📌 Alumni Spotlight: Ryan Lo
Ryan Lo is an urban planner, community engagement practitioner, and youth advocate. Ryan is the co-founder of Urban Minds, a non-profit organization that bridges the gap between youth and decision makers by developing youth engagement strategies with municipal governments and community partners. He also organizes the annual 1UP Toronto Conference and the 1UP Leaders Lab program, where high school students learn about city building and gain practical skills in civic leadership.
What social issues are important to you?
As an urban planner, the issues of equity and access in our living environment have been close to my heart.
I’ve had the privilege to work with under-represented groups such as youth, people of colour and people with disabilities. I saw how these people have been neglected in the way we design and build cities, and I want to do my part in serving these people and making positive change on this issue.
What was your most memorable moment from the program?
During the last year of the program, we went to Costa Rica on a volunteering trip, staying with host families and volunteering for an ecological reserve nearby. I had an absolute blast travelling with my friends while being in a completely new environment and doing meaningful volunteer work for the area we stayed in.
One of the most valuable lessons I learned from Vision Youth was to always look out for your teammates as a leader. Whether this was on a hiking trip, a group project, or whatever activity or task we had to complete, I learned to always be a good team player and look for ways to build each other up.
“My time at Vision Youth helped me discover that working with youth is an important part of improving our communities, and it has become a central part of my career.”
What does leadership mean to you?
Aside from good teamwork, leadership means having the courage and foresight to make bold and often difficult decisions. Leadership also means effectively communicating those decisions to your team and others involved. It is in those critical moments where others will look to you to lead and to take action.
Why is community involvement important to you?
The non-profit organization that I lead, Urban Minds, is actively involved in educating and engaging youth in the community on city-building issues. Community involvement is important to me because we all rely on a healthy, functional community at many points in our lives, especially during these uncertain times. I believe it is our duty as citizens to contribute to building our community and give back if we have the time, ability or resources.
If you had to give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?
Get out there and don’t be shy. Take every opportunity to lead, both as a participant and as a volunteer returning to lead the program. The more time and energy you invest in improving yourself, the more you will get out of your time at VY. You’ll thank yourself later. :)
