Surrey student wins prestigious TD Scholarship for Community Leadership

Isabella Wen, a Surrey resident and Grade 12 graduate of R. E. Mountain Secondary in Langley, has been awarded one of Canada's most prestigious scholarships.

Wen is one of just 20 students across Canada to receive the 2026 TD Scholarship for Community Leadership, which provides up to $70,000 toward post-secondary tuition and living expenses, plus mentorship, networking opportunities, and paid summer employment. The scholarship recognizes students who have demonstrated exceptional community leadership and social impact.

"It was a really nice surprise," Wen said. "Oh my gosh, I was in shock. I thought there was no way and questioned if I was reading that right."

Wen's community work began in Grade 9 when she and a friend launched Rose Tinted Ceiling, a podcast dedicated to highlighting women and girls breaking barriers in their fields. "We started it because we saw this gap," she said. "My mom is a huge role model for me, and I want all girls to be able to see that they can do whatever they put their mind to and if you cannot see it, then you cannot be it."

Since its launch, the podcast has produced 100 episodes, featured more than 60 women, reached listeners in nine countries, and generated more than 200,000 interactions. It ranks among the top 30 percent of video podcasts on Spotify. Beyond podcasting, Wen has launched programs supporting at-risk youth, aspiring journalists, and newcomers to Canada.

She has served on the TikTok Global Youth Council and held fellowships with Plan International Canada, Dove Self-Esteem Project, and Women and Gender Equality Canada. While in high school, she served as student council president and as a research assistant at UBC. Wen described the TD scholarship application process as deeply reflective.

"It was a very reflective process which I enjoyed, getting to think about my journey and all the people that have impacted me and I've gotten to impact as well and that's always just such a warm feeling," she said. This is not her first national recognition. Earlier this year, Wen was one of three Surrey-area students to receive a Starfish Canada national fellowship for young environmental leaders.

Now a high school graduate, Wen plans to attend the University of Toronto this fall to study public health and human geography while continuing to grow Rose Tinted Ceiling. "I just want to learn more about all the problems in the world and try to broaden my horizons and get to know as many people, problems and everything that I can so I can be able to make a larger impact in the future," she said.

She hopes her journey encourages other young people to pursue their passions. "You can make a real impact in the world and there are people like TD to support us and tell us that this is good work that we're doing."