This month, the ELN spotlight lands on Jay Pariseau–2015/16 DiverseCity Fellow and a Senior Diversity Recruitment Consultant at CIBC. Jay’s dedication to the Indigenous community has been a key part of his leadership journey–something that also influences his day job at CIBC where he led the design and launch of a national Indigenous mentorship program […]
Everyone has a story to tell...
Stories help us to connect, to inspire, to understand. On this page, we share the stories of people in our network who have taught us, entertained us, been a champion for diverse civic leadership, and who have galvanized us to think differently. Be prepared to be inspired.
Why leadership matters
For over 10 years, we’ve brought together senior executives and rising leaders from all sectors to tackle big challenges in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Region, let them tell you why leadership really matters, and what we can do when we open doors and minds for the young, emerging and under-represented leaders in our communities.
Civic leadership inspires everyone to take part and have pride in their communities, which inevitably leads to better impact.
Tinashe Mafukidze
The Fellows program provided me with a better understanding of different leadership styles, the importance of collaboration and the value of multiple and diverse perspectives. I’m now better able to evaluate situations, share ideas, and take action.
Diane Saldanha2012 CivicAction DiverseCity Fellow; Senior Marketing Manager, Oncology, Astra Zeneca Canada
It is a privilege to be a member of the CivicAction Leadership Foundation, an organization that is providing emerging leaders across the GTHA with the tools and the platform to shape the future of our region and allow it to reach its full potential.
Catherine PringleCivicAction Leadership Foundation Board of Directors; Director of Communications, Trillium Health Partners
We must have all hands on deck to pursue real collaboration, build broader and deeper confidence, and mobilize all of the resources we need to build a great city. Tomorrow’s leaders will need not just the ability, but also the desire to collaborate.
His Worship John ToryMayor, City of Toronto
I’m involved in CivicAction because it’s an organization that relentlessly focuses on getting stuff done on the most pressing issues of our region. I see my efforts translate into results through the CivicAction approach that combines a power of convening with a disposition for action. When I raise my hand to be involved in a CivicAction initiative, I feel confident that we will not only have a transformational outcome for the region, but also that I will personally learn and develop through the process.
Richard Wiltshire2011 CivicAction DiverseCity Fellow and 2015-2016 ELN Co-Chair; Regional Sales Manager, Sales Solutions, LinkedIn Canada
Spotlight on our Members
The Emerging Leaders Network (ELN) brings together diverse, energetic and motivated city-builders from across our region, each with a unique story to tell about where they came from, what they’re passionate about, and where they want to go next. Check back often – new profiles are added regularly.
Leadership in Focus: Elisha Muskat and Richard Wiltshire
Richard Wiltshire and Elisha Muskat, are the 2015-2017 Co-Chairs of our Emerging Leaders Network. Previously, at Ashoka Canada – an international association of leading social entrepreneurs who develop solutions to pressing social problems – Elisha has shared her expertise on stages, inside classrooms and in the pages of top publications. She is an established leader […]
ELN Member Spotlight: Nima Ranawana & Abhishek Sarathy
This month we are shining a spotlight on new ELN executive committee members Nima Ranawana and Abhishek Sarathy! Nima and Abhishek come to the ELN executive committee as communications leads and will be helping us find better and more effective ways to get our word out to the ELN. With a passionate (Scorpio) personality and […]
Values and Volunteering: Key Insights from Our Network
From someone who works to organize an event within their community, someone who sits on a board of an organization they’re passionate about, to those who bring lost cats to the animal shelter, volunteering comes in many different forms. Canada alone has over 12.7 million volunteers devoting their time to causes that directly impact the […]
ELN Member Spotlight: Harvey Lam
This month we are shining a spotlight on ELN member Harvey Lam – a management consultant at Accenture Strategy, and a former corporate lawyer. When he’s not navigating the corporate world, he uses his skills in the community. Most recently, he’s been responsible for Fundraising & Partnerships at The Rumie Initiative, an initiative that won the recent Google […]
ELN Member Spotlight: Hibaq Gelle
This month we are shining a spotlight on Hibaq Gelle– community connector, youth advocate and civic rockstar! Hibaq is currently leading Community Benefits work in Rexdale, is a member of the Premiers Council on Youth Opportunities, the Toronto Youth Equity Strategy Expert Panel and the recipient of CivicAction’s 2017 Emerging Leader Award for Civic Leadership. Full name…Hibaq […]
IWD 2017: 24 Women in 24 Hours
To celebrate International Women’s Day 2017, CivicAction will be highlighting some of the incredible, dynamic, and diverse women who are shaping communities all across our city-region. Over the next 24 hours, we’re taking to Twitter to showcase 24 incredible women city-builders who are shaping the GTHA region with their passion. Follow #24inGTHA on Twitter and get to know these inspiring women. […]
ELN Member Spotlight: Zakaria Abdulle
This month, we also introduce you to Zakaria Hassan Abdulle– Member of the Premiers’ Council for Youth Opportunities, community connector and an advocate for youth across our region. Learn more about his leadership accomplishments, what he believes an inclusive GTHA looks like, and how reading helps him continue to grow as a leader! Full name… […]
ELN Member Spotlight: Idil Burale
This month, we also introduce you to Idil Burale, Senior Associate at MaRS Solutions Lab. Learn more about her leadership accomplishments, what she feels are pressing issues in our region, and what she believes an inclusive GTHA looks like! I was born in … Somalia And I currently live in … Toronto, a vibrant […]
ELN Member Spotlight: Alicia Rose
This month, we also introduce you to Alicia Rose– Manager of Community Investment Programs at Greater Toronto Airport Authority (GTAA) and DiverseCity Fellows Alumni. Learn more about her leadership accomplishments, what she feels are pressing issues in our region, and what she believes an inclusive GTHA looks like! I was born in …Toronto And […]
ELN Member Spotlight: Rudayna Bahubeshi
This month, we also introduce you to Rudayna Bahubeshi– Communications manager at Inspirit Foundation and current DiverseCity Fellow! Learn more about her leadership accomplishments, what she feels are pressing issues in our region, and why she loves her city so much! I was born and raised in…..Ottawa. And I currently live in …Toronto- I moved here […]
ELN Member Spotlight: Adaoma Patterson
This month, we also introduce you to Adaoma Chinyere Patterson – President of the Jamaican Canadian Association and Alumni DiverseCity Fellow. Learn more about her leadership accomplishments, what he feels are pressing issues in our region, and why inclusive leadership matters. I was born in … Winnipeg And I currently live in …Brampton Diverse leadership […]
ELN Member Spotlight: Christopher Matthews
This month, we introduce you to Christopher Matthews– Business Project Manager at RBC Wealth Management.Learn more about his leadership journey, what he feels are pressing issues in our region, and why inclusive leadership matters. I was born in…Toronto, Ontario, Canada And I currently live in….Toronto and I love living here because the city is very […]
ELN Member Spotlight: Lana Majid
For our first spotlight of 2017, we introduce you to Lana Majid- current ELN Executive Committee Member and Senior Public Health Advisor at the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Keep reading to learn more about her leadership journey, her simple (yet vital) advice on community engagement and her three favourite things! 1. What motivated you to join […]
ELN Member Spotlight: Eva Wong Scanlan & Andrew Graham
This month, we introduce you to two ELN rock-stars, Eva Wong Scanlan and Andrew Graham. Learn more about their leadership journey, how the ELN supported their journey and about their exciting organization, Borrowell! 1. What motivated you to join the ELN and/or apply to the DiverseCity Fellows Program? Eva: The ELN was highly recommended to me […]
ELN Member Spotlight: Letecia Rose
This month, we introduce you to Letecia Rose: 2014-2015 CivicAction DiverseCity Fellow, Public Engagement Manager for Plan International Canada, and an avid community advocate. Learn more about Letecia’s Leadership journey, what she feels every leader should possess, and who she’d love to have dinner with… Q: What motivated you to join the ELN and/or apply […]
ELN Member Spotlight: Anowa (Irene) Quarcoo
This month we introduce you to Anowa (Irene) Quarcoo, 2015-2016 CivicAction DiverseCity Fellow, former ELNstudio Committee member, active community builder, and Senior Manager of Transformation at the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General. Learn why Irene applied to be a DiverseCity Fellow and how it shaped her leadership journey. Q: What motivated you to join the ELN […]
ELN Member Spotlight: Imanzi Kayitare
This month we introduce you to Imanzi Kayitare, current ELN Executive Committee Member, active community builder, and Senior Advisor at Employment and Social Development Canada. Below Imanzi shares his thoughts on leadership and why he got engaged with the ELN. Q: What motivated you to join the ELN and/or apply to the DiverseCity Fellows Program? I joined […]
ELN Member Spotlight: Eleni Han
For our August Spotlight, we introduce you to Eleni Han. An ELNshowcase winner for the NU project and long-time ELN member. Read about how Eleni got involved with the ELN, why she believes diverse leadership is so important, and more about her leadership journey. Q: What motivated you to join the ELN and/or apply to the DiverseCity Fellows Program? I was […]
ELN Member Spotlight: Todd Minerson
This month we introduce you to DiverseCity Fellow Alumnus Todd Minerson, a proud ELN Member and currently the CEO at Parker P. Consulting. We asked Todd to share his leadership journey & insights below! Q: What motivated you to join the ELN and/or apply to the DiverseCity Fellows Program? I was a part of the very first DiverseCity Fellows cohort. […]
ELN Member Spotlight: Saad Minhas
Meet Saad Minhas, former ELN Executive Committee Member and currently the Manager of Global Professional Services for Telus. We asked Saad to share his leadership journey & insights below! Q: What motivated you to join the ELN and/or apply to the DiverseCity Fellows Program? After spending a few years in the UK, I returned to Toronto to […]
ELN Member Spotlight: Helen Tewolde
Helen Tewolde is currently the Manager of Program and Partnership Development at George Brown College, a 2011 DiverseCity Fellow and a proud ELNer. We asked Helen to share her leadership journey & insights below! Q: What motivated you to join the ELN and/or apply to the DiverseCity Fellows Program? I joined the DiverseCity Fellows and […]
Leadership in Focus: Ratna Omidvar
As Executive Director of Ryerson’s Global Diversity Exchange, the home of DiverseCity onBoard, Ratna Omidvar is an important champion for representative leadership in our region. Governance is the top tier of leadership, and DiverseCity onBoard has facilitated the appointment of over 750 individuals from visible minority and immigrant communities to the governance bodies of the GTA’s […]