Volunteers

Meet the driven volunteers behind Keep Your Head Up—young adults, students, community members, and professionals who bring their passion, skills, and fresh ideas to the table. Whether they have lived experience or a deep commitment to our mission, they help shape the future of our work and ensure their voices and efforts make a real impact.

A young woman with long dark hair standing by a calm lake under a blue sky with clouds, smiling at the camera, wearing a white sweatshirt and dark shorts.

  • Special Initiatives Coordinator

    Kiana recently graduated from the University of Ottawa with her Honours Bachelors of Health Sciences. In the spring of 2018, she suffered her third and most severe concussion while playing competitive soccer. The impact left her with severe symptoms, and she had to take time off school in order to focus on the rehabilitation process. She was inspired to join Keep Your Head Up in order to provide support systems for the concussion community and to help facilitate access to information for those who need it.

    Kiana is currently the Program Coordinator for our new Youth Ambassador Program.


A young woman with long dark hair, smiling, sitting at a table in a restaurant. She is wearing a strapless top with a light cream color and small blue floral patterns, along with layered necklaces. There is a glass of water and an empty plate on the table.

  • Himanshi is a first year student at the University of Waterloo studying Health Sciences. She was drawn to the Keep Your Head Up Foundation because of our commitment to supporting individuals recovering from traumatic brain injuries and concussions, a cause that resonates deeply with her.

    Having witnessed the significant impact that mental health and recovery support can have on a person’s well-being, Himanshi joined KYHU to help create a positive and inclusive space for those navigating their healing journeys. As a volunteer, she is excited to use her voice and perspective to raise awareness, foster community, and empower others to prioritize their mental and physical health.

A woman in a black crop top and colorful, patterned long skirt standing on a stone pathway. She is smiling and wearing glasses, with a large palm tree and a building with a red roof in the background.

  • Community Outreach Coordinator

    Krishna is a recent graduate from the University of Guelph completing a bachelor's degree in psychology and sociology. She is interested in the social support provided to those living with concussions as well as how improvements can be made to the persons psychological and mental well-being. With her academic background and personal interest in the treatment of sports-based injury, Krishna uses both to create and support program delivery.

Young woman taking a mirror selfie, smiling, wearing a cream cardigan over a navy top, with dark pinstriped pants, accessorized with a gold necklace, rings, and carrying a small brown purse.

  • Nicole S. is a third-year Honours Science student at the University of Waterloo with hopes of pursuing a career in healthcare. She joined the Keep Your Head Up Foundation to explore different areas of the field while giving back to the community in a meaningful way. Helping others has always been important to her, so this opportunity aligns closely with both her personal values and professional goals. 

    Through KYHU, Nicole hopes to expand her knowledge of brain injuries and gain a deeper understanding of the emotional, mental, and physical impacts these injuries have on individuals. Outside of academics, she enjoys her daily walks while listening to her favourite artists like Brent Faiyaz, Daniel Caesar, and Bryson Tiller. She's also a foodie at heart and loves trying out new restaurants with her friends. Nicole is excited to be part of the KYHU team and looks forward to learning, growing, and contributing in any way she can!

A young woman with long, wavy dark hair smiling outdoors, wearing a purple top, a necklace with a heart-shaped pendant, and standing in front of a historical monument with carved sculptures.

  • Program Support Volunteer

    Sanghy is currently a Psychology graduate student at Carleton University in Ottawa. Her research takes place at the Ottawa Hospital, working with those with multiple sclerosis. Aside from the research aspect, she wanted to give more back to the community suffering from neurological diseases. She wanted to work with those experiencing Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and concussions because the sudden nature of these conditions perhaps necessitates a more immediate support system in the immediate aftermath of diagnosis. She hopes to use her experience working with vulnerable populations to help KYHU foster a positive and supportive network with those experiencing TBI and concussions.

    Sanghy supports KYHU’s Mindful Moments program.

Young woman sitting in the backseat of a car, smiling, holding a plush husky dog wearing a black jacket.

  • Amy is a recent graduate from the University of Waterloo with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Biology minor. She has a great interest in learning about brain health and wishes to pursue further studies in Neuroscience. Volunteering at KYHU has been a meaningful way for her to stay connected to the Waterloo community, while helping young adults with TBI not feel alone during their recovery journey. She firmly believes to never rush a healing process and to practice what makes you happy. For fun, she likes to resistance train, listen to corrido music, and play card games.

Young woman with brown hair in a white dress sitting on a stone bench in a park with greenery and a statue in the background.

  • Social Media Support Volunteer

    Isabelle is in her third year at the university of Ottawa studying health sciences. The Keep Your Head Up Foundation interested her because of the work we do with mental health and the promotion of care and wellness after an injury. Isabelle would like to help by bringing awareness to her community about the importance of taking the necessary time to allow yourself to heal.

A young woman with long, dark and light brown hair, wearing a black top, smiling softly, standing against a plain white background.

  • Ishika is currently a fourth-year Health Sciences student at the University of Waterloo and she’s excited to collaborate with the team and immerse herself in the rehabilitation sciences field, with a focus on gaining experience in community outreach and support.

    Her goal is to empower individuals navigating concussion recovery by effectively communicating and promoting resilience and well-being. Through program support, social media engagement, fundraising, and education, Ishika aims to contribute to an organization dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of those recovering from brain injuries. She is passionate about helping individuals build strength and confidence on their recovery journeys.