Gabriel Bran Lopez (2009 - 2010)
Guatemala - Canada
Gabriel is the founder and General Manager of Youth Fusion, an award-winning non-profit organization that works in Quebec high schools to counter drop out rates by creating innovative partnerships between universities and high schools and engaging youth in their communities.
He was born during the 36-year war that ravaged Guatemala and its Mayan population. He has traveled across Canada, the United States, Africa, Latin America and Europe. In 2007, he went to Gulu, Uganda, to work in a war zone with orphans and youth struggling with the ravages of HIV/AIDS, war and poverty. In 2008, he worked in Dakar, Senegal, promoting human rights, education, health, sustainable development and micro-finance projects. In the same year, Gabriel helped to organize the Generations Pact environmental project in collaboration with Dr. David Suzuki, Dr. Hubert Reeves, Steven Guilbeault, and other renowned personalities. As a result, Quebec universities received significant funding from the Quebec government to promote sustainable development projects on campuses across the province.
An engaging and dynamic speaker, Gabriel has spoken to thousands of young people to promote youth involvement in public issues. He is committed to empowering youth and to providing them with the opportunity to develop their own social and environmental initiatives.
Gabriel holds a BA in Communication Studies with Great Distinction from Concordia University, where he was the President of the Garnet Key Society, and was granted the John E. O'Brien Medal for his academic achievement as well as the Forces Avenir Personality Award for his commitment to initiatives that contribute to the development of socially conscious and responsible citizens. He was recently a finalist in CBC’s show Canada’s Next Great Prime Minister.
The Jeanne Sauvé Foundation's commitments – youth empowerment, social change, and global responsibilities – are what inspired Gabriel to take on this incredible challenge. His Mentor during the Program was Antonia Maioni, Director of the McGill Institute for the Study of Canada, (MISC) and William Dawson Scholar. Professor Maioni has published widely in the fields of Canadian and comparative politics, with a particular focus on health and social policy. As a Sauvé Scholar, Gabriel continued the work he began through Youth Fusion – exploring the correlation between civic engagement, community involvement, and academic success – and implement its program across Quebec, Canada and eventually on an international scale.
Recent news:
In 2011, Gabriel was the recipient of Ernst & Young’s Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and was elected to the Ashoka Canada Fellowship in recognition of his accomplishments.
Mother Tongue
English, French, Spanish
Country of origin
Guatemala - Canada
Country of Residence
Canada
Mentor
Professor Antonia Maioni
