Blog

Opening the Executive Door: Data, Dialogue, and Action from the Ascend Executive Roundtable  Senior leaders from across Canadian industries gathered for the Ascend Canada Executive Roundtable. The purpose was to hear and absorb data about…

What began as a fortunate mistake set medical resident and philanthropist Aditi Sivakumar on a path to leading global advocacy campaigns. For the past seven years, she has been redefining women’s rights advocacy through innovation,…

What does leadership look like today? Increasingly, it defies traditional expectations – and Samarah Maqbool is someone who is helping redefine the image. A recent university graduate, daughter of immigrant parents and passionate mental health…

A chef’s journey from farm to plate to purpose  Chef TJ Conwi is a well-regarded Filipino chef whose career spans kitchens and executive roles in the hotel industry. Today, he leads Ono Vancouver, a catering…

In many organizations, leaders rise through the ranks by excelling in their area of expertise – and staying squarely within it. Bindhu Alvar Thiruvenkadathan took a different path. CIO for Wealth Management at the BMO…

Christine Chen, General Counsel at University Pension Plan and Ascend Canada award recipient, champions diversity in law where just 38% of senior roles are held by women and only 8% of partners are racialized. Through…

Dr. Bobby Yanagawa, the Division Head of Cardiac Surgery at Toronto’s St. Michael’s Hospital, is this year’s Ascend Canada Inclusion Champion of the Year.

Max Chan champions mentorship as a powerful, reciprocal force for individual and organizational growth, built on his own experience as a beneficiary early in his career. He actively mentors students and professionals, tailoring his approach…

Celebrating Excellence: Meet the 2024 Ascend Canada Leadership Award Winners

Diverse leadership teams bring valuable perspectives to decision-making, enhancing innovation and empathy in organizations. Women leaders, in particular, are known for their resilience, collaborative skills, and ability to build trust, which fosters a more inclusive…