Our Team
We are always looking for instructors, please reach out if you are interested
in jointing our team to help deliver quality programs across the country.
Debra Miko - 2017 McLeese Award Recipient
Executive Director
Debra began her journey in Canadian High School Debate in 2002 when her eldest son sparked interest in the extra curricula activity at his new school. He debated for 6 years while in school all the way to the Canadian National Team, representing Canada on the Worlds Stage. For over 20 years, she has left her legacy behind in Western Canada when she took on the task of reviving the Alberta Debate and Speech Association in 2011.
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Debra became President of the Canadian Student Debating Federation in 2013 and hung up her hat in October of 2022 and then joined us at Speech and Debate Canada Foundation. During her impressive tenure at the CSDF she rebuilt the organization to become accountable to their members and to focus on our youth first, all while growing the activity of debate nationwide. She has worked with hundreds of students across Canada, internationally as a judge, and as a supervisor for the Canadian National Team.
Alongside her many roles in Canadian debating, Debra is a mother of four grown children, a grandmother, and business leader who is known for her focus, attention to detail, and dedication to get the job done! She has worked alongside her husband for over 25 years growing their own business while following their own dreams. Her enthusiasm for Canadian youth is second to none as she puts their welfare at the forefront of every decision. We are extremely fortunate that she is on our team!
Debra can be reached at ed@speechanddebatecanada.com
Alberta
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Bayan Shayeb
Bayan is currently in her first year of engineering at the University of Alberta. After starting debate in the tenth grade, she went on to qualify for provincials each year of high school, as well participating in CNDC Nationals in her senior year. She now volunteers for the UofA HSMUN club and continues to pursue a strong passion for debate.
Alberta
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Navdeep Badhan
Navdeep Badhan (he/him), is a 3rd year student studying biochemistry at the University of Alberta. He participated in speech and debate for the first time in grade 7, and now, is currently working as a S&DCF Instructor based in Edmonton, Alberta.
Alberta
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Sebastian Gingerich
As a seventh grader, Sebastian attended his first debate tournament in 2014, and is excited to be continuing as a S&DCF Instructor for the second year. Currently, he is in his 1st year of law school at Maastricht University concentrating on international corporate tax law.
He is one of our awesome online instructors.
Alberta
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Saim Humayun
Saim is currently a third-year student studying neuroscience at the University of Alberta. After starting debate in the tenth grade Saim was an active participant in the Alberta debating circuit placing as one of th etop teams and speakers at the 2021 BP and 2022 CND National Championships. Currently Saim organizes high school debate tournaments as VP Outreach of the University of Alberta Debating Society.
Alberta
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Lucinda Fraser-Suarez
Lucinda is a 1st year nursing student at the University of Alberta. She competed in debate from Grade 7 to Grade 12. In high school, she competed both provincially and nationally. Lucinda was also an executive of her high school debate team. She enjoys hiking, dancing, and playing board games.
Alberta
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Rowena Cahill - Model Parliament
Rowena lives in Edmonton and started debating in grade ten, after which she joined her school's Ethics and MUN teams. By grade twelve, shae was her school's debate team leader, and taught weekly public speaking lessons with the non-profit 'SpeechDojo'. Her favourite things are reading, baking, and board games!
Alberta
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Paschaline Eze - Model Parliament
Paschaline is a first-year pre-law student studying Psychology and Political Science. Ever since the age of 10, she knew she’d always wanted to be involved with debate and democracy and has been a part of speech and debate teams since the 8th grade and the executive team of her high school’s Model UN since. Her hobbies include reading, doing puzzles, and listening to music!
British Columbia
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Alaa Ibrahim
Alaa lives in Victoria and has been passionate about public speaking and debate since the age of 5, when she began attending a Toast Masters International Club. You can find her debating, doing karate, baking or being with her friends!
British Columbia
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Lindsay Liu
Since attending her first debate tournament in grade 7, Lindsay has developed a keen passion for debate and public speaking. She is currently in her final years of high school and is planning on pursuing business after she graduates. In her free time, Lindsay can be found attempting to play sports with her friends and consuming unhealthy amounts of sugar.
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Alicia Leguizamon
Alicia was first introduced to debate in grade 9 by a friend who didn’t want to show up to practice alone one afternoon and immediately fell in love with it. Since then Alicia has had the opportunity to not only compete but also coach within her community.
Alicia is passionate about the benefits of public speaking not only in the debate world but also in day-to-day life and aspires to influence others to have this skill. Alicia currently studies at the University of Ottawa and is pursuing a degree in Political Science and History with the hope of eventually completing a law degree.
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Isaac Cormier
Isaac has been involved with debate since 2017 when he co-founded a debate club at his university. He also enjoys coaching young students as they develop a passion for debate. He graduated from Saint Mary's University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science, Honours, in Psychology, and is working as a Research Psychometrist with Nova Scotia Health before his return to school for graduate studies in clinical psychology. Isaac is from Halifax, Nova Scotia.
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Sam Li
Sam loves aviation and experiencing the world; he documents his journeys as a photographer and creative writer where he owns a personal blog. Debate wise, some of his top accomplishments include placing as a finalist at CUSID nationals, champion at Waterloo High Schools, and finals at Western High Schools. Oh, and he doesn’t want you to know this but he’s chronically addicted to video games.
Ontario
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Patrick Cowley
Patrick started debating in 2016 as part of the Queen's University Debating Union, eventually serving as the President in 2019-2020. He holds a BA and MA in Philosophy, both from Queen's University, and is currently a law student at the University of Toronto.
Patrick also served as Vice President and Treasurer of the Canadian University Society for Intercollegiate Debate, and now sits on its Board of Directors.
Ontario
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Ethan Curry - Social Media Contact
S&DCF Social Media Coordinator
Ethan has been involved in debate for the last 10 years and has been teaching debate for 7. As a speaker he is a two-time National Champion and a North American finalist. He also represented the Universty of Western Ontario at the Worlds University Debating Championships on 3 occasions. As a judge Ethan reached the semi finals of the Worlds University Debating Championships, and judged elimination rounds at Cambridge, Yale, Oxford, University of Toronto, the North American Debate Championships, and the National Championship. As an instructor Ethan believes that debate allows students to become more critical thinkers and learn about a wide array of global issues, which are integral to being a globally informed citizen.
Ontario
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Massoma Kisob
Massoma first joined her high school debate club hoping to make friends as a new grade 10 student at her school. She became highly involved the debate team and qualified for Provincial and National championships in English, French, and bilingual debating categories.
Massoma has continued to be involved in the debating community through supporting emerging debaters as they develop their skills, and she looks forward to the expansion of debating programs in schools across the country. Massoma holds a BSc from the University Toronto and is currently a medical student at McMaster University.
Province/Territory
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New Addition
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