Founder & CEO | Former Cabinet Minister | Advocate | Global Speaker
Board Member | x2 Top 20 Global Influencer for Gender Equality
Maryam Monsef’s journey is a testament to resilience, leadership, and the power of advocacy. From a childhood shaped by the experience of being a refugee to becoming a trailblazing Cabinet Minister in Canada’s government, her story is one of courage, determination, and an unshakable commitment to social justice. Born in Afghanistan, Maryam’s early years were marked by uncertainty. Seeking safety, she and her family found refuge in Canada, where she embraced a new life in Peterborough, Ontario. Education became her foundation—she attended Trent University, where she became a Trail College Fellow and cultivated the knowledge and skills that would propel her into a life of public service. But her ambition wasn’t merely personal; it was rooted in a deep desire to give back, to shape policies, and to be the voice for those often left unheard. Her first bold step into public life came when she ran for Mayor of Peterborough. Though she finished a close second, her campaign ignited a movement, proving that leadership was not reserved for a select few—it was for those willing to fight for it. That same spirit carried her into federal politics, and in 2015, she made history. Elected as the Member of Parliament for Peterborough-Kawartha, she quickly became one of the youngest ministers in Canada’s first-ever gender-balanced Cabinet, serving as Minister of Democratic Institutions. Over the years, she took on critical portfolios, championing causes that shaped Canada’s social and economic landscape. As Minister for Women and Gender Equality, she spearheaded the largest investment in Canada’s women’s sector, increasing funding from $19 million per year to over $200 million, ensuring support for millions of women, children, and gender-diverse individuals. She played a pivotal role in the fight for universal childcare, securing funding for programs that would change the lives of families across the country. Her leadership during the pandemic ensured that frontline women’s organizations received critical emergency funding, reinforcing her belief that policy must always serve the most vulnerable.
Her work extended beyond Canada’s borders. On the global stage, she represented Canada at the United Nations, the G7, the G20, and Davos, ensuring that gender equality remained central to international conversations. She hosted Women Deliver—the largest feminist gathering of the 21st century—and helped establish the Equality Fund, an innovative financing tool supporting grassroots women’s organizations worldwide.
Twice recognized among the Top 20 Global Influencers for Gender Equality, she stood alongside icons like Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Michelle Obama, and Malala Yousafzai, proving that advocacy knows no borders.
As Minister for Rural Economic Development, she oversaw the rollout of the most successful rural internet fund in Canadian history, connecting hundreds of thousands of households and businesses to high-speed internet—an initiative that would close digital divides and bring communities into the future. She was relentless in ensuring that rural Canada had a voice at the highest levels, championing investments in infrastructure, connectivity, and economic growth.
Even after leaving Parliament, her mission did not end. In 2021, she founded ONWARD, an organization dedicated to driving impact, fostering leadership, and creating meaningful change. She continues to work with high-impact teams, supporting Afghan women human rights defenders and leading initiatives through the United Way as Chair of the Women United Campaign.
Through every challenge, every victory, and every bold decision, Maryam Monsef has proven that leadership is not just about holding power—it is about lifting others, amplifying voices, and forging pathways for those who come next. She remains a force for change, an advocate for justice, and an inspiration to anyone who dares to believe that they, too, can make a difference.
