From Inclusion to Influence: Immigrant Women and the Future of Work

Ayan Aden is the Director, Operations and Service Delivery at Newcomer Women’s Services Toronto, where she provides strategic oversight of settlement, employment, and community programs serving newcomer women and their families.

With extensive leadership experience across Toronto’s non-profit and homelessness sectors, she has led diverse initiatives supporting individuals and families experiencing economic and social barriers. Her work is grounded in community-driven, trauma-informed practice and a commitment to building systems that uphold dignity, equity, and access. She is dedicated to creating pathways for women to achieve economic stability, step into leadership, and flourish in their careers and communities.

Marshia Akbar is the Director of the BMO Newcomer Workforce Integration Lab and Research Lead on Labour Migration at the Global Migration Institute at Toronto Metropolitan University. Her interdisciplinary research bridges policy, practice, and lived experiences to address pressing issues in international migration, employment integration, and social equity.

Dr. Guang Ying Mo obtained her PhD in Sociology from the University of Toronto. Her research fields are organizational communication, collaboration and innovation, social support for underrepresented groups, and social media. Her expertise also lies in research design, mix-methods, and social network analysis. Prior to joining the Diversity Institute, she conducted research projects on organizational communication and technology use by underrepresented groups, such as older adults, adolescents, and caregivers of people with dementia. Her current work is focusing on entrepreneurship and employment equity for underrepresented groups.

Ratna Omidvar C.M., O.Ont. is an internationally recognized voice on migration, diversity, and inclusion. She came to Canada from Iran in 1981, and her own experiences of displacement, integration and citizen engagement have been the foundation of her work. In 2016, Ms. Omidvar was appointed to the Senate of Canada. Senator Omidvar is a Member of the Order of Canada and a recipient of the Cross of the Order of Merit from Germany and Dr. Jean Mayer Global Citizenship Award. She received an Honorary Degree, Doctor of Laws, from Toronto Metropolitan University and York University. Senator Omidvar is a Director at the Century Initiative, a Councillor on the World Refugee and Migration Council, a Founding Committee Member of Lifeline Afghanistan and a Public Policy Fellow on Immigration at Toronto Metropolitan University.

Kamilah Reid-Burrell is a senior inclusion leader with expertise in enterprise strategy, regulatory governance, and culture transformation. She currently serves as Interim Head of Inclusion at BMO, providing strategic oversight of enterprise inclusion programs, advisory services, data insights, and governance. With more than a decade of experience across financial services, telecommunications, and education, Kamilah is also a continuing education instructor at York University, where she teaches on driving organizational change through equity and inclusion. She is recognized for translating complex inclusion priorities into practical, business-embedded outcomes that strengthen culture and performance.

Anna Triandafyllidou is an internationally renowned sociologist and migration expert whose innovative interdisciplinary research influences debates and policies on migration and asylum; the management of cultural diversity, nationalism and identity; and the contemporary global challenges of migration and integration. She has held the Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Migration and Integration at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) since 2019 and recently was named Scientific Director of Bridging Divides, a new $98.6 million project funded by the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF). Prior to joining TMU, Anna held a Robert Schuman Chair at the European University Institute (EUI) in Florence, Italy and directed the Cultural Pluralism Research Area as part of the EUI’s Global Governance Programme. Since receiving her PhD from EUI in 1995, she has held teaching and research positions around the world, including the London School of Economics, the College of Europe in Bruges, and the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche in Rome, and was a Fulbright Scholar at New York University in 2001.

Anju Virmani has been an adviser, entrepreneur, and consultant in the information technology industry for more than 30 years in Canada and the United States, and has served as a senior advisor to many technology start-ups. Recently retired as Chief Information Officer of Cargojet Inc. (TSX: CJT), she currently serves on the board of directors of Payments Canada and the Board of Governors of Toronto Metropolitan University. She has also served on the Ontario Health Board, CentrePort Canada, the Toronto Transit Commission, and Toronto Central LHIN. Her other appointments include national security advisory councils and the Schulich School of Business Advisory Committee. Anju is an artist, venture capital investor, philanthropist, and passionate advocate for women in STEM and board leadership, supporting a scholarship program for women in STEM at TMU.

Charmaine Williams was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in the 2022 provincial election. She represents the riding of Brampton Centre as a member of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario. She is currently the Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity and is the first Black woman to be appointed to a PC Cabinet. Prior to provincial politics, she was elected to the Brampton City Council. Williams has also had a 19-year career as a certified Multi-Systemic Therapist, Behavioural Consultant, and Counsellor. As a mother of five children, she understands the importance of advocating for those who cannot always advocate for themselves.

As a Brampton City Councillor, she had the opportunity to spearhead numerous economic, social, and cultural initiatives that benefited Brampton communities. Her track record of success is testament to her ability to help communities thrive, build programs and institutions to support vulnerable populations, and provide dependable leadership.

She now carries her passion and experience into her new role as Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity, where she intends to make lasting effort that positively impacts women and families across Ontario.

Rania Younes is the Director of Strategy and Impact at the Immigrant Employment Council of BC. With 20+ years of marketing expertise, she excels in strategic design, brand positioning, research, and team management. Passionate about social justice, she co-founded WelcomeHomeTO, addressing settlement challenges and fostering a dynamic network that welcomes newcomers with open hearts. Rania also co-founded PCAN, empowering professionals in the Canadian Arab community through coaching and peer support. Her unwavering commitment to diverse communities is evident in her support for community-led organizations, championing marginalized groups and making a significant impact on the lives she serves.