At just 20, Stephanie Slen drives bold initiatives in education, equity, and community power—turning grassroots activism into $1.9M+ in scholarships for youth.




Endorsements

"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.

Trevor Stokes Marathon Coach & Department Head – Alternative Programs, Britannia Secondary

"Stephanie’s tenacity, humility, commitment to justice and to her own personal learning and development is truly inspirational. Her impact on the lives of so many Fresh Roots youth participants cannot be understated. Knowing Stephanie gives me hope for the future. I cannot imagine a more deserving recipient for the Young Woman of Distinction Award.

Alexa Pitoulis, Executive Director BC Family Doctors & Former Executive Director of Fresh Roots Urban Farm

"The staff, board, and entire community of Britannia Community Services Centre Society (BCSCS) proudly endorse Stephanie Slen. BCSCS operates a 17-acre municipal community hub in East Vancouver, encompassing schools, a public library, an ice arena, an Indigenous Carving Pavilion, a teen centre, a seniors centre, daycares, and a swimming pool, serving thousands of residents each year.
Stephanie has been a remarkable leader from a young age, serving on the Britannia Board of Management at just 18 — one of only 12 elected members — where she contributed to youth programming, governance, and community-building initiatives with exceptional vision, maturity, and dedication. Her leadership has strengthened our community and amplified youth voices, and we are honoured to stand behind her as she continues to make a lasting impact for years to come."
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Cynthia Low, Executive Director Britannia Community Centre




At 19, Stephanie earned nine scholarships worth $250,000 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 $1,981,950. Her work has been featured on Global News, CBC News, and in the Vancouver Sun (April 7 issue), and she was nominated as a Metro Vancouver Young Woman of Distinction for her impact.
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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.
At 14, after a life-changing event, Stephanie began running—and she hasn’t stopped since. Over the last six years, she has completed twelve 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. As Mr. Stokes once shared in Impact Magazine: “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.”
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.
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. 
2025 YWCA Young Women of Distinction Award for All of Metro Vancouver, 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.
"I'm thankful to be in a room full of incredibly successful Women CEOs, Entrepreneurs & Founders!
Cheers to raising $400k in one night!
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Moments that touched my heart:
Ayisha Yang, the Founder & CEO of Herbaland holding my hands, giving me the best mom hug and telling me that i'm gonna make it one day.
Sonia Strobel, the CEO of Skipper Otto telling me that i'm an inspiration and that means so much from her!!
Skipper Otto support thousands of families across
Metro Vancouver through sustainable ocean foods.
Sarah Hoffman, President and CEO of Pacific Blue Cross who support 1/3 British Columbians in their Medical Health making me feel so proud of my accomplishments when her work impacts 1.8 million people. I love her.
Shannon MacDougall, the Senior HR Business Partner,
BC Region for BC inspiring me with her story on prioritizing equity during the acquisition of BC merging with HSBC. Your hug meant everything to me.
Wow, I made it in a room full of trailblazers."
​At 16 after attending SHAD Canada at York University, a S.T.E.A.M. Entrepreneur Program on a full Scholarship, Stephanie Co-Founder in Vancouver British Columbia- Nurtured Youth Community 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 featured in a CBC News Article.
Simon Fraser University President and Vice Chancellors 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.
It was inspiring to meet so many brilliant and dedicated SFU staff, including Kris Magnusson, Senior Advisor to the Provost & VP Academic, who shared invaluable advice about university and politics, and Karina Chow, Director for Advancement in the Faculty of Applied Sciences, with whom I had a wonderful discussion on fundraising, community, and giving back.
Other highlights included hearing stories from Eugene Fiume, Dean of Applied Sciences, and connecting with Amyn & Shien Rajan, recipients of the 2023 President’s Distinguished Community Leadership Awards. The night was a powerful reminder of how our educational journeys are supported by the dedication of community pillars who give so much to help others succeed.
I am beyond grateful for this experience and the opportunity to represent SFU as an Uggla Family Scholar."
Stephanie Slen is the recipient of nine scholarships, including being one of ten recipients of the 2023 Simon Fraser University Uggla Family Full-Ride Scholarship, the SHINE Beedie Luminaries Scholarship, one of four recipients of the Canucks Trevor Linden Community Spirit Scholarship, the Vancouver recipient of the BC Superintendents Scholarship, as well as the SASAH Scholarship, Skills for Hope Foundation Scholarship, Allan Ross Scholarship, Britannia Class of ’77 Scholarship, and the Student Council Scholarship.
"Thank you to the YWCA team and Scotiabank!
Thank you to the Writers Exchange team and Former Executive Director Jennifer Macleod for putting me forward for nomination and author Stacey Matson for writing the application.
And all the executive directors and pillars of the community for vouching or submitting letters for their support such as
Alexa Pitoulis Executive Director of BC Family Doctors and Former Exective Director of Fresh Roots Urban
Farms,
Cynthia Low of Executive Director of Britannia Community Centre and board of management,
Trevor Stokes an awesome teacher/ marathon coach from Streetfront,
Helena Fehr and Bernard Ryu my SFU Uggla Family
Scholarship Full Ride Scholarship Managers, Will Meldrum Consultant and trustee for Uggla Family Foundation in the UK,
Lance Uggla the Co-Founder and CEO of BeyondNetZero, and former CEO of IHS Markit, Jaclyn Barkase PCS Program Facilitator and restorative justice Member at ARC Vancouver, Kathryn Wong PCRS my former Youth Outreach Worker, and all others.
My family (Sylvia, and Sydney, Jeff, Cat Pickes and dad), Clara Phang, Kali Jong, Stacey, Susie and Teresa for always believing in me. I love you all.
It is an honour and privilege to be nominated for the
2025 YWCA Young Women of Distinction Award for all of Metro Vancouver! What a huge award!! @ywcavan"
This year, 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.


Endorsements
"Stephanie is a highly valued member of our community, her school community, and the neighborhood community. Throughout the years I witnessed her passion for sustainability, community, and working with young people expand beyond school and the Writers’ Exchange"

Annastasia Forst, Managing Director the Writers Exchange