MAY 13, 2026 — The Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) today announced the 12 young leaders selected for its inaugural Digital Youth Ambassadors cohort, a national youth-led advisory council designed to bring youth perspectives into Canada’s digital workforce, research, and policy conversations. This first cohort marks a meaningful milestone in ICTC’s commitment to embedding youth voices in decisions that shape Canada’s digital economy.
ICTC’s Digital Youth Ambassadors initiative was launched to help ensure young Canadians have a direct role in national conversations about building a more competitive, inclusive, and future-ready digital workforce. ICTC received over 200 applications from across Canada in just four weeks for the 12 available positions. The inaugural cohort includes young leaders from both rural and urban communities across Canada, representing diverse backgrounds and a range of experiences as they complete post-secondary education and enter the workforce.
The launch of the Digital Youth Ambassadors initiative comes at a critical moment for young Canadians. As artificial intelligence, automation, and shifting global trade dynamics reshape the labour market, early-career workers need clearer pathways into meaningful digital economy opportunities. In 2025, the average youth unemployment rate was 13.8%, nearly double the national average of core-aged workers.
“Young Canadians are already helping shape Canada’s digital economy—as students, workers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders,” shares Lissa Matyas, ICTC’s Vice President of Capacity Building and Innovation. “ICTC’s Digital Youth Ambassadors initiative gives these remarkable individuals a direct role in informing the programs, research, and policy conversations that will define the future of work. We are pleased to welcome this inaugural cohort and look forward to the insight and impact they will bring.”
Ambassadors will help shape ICTC’s research and programs supporting young people entering today’s digital job market, including ICTC’s Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Digital program, which helps post-secondary students in Canada build relevant work experience with employers during their studies. Through their advisory role, ambassadors will contribute perspectives on youth employment barriers, digital skills, career pathways, and opportunities to strengthen Canada’s talent pipeline.
ICTC looks forward to working alongside this talented group of young leaders as they contribute their expertise, perspectives, and passion to a more inclusive, productive, and competitive digital future for Canada.
Meet ICTC’s 2026 Digital Youth Ambassadors
Charlotte Carr — Alberta
Charlotte Carr holds a Master's in Human-Computer Interaction from Carleton University, where her thesis on user experiences in cybercrime reporting was nominated for a University Medal. She's worked as a design researcher at the National Cybercrime Coordination Centre, done player experience research at Electronic Arts, and improved digital platforms at Alberta Blue Cross.
As a recent grad based in Calgary, Charlotte is experiencing the same transition from education to employment that she wants to improve for others. She's especially interested in helping young people translate their academic accomplishments into language employers understand and value. Charlotte is committed to ensuring Canada retains its tech talent by addressing the systemic gaps that prevent qualified young people from accessing opportunities they're ready for.
Dana Abousharbin — Québec
Dana Abousharbin is a Computer Science student at Concordia University with a strong interest in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.
Dana serves as Vice President at the Software Engineering and Computer Science Society (SCS) at Concordia, which focuses on building a strong tech community on campus through academic events and initiatives that support student learning and collaboration. Dana is also a challenge designer for @Hack CTF, Canada’s largest student-led cybersecurity capture-the-flag competition.
Diba Alam — Ontario
Diba Alam is a final-year Engineering Science student at the University of Toronto, specializing in Machine Intelligence and Robotics Engineering. As a Systems Design Engineering Intern at MDA Space, she supports the development of Canadarm3 and next-generation robotic arms. Her passion for the intersection of AI and autonomous robotics is informed by international collaborations with the European Space Agency and NASA.
Beyond the workplace, Diba is a dedicated advocate for professional development in STEM. As Co-President of Women in Science and Engineering (WISE), she uses community feedback to lead large-scale initiatives designed to bridge the gap between academic theory and industry. Through technical and outreach roles, she has designed high-impact programming that helps peers navigate the transition into their professional debuts. Diba aims to build resilient systems that support the future of autonomous operations.
Doan (Donna) Pham — Prince Edward Island
Thuc Doan (Donna) Pham is in her third year at the University of Prince Edward Island, pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration. With a strong interest in digital innovation and community engagement, she is passionate about helping young people build digital skills and access new opportunities in today’s evolving workforce.
Through her academic journey, volunteer experiences, and role as a part-time supervisor during her studies, Donna has developed strong teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills. She loves working with others to make a positive impact and is always eager to adapt, grow, and take on new challenges.
Ismahil Tchagbele — New Brunswick
Ismahil Tchagbele is an AI entrepreneur, cybersecurity professional (CEH, Security+), author, and speaker. His work focuses on building practical AI solutions while helping organizations adapt to the rapidly evolving digital economy.
Through his ventures, Ismahil develops technologies in areas such as artificial intelligence, digital innovation, education, and healthcare systems. His experience building AI tools and recruiting talent has given him a unique perspective on one of today’s biggest challenges: preparing the next generation for the realities of the digital workforce.
Passionate about innovation and responsible technology, Ismahil regularly speaks and writes about artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, technology ethics, and entrepreneurship. Through his work, he aims to help organizations and communities understand how emerging technologies can be used responsibly to create meaningful impact.
Julian Lam — British Columbia
Julian Lam is a JD candidate at the Peter A. Allard School of Law at UBC. His work sits at the intersection of law, technology, and public policy, with a focus on AI governance, venture, and international trade. He is a Youth Fellow with the Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy (MTD), where he has contributed to national and global initiatives on AI governance. He is also a digital policy hub fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI).
Julian brings experience across public, private, and innovation sectors, including roles at CPP Investments, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, Arc’teryx, and Canada’s Digital Technology Supercluster, where he helped shape the Supercluster’s global strategy. His current work explores the governance of emerging technologies and the role of law and democratic processes in shaping equitable, globally connected technological futures.
Kartik Mittal — Saskatchewan
Kartik Mittal is a third-year Computer Science Honours student at the University of Saskatchewan, specializing in Artificial Intelligence. He brings hands-on experience across research, industry, and community building currently working as an AI Developer at the Canadian Light Source and as a member of NASA's Open Science Data Repository AI/ML Analysis Working Group.
Kartik has navigated the gap between academia and industry firsthand, securing meaningful opportunities while building from a smaller tech ecosystem outside Canada's major hubs. This experience drives his passion for creating more equitable pathways for young Canadians entering digitally intensive fields. Beyond technical work, he organizes tech communities through Google Developer Groups, serves on the SASK AI Expo committee and actively mentors peers through hackathons and competitions.
Neha Mittal — Saskatchewan
Neha Mittal is a Master of Public Administration candidate at the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy at the University of Saskatchewan. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Computer Applications from India and a Diploma in Elementary Education.
Neha currently serves as an Executive Intern with Innovation Saskatchewan’s Research and Technology Park Operations division, where she contributes to performance measurement frameworks, policy research, and data analysis that support strategic decision-making and innovation initiatives. She has also gained experience in program evaluation and community research through her work with the Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre.
Before transitioning into public policy, Neha worked as a certified teacher, an experience that strengthened her commitment to education and youth development. She is passionate about youth empowerment, innovation, and community development.
Raneem Zaitoun — Ontario
Raneem Zaitoun is a digital policy researcher and founder focused on AI governance, Internet rights, and responsible technology. She has contributed to research referenced in official G7 documentation and represented youth perspectives at the United Nations and leading digital policy forums, including the Internet Governance Forum, and the World Internet Conference, where she was recognized as a Global Young Leader.
As an Internet Society Youth Ambassador and former Regional Youth Envoy with the International Telecommunication Union, she has engaged institutional stakeholders on AI governance, digital rights, and internet regulation. She is currently a NEXT36 Fellow building at the frontier of responsible AI adoption. Her research includes co-authoring a peer-reviewed book chapter on emerging technologies, presented at Harvard and UBC.
Rica Bandigas — Alberta
Rica Bandigas is a final-year Anthropology student at the University of Calgary, with a minor in Management and a Certificate in Sustainability Studies. With a strong interest in interdisciplinary learning, research, work-integrated learning, and understanding how technology shapes people’s experiences, she co-founded the Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) UCalgary Chapter — working to support and encourage more women and underrepresented students to explore cybersecurity.
Through these experiences, Rica has exemplified qualities of leadership, collaboration, and community-building, while deepening her interest in technology and digital spaces. Her ongoing goal is to contribute to creating more accessible and supportive pathways into tech for students across Canada.
Tavneet Kaur — Nova Scotia
Tavneet is the founder of X Helping Hands, a community initiative supporting BIPOC and promoting cultural inclusion in Nova Scotia. A first-generation immigrant, she arrived in 2021 and is now a secondary math educator with CCRCE and an alumna of StFX. Since moving, Tavneet has actively supported BIPOC, newcomers, and communities through volunteer work with organizations such as X Project, CMTOLC, EduNova, ACIC Halifax, and Clean Foundation.
She has participated as a delegate and panelist at numerous local, provincial, and national events, including the EduNova Stay & Stay Retreat Ceremonies (2024 & 2025), ACIC Global Youth Conference 2024, CASSA ACGCS, and the CPA Annual National Conventions (2022 & 2023). Tavneet is passionate about mentorship, community-building, and creating spaces where everyone feel supported and empowered.
Young Chae Han — Manitoba
Young Chae is a bioengineering graduate from McGill University and currently works as a Nanosystems Technologist at the University of Manitoba. She operates at the forefront of emerging technologies, where nanoengineering, biosensing, and digital health converge.
In her role, she mentors undergraduate and graduate students in specialized technologies, guiding them to apply complex scientific concepts in practical, real-world contexts. Through this hands-on mentorship, she bridges the gap between academic research and tangible societal impact. Working closely with students entering rapidly evolving technical fields gives her a front-row view of the opportunities and challenges young professionals face in today’s digital economy. Her experiences across research laboratories, startups, and clinical partnerships have strengthened her passion for turning technological innovation into meaningful outcomes.
About ICTC
The Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) is a neutral, not-for-profit national centre of expertise with the mission of strengthening Canada’s digital advantage in the global economy. For over 30 years, ICTC has delivered forward-looking research, practical policy advice, and capacity-building solutions for individuals and businesses. The organization’s goal is to ensure that technology is utilized to drive economic growth and innovation and that Canada’s workforce remains competitive on a global scale.
ICTC’s Digital Youth Ambassadors initiative is supported by its Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Digital program, which is funded by the Government of Canada's Student Work Placement Program (SWPP).
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