Alysha Aziz (she/her) believes Ottawa deserves representatives that are dedicated to improving our communities. That's why Alysha is running for School Board Trustee for Zone 2.
Alysha's commitment to outreach and community work in Ottawa was officially recognized in 2016 when she earned the OCDSB Recognition Award and Principal's Award of Merit. As a recent graduate of the University of Ottawa, Alysha's diverse policy and research work have refined her ability to tackle the complex issues that affect the communities she cares about.
Her vision for Kanata schools is simple: by prioritizing health and safety, equity, diversity, inclusion, and active communication, we can ensure our students and their communities flourish.
Alysha is looking forward to the opportunity to represent and advocate for Kanata families because our kids are worth it.
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Patricia Kmiec is a parent and active community member in Barrhaven. She holds a PhD in Social Justice Education and currently teaches at Carleton University in the areas of Education, Family Studies, and Human Rights related to children and youth. She is a passionate advocate for the rights of children and youth, including the need for young people to be meaningful participants in the structure and direction of their own education.
Her priorities as trustee will be implementing and strengthening policies related to equity and inclusion; ongoing connection and community-building with constituents (including students); and advocating for a human rights-based approach to decision-making. She is looking forward to bringing a refreshingly collaborative, trustworthy, and student-centred perspective to the role of OCDSB trustee for Zone 3: Barrhaven East/Barrhaven West
Suzanne is a fierce champion for children and public education. Since 2014, she has volunteered with the Plant Pool Recreation Association which provides free recreation programs including a drop-in sports program for youth a high board ice rink and swim passes to the Plouffe pool.
She brings eight years of active engagement on school councils working to increase access to sport and music programs and remove barriers so that all would feel welcome at Council table. She believes that every student deserves and needs to see themselves in the curriculum, including 2SLBGTQ+.
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Steven Warren lives in Knoxdale-Merivale Ward within Zone 5. As someone who graduated high school last year, he understands what needs to be done to improve student well-being.
He is currently studying political science at the University of Ottawa with intentions to attend law school.
Steven is the youngest municipal election candidate in Ottawa. His young age provides new ideas and solutions to the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board.
He has served as a Student Senator during his time in Grade 12, where he fought for his fellow students to be heard. Steven believes the best way for students to be heard is by increasing youth representation on the Board of Trustees.
Steven's priorities include tackling the climate crisis, empowering the student voice and advancing public education. As an autistic, Steven believes more must be done to ensure neurodivergent students are represented.
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Lyra is currently the OCDSB School Board Trustee for Rideau-Vanier and Capital Wards. Due to a Zone redistricting, she is now running for reelection in Rideau Vanier-Rideau Rockcliffe.
She has also been a long-time community activist, having worked with organisations like *Kindspace and the Youth Services Bureau on helping LGBTQ and homeless youth for over a decade. She was first elected in 2018 to the OCDSB, and is proud to be the first trans school board trustee in Canada.
Lyra is running for re-election to make systemic change, because she believes that society needs passionate people to get involved; to leave the world a better place for our children than we received it from our parents.
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Jessie grew up in Heron Park and lives with her family in the Glebe Annex. She serves thousands of children and youth as a director in a city-wide charity (BGC Ottawa) that gives access and opportunity to historically under-served youth in 19 neighbourhoods.
She is passionate and committed and has time to devote to this critical public service position and has significant experience in grassroots campaigns, policy development, managing complex multi-million dollar budgets and multiple relationships for positive community outcomes.
Her past workplaces include Cornerstone Housing for Women, where she helped to complete a multi-million dollar accessible housing project.
She currently sits on the Board of Directors for Daybreak Housing, an affordable housing charity in Ottawa, and HelpAge Canada, a national organization that advocates for the needs of marginalized elder Canadians and seniors living in poverty internationally.
As a parent and resident of zone 9, she believes we must do better for each other and our public education system.
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Nili Kaplan-Myrth
Nili is a family physician, anthropologist, and mother of three. She has spent the last 20 years living in Ottawa and her entire life advocating for equitable access to health care and education, Indigenous self-determination, rights for people with disabilities, LBTQ2+ rights, mental health care, and standing up for marginalized and vulnerable populations.
Over the last two years, she has stepped into a more public role, writing articles, speaking to the media, acting as a delegate to school boards, organizing a panel for Canadian healthcare experts to speak with the Prime Minister about equitable access to vaccine, and running "Jabapalooza" clinics for my patients and for the broader Ottawa community.
She is not afraid to speak, to challenge the status quo when it isn't good enough. Where there are problems in the community, she identifies them and finds collaborative solutions and plans to continue that if elected Trustee.
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Justine has been the incumbent trustee since her appointment in 2020.
Since then, she has been an ardent and progressive fighter for more equity in classrooms and ensuring that students, parents and teachers were able to thrive in safe learning environments during the pandemic.
Justine's background is in international development, and she’s led on Canada’s policy for engaging civil society organizations around the world, worked on Canada’s efforts in Afghanistan, and volunteered with refugees.
She’s lived in Centretown for 12 years, currently on Cambridge Street North, with her daughter and partner.
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