Peace Olanipekun was born in Lagos, Nigeria and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Regina, with a BA in Political Science. Throughout her undergraduate career, Peace worked with numerous volunteer organizations centering marginalized communities. This experience, alongside her lived experience reignited her desire to go to law school to advocate for the needs of underrepresented groups within the legal system. She hopes to continue this advocacy work in law school and her professional career and is excited to be more involved in the BLSA community. 

Nmachi Isaac-Agbakwuru earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Calgary in 2023. She loves reading, writing, art and public speaking. During her undergrad at the UofC She was a member of the UofC’s Model United Nations Team and the UofC’s Mock Trial and Mooting Society. At the same she also volunteered with Canadian Blood Services, educating donors and planning outreach events and as a content writer for Canada Confesses, she developed detailed briefs focused on social justice topics. She is passionate about advocating for the needs of others and working with marginalized people. She currently volunteers with Inn from the Cold, supporting meal preparation for residents, and looks forward to contributing to the UCBLSA Conference and SLA Casework.

Undergrad: Political Science and International Relations at the University of Calgary.

Background: Eritrean but was born and raised in Sudan. I speak English, Arabic and Tigrinya. 

I worked as a youth worker for two years at Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth supporting newcomer youth in junior high and high school get used to new school systems and environments. I worked as a senior facilitator in the same capacity for 4 years. 

I volunteer with the Calgary Foundation as the chair of the Neighbour Grants Committee. I enjoy this role because I learn about the different initiatives happing in Calgary. I love being a part of the process and advancing the different perspectives in the city. 

Fun fact:  I love to read, dance, and try out new food places. 

Placide is a second-year law student at the University of Calgary. He earned his Bachelor of Kinesiology from the University of British Columbia in 2022. Unsure of his next steps after graduation, he spent time bartending and volunteering in a French immersion classroom, where he supported first-grade students as they learned to read and navigate classroom life in a second language.

Now in law school, Placide is exploring his interest in family law, tax, and securities, and figuring out where he sees himself making the biggest impact. With roots in both Congolese and Canadian cultures, he values representation and staying connected to the community. Outside the classroom, he’s usually on a soccer field, out for a run, or catching up with friends—often over video games that help bridge the distance between cities.

Emma Marck is a second-year law student, born and raised in Calgary. She holds a business degree from Ivey Business School, where she developed strong analytical and communication skills through its case-based model, and is committed to applying those skills in building her legal career within Calgary’s legal community.

Shaped by her lived experiences, Emma brings a multifaceted perspective to her legal studies. She has worked as a research assistant on projects focusing on fintech regulation and anti-money laundering legislation.

In addition to her academic work, Emma volunteered with Pro Bono Students Canada’s Consent Project, supporting the delivery of age-appropriate legal education workshops to youth across Calgary. She is especially interested in regulatory and public law, and in legal work that supports responsible innovation and access to justice.

Lee Ann obtained her Sociology degree from the University of Calgary with a concentration in crime, deviance, and social control. During her undergraduate studies, she gained insight into societal structures and human behaviours, which piqued her interest in how these interactions are influenced by the law and motivated her to pursue a degree in law. Additionally, Lee Ann has developed a passion for helping people through her volunteer work with marginalized communities, deepening her understanding of social issues. In her spare time, she enjoys cycling, hiking, solving puzzles and spending quality time with friends over dinner. Lee Ann looks forward to increasing her involvement with BLSA and contribute to its community growth through impactful mentorship and outreach efforts.

Rianna Charan is from Edmonton, Alberta, and completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Alberta. She obtained a Bachelor of Commerce in Business Economics & Law and Finance. Prior to law school, Rianna worked in multiple areas of the law as both a Legal Assistant and a Law Clerk. It was from this previous work experience, that Rianna recognized her passion for corporate law. In her spare time, Rianna likes to read, watch movies, and online shop. 

Ntcha was born in Cameroon, and moved to Canada to pursue her undergraduate studies. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Saskatchewan, majoring in political studies. After her undergrad, Ntcha relocated to Calgary, where she worked in Human Resources while running her small business. Ntcha is currently involved with Student Legal Assistance, which she hopes will give her hands-on experience helping people while also learning a lot about the practice of Law. In her free time, Ntcha enjoys spending time with family and friends and exploring Calgary's diverse food scene.

Mohamed earned his undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Alberta. Fascinated by the interplay between financial and social systems and the law, he chose to pursue a legal career. Beyond academics, Mohamed enjoys playing basketball, exploring Calgary’s culinary scene, socializing with friends, and binge-watching the latest TV series. As the incoming VP of finance, Mohamed is excited to introduce new ideas and enhance BLSA’s budget to support more community events.