Tom Gleason spent a few years of studying part-time at the University of Toronto, before he realized that his heart and mind weren't in the lecture halls, but in student organizing. Through his experiences as President and Founder of a student LGBTQ+ organization, Vice President of Internal Affairs of a large students' association, coordinator of a mental health peer support group, and other campus roles, Tom discovered his passions for governance, civic engagement, LGBTQ+ issues, and mental health promotion.

Tom is the Executive Director of the Toronto Youth Cabinet, the official youth advisory body of the City of Toronto; Chair of the Board of The Planning Clinic, a non-profit that seeks to democratize the planning process; and a member of the YouthREX Youth Advisory Council. Tom is currently a Studio [Y] Fellow at MaRS Discovery District.