Biography:
Aamna Ashraf is an experienced community engagement and diversity advocate that has worked in the not for profit sector for over 20 years. Aamna has a Master’s Degree in Education (Counselling Psychology) from the University of Ottawa with thorough knowledge and extensive work experience with newcomers, immigrants and racialized communities in the areas of mental health, settlement, employment, housing, abuse and family crisis.
Over the last 10 years Aamna has led and strategized with leadership teams and across sectors to develop, and plan programs and practices that enhance service delivery and build capacity. A key component of this work has been conducting cross-cultural competency assessments with staff (frontline, management) community partners and multiple stakeholders.
In her more recent role as the Director of Peel Newcomer Strategy Group (PNSG) the Local Immigration Partnership (LIP) in Peel, Aamna has contributed to conversations around collective impact, data sharing, health equity and service integration. PNSG is a community collaborative designed to enhance the social and economic inclusion of immigrants to the Peel Community. The mission of PNSG is to engage broader sectors in the conversation around the issues of newcomers and the implications of policy changes that can have an effect on the community.
Aamna is passionate about the social determinants of health and is committed to further exploring the relationship between settlement and mental health. Aamna has experience collaborating with a broad range of sectors including health, education, settlement and 3 tiers of government to highlight these issues and to work towards a common goal. She often is asked to speak on best practices of cross-sectoral collaboration and the importance of collective impact.
Her work across GTA including her current partnership with LIPs in Durham, York and Halton region has allowed for insight into the needs of each region and some of the ways in which to align and identify effectively across government. Aamna currently sits on the Peel Poverty Action Group, United Way of Peel Region Public Policy Table, Community Reference Group for Peel Housing and Homelessness and the Fair Share for Peel Task Force.