Stories

“Loran has pushed me to explore the why behind what I do and helped me realize what my values actually are. Without Loran, I would not have discovered my passion for building communities, or that building communities is the real reason I aspire to be a civil engineer. I feel like the biggest difference I can make is inspiring people to want to be part of a community. To see people smiling and happy to be there, that is what I think makes the largest impact. Helping people find their communities makes me feel like I am fulfilling my purpose in life.”

“Loran has provided me with all the resources I need to succeed in my post-secondary education as well as in life. From incredible mentorship to strong institutional connections, from fellow scholars to Loran staff, the program has a phenomenal support system. Having this in place allowed me to discover that I can make the greatest impact by combining my passions with meaningful activities that contribute to my community, like promoting the Canadian Cancer Society through hockey-based events. Participating in these activities provides challenges that can’t be found in the classroom and makes me feel connected to my community away from home.”

“The financial support Loran provides for academic endeavours has empowered me to explore courses I might have otherwise hesitated to pursue, such as creative writing. I’ve always loved storytelling, and developing my writing structurally has given me the confidence to perform poetry at open mics—a welcome next step—where I’ve been able to connect deeply with diverse audiences. These shared moments and invigorating experiences have enriched my undergraduate journey in unexpected and rewarding ways. Additionally, through the Loran program I’ve met a vibrant network of brilliant, driven people who continually inspire and challenge me to dream bigger. Loran alumni in particular have been one of the most quietly powerful aspects of the program. They constantly remind me that our stories aren’t linear and encourage me to pursue my potential with intention and curiosity.”

“Although the educational path for health students can seem linear, Loran challenges me to pursue interests that broaden my perspective and drive me to take meaningful risks to achieve my professional and personal goals. Within my community, I volunteer as director for the SPRING initiative in Halifax, overseeing a team of people working to pair children in the community who have accessibility needs with students to participate in weekly, extracurricular activities on campus. And I’m also working with the IWK Health, a women’s and children’s hospital and trauma centre, to improve programming for children in long-term care. These experiences have helped me develop in my respiratory clinical practice, and as I continue to pursue my medical career I will prioritize a well-rounded approach to patient care.”

“Loran has played a unique role in my life—supporting me through the challenges of the transition to university and also pushing me to be the best community member I can be. The program has unequivocally changed the trajectory of my life; if not in terms of my career path, in terms of the way I see the world and engage with the people around me. I feel like I’m making the biggest difference in my community when I’m engaging in work for kids with arthritis. Whether I am volunteering at camp with or doing research at a computer, it is an incredibly fulfilling privilege to use my lived experience with arthritis to play a role in the lives of the next generation of kids with this disease. The forward-thinking and optimistic energy of the Loran community inspires me to be a more curious, action-oriented, and compassionate person.”

“I want to help build bridges between cultures and generations in a world where divides are growing. The Loran Award allows me to cultivate this vision by exposing me to committed leaders, inspiring mentors, and real-life experiences, where I am able to embody my values ​​and live them with pride. Intercultural and intergenerational inclusion has been a lifelong commitment for me. With this in mind, my first Loran summer experience was a three-month community internship in Guatemala, where I provided psychosocial support and helped distribute essential donations to families living in precarious situations. Loran has also given me the confidence to find my voice and assert my beliefs. Now studying occupational therapy, my approach focuses on developing the caregiver-patient relationship and the adaptation of daily activities in a way that promotes autonomy and social participation.”

“The Loran community has quietly but powerfully shaped the way I view myself and the kind of leader I can be. Surrounded by such an amazing cohort of people who are pushing boundaries and doing incredible things in their own communities, I’m constantly inspired to do better and stay true to our shared values of service, leadership, and community. Even when we’re busy with school or navigating the chaos of life, those values shine through in the ways we show up, whether that be for each other, for the people around us, or for the things we care about. Being part of this network has helped me grow more confident in my decisions, more intentional with my time, and more grounded in purpose. It’s not always something you can see on paper, but I feel it in the way I approach new opportunities, take initiative even when it feels uncertain, and trust myself to lead with heart.”

“Loran summer experiences have allowed me to explore fields beyond my degree—providing opportunities to learn broadly and practically outside of the classroom. Working as a polar bear educator and a researcher in gender-based violence speaks to the breadth of experience Loran encourages. I’ve developed new passions, learned how to advocate for diverse communities, and become an effective science communicator. More broadly, what makes Loran special is the family of scholars: a group of authentic, diverse, and motivated people who lead by uplifting each other. In every interaction I’ve had with a member of the Loran community, I’ve left feeling inspired and driven to make change.”

“Loran has given me the opportunity to speak with incredible young people who are thoughtful, principled, and excited to grow in their leadership and community contribution. I am endlessly impressed and inspired by the character, empathy, and vision they all bring to the table, and in turn the massive, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for growth the Loran Award generously provides. Meeting and mentoring young people truly touches my heart, and knowing that Loran is committed to long-term support and growth of values-driven leaders is an incredible gift to the future of humanity.”

“I have served Loran in almost every volunteer role available for over 20 years, and each has brought me joy. With my volunteer and philanthropic pursuits, I’ve always been drawn to causes that foster potential, and Loran has proven successful at identifying and unlocking the potential of young Canadians who are capable of transforming our country for the better. Loran is a force multiplier for good, and I am grateful to play a part in its work.”

“The Loran Scholars Foundation is a remarkable opportunity for young impact leaders who are committed to making a difference in their communities, and an initiative that mirrors our vision at the Northpine Foundation. Like Loran, we invest in future paths of high impact and understand the exponential power of a strong, supportive network that collaborates to tackle societal challenges at scale. We hope our investment will support these exceptional individuals as they continue their collective efforts and spark transformative change in our shared vision of a better world.“

“Canada needs Loran—and if the Azrieli Foundation can make an impact by supporting these students in partnership with Loran, we’re very proud to play that role. We consider education to be the most important factor in empowering not only individuals but whole communities; it’s how we move forward as a unified society. Loran’s focus on finding and strengthening leaders of character means that an investment in Loran is an investment in potential, not only in young people but in our country and our global society.”

“As some of Loran’s founding selections interviewers, we’ve been delighted to see so many exceptional young people from the East Coast apply for the Loran Award, be identified and nurtured, and ultimately commit to reinvesting their talents back into our community. We have donated to Loran for over 25 years because we’ve seen first-hand the real-world impact that Loran Scholars go on to make. It really pays off in the long term.”

“The Loran Scholars Foundation is crucial for Canada. It allows our best students to study here in Canada during their undergraduate years while providing them with the opportunities they need to grow and develop as leaders.”

“With Loran, we share organizational commitments to ensuring our communities are strengthened through a diversity of voices, experiences, and perspectives. Our partnership gets stronger, year after year, due to the commitment of both organizations to support and better young people’s lives.”

“We need strong, dedicated, and creative leadership to achieve positive outcomes. As Loran Scholars, young Canadians have the opportunity to learn, take meaningful risks, and determine how they can best contribute to society. By looking at their character, willingness to learn from failure, and genuine aspirations, Loran is able to discover young people with tremendous potential for a life of leadership and service.”

“Philanthropy is not a choice, it is a duty. We firmly believe that education is the key to a better future, and it is for this reason that we support the Loran Scholars Foundation.”

“As a Loran interviewer, former board member, and business leader who has hired alumni of the program, I am continually inspired and energized by the incredible talent, ambition, and dedication I see in Loran Scholars. Engaging with these exceptional young individuals not only enriches my own understanding of the world but also allows me to learn from their resilience, innovation, and drive.”

“Serving as a Loran interviewer and mentor is important to me because it gives me the opportunity to support and guide promising young Canadian students in their educational and personal growth. Interacting with these exceptional young individuals inspires me and keeps me connected to the aspirations and ambitions of the next generation.”

“Hearing the stories and experiences of our youth is inspiring. It makes me commit to being part of a program and process that provides opportunities to further develop their skills, gifts, and talents. I believe my contribution to Loran is valuable because it is important for our youth to see themselves at every step in the interview process – a shared commonality is how we find place and belonging.”

“From my first day of interviewing back in 2003, I was hooked. I remember calling someone immediately afterwards saying, ’I just had the most remarkable, inspirational day.’  Now more than ever, our world is truly in the hands of our youngest citizens, and given everything we are experiencing, we look to them with so much expectation. Loran volunteers, therefore, have a unique and powerful opportunity to make a difference in Canada and the world by finding and nurturing the promise of character in young Canadians.”

“Loran is a unique organization because it is not just about a scholarship—it’s very much about connecting and creating a community of changemakers. My involvement with Loran leaves me feeling inspired and hopeful because I can see that there are so many amazing young people in our country who want to make a difference. Serving as a Loran interviewer restores my faith in people.”

“From a young age, I have witnessed the gaps in healthcare in the North—from being born via air ambulance to witnessing family and friends travel hundreds of kilometres for routine medical care. My time as a Loran Scholar taught me the importance of community development and sustainability, which is what drew me back to the North. Southern approaches to medicine cannot always be applied in the North and must involve local input from community members. That’s why I completed my MD at one of the only medical schools in Canada that tailors to the unique needs of rural/remote communities. I am now a Resident Physician training to become a Pediatrician at BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver, BC. After my training, I plan to return to my hometown: Yellowknife, Northwest Territories to practice. I look forward to reducing the health inequalities faced every day in the North.“

“Being selected as a Loran Scholar pushed me to step outside of my comfort zone and realize my true passions and potential in entrepreneurship.  As the owner and co-creator of Chocolate by Those Girls at The Market and co-owner of The Little Market Box, I am dedicated to sharing the stories and passions of local food producers across Saskatchewan. I get to spend every day connecting with fellow foodie entrepreneurs and changing the way our community gets food onto their families’ plates. Loran has encouraged me to find growth opportunities in every challenge I face and inspired me to take meaningful risks.“

“As CEO of the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce, I am a  fierce advocate for small business, economic development, and the potential of the Fraser Valley. I strive to live out the Loran values in my day-to-day, giving back to the community and working to empower the next generation of leaders to engage in civic life, service, and entrepreneurship.”

“The Loran Scholars Foundation has given me the skills and help, but most importantly, the confidence I need both personally and professionally to reach my goals. Thanks to my community development and public health policy summers in Senegal, India, and Argentina, I have developed a true understanding of international development and international cooperation issues. This has led me to explore a variety of environments and projects and to climb the ranks to my current position as President of the Board of Directors of Doctors of the World Canada. In that capacity, I am able to take an active role in the committee of 17 presidents of the organization’s international delegations.“

“In my current role as co-founder & co-CEO of Common Wealth, I am working to build a future where long-term financial security is possible for everyone. My 25+ year experience with the Loran program, starting as a high school student from rural PEI, has been and continues to be, essential to shaping my path, values, and view of how I can best contribute to society. Loran both pushed and enabled me to take risks and tackle problems that would not have otherwise been possible. I love giving back to the Loran community because I want to help provide for other young people what Loran provided for me: helping me see some potential in myself that I did not see at the time.”

“The most important thing I learned through Loran is never to stop learning! As a professor, I learn from my research, from my students, and from my colleagues. I lead the Indigeneity, Diaspora, Equity, and Anti-racism in Sport (IDEAS) Research Lab at the University of Toronto. My passion is to share with the world the experiences of racialized peoples in Canada so that we can make physical activity opportunities more accessible and inclusive. To do so, we can’t limit ourselves to exploring only one ethnic group or only one sport. We can’t investigate only sport volunteerism, coaching, leadership or education. I engage many stakeholders and theoretical perspectives to solve Canada’s complex problems of social exclusion.”