About
for the youth, by the youth
Youth Mind is an online magazine made for the youth, by the youth. Our editors and contributors aim to cover content that we believe young people care about.
Whether it’s school, the job market, the environment or social justice, we know that these areas affect — and will continue to affect — our demographic the most.
For this reason we wanted to cover such content with the utmost respect and attention that it deserves.
We hope that Youth Mind will inform, motivate and empower the young people of today.
OUR TEAM
Ramona Leitao
Managing Editor
Ramona Leitao is the managing editor of Youth Mind. When not writing, or taking photos, you’ll find her baking her signature baguettes while crying to Studio Ghibli soundtracks.
Lior Kozai
Copy Editor
Lior Kozai is a reporter and copy editor for Youth Mind. He cares too much about when to write “fewer” instead of “less,” and his most enduring relationship is with the Toronto Raptors.
Lea Clarin
Creative Editor
Lea Clarin is the creative editor of Youth Mind. They’re just taking it easy these days but would really like to talk to you about the K-pop group ONEUS.
Dana Hall
Contributing Editor
Dana Hall is a contributing editor and journalist for Youth Mind and the Newcomer. She enjoys climbing mountains and talking to her plants. Every once in a while, she tries an olive in hopes that she’s developed a taste for them.
Kathleen Charlebois
Reporter
Kathleen Charlebois is a reporter for Youth Mind. Her weaknesses are used bookstores, blank notebooks and giant scented candles.
Amy Fournier
Reporter
Amy is a reporter for Youth Mind. She is passionate about oat milk lattes, any film featuring Adam Driver, and tending to her tiny indoor Basil garden.
Emma Siegel
Contributing Editor
Emma Siegel is a contributing editor at Youth Mind. She loves em dashes a little too much — no, really, it’s true — and when she isn’t editing a story or doing research for her next article, you can always find her with a book in one hand and a coffee in the other.
Rameesha Qazi
Contributing Editor
Rameesha Qazi is a contributing editor at Youth Mind. She loves video games and baking. These days she’s filling her time with League of Legends. She loves to travel and is always ready for a new adventure.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Youth Mind Magazine acknowledges the Indigenous land on which we work that has been inhabited by Indigenous peoples since the beginning.
As settlers, we’re grateful for the opportunity to meet here and we thank all the generations of people who have taken care of this land — for thousands of years.
Long before today, there have been Indigenous peoples who have been the stewards of this place.
We wish to acknowledge the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. We also acknowledge that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit.
We recognize and deeply appreciate their historic connection to this place. We also recognize the contributions of Métis, Inuit, and other Indigenous peoples have made, both in shaping and strengthening this community in particular, and our province and country as a whole.
As settlers, this recognition of the contributions and historic importance of Indigenous peoples must also be clearly and overtly connected to our collective commitment to make the promise and the challenge of Truth and Reconciliation real in our communities, and in particular to bring justice for murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls across our country.
Julia Tramontin
Julia Tramontin is the Managing Editor of Business Hub, Women Quest, and Youth Mind. She is currently a law student at Osgoode Hall and has a degree in journalism. She is particularly interested in storytelling as a vehicle for change. She has worked as a writer and editor on publications such as Obiter Dicta and Review of Journalism. When she’s not editing, she can be found hanging out with her cockapoo, Ollie, or with her nose in a book.
Lan Nguyen
Lan Nguyen is the Managing Editor for Business Hub, The Newcomer, Blackvoice, Women Quest and Youth Mind. He just recently finished up his bachelor’s degree in English & Professional Writing at York University, during which time he served as an Art Senior Editor for Inventio and as a Non-fiction Junior Editor for Existere. When he isn’t working, he can be found listening to emo music, fussing over the Toronto Raptors, or playing video games with his friends.
Lisa Manganiello
My name is Lisa Manganiello and I have a BA in History. I have a passion for writing so I also obtained a Graduate Certificate in Technical Writing. I love to paint, listen to music and go for long walks in nature. I am happy to be a writer at the Ontario Learning Development Foundation Inc.!
Stephanie Taylor
Stephanie Taylor is a recent graduate of Algonquin College’s journalism program. She loves
telling stories about quirky people and the environment. She has worked as the managing
editor for the Algonquin Times and as an editorial intern at Canadian Geographic. When she
isn’t writing, she is spending time with her cats, window shopping with her friends or reading a book.
Isabella Disley
Isabella is a journalist and photographer based in the nation’s capital. She is a recent journalism
graduate from the University of Ottawa and Algonquin College. When she isn’t writing stories or
capturing memories, Isabella is running her small business, Thriftin n Thrivin! You can see more
of her work at isabelladisley.com.
Dru Gary
Dru Gary (she/her) is a queer BIPOC poet and writer pursuing her master’s degree in English
and Creative Writing at Concordia University. She loves words and the act of stringing them
together to create arrangements that are both beautiful and meaningful. She finds inspiration in
the intangible and attempts to create images out of abstract thought in an effort to understand and
ground herself. She ultimately seeks truth and healing through her practice.
Callum Denault
Callum is a graduate of journalism at Toronto MU, and a disability self-advocate who also works for Special Olympics Canada. In his free time, Callum enjoys practicing martial arts including Jiu-Jitsu, playing basketball, and keeping up on the latest science news.
Vincent Tran
Vincent is a Writer/Journalist for multiple publications across OLDF’s platforms. He graduated with a Bachelor of Journalism from Toronto Metropolitan University and enjoys all things related to sports. When he isn’t watching or talking about his favourite teams and athletes, Vincent is either playing video games, listening to music, or spending time with family and friends.
Josephine Nagavy
Josephine is a high school English teacher who loves good stories, meaningful conversations, and building community wherever she goes. Whether she’s planning a book club, organizing a themed workout, or writing something, she’s always looking for creative ways to connect with people and make everyday moments a little more memorable.
Alisha Velji
Alisha is the Creative Editor at OLDF. She is a fourth year Interactive Multimedia & Design student at Carleton University with a passion for illustration and graphic design. When not doodling, Alisha can be found in a café sipping an iced coffee or geeking out over Taylor Swift.
Ruth Moon Lopez
Ruth Moon Lopez is a Canada-based journalist with a knack for writing about culture, community, and lived experiences. She also stands at 5’0″ but this doesn’t stop her from reaching new heights. You can find her on Instagram @maythisbeluv and see more of her
work at ruthmoonlopez.com.
Tierra Benfield
Tierra Benfield is the Social Media Coordinator at OLDF, where she creates content for Black
Voice, Women Quest, Youth Mind, and Business Hub. She has a passion for fashion, design, writing, and continuous learning. Tierra also aspires to become a lawyer in the near future! Learn more about her at tierrabenfield.ca.
Gabby Altman
Gabby Altman is a contributing editor at Youth Mind, Business Hub and Women Quest. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her travelling the world, trying new food and hanging out with her puppy named Mochi.
Autumn Brambell
Autumn Brambell is a mental health advocate and psychology researcher working toward
becoming a clinical psychologist. She’s not a writer by trade, but she has things to say. In her
free time, she loves getting lost in a good book and chasing her spunky cat Willow around the
house.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Youth Mind Magazine acknowledges the Indigenous land on which we work that has been inhabited by Indigenous peoples since the beginning.
As settlers, we’re grateful for the opportunity to meet here and we thank all the generations of people who have taken care of this land — for thousands of years.
Long before today, there have been Indigenous peoples who have been the stewards of this place.
We wish to acknowledge the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. We also acknowledge that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit.
We recognize and deeply appreciate their historic connection to this place. We also recognize the contributions of Métis, Inuit, and other Indigenous peoples have made, both in shaping and strengthening this community in particular, and our province and country as a whole.
As settlers, this recognition of the contributions and historic importance of Indigenous peoples must also be clearly and overtly connected to our collective commitment to make the promise and the challenge of Truth and Reconciliation real in our communities, and in particular to bring justice for murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls across our country.