Dr. Sayeh Bayat, originally from Iran, arrived in Canada in 2010. She is an Assistant Professor at the University of Calgary, and is recognized for her outstanding contributions to biomedical engineering. Since joining the university, she has secured over $4.5 million in research funding, with a focus on AI-driven health technologies. Her work, particularly in developing non-invasive tools to detect early signs of dementia, has garnered international acclaim. Dr. Bayat's innovations are revolutionizing the approach to cognitive health and aging, significantly enhancing the quality of life for older adults and advancing the frontiers of health technology research.

Young In Kim is a passionate community leader and advocate based in Calgary. She immigrated to Canada from South Korea in 2003. Through her work with the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS), and as the founding Executive Director and President of the Korean Social Services Centre (KSSC), she has made significant contributions to the local community. Under her leadership, KSSC has delivered vital services to both Korean and non-Korean communities in Calgary, including support for seniors, newcomers, and low-income families. Her dedication to multiculturalism and anti-racism initiatives has had a profound impact on the Calgary region, promoting inclusivity and community empowerment.

Hamza Tariq, a national cricket player since 2010, has made a profound impact on Calgary's sports community. Immigrating from Pakistan in 2002, he founded the Future Stars Cricket Foundation, which established Calgary’s first free youth cricket league. The league now engages nearly 400 young athletes. Through his initiative, Hamza has revitalized interest in cricket and promoted a healthy, active lifestyle among Calgary’s youth. His dedication to nurturing young talent and his impressive cricket career, including playing for Team Canada, has left a lasting impact on the community.

Bukola Ojemakinde, a Nigerian immigrant and chemical engineer in Calgary, has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to social services and community development since she arrived in Canada in 2006. She is the founder and Executive Director of the Bridge to Oasis Foundation and Ladies in the Family Foundation, where she supports African and Caribbean seniors, and empowers women and girls. Her initiatives, such as mental health programs for immigrant women and cultural events, have strengthened community ties and promoted resilience. Bukola's unwavering commitment to service has made a positive impact across Calgary.

Tola Jimoh is a leader in Calgary's technology and community service sectors. Since arriving from Nigeria in 2018, she has made a significant impact on the local community by providing free professional headshots to over 100 immigrants. She has also launched initiatives to bridge the tech gap. Tola has been instrumental in providing cybersecurity mentorship, particularly for women and minorities, empowering several individuals to overcome barriers and build successful careers in the industry. Furthermore, she offers accessible e-learning platforms for newcomers, ensuring they thrive in Calgary's competitive landscape. Tola’s multifaceted approach to leadership continues to drive positive change.

Elena Esina has been an advocate for immigrant women since she arrived in Canada from Russia in 2009. In her roles as Director of Operations for Shift: The Project to End Domestic Violence at the University of Calgary and as a co-founder of the social enterprise Shift2Learn, she works tirelessly to stop violence before it starts. Elena’s local contributions include founding a work-integrated learning hub for immigrant women, organizing community education workshops, and co-authoring the bestselling anthology Landed, which showcases the stories of immigrant women. Her unwavering efforts have empowered many individuals, making a lasting impact on Calgary and surrounding communities.

Dr. Olumuyiwa Igbalajobi, originally from Nigeria, arrived in Canada in 2020. As the founder of Scholarships Cafe, an AI-powered platform, he has revolutionized access to education for underrepresented students, helping more than 40,000 students secure scholarships worth over $1 billion. Beyond his entrepreneurial efforts, Dr. Igbalajobi has actively advocated for the removal of language proficiency barriers for African students at Canadian universities, including the University of Alberta. His commitment to empowering students and mentoring new immigrants in Calgary reflects his dedication to fostering educational equity and community development.

Ashish Rangari is the Co-Founder and CEO of NanoWaterTech Inc. Originally from India; Ashish has had a significant impact on Canada through his innovative approach to water treatment. Since the launch of his venture, he has introduced cutting-edge technologies that address water scarcity by improving water recyclability and reusability. His work has not only garnered attention from major oil and gas companies locally and internationally but has also delivered global sustainability goals. Ashish provides mentoring support to newcomers and immigrants through organizations like Immigrant Services Calgary and the Indian Society of Calgary, supporting community growth and support​.

Simisola Obasan arrived in Canada from Nigeria in 2020. She is the first Black woman and youngest adjudicator on the City of Airdrie's Assessment Review Board. Since her involvement, she has made significant contributions to Airdrie’s governance. As the co-founder and Principal Partner at Grandforth Legal Practitioners, she provides outstanding legal support to the Alberta community in business law and immigration law. She has supported modest-income households and individuals in Alberta with pro bono services. Simisola volunteers with Calgary Legal Guidance. Through volunteering and her law practice, she supports and empowers newcomers to thrive in their new environment​.

For more than 61 years, CCC has been a pillar of mental health support in Calgary and the surrounding areas, including Airdrie, Cochrane, Chestermere, and Okotoks. Since 1995, CCC has been dedicated to promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in its operations, ensuring that its services are accessible to all. With a diverse workforce that reflects Calgary's population, CCC offers culturally relevant counselling in multiple languages and actively collaborates with Indigenous communities to integrate traditional healing practices into mental health care. Their commitment to DEI is also evident in their policies and community initiatives, making a significant positive impact on mental health outcomes.

Dr. Hamid Rajani, originally from Iran has been a transformative force in Calgary's research and innovation landscape since he arrived in Canada in 2011. He serves as the Research Chair at SAIT's Centre for Innovation and Research in Advanced Manufacturing and Materials (CIRAMM), where he has spearheaded the development of state-of-the-art laboratories and secured over $17 million in research funding. His work directly addresses critical industry needs in Alberta, particularly in manufacturing and materials science. In addition to his research, Dr. Rajani is committed to community engagement, leading initiatives like Women Empowerment in Advanced Manufacturing (WEAM) and volunteering for local charities.

Dr. Naweed I. Syed, originally from Pakistan, is a pioneering neuroscientist at the University of Calgary who has made transformative contributions to both the global scientific community and Calgary. Known for developing the world’s first bionic hybrid, enabling direct communication between brain cells and silicon chips, Dr. Syed’s work has far-reaching implications for treating neurological disorders such as epilepsy. In Calgary, he established the Hotchkiss Brain Institute and the Biomedical Engineering Institute, attracting over $300 million in research funding. His mentorship of over 65 PhD and MSc students and extensive community involvement reflects his commitment to advancing science and education locally.

Shahab Moeini, from Iran, arrived in Canada in 2009. He has played a pivotal role in introducing and advancing drone technology and its applications in Calgary and beyond. In 2011, he initiated the development of SAIT’s Centre for Innovation and Research in Unmanned Systems (CIRUS), which has become one of the largest drone labs in North America. In his current role as Director of SubSphere Corporation, Shahab has facilitated the exchange of drone technologies between Europe and Canada, promoting international collaborations and business opportunities in Alberta. His commitment to mentoring international students and advocating for gender diversity in STEM has empowered many young professionals, particularly women, to excel in the drone technology field.

Song "Eric" Yu Li is originally from China. He has made significant contributions to the Calgary community through his leadership and volunteerism. In addition to his academic excellence, Song co-founded “CTRL Hacks," a city-wide hackathon that introduced over 100 high school students to coding, securing corporate sponsorships and fostering technological skills among Calgary's youth. He volunteers as a piano tutor for disadvantaged children through the Heart of the City program, sharing his decade-long musical expertise. Additionally, Song actively participates in community events, such as volunteering with Theatre Calgary and supporting local marathons and markets; demonstrating a deep commitment to giving back to his community.