This award recognizes an individual who has made a significant impact in HR policy development, program management and/or service delivery related to promoting a diverse, inclusive and accessible workplace. This award magnifies the leadership and hard work of the individuals who are influencing openness in our organizational culture, and who are promoting and enabling equity of opportunity through fairness and transparency.
Recipient
Muhammed-Ali Khan
Policy Advisor, IDEA Secretariat Interdepartmental Liaison
Indigenous Services Canada
Ali is a recognized community builder within the federal public service. Throughout the years, he has shown great leadership by developing grassroots networks and fostering connections among key collaborators to drive systemic change. The partnerships he has cultivated have facilitated important conversations, ensuring that both equity practitioners and community members are working in alignment.
Ali tirelessly contributes to advancing best practices in human resources through both his formal and volunteer roles. His exemplary initiatives include: developing an engagement process to consult diversity networks, creating a performance agreement statement for network leads, promoting official languages, enhancing equity leadership competencies, and encouraging inclusive leadership behaviors. Recently, he launched the Data Equity Network to improve data literacy.
Ali’s passion for his work, his strong connections with others and his genuine care for those working on anti-racism, diversity and inclusion are widely recognized by his peers. At Indigenous Services Canada, Ali is dedicated to reconciliation by identifying and addressing systemic barriers. He is a strong advocate for all minoritized communities, acting as a challenge function to influence equity through multidisciplinary policy work and interdepartmental collaboration. Ali’s openness and unique abilities ensure that all voices are heard and given the opportunity to contribute to achieving substantive equality.
“His involvement in systemic change expands beyond Indigenous Services Canada to benefit the public service at large, and we are forever grateful for his dedication and passion.”
Finalists
Darren Bailey
A/ Senior Human Resources Advisor
Health Canada
Darren began his career in the federal government in March 2023 as a team lead on the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Recruitment Team, supporting both Health Canada (HC) and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). Darren quickly leveraged his extensive private sector experience to achieve success in this role.
In less than a year, Darren helped both organizations surpass their objectives pertaining to the federal government’s commitment to hire 5,000 new PWD by 2025 under the Accessibility Strategy for the Public Service of Canada. This marked the first year that HC met its goal, and Darren played a crucial role in this achievement.
Darren acquainted himself with the wide array of positions in both organizations, matching candidates with organizational hiring needs using the HC/PHAC PWD Inventory, in addition to other sources like career fairs and community organizations. His commitment and passion are evident in his daily work, such as by ensuring that managers carefully consider the inclusiveness of the merit criteria they apply to staffing processes. Several candidates and managers have even shared personal anecdotes of how Darren has positively impacted their experiences and the culture of the organization. Darren’s unique ability to foster an environment where people feel comfortable asking questions or raising concerns has contributed significantly to his success.
“Darren’s work with our branch on the recruitment of PWD has led to an undeniable increase to our diversity, but has also assisted with a positive change in our organizational culture with respect to equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility.”
Ninar Younes
Manager
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
As a founding member of the Centre on Diversity and Inclusion, Ninar embodies what it means to be an Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (EDIA) practitioner. She is as a driving force behind several enterprise-wide initiatives that make the public service an employer of choice for equity-seeking communities.
The impact of Ninar’s work is evident in EDIA communities of practice, whether through supporting over 800 sponsorship relationships for equity-seeking employees across 57 organizations, coordinating a roster of 100 speakers who share their lived experiences with public service audiences, or assisting two dozen departments in dismantling barriers to inclusion. She took on her latest challenge with enthusiasm to launch the co-developed Self-Identification portfolio, which is anticipated to be available in the 2024-2025 fiscal year across the core public administration.
Ninar is not only dedicated to EDIA principles in her professional work, but she also embodies them in her personal life. Described by colleagues as generous, kind and compassionate, she consistently gives her time to support others and enhance her team’s well-being. The advancement of diversity and inclusion programming in the public service would not have reached the level it is today without Ninar. Her dedication to the field serves as an inspiration to coworkers and partners alike, showcasing the transformative potential of EDIA programs in reshaping workplace culture.
“Under Ninar’s unwavering leadership, significant accomplishments have been achieved in key programs that advance diversity and inclusion of employees from all equity-seeking groups in all departments and agencies.”
Notable Nominee
Aleksandra Luczak
Regional Director, Human Resources
Public Services and Procurement Canada
Aleksandra is a dedicated and visionary leader currently serving as the Regional Director of HR at Public Services and Procurement Canada, Ontario region. She is recognized for her exceptional dedication and commitment to fostering diversity, equity and inclusion within the region. Aleksandra’s impact is profound, as she has implemented comprehensive strategies to create a more inclusive and equitable workplace environment. Under her leadership, outreach and advocacy initiatives for underrepresented student hiring programs, the accessibility passport and workplace accessibility improvements have been successfully implemented, positively impacting the organization’s culture. Aleksandra’s advocacy for accessibility and her proactive approach to addressing systemic barriers and biases have positioned her as a trailblazer in promoting diversity, equity and inclusion. Similarly, her efforts have established the region as a leader in fostering inclusivity and belonging within the workplace. Aleksandra’s accomplishments serve as an inspiration and model for creating positive change in government workplaces.
