House Leaders
Megan Ryan-Lloyd | Premier
Megan is in her sixth and final year of BCYP and is thrilled to be serving as Premier. Last year, Megan served as the Minister of Camp Phoenix and Camp Administrator, her favourite position to date! However, Megan has held many other roles in the past years, including Parl Sec to Parliamentary Education, Minister of Public Relations, Provincial Secretary, and Minster of the Islands and Sessional Affairs. Outside of YP, Megan is a fourth-year political science honours student concentrating on Indigenous constitutional politics. Megan realistically spends most of her time at the library, but when she doesn’t, she also works as a sea kayak guide. Megan loves creating different Spotify playlists, making good food, and rapidly consuming books! Megan is honoured to be leading a fantastic group of cabinet ministers and can not wait to see the impacts of the various projects her cabinet has planned.
Samuel Lee | Leader of the Opposition
Samuel is in his fourth year of BCYP and is thrilled to serve as the Leader of the Opposition! In previous years, Samuel served as Minister of Service, Minister of Parliamentary Education, Parliamentary Secretary to the Attorney General, Critic of the Attorney General, and Critic of State (Parliamentary Education). Samuel is from Richmond and is studying Environmental Science as a second year student at Simon Fraser University. In his free time, Samuel volunteers for the SFU Environmental Science Student Union, avidly reads and discusses politics, and frequents the good ramen restaurants. Samuel is excited to meet all members and looks forward to a wonderful sessional year
Felix Mann | Deputy Speaker and Minister of Regional Youth Parliaments
Felix is entering his sixth and final year at BCYP and will serve as the Deputy Speaker and Minister of Regional Youth Parliaments. Born in Oregon, Felix is currently in his fourth year studying political science and history at the University of Victoria. This is Felix’s second year on cabinet, previously serving as the Attorney General and Recruitment Administrator for Camp Phoenix. Outside of school and YP, Felix is an avid concertgoer and passionate about music of all kinds and can often be found playing the guitar or bass at home. He is also a Better Call Saul enthusiast. This year, Felix is excited to be back in the House one last time and keen to get the 2024 RYP World Tour on the road!
Cabinet
Jessana Akehurst | Deputy Premier and Minister of Camp Phoenix
Jessana is ecstatic to be entering their sixth and final year in BCYP as Minister of Camp Phoenix and Deputy Premier. Jessana originates from Delta, BC, located on the land of the scəw̓ aθən (Tsawwassen), xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm (Musqueam), and Coast Salish Peoples, but currently resides in Montreal on the traditional territory of the Kanien'kehà:ka Nation. Jessana attends McGill University studying Political Science and Gender, Sexuality & Feminist Studies. Some of her previous roles within BCYP include Deputy Speaker, Minister of Community Development, New Member Relations, Service, and Public Relations. Outside of Youth Parliament, Jessana works for a tutoring program at McGill, but can usually be found making music and art of various sorts, volunteering, or in any sort of pink attire. She looks forward to getting the membership excited about Camp Phoenix, as well as meeting all the wonderful new members this sessional year!
Karmen Legge | Attorney General
Karmen is a sixth year member and thrilled to be serving as this year's Attorney General and Minister of Parliamentary Education. They grew up on Vancouver Island in the traditional territory of the Lekwungen People and are now studying at The University of British Columbia on the traditional territory of the Musqueam people. In the past Karmen has held the positions of Parliamentary secretary to Donor Engagement, Minister of State for Corporate Relations, and Minister of Fundraising along with various shadow cabinet portfolios. Outside of BCYP, Karmen is studying Environmental Sciences and Ancient Mediterranean/Near Eastern studies. They work for the Beaty Biodiversity Museum on campus doing interpreting and science education. Karmen is an avid supporter of lichen and other micro-flora. They are excited to see everyone at session this year and to work with them throughout the year.
Isabella Harmel | Minister of Finance
Isabella is in her third year of BCYP and is excited to serve on cabinet as the Minister of Finance! She is originally from Kelowna but now resides in Victoria as a second-year student studying political science and global development. Her previous roles on cabinet include Minister of Public Relations and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Southern Interior. Outside of BCYP, you can find her working as a research assistant, listening to music, or sipping an iced matcha with oat milk. Isabella is excited to meet all of the new members and make the 95th the best sessional year yet!
Puneet Hundal | Minster of Fundraising
Puneet is in their 4th year at BCYP and holds the position of Minister of Fundraising. She previously served as the Minister of the Northern Interior. Puneet currently resides in Burnaby but hails from Tumbler Ridge, BC. She is attending SFU (the Concrete Jungle) and pursuing a degree in business. Puneet has prior work experience at a library and a dinosaur museum, and she has volunteered for multiple clubs and organizations at their school. Her interests include reading, painting pottery, hiking, and learning to use Microsoft Office. Puneet is super excited to meet everyone and attend Camp Phoenix this year!
Jasleen Sandhu | Minister of Service
Jasleen is in her second year of BCYP and is excited to serve as Minister of Service! She grew up in Surrey, BC and is currently in her senior year at Elgin Park Secondary. In the past, she has served as Parliamentary Secretary for the 29th Fraser Youth Parliament. Outside of BCYP, Jasleen is the proud Founder and President of two school clubs and the President of her school's Student Council. In addition to her school involvement, Jasleen is a high-level athlete, playing field lacrosse for a competitive travel lacrosse team in BC. During her downtime, she can be found reading, running, hiking or colour-coding her closet. Jasleen is beyond excited to work with her fellow cabinet ministers and the members of BCYP to organize service events that will enhance BCYP's impact in the community!
Annie Nguyen | Minister of Lower Mainland
Annie is currently in her third year of BCYP and holds the position of Minister of the Lower Mainland for the current year. She was born in Vietnam and spent much of her life in Langley. Currently, she resides at the University of British Columbia, where she is pursuing a degree in the Faculty of Arts with plans to specialize in Political Science or International Relations. Throughout her involvement with BCYP, Annie has taken on various roles, including Minister of New Member Relations, Minister of Grants and Bursaries, and the Premier of Fraser Youth Parliament. Beyond her BCYP commitments, Annie dedicates her time to teaching children's art classes, focusing on pottery and painting. Additionally, she collaborates with the Vancouver Foundation, where she directs their media content and offers consultation on youth-related events and resources. In her free time, Annie enjoys bouldering, crafting jewelry, and photography (both digital and film). She has a penchant for collecting an excessive number of stickers. She is enthusiastic about connecting with all members this year and is determined to enhance the Lower Mainland region's potential.
Cindy Fu | Minister of the Islands
Cindy is embarking on her second year in BCYP. In her capacity this year, she will serve as the Minister of the Islands. Hailing from Victoria, BC, Cindy finds herself in her senior year of high school. Beyond her involvement with BCYP, Cindy dedicates her time as a Step Up Youth volunteer. This role allows her to volunteer within a hospital, providing her with invaluable opportunities to interact with patients. Additionally, she actively participates in her school's Environmental Leadership program. Within this program, Cindy and her peers manage the school's recycling program, work on removing invasive species on Mount Tolmie, and have successfully organized a hygiene drive to collect donations for homeless shelters in their community. Outside of her academic and volunteer commitments, Cindy has also found her place within a retirement home, where she derives joy from interacting with seniors. However, her interests extend beyond school and work. She passionately trains as a member of a competitive cheerleading team. This year, they are set on competing at the IASF World Championships in Orlando, Florida. For those seeking an interesting tidbit about Cindy, she has a deep affection for animals and can often be found spontaneously petting a random cat.
Ashlin Amjad | Minister of the Southern Interior
Ashlin Amjad, the Minister of Southern Interior, is a second-year member of BCYP. Lived in Kerala, India, for 17 years, Thrissur being her hometown, Ashlin moved to Canada a year ago, and currently, Kamloops is her hometown. She is a first-year student studying B.A. Psychology at Thompson Rivers University. Within the span of a year, she has done a few volunteering in and outside of BCYP. Some of her volunteering experience outside BCYP includes being a member of the Kiwanis Key Club and organizing Ride for Cancer, volunteering at Pit Stop, and volunteering at Kamloops Immigration Service. Some of her hobbies are reading, writing, dancing, and obviously watching movies/series. She is looking forward to the Session, especially the lunches and dinners!
Savannah Gulick | Minister of Northern Interior and New Member Relations
Savannah is currently in her third year of BCYP, where she holds dual roles as Minister of the Northern Interior and New Member Relations. Originally hailing from Tumbler Ridge, BC, she has temporarily relocated to Burnaby while pursuing her first-year degree in physics at Simon Fraser University (SFU). Beyond her involvement with BCYP, Savannah has a history of community engagement dating back to her grade 7 years, during which she volunteered with the Junior Canadian Rangers in her hometown. Prior to her move, she dedicated four years of her life to working at Subway. In her leisure time, Savannah enjoys reading, engaging in badminton matches, and engaging in the unique activity of walking backward at the SFU track. Savannah is excited about the upcoming BCYP session, particularly the prospect of meeting new individuals and being exposed to diverse ideas.
Adrianne Chow | Minister of Public Relations
Adrianne is entering her third year of the BCYP, and is excited to serve as the Minister of Public Relations! Originally from Victoria, Adrianne is a second-year Food, Nutrition and Health + Masters of Management student at the University of British Columbia. She has previously served as the Parliamentary Secretary and Minister of Fundraising. Outside of BCYP, Adrianne works as a summer camp counsellor and as an undergraduate academic assistant in the Faculty of Medicine. She also volunteers with her undergraduate society, LFS|US as a gala coordinator. When not studying or taking the bus, she can be found thrifting, cheerleading, reading, or sleeping on the bus (she always wakes up right before her stop). She is looking forward to meeting everyone at Session and to all of the upcoming projects during the sessional year (especially Camp Phoenix)!
Isak Serhan | Minister of Information Management and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Southern Interior
In their second year of BCYP, Isak is elated to serve as the Minister of Information management as well as the Parliamentary Secretary of the Minister of the Southern Interior. Having grown up his entire life in the Shuswap, he is currently a grade 12 student at Salmon Arm Secondary Sullivan. Isak has already served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Southern Interior during the 94th session, and attended and participated in as many BCYP activities as he could, including Camp phoenix. In addition to school and BCYP responsibilities, they are involved in many projects at his local Community Theatre, and he is a member of the Board of Directors of Essie’s Place, a local Okanagan based LGBTQ+ non profit organization.
Sukhmani Sandhu | Provincial Secretary
Sukhmani is in her second year at BCYP and is thrilled to hold the position of Provincial Secretary at the 95th session. They are currently a second-year student majoring in journalism and history at KPU. Sukhmani has a history of active participation in BCYP, having previously served as the Minister of Sessional Affairs at the 36th VYP and the Minister of Infrastructure at the 29th FYP. In addition to her BCYP responsibilities, she also works as the Social Media Reporter at The Runner, KPU's student-run newspaper. Besides BCYP and journalistic pursuits, Sukhmani is actively involved with the Surrey Centre Youth Constituency Council. Their interests encompass reading, baking, photography, and a rather extensive collection of tote bags. She eagerly anticipates question periods and greatly enjoys writing The Parliamentarian for BCYP members.
Eileen Zheng | Minister Donor Engagement
Eileen is a third-year member of BCYP and is delighted to be serving as the Minister of Donor Engagement at the 95th. She is currently a grade 12 student at Crofton House School in Vancouver and hopes to study sustainability, statistics, and public policy in the future. Outside of BCYP, Eileen works as a gymnastics coach and is developing a sustainable community program. In her spare time, she likes to go on sunrise/sunset runs, spend time in the gym with her friends, and blast music while going on late-night drives. Eileen is super excited to meet everyone at session and can’t wait for Camp Phoenix!
Marika Lopez | Minister of Corporate Relations
Marika is in her 4th (and final) year of BCYP and is excited to serve as Minister of Corporate Relations for the second time. She grew up in Richmond, B.C. and is in her final year of Criminology at KPU. Marika has held many positions over the years on Shadow, which include Critic of Provincial Secretary, Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Critic of Regional Youth Parliaments. Marika is a youth advocate for The Center for Epilepsy and Seizure Education here in B.C. and also spreads epilepsy awareness on her Instagram/Facebook Page. One thing Marika is excited about this Sessional year is seeing members get involved within Regional Youth Parliament. She is also excited to help recruit kids for Camp Phoenix!
Devine Kalekyezi | Minister of Grants and Bursaries
This is Devine’s 2nd year in BCYP, but 3rd year doing youth parliaments, having served as Prime Minister in the Guyanese National Youth Parliament, member in the 94th BCYP and finally Premier of the 29th Islands Youth Parliament. Devine was born in Uganda, East Africa but grew up in Guyana, South America. Devine is extremely excited to take on his new role as Minister of Grants and Bursaries. Devine currently attends the Lester B. Pearson College of the Pacific (UWC Pearson) and is a second-year IB student. Additionally, he is a former national tennis player, having represented Guyana and is an alumnus of the Young Influencers Program, also in Guyana. Devine also loves watching anime! As a recipient of a BCYP grant for the 94th sitting, Devine has great appreciation for the opportunity afforded to him, having only been in Canada for a few weeks at that point. Devine intends to use his experience from previous service experiences, both here in BC and back home in Guyana, to guide him in his duties as Minister of Grants and Bursaries.
Kevin Nicklin | Minister of Sessional Affairs
Kevin is super excited to serve as the Minister of Sessional Affairs in his second year of BCYP. He hails from the lovely suburban commuter city of New Westminster (#newwestthebest) and is currently a first-year university student studying political science at UBC. While this is his first year on cabinet, he’s taken part in multiple regional youth parliaments, most notably being the Leader of the Opposition of the 29th Fraser Youth Parliament. Kevin currently works as a barista at Passenger Cafe, and his volunteering experience includes everything from leading a migrant worker’s drive to helping immigrant children in their English reading fluency. His hobbies include biking, going for an evening stroll, listening to Olivia Rodrigo, and moshing. Lastly, the thing he’s most excited about in the 95th sessional year is helping out with regional youth parliaments across the lower mainland.
Zaara Rahiman | Minister of State (Gala) and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fundraising
Zaara is in her 2nd year in BCYP. This year she has the pleasure of being a Cabinet Minister! She is the newly appointed Minister of State (Gala) and Parliamentary Secretary to the Min. Of Fundraising. Her hometown is Surrey, BC, and she is in her final year of high school at L.A. Matheson Secondary. Outside of BCYP, she is the CSM (Company Sergeant Major) and Warrant Officer with the Army Cadet Program and President of her school’s Debate Team! Some of her hobbies include baking (macarons specifically) and writing! She is also a sucker for reading a good manga/Manhwa. Going forward, she’s thrilled for the QP’s and nightly sessional activities.
Luciana Brewer | Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Lower Mainland
Luciana is in her second year in BCYP and is very excited to serve as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Lower Mainland! She has lived in Burnaby her whole life and is currently a grade 12 student at Moscrop Secondary School. Outside of BCYP, she works for a branch of the provincial government and helps to teach kids classes at her Taekwondo school. Luciana loves working in environmental organizations and playing various sports, such as cross country, dance and martial arts. She also likes public speaking, playing the piano and collecting wacky stickers/magnets to put on her car. Luciana is super excited for Session and to meet all of this year’s new members!
Tommy Xu | Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Islands
Entering his second year of BCYP, Tommy is thrilled to serve as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Islands! He is a grade 12 student studying at Maria Montessori Academy in Victoria and is interested in studying business at university. Within this organization, Tommy has attended multiple RYPs, initiated fundraising projects, and served as a cabin leader at Camp Phoenix. Outside of BCYP, Tommy has worked as a summer camp leader and volunteered as a homework club assistant at an immigration center. He currently works as a recreation leader at the Colwood Pacific Activity Center, where he runs birthday parties and youth events for children. In his spare time, he can be found playing anime songs on the piano, going on runs/hikes, and eating way too much Kimchi. He also enjoys ranting about his younger brother. Tommy looks forward to meeting everyone at session and creating another amazing year of "youth serving youth".
