Community at Shad

The Shad community is bigger than a summer. Through stories that inspire, events that bring us together, and opportunities that keep opening, our network of alumni, educators and mentors, families and supporters is shaping the world for a better future.

Upcoming events

Connect, learn, and be inspired. Shad offers a wide range of exclusive and public events to inspire potential and create impact.

OTTAWA

We invite you to join us at a

Shad Alumni Reception

in Ottawa

Enjoy light refreshments

and networking with other alumni living in the Ottawa area

RSVP by April 20^th

Tuesday, April 28^th, 2026 | 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Mill Street Brew Pub, 2^nd Floor
555 Wellington St, Ottawa, ON K1R 1C5

Global Networks

Stay in-the-Know with Shad

From program updates and community stories to Shad Decode, this is where curiosity meets possibility, big ideas take shape, and leadership turns into impact.

From curious students to global innovators

From a summer of bold ideas to a lifetime of learning, leadership, and possibility.

From Shad to
World Institutions

Shad alumni go on to study at leading universities in Canada and around the world, carrying forward the confidence, curiosity, and ambition they built during the program.

London-School-of-Economics-and-Political-Science

Ecole-Polytechnique-Federale-de-Lausanne

Where Shad Alumni
Make an Impact

Across sectors and disciplines, Shad alumni are contributing to organizations shaping the future of technology, research, business, healthcare, and public life.

Meet some of our Shad Alumni

Shad alumni’s passions, projects and careers are strikingly diverse but are united by a commitment to challenging conventions, exploring new ideas, and creating solutions that make Canada, and the world, a better place.

Pauline Fujita

Executive Director, Head of Scientific Insights Engineering

Shad1994

Luke Heimpel

Integrated Media student at OCAD University | Shad Leader 2023

Shad2020

Xiya Ma

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Resident, Université de Montréal

Shad2011

Michelle McFarlane

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Manager

Shad2003

Lucas Moodley

Research Student @ SickKids | Pharmaceutical Sciences @ UBC

Shad2022

Kayla Jeanson

Filmmaker | Video Documentalist | Interdisciplinary artist

Shad2004

Harsehaj Dhami

Morehead-Cain Scholar @ University of North Carolina

Shad2022

Connor Campbell

Medical Sciences Student, Ivey AEO at Western University | Western National Indigenous Scholar

Shad2023

Chris Hsiung

Social Advocator through Digital Storytelling

Shad1994

Aneil Gokhale

Director, Philanthropy @ Toronto Foundation

Shad1996

Alécia Chen

COO, Climb Credit

Shad2001

Ajay Varia

Co-Founder & CEO of Growth Nirvana

Shad1997

Unlock the Power of the Shad Community

Being part of the Shad community goes beyond memories and learning. From exclusive scholarships for Shad participants to curated events and growing career pathways, the alumni network supports your next step, wherever it leads.

Deborah Currie

Director, Shad Alumni Network

Debbie works with Shad alumni across generations to strengthen community, support meaningful connections, and create opportunities for alumni to stay engaged with the network.

Questions about alumni events, partnerships, or ways to get involved?

debbie@shad.ca

Alumni Stories

Meet members of the Shad network applying creativity, resilience, and leadership in universities, workplaces, communities, and ventures around the world.

Brilliance

From Malton to the cosmos, Elijah is charting a path in astrophysics while celebrating Black Excellence and inspiring others to reach for the stars.

Alumni

On December 3, more than 50 Shad alumni came together in Calgary for an evening of networking, meaningful conversations, and shared memories.

Build

Madison Zanette’s Shad experience helped shape her confidence and curiosity, leading her to earn a prestigious $15,000 scholarship at McMaster University.

Explore

Shad helped spark the confidence that fueled Reka Winslow’s path from curious teen to leader in space research and mission development.

Innovate

Newfoundland native Robert McCarthy used the creativity and empathy he gained at Shad to design assistive tools for his former teacher.

Impact

From Shad to the global stage, Dr. Yassen Tcholakov has dedicated his career to advancing public health on an international scale.

Discover

My name is Felicity, and I’m passionate about learning and enjoy participating in competitions like DECA, STEAM, and the environment.

Discover

My name is Tanish Shah, and I’ve always been drawn to understanding how things work.

Science

Inspired by her Shad experience, Zoë Golay turned curiosity into a lifelong mission to understand and protect our forests through science.

Exploration

Hi, my name is Naja Ejesiak. I attended Shad York 2025 and had an unforgettable experience!

Exploration

I’m a Grade 10 student with a strong passion for coding and technology, and how they can be used to positively impact lives.

Innovation

From Shad to Mobot, Eden Full Goh’s journey shows how curiosity, collaboration, and bold engineering drive innovation that changes the world.

Innovation

Shad students turn bold ideas into real-world solutions for sustainable transport in the 2025 Design Challenge.

Leadership

I’m Meera Nelson, a student attending high school in the GTA, heading into Grade 12 this September. I’ve always been drawn to STEAM, but since starting high

Celebrate

We’re proud to celebrate this years’ recipients of Shad’s Entrance Scholarship for Black Students

Advocacy

From Maskwacis to Dartmouth, Devin Buffalo transforms passion into purpose through law and Indigenous advocacy.

Future

Five Shads earn Loran Scholarships, recognized for service, vision, and community impact—each driven to lead lasting change.

Leadership

From Shad to software leadership, Daniel champions authenticity and inclusion, lighting the path for the next generation of tech leaders.

Innovation

From Shad to Harvard, Luna Yin is engineering change—fusing passion, identity, and impact into her fight for a sustainable future.

Purpose

From Shad to startup, Michel applies tech and values to reimagine diagnosis and improve access to care with AI-powered Delphi.

Impact

A heartfelt gift becomes opportunity: Meghan Sharir’s donation fuels dreams and transforms futures at Shad.

Impact

Inspired by impact, Olivia chose code over clinics—building tools at Meta that make everyday life smarter and simpler.

Lead

As Vice President of the Black Student Association at his high school in Brampton, Ontario, Adrian McCalla has spent weeks preparing for Black History Month.

Heal

One of Colin McCready’s favourite things about working as a doctor in a rural area is the continuous learning opportunities it presents.

Explore

Meet Raina Garland, Shad2024 Alum and Recipient of Shad’s Entrance Scholarship for Indigenous Students

Embrace

As a physics-loving flutist, Aadrika Bhakt has always looked for ways to embrace her authentic complexity and meet others whose interests are as broad as …

Impact

Fatema Riaz loves science. The daughter of doctors, she has watched the positive impact that medicine has on communities, which motivates her own wish …

Grow

Chi Azuhnwi has long had a passion for computer programming. He’s spent time online building his skills and nurturing his innate digital talents …

Compete

Brooklyn Ouellette has long been interested in her Indigenous roots. Her Grandpa had been the member of her family most deeply connected to that part …

Inspire

From a young age, Rihanat Alawiye knew she wanted to pursue medicine, drawing inspiration from her mom who works as a pharmacist and demonstrates daily …

Confidence

Anya’s Shad experience at Laurentian deepened her love for language, science, and humanities, inspiring her to explore new post-secondary possibilities.

Digital

This summer, Shad welcomed over 200 students from across Canada (and the world!) to the four digital campuses of our ShadAnywhere program…

Innovation

Natalie turned her passion for STEAM into Tech for Community, adapting toys for children with disabilities and fostering inclusion through innovation.

Sustainability

Shad participants developed innovative projects to empower Canadian youth in adopting affordable, reliable green energy solutions.

Leadership

Brigadier-General Scott Malcolm shares leadership lessons, resilience, and the power of mentorship from Shad to Surgeon General.

Teamwork

Shads learn from The Hammerheads, a FIRST Robotics team, how universal design and teamwork drive impactful, accessible solutions.

Sustainability

Shads embrace the 2024 Design Project, crafting bold solutions to bring affordable green energy into Canadian youth lives.

Community

Shad celebrates Black student leaders who are shaping the future with passion, innovation, and community-driven excellence.

Community

Shad honours Indigenous changemakers using STEAM to empower communities and create lasting, meaningful impact across Canada.

Belonging

Elliot Black shares how his Shad experience supported his identity as a trans man and the power of inclusive spaces.