Board of Trade members recognized for leadership in diversity

March 31, 2010
Toronto Board of Trade e-newsletter

The Toronto Board of Trade congratulates the winners of the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC) Immigrant Success Awards, which were announced last week. Board of Trade members recognized for leadership in diversity were:

• Pitney Bowes, whose President Deepak Chopra sits on the Board of Directors, winner of the RBC Immigrant Advantage Award 
• Samtack, whose President Royson Ng is a member of the Board’s Diversity Forum, winner of the RBC Immigrant Advantage Award 
• Michael Bach, National Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, KPMG Canada, and member of the Board’s Diversity Forum, received the Canadian HR Reporter Individual Achievement Award, and
• Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP were awarded the CBC Toronto Vision Award for Immigrant Inclusion

St. Michael’s Hospital was also honoured for their achievements in workplace integration.

“Diversity is one of the Toronto region’s greatest strengths and considered a civic value in our business community,” says Board of Trade President and CEO Carol Wilding and TRIEC Council Member. “The Board of Trade supports a proactive approach to diversity in the workplace. Foreign-trained professionals have a wealth of knowledge and global insight to offer businesses, most of which remains untapped.”

The Board launched its Diversity Forum in the fall of 2009 in order to ensure that the make-up of the Board of Trade reflects the Toronto region’s business community. Comprised of business leaders with expertise in all areas of business, “this initiative is aimed at enhancing and leveraging the diversity of Toronto’s business community,” says Rizwan Ahmad, Vice President, Commercial Financial Services at RBC and Diversity Forum Chair.

“Diversity and inclusion contributes to innovation, creating a stronger economic, social and cultural landscape in which to live, learn and work,” says Mr. Ahmad. “The TRIEC Immigrant Success Awards shine the spotlight on businesses who are leading the way in creating these opportunities for new Canadians.”

Reference: Toronto Board of Trade e-newsletter