Hello! My name is Maya Lefkowich [pronounced: leff - co - witch]. I was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario and am of Jewish and Eastern European descent. I moved to Vancouver 6 years ago for my PhD. I began my research career in the fields of masculinities studies and 2SLGBTQQIA+ health equity. During my PhD, I worked on topics related to Indigenous sovereignty and anti-oppressive digital storytelling/ film practices. I am passionate about transformative, arts-based, and community-led approaches to research and strategic planning. Storytelling, visual arts, and exploratory methods that address complex social justice issues are my specialty. Beyond work, I am a visual artist and writer. I love reimagining classic characters and plot lines in new ways to represent and engage communities respectfully and creatively.