Hugo is a 4th year BScN student at Ontario Tech University (OTU). This is his second year with the NSO, acting as the Policy & Political Action ENO last year and Chair this year. His work this past year with the NSO encompassed research, helping facilitate events for nursing students, and engaged the team on nursing within the current political spectrum. Concurrently, he holds the position of Student Liaison with the Durham Chapter and has engaged local politicians during RNAO's Queens Park on the Road (QPOR) and attended Queen's Park Day (QPD). He is also an RNAO Student Ambassador and an inaugural member of RNAO's Student Leadership Incubator with the EDI working group.
At OTU, he has acted as Co-President of the Nursing Student Community (NSC) the past academic year and currently, is a member of the Program Evaluation Committee (PEC), and the Undergraduate Student-Faculty Council (USFC) to engage the undergraduate nursing student population and improve program outcomes. He is also a contributor for OTU's Peer Wellness program as a researcher and assists in creating new campaigns within the 7 Dimensions of Wellness.
His interests lie with research in multi-tiered health policy, nursing education reform, the empowerment of nursing students' capacity for leadership and advocacy, and students' transition to professional practice (ie. retention, gaps in knowledge, mentorship). He hopes to build on the past successes of the NSO, engage students, and be able to offer opportunities to students eager to lead just as he was given the opportunity to.
Sierra currently serves as the President of the Trent Fleming Nursing Students Association, where she leads initiatives to support and empower nursing students both academically and professionally. She also holds the role of Vice Chair with the Nursing Students of Ontario, where her passion for advocacy and policy is reflected in her commitment to advancing student voices across the province.
With experience as a Policy and Curriculum Development Student Representative, Sierra has played a key role in shaping academic and clinical standards for nursing education. Her contributions as a Pain and Best Practice Guideline (BPG) External Reviewer further demonstrate her dedication to evidence-based practice and improving patient care outcomes.
Sierra brings a strong voice for Indigenous representation and inclusion, having previously served as the Indigenous Student Officer and Student Executive Network Officer for the Indigenous Nurses and Allies Interest Group. Through these roles, she has worked to uplift Indigenous perspectives within the nursing profession and build more equitable healthcare systems.
Known for her collaborative approach, strong leadership, and deep commitment to student engagement, Sierra continues to be a driving force in nursing student governance and advocacy across Ontario.
Bushra Khan is a second-year nursing student at Lakehead University with a background as an RPN and Case Manager in both acute and community mental health. Their frontline experience has shown them how deeply social conditions shape health, and sparked a strong commitment to reimagining health education, social justice, and healthcare equity. Bushra is passionate about building mutual aid networks for uninsured and marginalized communities, and hopes to help shape inclusive healthcare policy as a critical qualitative researcher. Their long term goals hope to abolish carceral care models in acute care psychiatric settings. Outside of nursing, they enjoy writing poetry, baking, and singing with the birds.