About Us

We are united in our mission to promote global awareness through local engagement in Canada.

About YouCount.ca

Our digital civic engagement platform is called YouCount.ca. When users enter their location into YouCount.ca, they are provided with profiles of their corresponding political representatives and information about their work. As a means to accommodate Canada’s multicultural and diverse population, YouCount.ca can be browsed in 109 different languages. We hope that YouCount.ca can be a one-stop website for Canadian citizens and residents to learn about the three levels of Canadian government and engage with their political representatives.

About Our Parent Foundation — GLOCAL

YouCount.ca is a project of GLOCAL Foundation of Canada, which is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization that focuses on grassroots initiatives to facilitate local civic engagement and global understanding. As of July 2021, our GLOCAL team is composed of 90+ staff, consultants, advisors, and volunteers from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds. GLOCAL and YouCount.ca are for all Canadians but have a focus on youth, seniors, marginalized groups (the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, people with disabilities, and BIPOC individuals), immigrants & refugees, Indigenous communities, and overseas Canadians.

Research and Data Driven

We are an official partner of The Consortium on Electoral Democracy/Consortium de la démocratie électorale (C-Dem), a network of researchers, electoral management boards, policy makers, and civil society organizations who investigate the well-being of Canadian democracy.

Meet The Team

Our team members are located across the country and speak over 20 languages.

Management Team Members

Faye Ying

Founder & Executive Director
Passionate about people engagement and social innovation, Faye has worked in Canada's Parliament, at the University of British Columbia (UBC), in the venture capital industry, and for the United Nations. Her diverse international and domestic work experience has taught her the importance of global understanding and local engagement, which led her to create GLOCAL, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to digital civic engagement and youth engagement in Canada. Faye received her B.A. from UBC and an M.A. from Harvard University. She is a proud mother who is constantly juggling the responsibilities of family, work and community services.

Faye respectfully acknowledges that she is located on the unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), Stó:lō and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil- Waututh) Nations.

Dr. Eva Busza

Senior Advisor
Eva Busza is a Senior Advisor at GLOCAL Foundation of Canada. Prior to joining GLOCAL, she served as Director of Policy and Strategic Planning for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Her earlier roles include Team Leader for Asia Pacific in the United Nations Development Programme's Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery, as well as Senior Advisor at the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs. Dr. Busza's research expertise and policy experience span trade, investment, innovation, sustainable development, and international security. Her analysis and perspectives have been widely cited across major national and international media outlets, including The Globe and Mail, Embassy, iPolitics, Ottawa Citizen, Toronto Sun, The Province, Vancouver Sun, Business in Vancouver, The Asian Pacific Post, as well as the BBC, PBS, CBC, CTV, and BNN. She holds a PhD from Stanford University and both a Master's and Bachelor's degree from the University of British Columbia. Dr. Busza has also held research fellowships at Columbia University, George Washington University, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, the Brookings Institution, and Stanford University's Center for International Security and Arms Control.

Carla Caruana

Research Advisor
Dr. Carla Caruana is a political scientist, author, researcher, educator, editor, and general knower of things political. She got her PhD in Political Science from the University of Western Ontario in 2016 and has published on strategic voting, negative partisanship and the behaviour of legislators. She has returned to GLOCAL for another opportunity to do research that helps the public get engaged with democracy, which is more important than ever.

Dr. Caruana does not reveal her location online, but since everywhere on this continent is someone else's land, she recommends getting to know whom those people and nations are, and behaving with the appropriate respect for their unceded sovereignty. It's up to us to uphold the promises made to them in our name.

Daniel Biel

Digital Project Officer
As a Digital Project Officer at GLOCAL, Daniel oversees the functionality and user experience of digital tools, such as onboarding platforms, learning systems, and support bots. He will be graduating from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Arts. Outside of his professional life, Daniel explores overlooked parts of Canada, hunts for vintage atlases, and reading about geopolitical history.

Paula Andrea Perez Gomez

Compliance Officer
With a background in legal analysis, research, and civic engagement, Paula has valuable experience and a passion for helping others. She is a proud member of the Hispanic community and has contributed to an interdisciplinary social project, as well as managed cases as a Legal Analyst and Supervisor. Paula holds a Master's in Constitutional Law from Spain and a LLB from Colombia, demonstrating her commitment to learning. She is passionate about making a positive impact and looks forward to contributing to future projects.

Paula respectfully acknowledges that she is located in Treaty 20 Michi Saagiig territory and in the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Anishinaabeg Nations, collectively known as the Williams Treaties First Nations, which include: Curve Lake, Hiawatha, Alderville, Scugog Island, Rama, Beausoleil, and Georgina Island First Nations.

Rohil Sharma

Project Manager, Outreach
As a Project Manager of the Outreach Team, Rohil supports GLOCAL's external communications with legislators, academic institutions, and other community partners. He holds a B.A. from the University of British Columbia (UBC).

Rohil respectfully acknowledges that he is located on the unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), Stó:lō and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil- Waututh) Nations.

Vicky Huang

Project Manager, Data
As a Project Manager at GLOCAL, Vicky oversees data-driven projects that enhance civic engagement and electoral transparency in Canada. She manages the development of the 'Find Your Political Representative' database, coordinates Canada Election Survey data analysis, and leads volunteer data teams in research and technical tasks. Vicky holds an MBA from a Canadian university and previously worked as an antitrust and IP lawyer in Beijing. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring data visualizations, engaging in community initiatives, and discovering new cultural experiences.

Vicky respectfully acknowledges that she is located on the traditional territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh peoples.

Krista Hem

Volunteer Engagement Officer and Event Coordinator
As the Volunteer Engagement Officer and Event Coordinator at GLOCAL, Krista is dedicated to fostering volunteer growth and maintaining strong engagement, while also managing the organization’s events. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Honours Sociology from the University of Waterloo. In her free time, Krista enjoys diving into books, catching up on movies, and going for runs.

Joseph Ong

Project Manager, Digital Products and Services
As a Project Manager at GLOCAL, Joseph is responsible for overseeing the project throughout the entire lifecycle. He graduated from University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Arts in Digital Enterprise Management. In his spare time, Joseph enjoys curating recipes, playing video games and exploring Web 4.0 business applications.

Joseph respectfully acknowledges that he is located on the traditional territories Haudenosaunee and Anishnaabeg peoples.

Joe Shi

Product Manager
Joe Shi is a Product Manager at GLOCAL, where he focuses on product design and programming to support digital civic engagement and volunteer participation. In this role, Joe works closely across teams to design user-centered features, translate community needs into product requirements, and help build scalable platforms that connect people with meaningful civic and volunteer opportunities. Joe holds a Master of Engineering from the University of Waterloo. He previously worked as a Product Manager intern at Tencent and Kuaishou, where he gained hands-on experience in large-scale consumer products. During his undergraduate studies, Joe also built a platform dedicated to stray animal protection and volunteer connections, an experience that shaped his long-term interest in social impact, technology, and community-driven design. Outside of work, Joe enjoys playing the Chinese bamboo flute, reading and writing detective fiction, and playing detective games. He also likes hiking, city walks with friends, and spending time with pets.

Joe respectfully acknowledges that he is located in Scarborough, on the traditional territory of many Indigenous Nations, including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabe, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples. He is grateful to live and work on these lands and recognizes the importance of ongoing reconciliation and respect for Indigenous communities.

Akhrorbek Turdimukhammadov

Youth Engagement & Outreach Officer
As a Project Management Trainee – Civic Programs at GLOCAL, I, Akhrorbek Turdimukhammadov, contribute to the planning and coordination of civic engagement initiatives. I am currently completing a Bachelor of Commerce at Mount Allison University. In my spare time, I enjoy following F1 racing, playing golf, and getting lost in a good book. I respectfully acknowledge that I live and study on the unceded ancestral lands of the Mi'kmaw people, part of the greater territory of Mi'kma'ki, and honour the traditional owners and custodians of this land from all four directions.

Florance Arezo

Social Media Officer
Florance Arezo is a Social Media Officer at GLOCAL Foundation of Canada, where she creates engaging digital content and supports online outreach to connect with diverse communities. She holds a bachelor's degree in Russian Language and Literature and brings a strong background in digital content creation. Florance has managed communications for a number of organizations and individuals, producing creative content that highlights a wide range of projects, voices, and stories. She is passionate about photography, videography, and storytelling, and is dedicated to using social media as a platform to share meaningful and culturally diverse experiences. She respectfully acknowledges that she is located on the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe Nation.

Nancy Yan

Project Manager, Design & Evaluation
As a Project Manager, Design & Evaluation at GLOCAL, Shiyi oversees the development and evaluation of digital products to ensure strategic alignment with organizational objectives. She holds a Master of Information with a specialization in User Experience Design from the University of Toronto. Outside of work, she enjoys painting and connecting with friends. Shiyi respectfully acknowledges that she is located on the traditional territories of the Wendat, the Anishnaabeg, Haudenosaunee, Métis, and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.

Liliane Mu

Participant Success Manager, Compliance
As a Participant Success Manager in Compliance at GLOCAL, Liliane is responsible for screening, onboarding, and managing volunteers in the compliance track, as well as coordinating compliance-related research and documentation tasks. She graduated from UBC with a Bachelor of Arts, with a Sociology Major and Law and Society Minor. In her spare time, Liliane likes to go on hikes and cook for her family.

Liliane respectfully acknowledges that she is located on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

Ariana Khodabakhshi

Compliance and Admin Officer
Ariana first joined GLOCAL as a legal intern and has returned as the compliance officer, where she assists in reviewing organizational policies and agreements to ensure they align with legal standards and regulatory requirements. She is currently pursuing her Juris Doctor and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology from York University. In her free time, Ariana enjoys painting, collecting new plants, and going on long walks with her dogs. Ariana respectfully acknowledges that she is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, the Anishinaabe, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples.

Kyana Khodabakhshi

Compliance and Admin Officer
As a Compliance and Admin Officer at GLOCAL, Kyana supports organizational initiatives through research, data analysis, and the development of digital tools that enhance accessibility and compliance. She holds a degree in Computer Science, building on her academic background in Law and Philosophy. In her spare time, Kyana enjoys botany, hiking, and spending time with her dog, Charlie. Kyana respectfully acknowledges that she is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, part of the Anishinaabe peoples, and on lands covered by the Toronto Purchase Treaty No. 13. This land is also the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and the Huron-Wendat Nation.

Mona Sahota

Project Management Officer – STEM Engagement
Passionate about advancing youth-led civic innovation and inclusive community development, Mona executes and implements initiatives that empower youth to engage in civic technology, public policy, and creative problem-solving, working closely with institutions and emerging leaders across Canada. Currently completing her undergraduate studies in Legal Studies and Business at the University of Waterloo, Mona brings a strategic and interdisciplinary approach to her work, integrating legal perspectives with program design and execution. She also served as Project Manager for the development of a Municipal Service Request App for the City of Iqaluit, NU, and as a Project Coordinator with the Ministry of the Attorney General. In recognition of her leadership and impact, Mona is a recipient of the University of Waterloo’s Kerr Ostrander Leadership for Tomorrow Award and has received a Certificate of Recognition from a Member of Parliament for her contributions to national-based initiatives. Through her leadership, Mona continues to build pathways for young people to access decision-making spaces, advance research, and translate grassroots ideas into tangible impact. Mona would like to respectfully acknowledge that she is located on the unceded territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee Peoples. This land is part of the Haldimand Tract, which was promised to the Six Nations and extends six miles on each side of the Grand River.

Zaynah Mohamad

Outreach Officer, Atlantic Provinces
Zaynah is a dedicated political science graduate with a strong focus on social justice, multiculturalism, and advocacy for marginalized communities. Zaynah works in the Outreach Department, networking with political legislators in a commitment to create positive change.Through both her professional and volunteer efforts, Zaynah remains deeply committed to advancing equality and inclusivity.

I would like to respectfully acknowledge that I am located on the unceded territory of Mi'kma'ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi'kmaq people.

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