Born in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada, Jayse Heer-Matonovich is a bi-racial, second-generation learner of East Indian and Croatian heritage. Passionate about human rights and social justice from a young age, she has been a dedicated advocate for women’s rights and has developed Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) practices to foster equitable and positive environments. Since the age of ten, Jayse has been questioning policies, conducting research, and striving to create change.
Jayse’s dedication to her core values: hard work, consistency, and discipline, has been the foundation of her success across academics, co-curriculars, and athletics. She is currently in her second year of the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) program at Thompson Rivers University. Jayse consistently ranks at the top of her class and holds one of the university’s highest GPAs. With a focus on political science and communication, Jayse aspires to pursue both a law degree and a PhD, reflecting her commitment to academic excellence and her long-term goal of creating positive change.
Jayse is currently working to publish her research, Project EDI, which maps equity, diversity, and inclusion within secondary schools to identify areas for improvement and ensure all students feel a sense of belonging. Her passion for research aligns closely with her goal of fostering inclusive environments and driving meaningful social change.
Jayse’s athletic journey began with soccer at the BC Premier level, the highest in the province. She later transitioned to basketball, leading her high school teams to provincials each year, where she earned tournament MVP and All-Star honours. In her senior year of high school, she moved to Niagara Falls to play in the Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association (OSBA), competing in Canada’s most prestigious women’s basketball league.
Her love for research brought her back to Kamloops, where she continued her studies at TRU while earning multiple scholarships, including one to play for the TRU women’s basketball team. Despite an injury early in her season, Jayse’s athletic path took an unexpected turn after attending the RBC Training Ground, where she was identified by Rugby Canada. Since then, she has excelled in rugby and now competes at a high level.
Jayse strives to stay committed to her core values, including lifelong learning and building strong habits, to ensure she is always growing into the best version of herself. Jayse hopes to inspire others to build values and strong habits that empowers them to chase their dreams and achieve their goals in all aspects of their lives.