Aija-Simone White [she/her]

Rise on Boards+ | Cohort 3

Aija-Simone White (she/her) is a Senior Policy Advisor and advocacy strategist who grounds policy and advocacy in lived experiences and real stories, building solutions that center people and drive systemic change. She has led cross-ministerial projects to modernize Ontario’s social assistance system, developed legislative options to strengthen worker protections, and chaired program reviews to advance equity in benefits for migrant workers. Her approach combines policy analysis, stakeholder engagement, and equity frameworks to ensure decisions reflect the realities of the communities they aim to serve.

She also brings community leadership experience as Director of Advocacy for the York United Black Student Alliance, where she coordinated culturally responsive programming that fostered connection, belonging, and dialogue on mental health and identity for Black students.

Aija-Simone has led youth-focused community recreation programs with the City of Mississauga, prioritizing youth voice and choice and developing her skills in facilitation and partnership-building.

Her national and global advocacy includes co-developing policy recommendations through the Youth Policy Makers Hub and serving as a Canadian youth delegate to the Association for Women’s Rights in Development International Forum. She seeks to help boards turn community voices into strategy, ensuring decisions create measurable impact.