Sadia demonstrates resilience. After a seven-year break from school, she returns to pursue MDP. Ten years ago, in 2016 she was one of fourteen University of Toronto students to represent Canada at the 2030 Sustainable Development Youth Assembly, supported by Global Youth Impact (Inaugural Cohort). As a first-generation Canadian, she is committed to advancing sustainable educational practices and draws inspiration from leaders past and present.
Her first job in food service at the Toronto Zoo sparked her interest in sustainability initiatives, such as adopting paper straws. Since then, she has achieved significant milestones and remains dedicated to inclusion and amplifying the voices of children of immigrants. She has worked in retail, technology, education, marketing, food, and health, consistently applying systems thinking and design principles.
She has UN volunteer experience in both local and international remote work before, during, and after COVID-19, and understands the communication styles needed for success in diverse environments, including Indonesia, Nigeria, the Netherlands, and China. Her resourcefulness, charisma, and quick learning enable her to find opportunities and build meaningful connections with empathy and curiosity.
Within her first month as an MDP student, her team won the Velocity AgeTech Challenge’s cybersecurity category, presented by CABHI, and was subsequently selected to join Canada’s AI Strategy Consultancy, appointed by the Dean of Engineering.
She brings over 12 years of experience with reputable organizations across Toronto, including community health centres, digital healthcare, and higher education. Her commitment to community service is inspired by her parents and their sacrifices as early Bangladeshi immigrants. Although born and raised in Canada, she remains closely connected to her roots and is fluent in speaking, reading, and writing Bangla. In her free time, she enjoys Duolingo, music, cooking, photography, filmmaking, and applying her creative skills through projects that help small businesses grow. She aspires to contribute her skills to creative direction in meaningful campaigns. She hopes to be a leader younger marginalized girls and women can look up to. She is committed to continuous self-learning.