Matt Drabenstott PhD
Researcher, Knowledge Translation & Mobilization, The Students Commission of Canada, Centre of Excellence for Youth Engagement
2026
Matt brings 10+ years of youth engagement to scalable upstream mental health initiatives. He designs and evaluates multi-year, national programs that promote post-pandemic well-being. A published qualitative researcher, Matt has gathered and analyzed thousands of youth and practitioner stories, weaving their voices into bold advances in how we connect and care. Educator with a lot of heart, Matt has taught for 6+ years at (post-)secondary levels; he also holds a Masters and PhD in Education. Matt is particularly passionate about helping suicidal young people choose to stay. He has been an active contributor to the Centre of Excellence for Youth Engagement and worked with SCC since 2017. He lives in the traditional lands of the Kansa, Osage, and Kiikaapoi peoples (Cession 69).
The Summit unites the public and private sectors, domestic and international, against hate and extremism. Researchers, activists, lawyers, technology experts, political leaders, and more come together, each bringing their unique tools to the fight. Important relationships that were established at the Summit in 2021 have carried forward into working groups with concrete deliverables for 2022 and beyond.
