As we come together to celebrate this year’s Pioneers for Change, we seize this opportunity to recognize and give a shout out to our past pioneers. These are immigrants and refugees who demonstrated outstanding dedication, going beyond and exceeding expectations, and who have made significant contributions to the Canadian communities through their areas of expertise.






Abi Ajibolade
For the last 20 years, she has worked as a popular facilitator and social justice advocate. She has dedicated most of her community work to empowering young people and women.

Kelvin Tran
As founding President and Chair of Ascend Canada, a leading non-profit organization, he is doing just that by helping develop the next generation of Pan-Asian leaders.

Samra Zafar
Samra is also the founder of Brave Beginnings, a non-profit start-up dedicated to supporting abuse survivors in their journey to build a life of freedom.

Sunder Singh
Sunder is the Executive Director of Elspeth Heyworth Centre for Women, serving newcomer women since 1992. She started a social enterprise named RivInt Interpretation and Translation Services, providing income opportunities to over 800 interpreters and translators, mainly immigrants, serving the hospitals and corporate sector in the GTA.

Joe Mihevc
Joe has an MA and Ph.D. in Theology and Social Ethics (theses on Holocaust Studies and Canadian Mennonites, respectively). He has served in a variety of capacities that have allowed him to demonstrate his concerns for democratic, accessible and responsible government.