April 26, 2024AnnouncementsToronto, ON – Ascend Canada, a leading non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the presence and influence of Pan-Asian business leaders, is pleased to announce this year’s Leadership Awards winners. This prestigious, annual awards program recognizes and celebrate the achievements of outstanding Pan-Asian leaders who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, vision, and commitment within their communities.“Congratulations to all this year’s award recipients. Your hard work, commitment and dedication to your communities is outstanding and represents true leadership,” said Alexander Peh, President and Chair of the Board, Ascend Canada and Vice President Merchant Payment Services, RBC. “Your continued push to advance inclusion efforts across Canada is admirable and we are thrilled to be able to recognize your ongoing success and accomplishments.”The awards were presented on Thursday, April 25 at the annual Ascend Canada Awards Gala. The marquee event brings together the organizations sponsors, leaders, and advocates to celebrate excellence in leadership and diversity.2024 Leadership Award Recipients Natasha FergusonNatasha Ferguson, Principal, EthelFox Construct GroupIs one of the only women owning and operating a full-service construction firm, and has broken down barriers in the industry which have brought attention to the ongoing challenges that exist in creating gender diversity and inclusion in this historically male dominated industry. In 2021 this woman opened the first all women training trade school, A Women’s Work, an organization that supports women through training, self-esteem programs and career placement. To date A Women’s Work (AAA) support Centre has 450 registered women who are waiting to go through the AWW Career Journey. And this year’s award recipient has worked tirelessly to fund the organization herself through the proceeds of her construction company, EthelFox Construct Group.This year’s award recipient has been leading the charge in educating and creating new opportunities for women in the construction industry, by telling her story and assisting women, girls and gender diverse individuals in exploring a career in the construction trades.Stephanie Zhou, Clinical Director, Rapid Access Addiction Medicine Clinic; Assistant Professor, Department of Family & Community Medicine; Physician Lead, Don Mills Family HealthCreated the first Financial Literacy Curriculum at the University of Toronto, which has now been adopted at other medical schools and her lecture recordings have reached over 170,000 of viewers on Youtube.She is the sole physician Board Member of Toronto Public Health and was instrumental in developing the city’s Mental Health and Substance Use strategy and advocated for a universal Student Nutrition Program, which resulted in 21,000 prevented visits to the ER for drug-related harms, and increased access to free lunch for 612 schools. She executed the expansion of Sunnybrook’s Addictions program that did not exist 4 years ago into a rapid access clinic, inpatient service, and core rotation for the Psychiatry residency program. Stephanie Zhou Rania LlewellynRania Llewellyn, Business Woman and former Chief Operating Officer of Laurentian BankShe is a transformational change leader and is known for development and leading high performing teams, while ensuring a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion. She has received numerous awards, including the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s Business Leader of the Year Award in 2023, being named on Maclean’s 2022 The Power List, and included as one of the Top 25 Women of Influence in 2021.This year’s recipient has more than 29 years of experience in the banking industry. She has served as Executive Vice President, Global Business Payments, at Scotiabank, where she began her career 26 years ago as a part-time teller, as well as Vice-President, Multicultural Banking; President and CEO of Roynat Capital; Senior Vice President, Commercial Banking, Growth Strategy; and, Senior Vice President, Products and Services, Global Transaction Banking. Most recently she was CEO of Laurentian Bank of Canada and was the first woman to lead a major chartered bank in Canada. Under her leadership, the bank launched a three-year strategic plan, was de-unionized after 53 years, and exceeded all of its financial and non-financial targets.Frincy Clement, Principal Data Scientist, ADPIs an award-winning Artificial Intelligence leader, community builder, public speaker and change maker, with drive and passion for empowering more women to enter careers in AI and STEM. She possesses diverse experience in Telecom, Information & Technology, Consumer goods and Education sectors. She scaled the Women in AI community in Canada since its inception in October 2020, and as the Canadian Ambassador, she led strategic initiatives to inspire, connect, mentor and celebrate women AI professionals and was recently appointed as the Head of North America Region.. She has since built the Canadian chapter which now has a presence across 7 cities, led by 14 leaders and 50 + volunteers, supporting the community of more than 1000+ registered members in Canada. She plays a significant role in AI governance, contributing to standardization strategies with Standards Council Canada as a Steering Committee Member of the AI & Data Governance Collaborative and as an expert member of the World Economic Forum’s AI Governance Alliance.She is a community-builder, change-maker and a role model for not only new immigrants, young mothers, women of color and women of STEM, but the next generation as a whole. Frincy Clement Sandip Kumar ChaudhurySandip Kumar Chaudhury, Customer Segmentation, Acquisition & Growth Leader, RBCHas over 20 years experience working in the financial sector and having most recently supported International Segments, has a deep understanding of the challenges faced by immigrants and therefore takes extensive time and energy to provide tailored guidance with every newcomer, whether it’s a student, mid-career switch, or those reaching retirement. With this personalized approach built on trust, expertise, and with a focus on results, this person empowers newcomers to make informed decisions.When it comes to the community, this year’s recipient created a community outreach program, with HSBC supporting more than 50+ community groups nationally. He also supports newcomers to Canada through career mentorship and guidance, helping them settle. His volunteer experience includes Triec Mentoring, Access Employment, Malton Community Center, Destination CEO, Ten Thousand Coffees, Summit Mentorship Network, and BMG Group. His YouTube channel “The Compass Guide” provides valuable advice and industry connections to newcomers.During the pandemic, he launched a Youtube channel called ‘The Compass Guide’ to stay connected with newcomers and international students.Raissa Amany, Student, University of Ottawa and Co-Executive Director, Young Canadians Roundtable on HealthVolunteers at the YCRH and co-leads 60+ youth and 8 youth directors nationwide in child health advocacy.Collaborates with organizations such as CIHR, UNICEF, and Children’s Healthcare Canada where she spearheads policy changes, including the recent $330M pediatric funds in OntarioShe serves as a youth advisor for Good2Talk and contributes to the CYMHA standards working group with the Standards Council of Canada.She is also a Youth Engagement Specialist with Children First Canada where she leads the Young Canadians Parliament program. She continuously shares her experience of having chronic illnesses as a patient partner, consultant, and speaker with community and governmental organizations. And if that wasn’t enough, she is also the co-author of Jamie’s Jar Full of Stars, a children’s book aimed at educating young Canadian children about mental health and well-being. Raissa AmanyFacebookTweetPinLinkedIn
