Voice of the Month
October / November Edition – Maria Alejandra Guardado
Maria Alejandra Guardado
I would inspire young people by reminding them that changemaking doesn’t start with a title—it starts with one small, intentional action. I encourage youth to lean into their lived experiences, because their stories are powerful tools for creating impact. I also believe in leading by example: sharing opportunities, providing mentorship, and creating spaces where young voices can thrive. By showing youth that advocacy can be collaborative, creative, and rooted in community care, we empower them to take the first step. When young people see someone who looks like them making change, they begin to realize that they can.
Social Media Links
My name is Maria Alejandra Guardado, and I am a community advocate dedicated to uplifting youth, Latinx communities, and equity-deserving groups across Toronto and beyond. During Latin American Heritage Month, I championed my community at the Ontario Legislative Assembly and organized a provincial-level celebration recognizing Latinx leadership. I also helped solidify a partnership between the International Economic Forum of the Americas and the Latin American Trade Association of Canada for the Toronto Global Forum 2025, where I led my first youth delegation. Most recently, I represented the Young Canadian ChangeMakers at the UN HRC Social Forum 2025 and delivered remarks to the Assembly. I also support and help facilitate the Toronto Democracy Forum with the World Anti-Extremism Network.
This year, I coordinated a Latin American Heritage Month provincial recognition event at Queen’s Park—an initiative designed to elevate Latinx voices, celebrate our cultural and economic contributions, and open doors for young leaders. The event brought together elected officials, youth, and community organizations, fostering dialogue on representation and inclusion. I also led the first youth delegation from the Latin American Trade Association of Canada to the Toronto Global Forum, connecting young leaders with global leaders. These initiatives have strengthened community visibility, expanded professional pathways for youth, and positioned young Canadians as active contributors to international economic conversations.
A significant challenge in my journey has been navigating spaces where young voices—especially those from racialized or first-generation communities—are often overlooked. Early on, I struggled to be taken seriously, particularly when advocating for issues affecting marginalized youth. I overcame this by building strong partnerships, refining my research and communication skills, and consistently showing up with prepared, community-rooted solutions. Over time, my persistence led to meaningful opportunities, including speaking at the UN and forming institutional partnerships. This experience taught me that credibility grows when you combine lived experience with consistent action, resilience, and a commitment to collaborative impact.
I am motivated by the communities I serve—youth who deserve opportunities, newcomers seeking belonging, and racialized groups striving for visibility. Every initiative and partnership reminds me that change happens when people feel seen and empowered. Looking ahead, I aim to expand Latinx representation in provincial and national advocacy spaces, strengthen youth engagement in global policy discussions, and build sustainable programs that support leadership development. I also hope to grow my work in international cooperation and global governance, ensuring young Canadians—especially those from diverse backgrounds—have a seat at decision-making tables.
Maria Alejandra Guardado
Social Media Links
My name is Maria Alejandra Guardado, and I am a community advocate dedicated to uplifting youth, Latinx communities, and equity-deserving groups across Toronto and beyond. During Latin American Heritage Month, I championed my community at the Ontario Legislative Assembly and organized a provincial-level celebration recognizing Latinx leadership. I also helped solidify a partnership between the International Economic Forum of the Americas and the Latin American Trade Association of Canada for the Toronto Global Forum 2025, where I led my first youth delegation. Most recently, I represented the Young Canadian ChangeMakers at the UN HRC Social Forum 2025 and delivered remarks to the Assembly. I also support and help facilitate the Toronto Democracy Forum with the World Anti-Extremism Network
This year, I coordinated a Latin American Heritage Month provincial recognition event at Queen’s Park—an initiative designed to elevate Latinx voices, celebrate our cultural and economic contributions, and open doors for young leaders. The event brought together elected officials, youth, and community organizations, fostering dialogue on representation and inclusion. I also led the first youth delegation from the Latin American Trade Association of Canada to the Toronto Global Forum, connecting young leaders with global leaders. These initiatives have strengthened community visibility, expanded professional pathways for youth, and positioned young Canadians as active contributors to international economic conversations.
A significant challenge in my journey has been navigating spaces where young voices—especially those from racialized or first-generation communities—are often overlooked. Early on, I struggled to be taken seriously, particularly when advocating for issues affecting marginalized youth. I overcame this by building strong partnerships, refining my research and communication skills, and consistently showing up with prepared, community-rooted solutions. Over time, my persistence led to meaningful opportunities, including speaking at the UN and forming institutional partnerships. This experience taught me that credibility grows when you combine lived experience with consistent action, resilience, and a commitment to collaborative impact.
I am motivated by the communities I serve—youth who deserve opportunities, newcomers seeking belonging, and racialized groups striving for visibility. Every initiative and partnership reminds me that change happens when people feel seen and empowered. Looking ahead, I aim to expand Latinx representation in provincial and national advocacy spaces, strengthen youth engagement in global policy discussions, and build sustainable programs that support leadership development. I also hope to grow my work in international cooperation and global governance, ensuring young Canadians—especially those from diverse backgrounds—have a seat at decision-making tables.
I would inspire young people by reminding them that changemaking doesn’t start with a title—it starts with one small, intentional action. I encourage youth to lean into their lived experiences, because their stories are powerful tools for creating impact. I also believe in leading by example: sharing opportunities, providing mentorship, and creating spaces where young voices can thrive. By showing youth that advocacy can be collaborative, creative, and rooted in community care, we empower them to take the first step. When young people see someone who looks like them making change, they begin to realize that they can.
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Submit your nomination for our Voice of the Month feature at info@yccm.ca and share your journey with our global community of young leaders