After seven years of co-leading the National Youth Advocacy Council (NYAC), Hans Dupuis is stepping down from his role and passing the torch to a new voice in youth leadership.
We’re excited to welcome Sierra Lynne as the new NYAC Co-Chair, starting in September 2025!
Sierra joined the NYAC in 2022 through our partnership with Kids Brain Health Network (KBHN) and has been a passionate and committed member ever since. Known for his willingness to try new things, ask thoughtful questions, and grow his skills, Sierra has contributed to a wide range of communications and network projects with both KBHN and CHILD-BRIGHT.
In particular, he’s played a leading role in the NYAC media series, showcasing his creativity in collaborative youth engagement.
““Sierra has made impactful contributions to our council using his expertise in social media and communications to represent the NYAC in meetings, on paper, and on-screen. The leadership he has shown with the media series gives me confidence that, as a team, we can continue to keep our goal of advancing the field of patient-oriented research and youth engagement alive for years to come.” ”
We’re grateful to Hans for his years of steady leadership, and look forward to seeing Sierra and returning Co-Chair Logan Wong work together to shape the next chapter of the NYAC.
As the first transgender co-chair team, Sierra and Logan bring lived experience, insight, and resilience that enrich the NYAC’s vision of equity, inclusion, and authentic youth engagement.
““While I discovered my diagnoses of autism and attention deficit disorder separately from my trans identity, it’s those blocks that build up who I am. It defines how I approach every issue we discuss within NYAC. I view the world in a very specific lens, and I use that perspective to demonstrate what we need as disabled youth. I’m honoured to be voted as a co-chair by my fellow youth advocates!” ”