2025 Scholarship recipients
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Congratulations to the 2025 Scholarship recipients​
Amy Williams Scholarship: Jessy Kelada
Margaret Manson Scholarship: Veronica Jaramillo
Alberta Shearer Scholarship: Jashana Baskaran
MLUWC Memorial Scholarship: Natacha Morand
Heidi Schaaf Memorial: Tamara Stecyk​

Jessy Kelada

​​Jessy Kelada is a graduate of the Honours Science program at John Abbott College and will begin medical studies at Université de Montréal in Fall 2025. Passionate about women’s health and advocacy, Jessy aspires to become a gynecologist. Deeply involved in humanitarian work and scientific research, Jessy also finds meaning in serving others with compassion, curiosity, and intention.

Veronica Jaramillo

​​Veronica Jaramillo is a passionate food scientist and science communicator. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Food Science and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Food Safety at McGill University. Committed to bridging the gap between science and the public, Veronica founded The Food Truth Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving science and media literacy through educational workshops and conferences that challenge common food misconceptions and foster healthier relationships with food and our bodies. She also works with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Unbiased Science Podcast, where she supports public health communication initiatives and science outreach. Beyond her work in food safety, Veronica is a lifelong musician and teaches piano from her private studio in Pointe-Claire, continuing to share her love of music with the community. She remains committed to advancing public understanding of science and fostering stronger, evidence-based conversations around food and health, while striving to build a more informed, resilient, and connected community.

Jashana Baskaran

​​Jashana Baskaran is a master's student in Psychology at the Université de Montréal and currently serves as a liaison coordinator at VOBOC, a nonprofit supporting adolescents and young adults with cancer. Passionate about mental health accessibility, she aspires to become a psychologist to help break down barriers to care. Outside of her academic and professional work, Jashana is actively involved in community initiatives within the Sri Lankan Tamil community and enjoys practicing Pilates in her free time.

Natacha Morand

​I am a dedicated single mother of three. Balancing the demands of raising my children with professional and volunteer commitments has been both challenging and rewarding. My primary career goal is to contribute to the well-being of others through my profession and to positively impact the community by effectively exercising my various roles. I hold three undergraduate certificates and am pursuing a Bachelor’s in Human and Organizational Communication. Through academic achievement, volunteer leadership, and non-profit governance, I deliver evidence-informed, compassionate interventions. My goal is to foster lasting changes, strengthen communities, and extend the same generosity that has supported my journey.

Tamara Stecyk

​​As a Master's student in Counselling Psychology at McGill University, I am working toward dual roles as a Clinical Psychologist and researcher with a specialized focus on adolescent and young adult mental health. My professional path is deeply rooted in community well-being, which has naturally led me to engage in social justice initiatives and mental health advocacy work. Through hands-on experience with organizations including the Douglas Mental Health Institute, the Table de Quartier du Nord de l'Ouest-de-l'Île de Montréal, and Montréal's Ukrainian-Canadian community, I have gained valuable insight into how community engagement strengthens mental health support systems. This understanding makes me particularly grateful for the MLWUC's generous support of my academic journey, as it directly contributes to advancing both my clinical training and research capabilities.

​2024 Scholarship recipients
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Congratulations to the 2024 Scholarship recipients​
Amy Williams Scholarship: Juliette Léger 
Margaret Manson Scholarship: Indra Guzman Morena
Alberta Shearer Scholarship: Isabella Biferali 
MLUWC Memorial Scholarship : Alyssa Durdey
Heidi Schaaf Memorial: Sandra Daher
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