A Surrey student known for empowering young women has been awarded one of Canada’s most prestigious scholarships.
Isabella Wen, a Surrey resident and Grade 12 graduate of R.E. Mountain Secondary in Langley, is one of just 20 students across Canada to receive a 2026 TD Scholarship for Community Leadership.
The scholarship provides up to $70,000 toward post-secondary tuition and living expenses, along with mentorship, networking opportunities and paid summer employment.
The scholarship is said to recognize students who have demonstrated exceptional community leadership and social impact, something Wen is known for.
“It was a really nice surprise,” she said in an interview with Peace Arch News.
Wen said she was awestruck when she learned she had received the award. “Oh my gosh, I was in shock. I thought there was no way and questioned if I was reading that right.”
For Wen, the work that brought her to this scholarship 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, Wen shared that the podcast has grown into a media organization that has produced 100 episodes, featured more than 60 women, reached listeners in nine countries and generated more than 200,000 interactions. It also ranks among the top 30 per cent of video podcasts on Spotify.
Beyond podcasting, Wen has launched programs supporting at-risk youth, aspiring journalists and newcomers to Canada. She has also served on the TikTok Global Youth Council and held fellowships with Plan International Canada, Dove Self-Esteem Project and Women and Gender Equality Canada.
All of this occurred while Wen also took on leadership roles, including serving as student council president and as a research assistant at UBC.
Wen explained that applicants for the TD scholarship had to complete multiple essays reflecting on their leadership experiences and community involvement.
“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,” Wen said.
This isn’t the first time Wen has been recognized nationally for her community work. Earlier this year, she was one of three Surrey-area students to receive a Starfish Canada national fellowship, recognizing young environmental leaders.
Now a high school graduate, Wen plans to attend the University of Toronto this fall, where she will 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 the causes they care about. “I really want people to know that they should follow their passions and that they should stay hopeful even when the world seems hopeless sometimes.”
“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,” shared Wen.
Learn more about the TD Scholarships for Community Leadership at TD.com.