By Mischa Milne, Communications Coordinator
As an experienced business owner, bestselling author and international public speaker with lived experience as an immigrant to Canada, Narges Nirumvala was a natural choice for MOSAIC’s 2022 Immigrant Professionals Conference Keynote Speaker.
Narges was born in Bombay, India and attended university in the United Kingdom where she completed her Bachelor’s degree with Honours in psychology and postgraduate studies in International Political Economy. She then immigrated to Canada with her parents and remains very proud of her Indian heritage.
However, there were challenges to being a newcomer here – the process for getting a job was a long and difficult one.
“My first job after immigrating to Canada was clerical work in an office – it was the only thing I could get after a lot of searching. I had no Canadian education or experience so it was a real struggle to be taken seriously.”
Those experiences shaped her perspective and approach to her career, and she cares deeply about supporting other newcomers.
“I realize how hard it is to come to a new country and leave everything you know behind. Making friends all over again and try to fit in and belong was so hard. It’s not easy and we all need to do more to help immigrants and refugees build meaningful lives here in Canada.”
Things turned around eventually for her – Narges is now the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of ExecutiveSpeak Coaching International, which offers professional emcee services, women’s leadership coaching, communication skills workshops, and more. The hardships she went through with finding a job in Canada meant that she needed to forge her own path.
“Before starting my business about 12-13 years ago I was unemployed. I had been unemployed for almost two years. It’s not the answer people expect. I built my business and my brand from absolute rock bottom.”
In addition to her work, Narges is an active community volunteer in Vancouver. She serves on the Board of Directors of the BC India Business Network and TiE Vancouver, a global organization originally founded in Silicon Valley that fosters entrepreneurship on all levels. She is also the recipient of numerous awards and accolades, including being nominated for the RBC Women of Influence 2020 Canadian Women Entrepreneur of the Year Awards for the third time in a row.
She looks forward to connecting with IPC attendees and sharing more about her career journey with them in-person. Her speech will focus on understanding and communicating your worth, even when times are tough.
This year’s IPC takes place on November 26 at UBC Robson Square. Register Today.
