Emily Yuan

Personal Statement

I used to think that being a leader meant having all the answers. In class, I often hesitated to speak, afraid of being wrong. I believed leaders were always confident, always certain, and as someone who struggled with self-assuredness, I never saw myself as one. But in hindsight, this struggle has shaped my leadership philosophy significantly. If you asked me now, I’d say the best leaders lead by example and acknowledge their struggles. I realized that a mentor openly sharing their self-doubt brought me the greatest sense of comfort. This insight allowed me to embrace uncertainty and support others facing similar challenges, ultimately making me a more effective student leader.

As a mentee in the Pharmacology and Toxicology Departmental Second-Year Community (DSC), the most valuable part of the DSC was the sense of community. During this experience, interactions with upper-year mentors and my peers showed me that I was not alone in the challenges I faced. At the time, I was truly intimidated by the process of getting research experience. But with the DSC, I felt encouraged to apply for the research abroad program. That summer, I conducted research at the National University of Singapore. I applied my knowledge in real-world settings and actively participated in scientific discussions which allowed me to build my self-confidence. Later, encouragement from friends and mentors once again pushed me to take a chance on myself. I became one of ten Canadian students in the AMGEN Scholars Program, conducting biomedical research at the University of Toronto. Through these experiences, I came to view uncertainty as an opportunity for growth, recognizing that the guidance and encouragement of my mentors played a pivotal role in helping me navigate challenges and embrace new opportunities.

In my third year, I became a Peer Mentor (PM) in the Second-Year Learning Communities (SLC) Program to share my own journey with other students and hopefully inspire them to reach for opportunities they might not have considered. I led 13 biweekly sessions throughout the year alongside two other PMs for a group of 50 PharmTox second-year students, facilitating discussions on topics like study strategies and exploring future career options through hosting student and alumni panels and a field trip to Sick Kids SPARC BioCentre. Wanting to leave a lasting impact, I served as a committee member to improve the curriculum of the program. Additionally, I also provided one-on-one mentorship and openly shared my experiences. One student told me I was instrumental in helping them secure a research position that summer. It felt surreal, as just a year ago, I had been in their shoes—nervous and unsure of my abilities. By sharing my journey and struggles, I was able to empower others to pursue opportunities they might have hesitated to take, reinforcing that leadership is about fostering confidence and growth in others through modelling vulnerability.The following year, I stepped into the Senior Peer Mentor (SPM) role for SLC. My goal was to support the new PMs as effectively as my own SPM had supported me. I implemented program recommendations, developed an asynchronous training program, and supervised 12 PMs across six departments. During PM training, I intentionally shared my initial struggles with leading sessions, which helped create a supportive environment where PMs felt more comfortable navigating their own challenges. One moment that stood out to me was when a new PM shared that my honesty helped to ease their anxiety about session facilitation. Moments like this reminded me of the impact that authenticity could have and that leadership is about building trust and empowering others.

Beyond SLC, I extended this leadership philosophy to various student clubs. As Director of the Mentorship Program for Veg Club, I aimed to create a safe space for individuals exploring plant-based lifestyles, hosting events such as a nutrition session with a dietician. The following year, as President, I expanded the club’s reach by organizing events like group volunteering at the Toronto Vegetarian Food Bank and collaborating with over five other student organizations. Through these roles, I learned that leadership also means building bridges and fostering collaboration to strengthen a community. By sharing my own struggles with adopting a plant-based diet, I found that authenticity helped me connect more deeply with club members. This reinforced the idea that showing vulnerability could turn personal challenges into shared opportunities for growth and understanding. Similarly, as Director of Finance for Women Stronger Together (WST), I championed initiatives promoting physical and mental well-being. I secured $500 in funding for a free boxing class at RUMBLE Boxing for over 30 members, breaking down financial barriers to fitness. Interacting with members during events allowed me to share my fitness journey and learn from their experiences. For many, it was their first time trying a boxing class, and by creating a supportive environment, I motivated students to step outside their comfort zones, helping them embrace challenges and realize their potential.

Reflecting on these experiences, I see how much I have evolved as a leader. Before becoming a leader myself, I often saw leadership as a unidirectional effort—offering guidance to those who sought it. However, over time, I recognized how much I learned from the individuals I worked with. My mentees and peers taught me that vulnerability fosters trust, leading to stronger connections which can help inspire personal growth. These lessons reshaped my approach to leadership, making me more attuned to the needs of others and confident in embracing uncertainty. I am most proud of how I have embodied vulnerability and shared my struggles with my mentees and peers who I have encountered throughout my undergrad. I strive to capture the true essence of a leader by talking about my own experiences overcoming adversity, so I can begin to normalize shared struggles amongst our undergraduate community. As I move forward in my life, I envision my role in each community I am a part of as an authentic leader, inspiring each individual to uncover their full potential.