Twelve young, Canadian, Christian leaders have become this year’s cohort of the NextGEN Fellows Program.
NextGEN is a year-long, leadership development opportunity for those aged 25 – 34 created and run by think-tank Cardus. The NextGEN fellows will explore the relevance and resources of the Christian faith for their vocations and for public life today.
The Fellowship is designed to create a supportive learning community for intellectual and spiritual growth. Fellows will engage in discussions with leading Christian academics and practitioners, as well as receive one-on-one mentorship. Over the course of a year, fellows will participate in four weekend events, one week-long seminar in Ottawa, and monthly Zoom Connects.
Allison Leonhardt is a senior communications advisor whose work has focused on housing and homelessness the last few years. Allison has a Diploma in Public Relations from the University of Victoria. She has managed both federal and provincial election campaigns and serves on the boards of several organisations.
David Cade is a lawyer currently working as a policy analyst and legislative drafter in the Tax Policy Branch of the Federal Department of Finance. Outside of work, David enjoys reading, writing, music, and talking — both with and without his three young children. David is actively involved at Heritage Grace Baptist Church in Kitchener, where he is a member.
Jin Yi Wu is a frontline leader in social services with experience working with survivors of human trafficking and gender-based violence. She is a founding member of an international Christian think tank focusing on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) as the result of the collaboration during the Fourth Lausanne Congress in Seoul. Jin is currently involved in board leadership and consulting for grassroots community initiatives. She is also pursuing post-graduate studies integrating Christianity and mental health at Vancouver’s Regent College while she raises her daughter Emmanuella together with Peter Cheung, a NextGEN alumnus.
Jordan Nobel, PMP is Head of Project Management at the Canadian Centre for Christian Charities. He reads, writes, and teaches about the impact of technology on family, faith, and society. Jordan lives on Keats Island, BC with his wife and three young children, and spends his time exploring the outdoors and enjoying island life with his family.
Kennan Benjamins is a senior policy advisor in the Ontario Government. Currently advising on energy and mining policy and having previously advised on education, Kennan is passionate about approaching consensus-building policy with a lens for the whole of society. He lives in Toronto where he is actively involved with his church. Kennan received a B.A. in philosophy and politics from Redeemer University.
Kyle Wierks is married to Bethany and together they are raising their four children in Chilliwack, BC. With a Master’s Degree in political science from the University of Alberta, Kyle has spent his professional career in both the public and private sectors helping community leaders build stronger communities based on trust, ownership, and shared values. Having run successful political campaigns at both the provincial and federal levels, Kyle now dedicates his time to promoting common ground over partisanship. Working with partners ranging from New York State Department of Education to Global Affairs Canada, from the World Health Organization to local politicians, Kyle hopes to leave the world a slightly better place for his children.
Maryanne King is a reservist Royal Canadian Air Force officer, a military spouse, and a public policy professional who has experience across the post-secondary education, public education, and public safety sectors. Currently, she contributes to policy work that protects members of Canada’s provincial, municipal, and federal police services, aiming to ensure RCMP members make it home safe to their families at the end of each shift. By further volunteering with rural youth in her church and community, Maryanne leads a life where the areas she contributes to are left better than she found them.
Myriam Hollant is a member of the Quebec Bar and works as a criminal defence attorney in private practice in Montréal, where she engages both her legal expertise and her heart for people and justice. Her interest in advocacy has also led her to work in international criminal law, including at the International Criminal Court in The Hague. Myriam is currently pursuing theological studies at Université Laval and serves on the leadership team of the young adults ministry at her local church. A lifelong learner, she finds joy in reading, traveling, and writing articles that bridge faith, justice, and everyday life.
Nolan Toscano is a government relations consultant with the Sandstone Group, specializing in Indigenous economic development, infrastructure, and federal policy. He previously served as a political advisor on Parliament Hill, including to the shadow minister for Canadian Heritage, following earlier work as Director of Mission and Discipleship at St. George’s Parish in Ottawa, where he led faith formation and leadership development. Nolan brings a unique blend of political and pastoral experience, united by a commitment to principled, long-term nation-building. He holds a Joint Honours degree in Political Science and History from the University of Ottawa and lives in Ottawa with his wife, Miriam, and their daughter, Edith.
Patrick Peori is Director of Church Engagement at St. Ignatius of Loyola in Montréal. He is passionate about bringing the gospel to a secular culture and raising leaders for this cultural moment. Patrick holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Political Science from Carleton University.
Tara Joy Knibbe is an interdisciplinary professional and visual artist working at the intersection of research, education, and the arts. With a background in rehabilitation science, she has led national initiatives to advance accessibility and inclusion across healthcare, education, and employment. She is passionate about cultural renewal and the exploration of human identity and spiritual faithfulness. She currently serves as the board chair of her local Christian school. Tara Joy holds an M.Sc. in Rehabilitation Science from the University of Toronto and a B.A. in Psychology and Art from Redeemer University.
William Snyder is a Canadian scholar pursuing a PhD in Sustainability at the Schulich School of Business. He has a background in finance and banking and is an experienced high-net-worth investment trader. Holding an MBA (Ottawa) and MMus (Western), he brings a multidisciplinary perspective to leadership, culture, and civic engagement. With experience at CIBC, TD Bank Group, Schneider Electric, and a strong record of volunteerism — including serving as President of the Telfer Graduate Student Association and as a board member of Music and Beyond — William is committed to principled leadership grounded in service.