Stephanie Slen's Bulletin Board

Stephanie Slen

At just 21, Stephanie Slen drives bold initiatives in education, equity, and community power—turning grassroots activism into $2.4M+ in scholarships for youth.

Read my story LinkedIn

Full-ride scholarships secured for students

$2,401,950

Welcome to my bulletin board

At 21, Stephanie earned eleven scholarships worth $285,000 and turned that success into a mission to help other students achieve the same. What began as her sharing advice with a few peers has since grown into supporting students in securing full-ride scholarships totaling $2,401,950. Her work has been featured on Global News, CBC News, and in the Vancouver Sun (April 14, 2026 issue), and she was nominated as a Metro Vancouver Young Woman of Distinction for her impact.

Stephanie has always loved storytelling. She published seven stories in the Writers' Exchange storybooks and spent five years there as a teen leader, teaching thousands of children to read. That passion grew into writing articles about students who've overcome challenges and earned scholarships, with her work featured in The People's Voice Article.

The People's Voice Article

Awards & philanthropy

Hover over (or tap) a cloud to read more.

Uggla Family Full Ride Scholar Simon Fraser University Learn more ➶ Uggla Family Full Ride Scholar Stephanie Slen is one of ten recipients of the Simon Fraser University Uggla Family Scholarship, a highly prestigious, worldwide award connecting exceptional students from institutions such as the London School of Economics and beyond. This full-ride scholarship supports leaders pursuing academic excellence and community impact. Lance Uggla, Vice Chair of General Atlantic, co-founded BeyondNetZero, the firm's first climate growth equity fund supporting innovative companies advancing net-zero solutions. Previously, he founded and led IHS Markit, taking it public in 2014 and orchestrating its $44 billion merger with S&P Global. View LinkedIn post →

Canucks Trevor Linden Community Spirit Scholar One of four in BC Learn more ➶ Canucks Trevor Linden Community Spirit Scholar Stephanie Slen is a recipient of the Canucks Trevor Linden Community Spirit Scholarship, a distinguished award granted annually to four graduating students across British Columbia who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, community service, and resilience. Trevor Linden is one of the most accomplished figures in Canadian hockey history—a longtime Vancouver Canuck captain, leader of the NHL Players' Association, Olympian, and recipient of numerous awards for on-ice performance and off-ice charity.

YWCA Young Women of Distinction, Nominee 2025 · All of Metro Vancouver Learn more ➶ YWCA Young Women of Distinction, Nominee Stephanie Slen is a nominee for the 2025 YWCA Young Women of Distinction Award, which recognizes exceptional young women aged 18–25 who demonstrate leadership, maturity, and compassion. The award honours those who have made a significant difference in Metro Vancouver through their commitment to a cause or the pursuit of a personal goal, showing perseverance, innovation, and a deep understanding of community issues.

Co-Founder, Nurtured Youth Community Founded at 16 Learn more ➶ Co-Founder, Nurtured Youth Community At 16 after attending SHAD Canada at York University, a S.T.E.A.M. Entrepreneur Program on a full scholarship, Stephanie co-founded Nurtured Youth Community in Vancouver, British Columbia with her co-founder Geertika Jeyaganesha in Toronto, supporting kids across Canada with their mental health during COVID-19. Six months after it was founded it won a $5,000 grant from OXY Canada as the Face of Today and was featured in a CBC News article. Nurtured Youth Community →

By the numbers…

11 Scholarships

14 Half marathons

$7,500+ Raised at the gala

7 Published stories

Scholarship recipient

Stephanie Slen is the recipient of eleven scholarships:

2026 TELUS Student Bursary Award
2023 Simon Fraser University Uggla Family Full-Ride Scholarship (one of ten recipients)
SHINE Beedie Luminaries Scholarship
Canucks Trevor Linden Community Spirit Scholarship (one of four recipients)
BC Superintendents Scholarship (Vancouver recipient)
SASAH Scholarship
Skills for Hope Foundation Scholarship
Allan Ross Scholarship
Pathways to Education Scholarship
Britannia Class of '77 Scholarship
2023 Student Council Scholarship Award

Marathon runner

At 14, after a life-changing event, Stephanie began running—and she hasn't stopped since. Over the last six years, she has completed fourteen half marathons and two full marathons across the West Coast, including Vancouver, Seattle, Victoria, and Whistler. Less than 1% of people in the world run a marathon each year, and the average marathoner is in their late thirties or early forties. Stephanie defied those odds before even turning twenty.

Her passion for running extends beyond personal achievement. In 2022, as Student Council President, she organized a school-wide Terry Fox Run to raise funds for cancer research. Each year, she also participates in the SHLF Run, supporting children in need at the Streetfront Program—a community close to her heart.

Stephanie trains under the guidance of Mr. Stokes, a renowned marathon coach who has completed over 150 marathons and has helped countless youth from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside discover the power of perseverance through running.

“It's about 55,000 strides to finish a marathon. That's 55,000 opportunities to quit. Imagine how much affirmation you get when you don't quit 55,000 times.”

— Mr. Stokes, in Impact Magazine

Moments

Visier × Writers' Exchange Volunteer Evening · August 2026

In August 2026, Stephanie Slen joined 100 Visier employees at Parq Vancouver for a corporate volunteer evening with Writers' Exchange. Together, the group packed 250 backpacks for high school students, each filled with school supplies, snacks, and handwritten notes of encouragement from Visier employees. As a former Writers' Exchange student and staff member, Stephanie closed the evening with a speech — "I'm so grateful for the chance to share how Writers' Exchange shaped me growing up, and to see this community show up for the next generation of students."

Canada's Great Kitchen Party Gala · October 2025

At one of Canada's most distinguished culinary galas — Canada's Great Kitchen Party, celebrated in ten cities and recognized as North America's premier gastronomic event — Stephanie Slen represented Fresh Roots Urban Farm Society, helping raise over $7,500 in support of youth empowerment and community food programs.

Simon Fraser University President and Vice-Chancellor's Award Dinner 2024

"I had the incredible honor of attending the 2024 Simon Fraser University President and Vice-Chancellor's Award Dinner as an SFU Uggla Family Scholar. A huge thank you to Joy Johnson, SFU's 10th President and Vice-Chancellor, and Erin Morantz, Vice-President of Advancement & Alumni Engagement, for their unwavering support of Uggla Scholars… I am beyond grateful for this experience and the opportunity to represent SFU as an Uggla Family Scholar."

Read the event article →

Endorsements

Click on the speech bubbles to read:

Trevor Stokes

Marathon Coach & Department Head – Alternative Programs, Britannia Secondary

“Stephanie is the epicenter of our school. Every good thing that occurs is either touched, produced, guided, sponsored, or completed by Stephanie. This is not an exaggeration. She is front and centre every single day. She is hard-wired to do this. She is not doing this to pad an already ridiculous resume. She operates selflessly, with a relentless desire to make this world better.”