What if leadership wasn’t about waiting your turn? What if it was about stepping up, claiming your space, and ensuring others can do the same?
On March 7, 2025, MOSAIC’s Visionary Leadership & Community Engagement Conference brought together immigrants, leaders, and advocates at the Executive Plaza Hotel in Coquitlam for a day of powerful conversations on equity, diversity, inclusion (EDI), and civic engagement.
Among them were community changemakers, industry professionals, and special guests like MP Ron McKinnon, who joined in recognizing the importance of advancing EDI. This wasn’t a corporate EDI workshop or a generic “awareness” session. It was a call to action—a reminder that waiting for change isn’t an option.
“EDI is at the heart of everything we do.”
MOSAIC CEO Olga Stachova opened the event with a clear message: EDI isn’t just an ideal—it’s a responsibility. It’s about breaking barriers, encouraging social integration, and building leadership that truly reflects the communities we live in.
“We are very excited to create an open, safe, and collaborative space to engage in meaningful dialogues and share good practices that drive progress,” she said.
But she also acknowledged the growing resistance to EDI efforts in Canada and beyond. With governments and organizations walking away from commitments they made just a few years ago, the need for persistent advocacy and leadership is more urgent than ever. The timing of the conference—just a day before International Women’s Day—made this discussion even more pressing.
“The conversations we are having today are very important and timely,” she noted. “I believe that together we have the power to create lasting impact, and today’s conference is one of those steps toward making that a reality.”
EDI Leadership: From Newcomers to Decision-Makers
Keynote speaker Trish Mandewo, an entrepreneur, governance expert, and City Councillor in Coquitlam, set the tone for the day with a powerful challenge to the audience:
“New immigrants often feel they must earn their right to belong—waiting for an invitation to be seen,” she said. “But the truth is, you already belong, and you have already arrived. The moment you accept that, you begin to live differently in the world, and you begin to own the spaces that you get into.”
Her message was clear: Leadership isn’t reserved for a select few—it’s about who shows up, who speaks out, and who takes action. She urged immigrants to stop waiting for inclusion and instead claim their space in decision-making.
“Stop waiting for permission. Stop waiting for someone to make space for you. Step forward. Take up space. Make space for others. Equity doesn’t come from waiting—it comes from rising. And the time to rise is now.”
Recognizing Leadership That Drives Change
Following the keynote, MOSAIC took a moment to celebrate the leaders already making an impact. The Champions of Social & Civic Engagement Award was presented to Katie Crocker, CEO of AMSSA, for her dedication to creating leadership spaces that value international experience, diverse perspectives, and lived experience.
Reflecting on her journey, she acknowledged the privilege she holds—and how she uses it to create space for others.
“Doors opened for me simply because of the way I look,” she said. “It is an unearned privilege that I can leverage to create space for other people.”
She reinforced a central theme of the conference: true leadership isn’t about gatekeeping—it’s about building bigger tables: “Don’t surround yourself with people who look like you or have the same experiences as you. The value is in working with people who are different, because that’s how we bring out the best in each other and create something truly amazing.”
Beyond Conversation: EDI Leadership in Action
Throughout the day, speakers and participants explored a fundamental truth: EDI cannot remain just a statement—it must be embedded in leadership at every level.
Panelists shared personal stories of overcoming systemic barriers and discussed how challenging exclusionary structures, advocating for policy changes, and ensuring leadership isn’t just diverse in numbers but holds real influence can drive meaningful change.
These discussions deepened through interactive breakout sessions, where attendees explored practical EDI leadership strategies and how to turn ideas into action. Topics ranged from turning advocacy into policy, the role of newcomers in sustainability and social governance, and fostering inclusion in the workplace. The conversations were grounded in one guiding principle: EDI must be more than aspirational—it must be actionable.
What’s Next? Your Move.
If there was one key takeaway from the conference, it was this:
“Leadership isn’t about waiting your turn,” Trish reminded attendees. “It’s about stepping up, claiming your space, and making sure others can do the same.”
Change doesn’t happen in a single day, but in the conversations we continue, the connections we build, and the steps we take forward.
For those ready to take the next step, MOSAIC’s Civic Opportunities for Newcomers: Networking and Engaging Communities Together Program (CONNECT) is now open for applications, providing opportunities for newcomers to engage in civic leadership and advocacy. Meanwhile, the Social and Civic Opportunities: Pathways to Equity Program (SCOPE), which helps racialized immigrants gain board and committee experience, will reopen in July 2025.
Let’s keep the momentum going—together.
