Featured Canadians

My name is Kelly Stinziano and this is #MyCanada My journey starts in a small town called Keswick, just North of Toronto. Ever since I can remember, I was always creating things – from drawings to Lego sculptures to chronic daydreaming. My gravitation towards the arts came from trying to cope when my father passed away when I was really young – creating things and daydreaming made me feel closer to him. As I grew up, my sense of creativity grew with me. In high school, I always excelled in my art and mixed media classes. I was so in tune with my artistic side that I was even asked to help design and paint a mural in my high school to represent my graduating class. The thing about my graduating year was that I really wasn’t sure what path I wanted to take when it was time to head out and go to college. So after countless conversations with teachers, family and a few close friends, I decided that it would be best to take a year off to truly find myself. During that time, I took more art/mixed media classes, worked, and even travelled a bit. It was my communications technology teacher who told me that I had a true talent for graphic design; it was an option that I never truly considered in the past. At one point I even thought of becoming a jewelry designer/goldsmith, just like my cousin. He was nice enough to have me stay at his studio in Toronto for a few days and learn how to design and physically structure my own ring. It was a skill set that I never even knew I had. Once I finally found two things that I really enjoyed, it made my decision even more difficult. At that point I figured that I would just let the universe decide for me… So I applied to several different schools throughout Ontario for both graphic design and jewelry design, and simply left it up to fate. The crazy thing was, I ended up getting accepted into both programs. "It’s amazing when something can start off small but end up making a huge impact on people’s lives." In my heart I knew graphic design was the path for me. I knew I had always been drawn to the nature of it because of my true passion for skateboarding. Growing up I was always drawn to the graphics, logos, and magazine layouts that the skateboard industry had to offer. I was obsessed with redrawing my favourite logos, and flipping through the pages of Thrasher Magazine over and over again. My mild obsession with skateboarding definitely pushed me in the right direction. So I packed up all of my things with my best friend and we drove to the city to start the next chapter of our lives. Going away to college was one of the most challenging, confusing, and depressing experiences of my life, but also the most rewarding experience. After three long years of sleepless nights, trying meeting deadlines, as well as maintaining a social life, not only did I graduate from Humber College’s graphic design program, but I graduated with honours! I couldn’t have done it without the amazing people I was fortunate enough to have around me (they know who they are). Which brings me to where I am today… For the past year, I’ve been working at So Hip It Hurts – the oldest skateboard shop in the city. I applied there on a whim while I was interning at Lowe Roche, and ended up getting hired on the spot (let’s just say it was a dream come true for my inner child). In the past year, I’ve learned more about myself than I have my whole life. It’s nice working at a place where I can interact with people who have similar outlooks. Recently, they saw some of my freelance design work for my friend’s film production company, and gave me the opportunity to design a new skateboard graphic for their shop decks. The coolest part of it all is that the graphic that I designed was a total hit! At that point, it was a dream come true for my adult self. Now that So Hip has discovered the merit in my work, we are in the process of putting out more of my graphics later this year. No, I don’t work at the biggest design agency in the city, but I have an amazing job that I couldn’t be more passionate about. It’s amazing when something can start off small but end up making a huge impact on people’s lives. I’ve always been the type of person to reach out to people in need; whether it’s giving advice, teaching someone a new skill, or even helping someone fuel their own passions. I’m most passionate about leaving an impact on someone’s life, no matter how small. For now, I am totally happy designing skateboards and helping start-up companies make their brands come to life. This is only the beginning though… Stay tuned.

Hi, I'm Florencia Laurenzano although my actual full name is Maria Florencia Laurenzano. I've been going by Florencia for all of my life except in two instances, 1) When I moved back to Uruguay, South America from Canada and 2) At my current job where it's easier for people to pronounce Maria instead of the "mind-boggling" Florencia. Currently 18, I recently graduated from art school with a diploma in Computer Graphic Design as well as a certificate in Social Media for Business.  Since I can remember, I've always had a passion for the arts, especially drawing and as I've grown older, that passion has expanded into many other forms. I love photography, illustration, digital art, sculpture, cinematography, graphic design, interior design, architecture, music etc, etc, etc. Anything that has to do with art, I'm all over that. I think this passion started when I was still inside my mother's belly. They bought a music box for me and would play it every night beside her belly and I would start kicking excitedly. It's a very small thing but I'm sure it's what started it all. Since then my life has been a roller-coaster of ups and downs, great moments and bad moments and through all of them, I never lost the love I have for those things I mentioned above.  My job at the moment isn't necessarily what I want to be doing. I work as a customer service trainee & part time graphic designer at an HVAC company. Most, if not all of my time is spent learning about insulated ducting, ventilation grilles and different kinds of tape. I'm lucky that I got this job and that I have a great boss, especially since it's my first but I can't stop thinking about working at a magazine company, advertising studio or working for a clothing brand and helping create logos, advertising or making the designs used on their products. When I think about all of this, though, I think of it being in Canada. I lived in Ontario for 5-6 years during 2001 - 2007 and the need to return has never left me. Now that I have a younger brother, I want to go back even more so that I can show him all the sights I used to see and do all the things I used to do. I know he'll love it there and I know that he'll be happy as well as our parents and I.  "Anything that has to do with art, I'm all over that." Canada gave me many things that I'll never be able to shake off. Most of them good, some of them bad, but I appreciate all of them anyway. I learned how to speak English, (which is my first language) how to ice-skate, how to play basketball, how to be strong, how to appreciate the little things, how to swim. It's given me things that are still a very big part of me like my love for adventure, my style, my love for continuous knowledge, love of animals and some of the greatest memories and feelings, but also the saddest. I remember arriving in Canada, my father had gone before my mother and I so he could find us a house and try to get residency. He picked us up from the airport and took us to this one really beautiful house on Rainforest Drive in Brampton. We didn't get to live in the house but it's cozy basement which I loved nonetheless. It was our first little place in Canada. The starting point of that journey. It was snowing and it was beautiful. We then left 5-6 years later from the airport in Montreal and I still see myself sitting on my bratz doll suitcase, holding a teddy bear and trying not to cry. I did anyway. Still do. I would give anything to return to Canada with my family again even if it means living in a basement again, or maybe something smaller because our/my Home is Canada and it's always been that way.  #MyCanada to me means possibilities, memories, growth, adventure, happiness and most importantly my home away from home. It's a country I believe I fit into more than Uruguay and New Zealand. #MyCanada is my idea of a perfect place to live, where there's four seasons, a white Christmas and lights around trees that make the snow shine when you're walking down the streets of Toronto or any neighbourhood. It's a country that offers everything and I won't stop searching for a job or a way to go back until I'm standing on Canadian soil once again. 

Salut, my name is Ryan Antooa and #MyCanada revolves around doing the write thing. Writer by trade and obsession. South American background. Born and raised in the quaint-but-lively city of Guelph, Ontario, and spent almost 2 years living in Vancouver, working as a writer/photographer/dancer. For me, my work has always involved words on paper. The smattering of ink onto the white space of blank pages has turned from passion and pastime, to passion that pays the bills, and allows me to create further with photography and design. My current work and musings can be found at ryanantooa.com - whether it was valedictorian speeches, Def Jam-esque poetry, short stories or essays - I was always putting pen to paper for maximal expression. Only now, working within the marketing world allows me to fund my success with the same words. Graduating from the University of Guelph in 2013 from an Honours Program in Nutrition meant two things: 1. I'd be unknowingly jobless like the rest of my peers and 2. the creative energy was at an all time low. So I did what every creative does when they're in a bind - I ran, to the far reaches of Vancouver, where I worked and lived for almost 2 years. Prior to that, the farthest I'd ever been was out of my mind!  "It's being damn near delirious, and chasing your goals with tenacity. It's knowing that you have something to offer to the creative stratosphere around us" #MyCanada is the use of my platform as a Canadian citizen to paint whatever picture I can, and leave my mark as a writer on the world–changing the perspectives and actions of others for the better. The concept of chasing passion, and the beauty of #MyCanada, is that we live in an environment and time where we can express ourselves however we want–a privilege that many others are denied elsewhere in the world. Never take that for granted. As such, chasing passion means having a vision that is unshakable by societal constructs. It's Alexander McQueen with his Dress No. 13. It's Mark Rothke's abstract vision. It's being damn near delirious, and chasing your goals with tenacity. It's knowing that you have something to offer to the creative stratosphere around us, and executing on the day-to-day tasks that piece together your vision. Chasing passion is drinking copious amounts of coffee, watching Akira, and re-sparking the energy on your craft–whatever it is.

My name is Kathryn Sebastian and this is #MyCanada.  Becoming a nurse wasn't a dream I had always had. Initially, I was not at all passionate about nursing, or what being a nurse had to offer. It wasn't until I did my pre grad consolidation placement at Sick Kids, did I then start to see the opportunities of what being a nurse could and would mean. It was then, where I felt the passion to strive for the opportunity as a paediatric nurse. Being a nurse at Sick Kids doesn't always just feel like work. It's invigorating; it's fun. But many would think, how is a job fun? I've never looked at 'my job' as a job. I've always looked at being a nurse as something I absolutely love. How many people can say that they save lives for a living? How many people can say that their daily goal is to make kids smile? I do what I do because I love it. "There are so many negative factors/influences in the world, but if we can focus on the little good things everyday - it will help us live a more positively happy life" Being a nurse has opened so many opportunities, and there is no end in sight. I've travelled across North America, networking, collaborating, and sharing innovative ideas on how we could improve as individuals and as a whole. I've learned the most from individuals who share the same passion as I do for helping children and seeing the wellbeing in all. 'Positively happy' is an initiative that Sick Kids has decided to focus on for this year. Every month is a new focus for the month - and how we can integrate it into our lives to be positively happy. Striving to be positively happy is my mantra for the year; and it is also my goal for the year to make others around me to be positively happy. There are so many negative factors/influences in the world, but if we can focus on the little good things everyday - it will help us live a more positively happy life ;) Chasing my passion was about finding my opportunity in life. I've found this opportunity to be a paediatric nurse; and within it - I've found endless opportunities to keep me enticed, invigorated, and passionate. I believe sharing my insight allows my peers to share in finding their own opportunities to chase their own versions of passion. 

My name is Ryan Ashick and this is #MyCanada I'm a 26 year old male living in downtown Toronto. I perform as a drag queen under the name D'manda Tension and I also create drag costumes for many well known local performers. I have created a variety of pieces from giant ruffle coats, gowns for pageants, character costumes for impersonations and replica character costumes for Comic-Con and Anime North. I've also worked with and created costumes for some major drag queens internationally. 6 years ago I moved to Toronto to get away from the small town life and into the big city. I was enrolled and taking courses at Humber college and worked retail at Gap for a few years before moving into a management position. After that, I shifted gears and became a Travel Consultant for 2 years. I enjoyed the work but it wasn't for me. "I get a sense of pride seeing other people in my creations." This is when I decided that my skill of sewing and costume design was enough to promote myself to do work for others and that's what I did. It's been a few months and I'm beyond happy with what I've done and am currently doing. I'm also really proud that I can take a conceptual design and turn it into a physical custom garment. I'm following my passion but I'm only just getting started We asked Ryan, what does the concept of chasing your passion mean to you? The concept of chasing my passion, to me means, being persistent with the things that matter to you. To me, my passion is sewing and costume design. I never thought for a second I'd be doing this or be where I am currently in life but I love it. I get a sense of pride seeing other people in my creations. Not only am I making something that people love but also creating such an important element to a performance. It's a really cool chain reaction of feeling happy and my passion is starting that chain reaction and seeing my work come to life. I love what I do and if you asked me 5 years ago if I'd quit my day job for a major risk of working for myself I would have probably said no, but right now I'm chasing my passion and I wouldn't want to be doing anything else.       

Hi my name is Stephanie Menard and this is #MyCanada I am from Ottawa, ON, and am currently in the process of relocating to Toronto. I have studied fashion design at La Salle and makeup artistry at InterDec, both in Montreal and have followed up with studying hairstyling at La Luma Academy in Guelph. I am a freelance artist that works mostly on Editorials with diverse photographers, brands and publications. I have also taken some Communication/Media/Pop Culture classes at OttawaU in order to be able to communicate better my knowledge with my guest through publications, blogs and social media. I am very passionate about what I can achieve through those outlets which leads me to answer what Passion is to me. Passion, to me, is the depth of emotion that you attach to something, someone or to an experience. It’s an emotion materialized through action connecting your mind and your heart as one. Passion ignites a fire in your soul, but also within the people surrounding you. It’s a symbiotic experience englobing your mind, body and spirit. A desire that cannot go unsatisfied in order to reach true inner peace and happiness. The subject of the passion can be of no interest to an individual you share your state of being with, but still ignite an emotion through the palpability of the passion itself. It’s a contagious state of being that can be sensed and shared. To me, it’s keeping a positive state of mind and the same enthusiasm even when faced with extreme adversity without doubting that it’s the right thing to do, knowing that the passion must be quenched in order to feel fulfilled as a human being. Passion is what keeps you going when all odds are against you. It’s essential to a strong business plan, a brand, a leader, and to individuals looking to live a life that is rich in emotion and experiences. I love fashion, beauty, music, and arts, but I am passionate about mindfulness and wellness brought to my guest through those outlets.

Hi my name is Vivien Francombe and this is #MyCanada I was born and raised in Toronto and I have to say I love this city. It always amazes me how every time I go out exploring, I find new places that I've never seen before. Toronto is my home and I'm proud to say that it is. All my life I've tried to escape following others and doing what's expected. I don't want to stay in the norm; I want to get out of my comfort zone. So I decided to go to school at Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo. I didn't know a single soul on the west side of the country, let alone on the island. I was scared for the move but I was also extremely excited. I went to Vancouver Island University for 2 years. In those years, I found a part of myself that I didn't even know existed. I believe that the beauty and nature that is British Columbia helped nourish me into the person that I'm becoming. I have since fell in love with Vancouver. It's a perfect balance of city life and nature and is one of the reasons that I've decided to make it my home in the future. Since being in BC, I've really been working on myself and practising new habits that I believe will make me a better person. Changing your mindset can be hard at times. It's so easy to slip back into old habits without consciously thinking about it. One thing that I've been working on the most is judging people less. The truth is, we have no idea what someone's life has been about. What struggles they've been through and what accomplishments they've achieved. To judge someone just by one glance is the most unfair thing we as people can do. Working on this has given me a new perspective on people who are on the streets. I could think of a hundred different ways that my life could have gone to have me end up right where these people are. Most of these people just need some help and how can we say we're a community if we deny them a chance? What I've been doing is on my way home from work is making sure that the 2-3 meals of left overs I packed get handed out to people on the streets. Every single person is grateful. We as a community need to get together to help these people. That's why I like to support companies like Peace Collective. You give back to the community. I'd love to get involved in that! My passion is to better myself in the ways that I think are best. Not what my family, friends or coworkers think is best for me, but what I think is best for me. It took me a long time to understand that and really listen to myself. I've narrowed it down to things that make me happy and make me grow more into the person I want to be. Photography has always been a passion of mine since I was little. As of right now, I have an old camera that still works and is great, but I feel like I can produce much better quality if I have proper equipment. I'm saving up for a new DSLR that I believe will help my passion shine. Another passion I have is mountains. I love every inch of a mountain as if it were my own body. Mother Nature fascinates me with her beautiful landscapes. When I'm on or near a mountain I automatically feel happier, so I've decided that I need to be and live by things that make me happy. I'm saving up to move to Vancouver by autumn. I'm constantly pushing myself to chase my passion because if I don't, the only person it hurts in the end is me. Why choose to not make yourself happy when you are in control of it. Since realizing all of these things, I will always tell someone to follow their dreams. I will also always remind them to enjoy the process as well. Getting there is the greatest part of the journey. Becoming your true self is the best gift you can give to yourself so don't hold back! If I can be this happy without having reached my end goal yet, I can only imagine how happy I will be when I do. That in itself is the drive. Happiness is the drive. But like all the quotes say, "Happiness isn't a destination, it's a state of being" and we would do well to remember that.

Hi my name is Stacey Callahan and this is #MyCanada I have been lucky enough in the past couple years to be able to do some traveling to different places and practice what I am passionate about: photography. I met my boyfriend, who lives in the USA, during my travels and we shared the same passion. We loved running around taking photos of the beauty that was all around us. We knew almost immediately that we were a perfect match. However, before we started dating, I told him I would not date him unless he was willing to move to Canada. Out of all the places I've travelled to, everyone has loved me instantly as soon as they found out I was "Canadian." And maybe I'm being bias here, but I don't think any other country can compare. So...needless to say, his first couple visits would be the determining factor of whether we would choose to attempt a long distance relationship. Now, not only am I proud to be a Canadian, but I am proud to say he LOVED Toronto and we have been happily dating for about two years. He wants to move here as soon as the government will let him, however wedding bells may have to chime first. We have discussed that one day we wish to travel across Canada to photograph every beautiful sight the country has to offer. But most importantly...first and foremost...our biggest dream is that one day we can both say "Home is Canada" I love you Canada and I love you @daylight_bombing My pride for being Canadian began when I was in Ireland 12 year ago...I was 18. People always asked if I was American...and when I said I was Canadian, they loved me! One of the bars down there even had a Canada Day celebration. That blew me away! Generally, I think everyone looks to Canada as being a very welcoming and peaceful county. An example of this would be the accepting of refugees into our country when they had nowhere else to go. To me...Canada is a place for opportunity. The first time my boyfriend visited from the USA he was astounded at how clean and beautiful Toronto was. He said the roads were a dream compared to all the potholes he was used too. And after going to teachers college in NY State, and travelling to numerous other states...it was even more apparent how awesome Canada is. Many people on IG ask to come visit Toronto and for me to take them to the abandonments there...and I laugh and say there are none...Toronto is a land of opportunity...when space is available, it is bought right away and new businesses pop up. Down in the States they arent so lucky. Additionally, there's the fact that Canada has free healthcare as compared to the States. When I heard how people have to deal with their health concerns down there, I was shocked! And I'm not even going to tackle the political state down there at the moment. Finally, I have been lucky enough to travel to some provinces to the east of Ontario, but have yet to head west. Because photography is such a passion of mine, I look forward to one day travelling west and capturing the natural beauty that Canada has to offer. I want to be able to show off how awesome this country really is!

Hi my name is Vanessa Baez and this is #MyCanada. I would describe myself as passionate, goal driven and a socially conscious person. Losing both my mom and dad at a young age and being on my own by the age of 16, I was torn between staying on a path that pretty much lead to a future of little reward and accomplishments or pulling up my socks and taking the harder path to rebuild my own destiny. I chose the harder path, which would be a path I would chose often and still do in life. I have always been a very athletic woman even at a young age. I looked up to other women who were strong and athletic and showed a strive for sportsmanship. I was always playing soccer and volleyball in school and when I was 18 I got my first gym membership and never looked back. Over the years I have had experience in many different types of ways to stay active, from running to now powerlifting. After high school I went to college for dental assisting and end up working at Mount Sinai Hospital downtown, helping to run a developmentally delayed patient clinic where we saw various types of learning and behaviour disabled patients. It was there that I found my calling to become a teacher. I decided to go back to school and pursue my undergrad in liberal arts with the goal of getting into teachers college and working specifically with special needs kids and/or aboriginal students. It is what I feel I am most passionate about. Providing a open and accepting environment for children who maybe feel that they are not understood. To support and inspire those students who feel like they will never be able to do anything with their life or get to where they want to be and maybe even feel like they're not worth the effort. I want to be a teacher who's remembered for being tough but awesome, just like the ones that pushed me through to be successful when I felt like there was no one there. I never felt like I was good enough or book smart enough to go to university but I did and I successfully graduated from York University's bilingual campus Glendon last June. I now attend Lakehead University, I'm in the faculty of education program there and will be graduating in 2017 and hope to teach either in the Simcoe Board or the TDSB. I love Lakehead's environmental philosophy of teaching and also the emphasis they make on supporting our aboriginal communities in Canada. Children are our future and if I can impact and inspire just one child to not give up and believe that as an individual they are worth the effort then all of my hard work was worth it. I am a Canadian girl, through and through, an outdoor girl to the very core. I have a passion for nature. I feel my happiest surrounded by water, trees and animals. I camp, hike and have no fear of getting dirty. With that said I also love my city. Toronto is beautiful in every way, from Parkdale to Rosedale there is beauty to be found in every part of the city and the people who fill it. I try and always support my friends and their local business and entrepreneur endeavours. I believe in buying local and supporting those who promote sustainability and natural resources as well as those who give back to the community. I live my life based on these goals because it is important to me. Just over two years ago I had hit a plateau in the active section of my life. It was then I discovered powerlifting. It has brought so much happiness into my life, it's hard to put into words. I have competed in numerous powerlifting meets in Canada and the U.S.A. My best meet totals are: squat 225lbs, bench 121lbs and deadlift 300lbs at 132lbs bodyweight, all natural without the use of any substances. I have met so many inspiring people especially women in the sport and I have had other women say I have inspired them to get stronger, to not be afraid to lift heavy or reach for their goals. This is something that fulfills my soul. Knowing that I can inspire another person to keep going, to not give up and to be strong inside and out. As women we are often told what we can or shouldn't do to maintain our femininity. This is wrong on so many levels. We should never be afraid to push ourselves because perhaps it's not what is expected of us. I want to continue to inspire women to be strong and be independent. Whether it's buying that dress that makes you feel like a million dollars, eating your favourite burger because you want to or deadlifting 300lbs. I try and see the positivity in all situations and I'm proud of my accomplishments.