Sara Asalya

Executive Director

Sara is the Executive Director of Newcomer Women's Services Toronto (NEW).

Sara is a recognized champion of immigrants' rights. Sara’s lived experience as an immigrant woman in Canada inspires her advocacy on key issues impacting the community. Her leadership and dedication to advancing newcomers’ economic resilience, civic and political engagement have led to her being named one of Canada’s Top 25 Canadian Immigrants and Women of Influence. 

Sara joined NEW from her six-year tenure as Executive Director of The Newcomer Students’ Association, a national not for profit organization working at the intersection of migration, education, and social justice, and a platform committed to promoting inclusion and equity for post-secondary immigrant and refugee students. Prior to this, Sara worked for the University of Toronto and Ryerson University in different capacities and roles including research, operations, events  and projects management, student engagement and leadership, and accreditation and quality assurance.