Take 5: The value of being you

Take 5: The value of being you

Erin Latimer, a Canadian Paralympian, recently held an Ascend Café Office Hour where she shared her journey in the sports and corporate world. The following are her five rules to live by, in her own…
Black History Month: The Importance of Being an Ally

Black History Month: The Importance of Being an Ally

As we celebrate Black History Month and the contributions of Black Canadians, Ascend Canada members share the importance of being an ally. Not just this month, but throughout the year. “Understanding and celebrating Black history…
Adapting to Change: The Crucial Role of Food Banks in Supporting Minority Communities

Adapting to Change: The Crucial Role of Food Banks in Supporting Minority Communities

With the holidays in full swing, everyone is getting into the spirit of giving. Amid the ongoing pandemic, many non-profit and charitable organizations such as Canada’s food banks are facing a challenging time within their communities. An…
Ascend Asks: Bert Floyd, Senior Manager, Assistive Technologies, TD

Ascend Asks: Bert Floyd, Senior Manager, Assistive Technologies, TD

In this month’s Ascend Asks, Bert Floyd, Senior Manager, Assistive Technologies, TD, shares his insights on the future of assistive technologies and its impact on building inclusive workplaces. By Carolyn Ayson Senior Manager, Enterprise Project…
Ascend Asks: Dr. Bruce Choy, Managing Director, PwC Canada and Governor, George Brown College

Ascend Asks: Dr. Bruce Choy, Managing Director, PwC Canada and Governor, George Brown College

Introducing Ascend Asks – our new series featuring a variety of senior leaders on their career journey, industry insights and how they advocate diversity and inclusion every day. Bruce Choy has worked in most corners of…
Ascend Canada Conference 2020 from the Lens of a New Canadian

Ascend Canada Conference 2020 from the Lens of a New Canadian

By Gunjan Kafil On the historic day that Prime Minister Trudeau announced border closure with the US, my husband and I dashed off from Texas to Toronto covering 2,300 km of straight drive in just…
Allyship between the Asian and Black Community

Allyship between the Asian and Black Community

By Tazrian Alam When my two worlds collide! As a member of Ascend Canada and the Canadian Association of Urban Financial Professionals (CAUFP), it was especially meaningful to see these two organizations shine a light…
How listening to the community helped a footwear company grow and give back during the pandemic

How listening to the community helped a footwear company grow and give back during the pandemic

Vessi Footwear’s rising success over the last two years could simply be attributed to one thing — their willingness to listen. From two resounding Kickstarter campaign responses in 2018 — raising $1.25 million and $1.4 million…
2019 Ascend Canada leadership award winners show us how to be bold, be different and still be you

2019 Ascend Canada leadership award winners show us how to be bold, be different and still be you

Being bold and different is a leadership challenge that doesn’t come easy to most people, but there were many shining examples at the 2019 Ascend Canada Leadership Awards reception. Kelvin Tran, President, Ascend Canada, welcomed…
Article: outcomes over optics – building inclusive organizations

Article: outcomes over optics – building inclusive organizations

The Outcomes over optics report discusses how important diversity and inclusion is for Canadian business success. Findings suggest that highly inclusive companies drive economic growth by delivering financial performance and challenging the status quo. Link…