NMC Regional Day in the NCR

Tova Sherman,
CEO of reachAbility™and inspirational speaker

For over twenty years Tova Sherman has been a Canadian thought leader and trailblazer in diversity and inclusion programs and initiatives. She is an award-winning CEO (reachAbility™), a highly sought-after speaker (Ted Talks), an expert spokesperson on diversity and inclusion (media), an inclusion consultant and trainer (government and corporate), a community builder (co-founder of Canada’s first disability arts and film festival), and one of Canada’s most recognized diversity and inclusion leaders (Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal of Honor, YWCA Woman Entrepreneur, Canada Law Leadership Award). As well as being credentialed by Cornell University (diversity and inclusion), Ms. Sherman is the author of the highly regarded publication: Win,Win,Win: The 18 Inclusionisms You Need to be a Disability Confident Employer. Her most recent Project is creating The Accessible Tourist platform dedicated to featuring truly inclusive travel.

Arun Thangaraj,
Deputy Minister Champion, National Managers’ Community & Associate Deputy Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

Arun Thangaraj was appointed as the newest Associate Deputy Minister in September 2022. He brings over 20 years of experience in information technology, corporate planning, finance and management. Before joining Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, and for the past 2 years, Arun was the Associate Deputy Minister at Transport Canada. Prior to his role at Transport Canada, Arun was Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Financial Officer at Global Affairs Canada, where he was responsible for information management and information technology. In 2011, he was appointed Deputy Chief Financial Officer at the former Canadian International Development Agency. Arun received the Queen Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013 for his contribution to the federal public service and to his community. He has served on various governance boards, including the Global Fund’s Finance and Operations Committee, and is a member of the Public Sector Pension Advisory Committee. He is also a sessional lecturer at Carleton University’s School of Public Administration, where he has taught courses in the management stream for many years. Arun is a chartered professional accountant and holds a Master of Arts in Public Administration from Carleton University, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Ottawa, and an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Toronto.