Fifth group of 12 NextGEN Fellows steps up to connect personal vocation to Canadian society’s needs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

29 May, 2025

OTTAWA – Twelve young professionals will form the 2025 cohort of the Cardus NextGEN Fellowship, a leadership development program that equips rising Christian leaders to engage thoughtfully in Canada’s public life. This diverse group of remarkable, early-career individuals brings a shared commitment to the common good, civic responsibility, and constructive dialogue to an increasingly polarized world.

Now in its fifth year, the NextGEN Fellowship attracts talented individuals from across disciplines—including law, public policy, art, and social service—for a year of intensive learning, mentorship, and public engagement. Fellows explore the relevance and resources of the Christian faith through seminars, guest lectures, and extensive readings that connect personal vocation with the broader needs of Canadian society.

“Every year, I’m struck by the calibre and conviction of all the applicants for this fellowship,” says Stephen Lazarus, NextGEN co-director. “This year’s group is not only sharp and accomplished, they’ve shown through their actions that they care for others and the world around them—so they’re exactly the type of people we want to equip as the influential leaders of tomorrow.”

Meet the 2025 NextGEN Fellows:

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.

David Cade is lawyer currently working as a policy analyst and legislative drafter in the Tax Policy Branch of the Department of Finance Canada.

Myriam Hollant is a criminal defence attorney in private practice in Montreal, where she engages both her legal expertise and her heart for people and justice. She has also worked in international criminal law, including at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

Maryanne King is a reservist Royal Canadian Air Force officer and a public policy professional with experience across the post-secondary education, public education, and public safety sectors. Currently, she contributes to policy work aimed at ensuring police officers come safely home after every shift.

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.

Allison Leonhardt is a senior communications advisor whose work has focused on housing and homelessness the last few years. She has managed both federal and provincial election campaigns and serves on the boards of several organisations.

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.

Patrick Peori is Director of Church Engagement at St. Ignatius of Loyola in Montreal. He is passionate about bringing the gospel to a secular culture and raising leaders for this cultural moment.

William Snyder is 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 with experience at CIBC, TD Bank Group, and Schneider Electric.

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, following earlier work as Director of Mission and Discipleship at St. George’s Parish in Ottawa.

Kyle Wierks 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. He has 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.

Jin Yi Wu is a frontline leader in social services with experience in helping 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. Jin is currently involved in board leadership and consulting for grassroots community initiatives.

The NextGEN Fellowship runs from May to March annually. Applications are accepted year-round. To get more information, to apply, or to nominate a Fellow, visit www.nextgenfellowship.ca or contact Stephen Lazarus, Program Director for NextGEN, at SLazarus@cardus.ca.

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Cardus is a non-partisan think tank dedicated to clarifying and strengthening, through research and dialogue, the ways in which society’s institutions can work together for the common good.