International Women’s Month is a time for reflection. When I look back at my own journey, I realize how much it has been shaped by migration, resilience, and the remarkable women in my life.
Growing Up in a Family of Migrants
I grew up in a Persian, Irish, and Indian household where stories of movement, identity, and survival were part of everyday life. My father immigrated to Canada, and generations before him, his family had moved as refugees from Iran to India. On my mother’s side, my grandparents left Ireland for England, where they faced poverty and racism while trying to build a better future.
Those stories shaped how I see the world. They taught me that migration is not just about movement across borders — it is about courage, perseverance, and the determination to build something better for the next generation.
Living and Working Across Continents
My own life has been deeply international. Over the years, I have lived in 12 countries and worked across continents, including with the United Nations and on the ground in Africa, Australia, Europe, Asia, and South America. Those experiences allowed me to see firsthand how communities grow stronger when people from different backgrounds bring their ideas, cultures, and talents together.
I also understand migration personally. I have been an immigrant myself — both to Canada and to Kenya — navigating new systems, cultures, and communities. Those experiences deepened my understanding of what it means to build belonging in a new place.
Throughout my career, I have focused on communications, advocacy, and supporting organizations that strengthen communities and create opportunities for others. I believe deeply in the power of storytelling to connect people, build empathy, and inspire positive change.
Motherhood in an Interconnected World
Today, one of the most important roles in my life is being a mother. I am raising a little boy whose identity reflects the interconnected world we live in today: he is Canadian, Icelandic, and British, and was born in France.
More than anything, I want him to grow up recognizing the value of women everywhere — their leadership, resilience, and the countless ways they shape families, communities, and societies.
Honouring the Women Who Shape Our Lives
International Women’s Month reminds me of the women who shaped my own life: my grandmothers who crossed continents, colleagues working in challenging environments around the world, and the many women who quietly build stronger communities every day.
Their strength and determination continue to inspire me.
