On June 18, more than 110 community members, donors, board members, and award recipients gathered at MOSAIC Headquarters to celebrate the MOSAIC Awards 2026, an annual evening recognizing the achievements of immigrants, refugees, and changemakers committed to education, resilience, and community impact.
This year’s ceremony carried added meaning, falling within MOSAIC’s 50th anniversary year — five decades of welcoming newcomers, supporting families, and helping people across generations find a sense of belonging in Canada.
This year, MOSAIC received a remarkable 267 applications, each one with a powerful story. More than $43,500 in scholarships and awards was presented across the evening to 12 recipients.
The evening opened with reception and networking, accompanied by a performance from the Yaletown String Quartet. MOSAIC Board Chair Petra Kuret welcomed guests and thanked the donors, sponsors, and Awards Committee whose support makes the scholarships possible, and Amy Lam, Vice President of Commercial Financial Services at RBC, the evening’s Presenting Sponsor, offered remarks marking the milestone.
MOSAIC CEO Olga Stachova reflected on the timing of the ceremony, held just days before World Refugee Day: “Tonight, we are celebrating our recipients. Your perseverance, your vision, and your achievement. We are celebrating your dreams and hopes, and also those who work tirelessly to create opportunities for others to thrive.”
A Fireside Chat: Voices of Resilience, Growth & Collective Impact
The evening was hosted by emcee Safeeya Pirani, Community Reporter with Global BC, MOSAIC’s Community Sponsor. She guided guests through the program and moderated a fireside chat with past MOSAIC Award recipients Muhaddisa Sarwari, the 2024 Dr. Eyob G. Naizghi Scholarship winner, and Zohra Sadat Hashimi, the 2025 MOSAIC Educational Enhancement Award winner. Both shared candid reflections on starting over in a new country, the people who believed in them, and what the support of community has meant.
“There could be 100 people in the room, but all you need is one person to believe in you, and to tell you that you’re able to do it.”
— Muhaddisa Sarwari, 2024 Eyob G. Naizghi Scholarship recipient
Educational Awards and Scholarships
The ceremony continued with the presentation of five educational award categories supporting immigrants and refugees pursuing their education:
Dr. Kes Chetty Education Award
Recipients: Amir Hussain Kazemi, Hansen (Hongsheng) Yu, Maya Oliver Botero
Eyob G. Naizghi Scholarship Award
Recipient: Zahra Atayee
Ann & Jo-Ann Sobkow Scholarship Award
Recipient: Rahima Toufan
St. Regis Secondary School Award for Education and Growth
Recipient: Yousif Maloud Shakona
MOSAIC Educational Enhancement Awards
Recipients: Kamran Momand, Mahdieh Saryazdi, Olajumoke Deborah Tokode, Ozlem Seremet, Sahar Mahazi, Sahar Al Salama
Many recipients shared deeply personal stories of rebuilding careers interrupted by war and displacement, returning to school in a new country, and pursuing ambitious goals in medicine, nursing, public health, and the culinary arts. A throughline ran across the night: education as a foundation not only for the recipients themselves, but for the communities and families they intend to lift along with them.
“When we educate a girl, we empower a generation.”
— Rahima Toufan, Ann & Jo-Ann Sobkow Scholarship recipient
The evening closed with celebration, networking, and photos, capping a night that honoured not only individual achievement but the strength of a community MOSAIC has spent fifty years building.
MOSAIC extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us in person to celebrate this milestone evening. To our generous donors — thank you for making these awards possible. Your support directly impacts the lives of immigrants and refugees building their futures in Canada.
We also want to recognize the tremendous work of the MOSAIC Awards 2026 Committee, who thoughtfully reviewed each of the 267 applications and helped bring this celebration to life.
To our Presenting Sponsor RBC and Community Sponsor Global BC — your support and partnership are invaluable in helping us honour those who lead, inspire, and uplift their communities.
Congratulations again to all the award recipients. We are so proud to celebrate your achievements, and we look forward to following your journeys.
Find more detailed information about the MOSAIC Awards and stay tuned on MOSAIC’s social media channels to learn about each award winner’s journey: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Bluesky.
