Executive of the Month of November: Inaya Ponda

We’re proud to highlight Inaya Ponda, our Executive of the Month for November!

“Hi everyone! I’m Inaya, a Grade 10 student at Northern Secondary School in the TDSB. At HNP, I’m an associate in the Events Department, working hard to coordinate the environmental awareness events you get to participate in and analyze their impact on our community. I’m so grateful to have found my role in protecting the environment within this amazing organization!”

When asked how she got involved with HNP, Inaya shared, “My mom, who works in the Ministry of Environment, has always been my role model. When my guidance counselor posted the HNP hiring, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to follow in her footsteps. As a young person, environmental advocacy is crucial to me because I want to ensure that we have a healthy planet where we can all thrive.”

She also shared what she’s most looking forward to at HNP: “To be honest, I’m most excited about the future growth of HNP. Even though I haven’t been here very long, I’ve already seen the team reach new heights. There are so many upcoming events I’m looking forward to, not just for the coordination but also for the learning opportunities they bring.”

Recently, Inaya has been participating in inclusion and diversity workshops hosted by the Arab Community Centre of Toronto. These workshops will culminate in a project where participants create their own workshop. Inaya’s goal is to educate her community about the environmental harm caused by fast fashion and its role in commodifying cultural attire—combining her passion for fashion with her dedication to environmental and cultural awareness.

Inaya says her favorite part of HNP is the community: “The environment at HNP is so inspiring. Being youth-led, it’s comforting to know that my coworkers have been in my shoes and are always there to offer advice. The professional standard here has also helped me develop critical skills I can use in all my future endeavors.”

One environmental issue that Inaya is particularly passionate about is addressing the negative impact of fast fashion. She explains, “I’ve always loved fashion from both a creative and commercial perspective, but it’s essential to express this love ethically. Slowing down the fast fashion industry through education and advocacy is one way I’m contributing to a more sustainable and responsible future.”

Fun Fact: While Inaya loves the environment, her plant allergies prevent her from keeping flowers in her room. Her creative solution? A LEGO floral garden and a 30-cm LEGO oak tree that doubles as a jewelry holder!

Thank you, Inaya, for your hard work and dedication to HNP!