Brianna Christopher
Hometown: Aurora, ON
Occupation: CIBC – Digital Product Owner
Born and raised on the island of Antigua, Brianna’s earliest and happiest memories were made on the water, whether she was at the beach, on jet skis, or boating in the Caribbean Sea. At 12 years old, after the passing of her stepfather, Brianna and her family made the courageous move to Halifax, Nova Scotia, where the harbour, fresh lobster, and love of the sea made a new place feel surprisingly familiar. Brianna found her forever home in Toronto shortly after, and it is that experience of losing so much and rebuilding in a new country that taught her early on that she is stronger than anything life throws her way.
Brianna is a Digital Product Owner in digital banking with a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Digital Society from McMaster University. But her real passion runs much deeper. Inspired by her grandfather’s legacy as a lawyer, Brianna has her sights set on law school, driven by a lifelong calling to become an attorney who fights for women and children in their most vulnerable moments because she believes everyone deserves to be loved and protected.
Inspired by personal experiences, Brianna found her purpose in teaching others to love better. As a trained Workshop Facilitator for the One Love Foundation, she teaches young women how to recognize the signs of healthy and unhealthy love because she knows firsthand that understanding your worth changes everything. As a trained Crisis Hotline volunteer, Brianna has dedicated herself to showing up for others in their hardest moments because she believes that showing up for someone during a difficult time can change the course of a life.
When she’s not working or giving back, you’ll probably find Brianna perfecting her red velvet cake, crushing a reformer Pilates class, or plotting her next adventure. A passionate traveler, Brianna chases new experiences the same way she chases her dreams, with everything she has. She grew up watching Miss Universe every year with her mother, a former pageant queen herself. Now it’s Brianna’s turn, and she’s bringing her message with her: every woman deserves to know her worth and learn to love better.
sponsors
Family & Friends
What are your interests and what do you enjoy doing the most?
- Baking red velvet cake
- Visiting the beach
- Watching Mexican telenovelas
- Traveling the world!
I have visited 13 countries and 17 cities so far. Tokyo is next on my bucket list, where I hope to go drag racing!
List any special training you have had (music, art, drama, dance, etc.)
- Workshop Facilitator for the One Love Foundation
- Trained Crisis Hotline volunteer
- Former ballet and contemporary dancer
- Mentor with Junior Achievement Ontario Economics,
- Certified in web development with experience coding/building websites from scratch
In what sports, if any, have you participated?
I danced ballet and contemporary for eight years and ran on my school’s track team. Now, I stay active through reformer Pilates.
Name one person, other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life. Why?
Since I was 16 years old, I looked forward to coming home from school and turning on The Steve Harvey Show. His life advice still sticks with me today. As the next Miss Universe Canada, I would love the opportunity to make an appearance on Celebrity Family Feud!
What is your proudest personal accomplishment (other than participating in this pageant)?
After overcoming unhealthy relationship experiences, I became a trained workshop facilitator for the One Love Foundation, where I teach young women the signs of healthy and unhealthy relationships in hopes of helping others learn to love better.
What is the most interesting or unique thing that has ever happened to you and/or what is the most interesting thing about you?
I was born and raised on the island of Antigua, which has 365 beaches! We joke that there is one beach for every day of the year! In 2012, after the passing of my stepfather, my family and I immigrated to Halifax, Nova Scotia, before ultimately settling in Toronto, and it has felt like home ever since.
What is your career ambition and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal?
My grandfather was a lawyer which has inspired me to follow in his footsteps and earn my law degree to advocate for women and children experiencing traumatic situations. I am currently studying for the LSAT and hope to attend one of Canada’s prestigious law schools.
What would be your “dream job” in life?
Combining my advocacy work with the One Love Foundation and my passion for becoming an attorney to continue supporting, protecting, and empowering women and children during their most vulnerable moments.
Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was like.
Growing up on the island of Antigua, whether my family and I were at the beach, on jet skis, or boating in the Caribbean Sea, my favourite memories were made on the water. After my stepfather passed away in 2011 and my mother became a single parent, we moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia. Although it was a difficult transition at first, Halifax’s maritime culture, waterfront, and famous seafood helped us feel right at home.
List any interesting or unusual jobs you may have had.
I operated the elevator at the CN Tower, one of the tallest towers in the world. I also worked as a sales associate at Saks Fifth Avenue, which significantly grew my handbag and shoe collection!
List any volunteering you have done.
Trained Workshop Facilitator for the One Love Foundation, Crisis Hotline volunteer, and mentor for Grade 8 students through Junior Achievement Ontario Economics.
What is your most unusual talent?
Stilt walking! Growing up in Antigua, I learned to walk and perform on stilts as part of Carnival celebrations. There’s something unforgettable about seeing the world from 9 feet in the air. Let’s just say it taught me balance long before pilates ever did!
Where is the most interesting place you have been to?
In Portugal I visited Pena Palace, a palace that is so high up in the air, 500 meters above sea level, that it sits in the clouds, making it feel as though it is floating in the sky!
What do you hope to be doing in ten years?
In addition to having a successful career as an attorney, I hope to have a family of my own and continue making lifelong memories on the water.
Is there anything you would like to add that we haven’t asked?
I earned a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Digital Society from McMaster University. My mother was the 1st Runner-Up at the Queen of Carnival pageant in Antigua, so I grew up watching Miss Universe with her every year.