Meet Aleem Punja, a dedicated ELN member who sits on the ELN Executive Committee and works with the Aga Khan Council for Canada. In this month’s Spotlight, Aleem talks about what guides his leadership journey, his commitment to living a purpose-driven life, and his love for Toronto.
My name is… Aleem Punja
I was born in… Toronto
And I currently
live in… Toronto
One of my favourite places in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) is…
How can I name just one – I love Toronto! To name a few… St. Lawrence Market, the Don Valley Ravine, and the Beaches.
One surprising thing about me/little known fact is…
I used to sing Bollywood! And I love to cook and feed my friends and family.
Issues in our region that keep me up at night are…
There are so many critical issues upon us, and they all keep me up at night! Income inequality, threats to pluralism, affordable housing, mental wellness, accessibility, and public transit are just a few issues that haunt our city. We need an integrated city plan that is non-partisan in nature, bringing together public, private, and non-profit partnerships with citizens at the centre.
The organizations I work with are…
I work for the Aga Khan Council for Canada and oversee the Future Ready Initiative, which is an integrated service delivery organization intended to provide every member of the community who desires it access to quality, comprehensive services, and programs to achieve their goals, rooted in the community’s ethics and values of individual agency, dignity, and equity.
Outside of my
work/volunteering, some things I love to do are…
Spend time
with family and friends, go for long walks and bike rides and EAT! I am
definitely a foodie.
The accomplishment I have been most proud of in my work and/or community is…
My entire career has been dedicated to “seva” which is a Sanskrit word for an act of compassion and care for others above oneself. Working within the public sector has allowed me a sense of purpose in life while being able to provide for myself and my family. I am so grateful to have led major child welfare transformation- changes to legislation and policy that make life better for children and their families and prevent them from coming into care- along with coordinating the sector’s Apology to Indigenous Peoples in Ontario and implementing Truth and Reconciliation commitments. Imagine being able to #payitforward every day. It is a blessing, privilege, and an honour!
One major lesson I’ve learned along my leadership journey has been…
Being a leader means you need to develop other leaders. I have been fortunate to break through the glass ceiling within a sector dominated by people who do not look like me. Staying true to your values and ethics and truly practicing servant leadership is a lesson I have learned. I have also come to know that you cannot please everyone, and you must dance with politics. Failure is strength. It has built my resilience.
If you want to get more engaged in your community, you should ….
At the end of the day, it is all about relationships. Get out there, meet people, get involved in civic issues, and don’t be shy. Each of you can influence change for the better and our collective efforts will bring collective impact. There is so much that we can accomplish together!
If I could have dinner with anyone, living or deceased, I would choose …
The Aga Khan – hands down. This would be a dream come true. Not only is he my faith leader, but my moral compass. His leadership, passion, and global vision for a pluralistic and inclusive society resonate with me. I would do anything to share a meal with him and to have an opportunity to listen and learn.