Meet YCC Vernon's Co-Leads

This week, several of our 2026 programs began, including Vernon. We'd like to introduce you to our program leads, Ryan and Liz.

Ryan

Ryan Koelwyn works in climate action through Indigenous education, which is how a community transmits what it knows about how to live, insisting that this knowledge is inseparable from land, relationship, and responsibility to future generations. When Ryan is not facilitating workshops or offering yoga classes to the community she is cross-country skiing, hanging with her partner and their doggo, or paddling on the turquoise waters of Kalamalka Lake. Ryan adores the wondrous presence of birds and the cheery notes of a yellow warbler.

Liz

Liz Stewart grew up in rural Manitoba and now lives on Syilx Okanagan territory. She approaches climate action through the lens of community resilience, and cares deeply about building connections with people of all backgrounds and points of view. Liz is an experienced deep canvasser, storyteller, and activist. When she’s not working in the Vernon community on climate action, she is either reading or writing novels. She loves to talk to people.

We're excited to have these amazing Co-Leads on our team!