Samantha Jackson

Samantha currently serves as the Board Chair for Newcomer Women’s Services Toronto. She is also a Consultant with the Boston Consulting Group, where she works with clients to develop organizational strategy, solve operational problems and identify value-creation opportunities. Previously, Samantha worked in social innovation and program evaluation at Ryerson University, where she co-founded Canada’s first university-based private refugee resettlement organization. She holds a PhD in Public Policy from McMaster University, where she was a Vanier Scholar and specialized in immigration policy. Samantha is passionate about applying a GBA+ lens to policy and programming and is excited to support NEW’s efforts to create a more inclusive Toronto.

Cathy Winter

Cathy is Principal, IDC Advisory Services where she assists boards and organizations on their EDI journey. Prior to establishing IDC, Cathy led DiverseCity onBoard/onBoard Canada at the Maytree Foundation and Ryerson University transforming the program from a small, local program to a national one that made significant contributions to building a more inclusive society and received both a Global Pluralism Award and a United Nations Intercultural innovation Award.

Jill Wagman

Jill is the Managing Principal and Board Chair at Eckler Ltd where she leads the firm and has principal responsibility for several of the firm’s major clients. Jill has an undergraduate degree in Mathematics from the University of Waterloo and is a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries (FCIA) and of the Society of Actuaries (FSA). She also has her ICD.D. Jill has served as a member of Ontario’s Financial Services Tribunal since 2013 and has served on several other industry and professional committees in the past.

Bo Wang-Frape

Bo has experience in both the not-for-profit and for-profit sectors, successfully leading teams in the planning and execution of a wide range of projects. Proficient in dealing with a cross section of local and international stakeholders within highly diverse organizational cultures.

Prior to joining the Gardiner Museum, she held leadership roles focusing on strategic business planning, financial and operational management, and change management primarily within education and healthcare organizations. Bo holds B. Comm (Hons.) and MBA degrees from Laurentian University as well as a CPA, CGA designation.

MINA ETEZADI

Mina Etezadi is a Senior Manager in the Centre of Excellence for Human Rights and Employee Experience with Treasury Board Secretariat, in the government of Ontario, where she leads initiatives to build a more equitable, anti-racist and accessible Ontario Public that reflects the population it serves. This includes managing a team to identify and address systemic employment barriers, deliver on a strategy to diversify senior leadership to reach parity with the labour force, promote inclusive leadership at all levels and engage employees to amplify their stories and transform the workplace. Prior to this, Mina worked in economic development, where she facilitated partnerships between government, educational institutions and communities to provide training and placement opportunities to unemployed and underemployed youth. She also spent a number of years working in immigration, both provincially and federally – in Canada and overseas. She is committed to building environments of belonging and is excited to be supporting NEW’s vision.

Alisha PRAKASH

Alisha is an experienced communication and change management professional with over 10 years of experience in a range of global financial institutions, wealth and asset managers, and consulting. She currently serves as Senior Manager, External Communications at Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan. As part of her role, Alisha is responsible for the development and implementation of strategic communications programs and initiatives to grow Ontario Teacher’s profile globally. Her work has focused on transforming and augmenting financial communications, CEO and c-suite transitions strategy, ESG and impact-related projects, reputation management and media relations as well as IPO and capital raising communications programs. She has extensive experience in global communications, having worked with firms like Manulife, Accenture, Publicis and Yes Bank across Asia, North America, and Europe.

Alisha holds a Bachelor’s in Technology in Computer Science engineering, and a Master’s degree in Marketing and Communications from MICA, India.

Laura Qaqish

Laura is an accomplished civil litigator with a reputation for technical competence and fierce advocacy. With a proven track record as an effective agent of change, she has built trusted relationships and excelled in strategizing and executing litigation blueprint. After graduating from the University of Windsor Law School, Laura began articling with the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and began to work as a Solicitor in August 2007. For the last 16 years Laura provides risk management and legal advice to TTC Executives, departments and stakeholders.

Beyond her legal expertise, Laura actively engages in mentorship and professional development with an interest in serving others. Since 2012, as a Tutor in the Law Society of Ontario's Bar Examination program, Laura helped licensing and NCA candidates overcome obstacles and successfully pass the Bar Examination. She has actively sought opportunities to mentor and support aspiring legal professionals, as well as individuals from diverse backgrounds. Her involvement in programs such as Newcomer Women Services Toronto - Sister2Sister Advanced Leadership Program and the Girls E-Mentorship Program showcases her commitment to empowering and uplifting women. As a Board member, Laura is looking forward to making a contribution to growth at Newcomer Women Services Toronto and advocating for increased opportunity, funding and access for newcomer women.

Diego Sanchez Adrian

Diego is a Director of Strategy and Asset Liability management at OMERS, where he focuses on strategic initiatives to improve the pension's sustainability, affordability, and meaningfulness. Diego has been working on the strategy field for over 10 years, with consulting and management roles for Deloitte and the Boston Consulting Group before joining the strategy team at OMERS.

Diego has an undergraduate degree in engineering from the ITESM in Mexico city and an MBA from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto. Diego was a newcomer to Canada 8 years ago and is excited to support NEW's efforts to empower newcomer women and their families in building a life in Canada.

Afshan Razvi

Afshan is Director, Customer Onboarding & Authentication at Scotiabank where she leads strategic initiatives to innovate and modernize customer journeys across an omni-channel network. She is also a newcomer to Canada and moved here from United Arab Emirates in summer of 2019. In her first year, Afshan successfully completed the first ever Sister2Sister Community Leadership Program at Newcomer Women’s Services, Toronto. Afshan has lived in multiple continents and has vast experience working with diverse groups. She is also an active member of ‘Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion’, as well as ‘Women in Leadership’ committees at her current organization. As someone who has migrated twice in her life, Afshan understands the challenges of settling in a new country first hand. She holds a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance and has extensive local and international experience working in financial institutions. Afshan is super passionate about resolving issues faced by minorities and equity deserving groups and is excited to support NEW’s mission and vision.

Shazia Tareen

Shazia is a globally accomplished businesswoman with a diverse and storied background. Working for three decades across several countries has given her insights into many cultures and industries.  

Her most recent engagement is in the real estate sector as a registered sales representative of the Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) and the Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board (OMDREB). She is dedicated to ensuring her clients achieve their residential and investment goals. Prior to her real estate career, Shazia worked in the financial sector in investment banking and consulting. She was involved with several key projects in infrastructure, healthcare, food and beverages and education sectors across markets in South Asia, Middle East and Central Europe.

Shazia has an MBA from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) in Pakistan with agold medal in Project Finance. She is also a qualified Chartered Management Accountant (CMA) from CIMA, UK and holds a certificate in Interior Design from Ryerson University (TMU), Canada.

Growing up in Pakistan has made Shazia acutely aware of underprivileged communities. Shazia has been involved in volunteer work from an early age in the charity schools and health center set up by her mother in the most impoverished parts of the city. She continues to remain an active contributor to these charities.

Being an immigrant herself, Shazia is determined to help those who have walked her same path to Canada. Her global approach is a key factor in enabling her to connect with those from all over the world. As a real estate professional, Shazia has helped many new families find their first home in Canada.

Biké Balkanci, P.Eng, MBA

Biké Balkanci is the Director for Renewable Power Operations Canada at Enbridge.

In this role, Biké leads the safe and reliable operation of renewable power generation facilities across Alberta, Ontario and Quebec.

With more than 18 years of experience at Enbridge, Biké has held roles in various functions in the gas distribution business unit, including engineering, planning, damage prevention and safety, quality management, operations and major projects. Her industry experience also includes the commissioning of natural gas facilities in Peru.

She is the executive sponsor of EDGE, the Ethically Diverse Group of Employees resource group at Enbridge East and serves on the Board of Directors for Newcomer Women’s Services Toronto.

Biké holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Business and Instituto de Empresa, Madrid; and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Industrial Engineering from the University of Toronto. She is a Professional Engineer in the Province of Ontario.

Biké lives in Toronto with her husband and two daughters.

Maleeha Shams

Maleeha has experience working in the non-profit sector both locally and internationally. She is currently working as the Project Facilitator for the Capacity Building Project for Racialized Organizations at Catholic Crosscultural Services. Maleeha is passionate about community development. She is a critical thinker who challenges the status quo and wishes to be involved in projects that uplift marginalized communities. Maleeha has experience working in qualitative research, communications, and project management. She is always looking for opportunities to grow, learn, and volunteer.

Maleeha holds a Master’s in Human Geography & Community Development and a Bachelor’s in International Development Studies & Health Policy from the University of Toronto.

Girls on Boards

NEW is excited to be partnering with G(irls)20 and welcomes two Girls on Board Young Directors. Launched by G(irls)20 in 2017, Girls on Boards is an annual program that places trained, mentored, community-minded young women living in Canada, between the ages of 18 -25, on non-profit governance boards.  

MAHNOOR RIZWAN

Mahnoor is an associate at Canada Pension Plan Investments where she has held a variety of fundamental investing roles including in Sustainable Energies, Thematic Investing and Relationship Investments. Currently she is on the Future of Retail team which invests in the consumer retail and ecommerce industry. As a first-generation immigrant from Pakistan, Mahnoor is passionate about engaging diverse perspectives into policy making and is committed to NEW’s vision to empower immigrant women and their families. Mahnoor has an undergraduate degree in Financial Economics from University of Toronto.  In her spare time, she enjoys reading books, strength training and indulging her coffee addiction by hunting out new Toronto cafes.