On International Women’s Day, meet two TMU women who inspire and accelerate action

Each year on March 8th, International Women’s Day (external link)  (IWD) globally recognizes and celebrates women's social, economic, cultural, and political achievements while calling to action continued efforts toward achieving equality. IWD champions diversity, equity, inclusion, and empowerment for women everywhere. The theme for 2025, "Accelerate Action," calls for "emphasizing the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality and increased momentum and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face, both in personal and professional spheres."

This year, two incredible women in our community share how they accelerate action in their personal and professional lives.

What informed your decision to study at TMU?

I chose Sociology because the program challenges students to critically examine societal norms and question structures that often go unchallenged. It emphasizes social change, which aligns with my passion for justice and equity. My Child and Youth Care minor accelerates personal growth by exploring the societal impacts on marginalized youth, fostering a community of individuals committed to creating inclusive spaces for young people.

How do you Accelerate Access in the Arts?

As the Special Projects Manager for Community Relations and an Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) Committee member for Events at Society of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities(SASSH) (external link) , I’ve had the opportunity to “accelerate action” by advocating for women through various initiatives and events. As a Black woman in a leadership position, I’ve faced imposter syndrome, feeling the need to work harder to prove myself compared to my male counterparts. This experience has motivated me to step out of my comfort zone and create opportunities for other women facing similar challenges. For example, I worked with colleagues on the IDEA Committee to create initiatives like ARTS BIPOC, which amplifies the voices of women from diverse identities and promotes inclusion. Additionally, in my role as Special Projects Manager, I organize events such as mental health and wellness workshops aimed at helping women overcome barriers and build confidence in their professional and personal lives. These initiatives inspire and empower women to break limitations and foster supportive communities for future generations.

What woman has continued to be an inspiration for you? 

One woman who has always inspired me is my mother. She embodies resilience, determination, and grace. No matter the obstacles, she works tirelessly and faces challenges with positivity. Her ability to turn adversity into growth has taught me the importance of perseverance, and her strength continues to inspire me every day. She is not just my mother; she is my role model and my greatest inspiration.

What changes do you think need to be made to pave the way for a more inclusive future?

To build a more inclusive future, particularly for women, we must learn to embrace our differences. Too often, judgment and bias prevent us from recognizing and valuing the unique contributions each person offers. Discrimination, fueled by racist and misogynistic policies and systems, deepens divisions and fosters hate. The key to breaking this cycle lies in love and empathy. As it is written in John 13:34, “new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” If we truly embrace and celebrate diversity while creating spaces where everyone can flourish, we can cultivate a world built on respect, understanding, and inclusion.

What is your current role, what challenges have you faced, and what accomplishments in your career are you most proud of?

I joined Metrolinx (external link)  as the Director of Research & Planning Analytics, with a focus on learning—the team, the organization, culture, strategic goals and the many acronyms. This means learning about legacy processes, established workflows, and team dynamics while also monitoring how data strategy, collaboration and alignment across teams can evolve.

One of the biggest challenges in any new leadership role is balancing learning the existing approach while thinking about where we can evolve, really factoring in the importance of trust and relationship-building. Change management isn’t just about introducing new systems or processes, it’s about understanding the people, their backgrounds, contributions, different perspectives, and understanding the support they need to succeed. I strongly believe in getting to know individual team members, building connections, and fostering an environment where open communication and feedback are valued.

I am most proud of my ability to drive real, meaningful, and lasting impact. Whether it’s streamlining workflows, modernizing analytics, or fostering a culture of data-driven decision-making, my focus has always been on making things better, more efficient, future-proofing and more valuable.

You have extensive experience leading business operations and empowering cross-functional teams. How have you “accelerated action” in your various roles?

With every successful transformation is a strong, resilient, and adaptable team. In my previous role at Altus Group, we navigated significant change within a short period, positioning innovative analytics solutions for long-term success. Beyond the internal improvements, we also integrated our operations globally, setting new standards across regions. Driving collaboration at a global scale was no easy feat, but it strengthened our ability to deliver consistent, high-quality insights. What kept us united was a culture of trust, collaboration, and a shared drive to continuously improve and evolve. I will continue to bring that mindset into leadership roles, where cross-functional collaboration, open knowledge-sharing, and diverse perspectives are critical for creating meaningful, lasting impact.

What woman has continued to be an inspiration for you?

My mother has always been my greatest inspiration. She was not only incredibly kind, but strong, fearless in breaking cultural barriers and determined to carve her own path. A true renaissance woman with determination and perseverance, never giving up and still making sure my sister and I felt supported and loved.

She instilled an unwavering belief in ourselves and the confidence to achieve anything we set our minds to. Even after her passing in 2019 from frontotemporal dementia, her wisdom and achievements still guide us every day. She taught us the power of resilience, curiosity, and standing firm in our beliefs and values. My sister and I do our best to carry that forward, passing down her strength, courage, and the many lessons she taught us to our own children so they, too, know the incredible woman who shaped our lives.

What changes do you think need to be made to pave the way for a more inclusive future?

The workforce needs to recognize and accommodate the complexities of modern life—whether it’s balancing a career with parenting, caregiving for aging parents, or other responsibilities. Globally, we’ve seen firsthand that flexibility matters more than ever today, yet the way we work is often still treated as a rigid, one-size-fits-all model. The workforce needs to recognize that people have different responsibilities and challenges, and that flexibility isn’t a privilege—it should be the norm. With all the tools and technology we have available today, we should be embracing different approaches that transform how we work, collaborate, and stay productive.

“One of the biggest things that needs to change is how we define leadership and success, particularly for women and, even more so, for working mothers. There’s still a lingering pressure to “do it all” and be successful in every aspect of life. But the reality is that success doesn’t have to look the same for everyone.”                    – Kruti Desai

To me, career advancement also needs to evolve beyond a single, linear path. It shouldn’t be about climbing just one corporate ladder but more like climbing a mountain—taking different routes, finding rest points, pausing at plateaus to take stock and choose the right direction, and sometimes even finding new mountains altogether. Growth and leadership should be measured by adaptability, experience, and impact rather than outdated structures that don’t fit the way people live and work, now or in the future.

On International Women’s Day, we celebrate the leadership, innovation, and contributions of women and gender diverse people around us, while striving toward increased gender equality, inclusivity, and equity for all.