emphasized the need to invest in youth-led initiatives, mentorship opportunities, and culturally grounded programs that uplift Indigenous perspectives and experiences. She encouraged participants to recognize young people as active leaders and changemakers rather than passive participants in social systems. By sharing her experiences and insights, Shiza contributed to meaningful dialogue on how social work practitioners, educators, and community leaders can better support Indigenous youth empowerment and advance self-determination within communities.

Shiza was the youngest keynote speaker at DisruptHR YQR, where she addressed an audience of HR leaders, industry professionals, and C-suite business executives from Canada and beyond. In her keynote, she spoke about the importance of empowering Generation Z in the modern workforce and highlighted how organizations can better engage, support, and retain emerging young talent. By sharing her perspectives as a young leader, Shiza offered unique insights into how organizations can bridge generational gaps and create workplaces that nurture collaboration, adaptability, and long-term growth. Her keynote sparked important conversations among business leaders about building more inclusive and forward-thinking workplaces that support the next generation of talent.

Shiza moderated the EDI (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) Expert Panel at the Diversity Gala, organized by the Hill Business Students’ Society, where she also served as Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. In this role, she facilitated an engaging and thoughtful discussion among panelists, guiding conversations on the importance of advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in both academic and professional environments. By moderating the panel, Shiza helped foster open and respectful conversation, ensuring that diverse voices were represented and heard. The session contributed to strengthening dialogue within the business student community about leadership, representation, and the responsibility of future leaders to champion belonging.

Shiza was invited to serve as a youth panelist at the South Saskatchewan Community Foundation Charity Professional Development Day, where she contributed a youth perspective to discussions on community impact, leadership, and philanthropy. Shiza highlighted the value of youth voice, leadership development, and mentorship in strengthening community organizations. She emphasized that empowering young people to participate in philanthropy and social impact initiatives helps build more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable communities.

Shiza was invited to serve as a youth panelist for the GLOCAL Foundation of Canada, where she spoke about her work in social entrepreneurship and youth engagement. During the panel discussion, she shared her experiences developing youth-led initiatives that focus on mentorship, leadership development, and community impact. Through her contributions, Shiza brought forward a youth-centered perspective on how empowering young leaders can strengthen communities and inspire meaningful action. Her participation in the panel helped foster dialogue on the role of young changemakers in driving innovation, promoting active youth engagement in social impact initiatives.

Shiza was invited by Theirworld to serve as a youth panelist in the Girls, Play, and Power Session, part of the Understanding Inequalities in Education Series. During the discussion, she contributed her perspective on the importance of creating equitable and empowering educational environments for girls and young people. Drawing from her experiences in youth leadership and community engagement, Shiza spoke about the role of play, confidence-building, and inclusive opportunities in supporting girls’ development and leadership. She highlighted how empowering young women through education and mentorship can help address systemic inequalities and create pathways for future leadership.