ASPIRE National Employment Conference: our Impact
Thank You for Making the ASPIRE National Employment Conference a Success!
On November 6–7, 2025, at the Novotel Hotel in North York, over 140 people came together for the ASPIRE National ‘I Belong, You Belong’ Employment Conference. This powerful gathering brought community leaders, researchers, policymakers, employers, and advocates together to explore bold, practical solutions to the systemic employment barriers faced by Muslim and racialized women in Canada.
Conference Program & Highlights
Over two impactful days the ASPIRE ‘I Belong, You Belong’, National Employment Conference brought together attendees for a program full of learning, connection, and action. Participants engaged with a variety of sessions designed to explore equity, leadership, and employment opportunities for Muslim and racialized women.
Plenary Sessions & Panels: Attendees heard from leading voices on equity and employment, including keynote speakers and expert panelists, who shared insights, research, and strategies to advance inclusive workplaces. You can take a look at our speaker lineup here.
Concurrent Workshops: Multiple concurrent workshops allowed participants to dive deep into topics such as leadership, workplace rights, belonging, and professional growth, facilitating rich discussions and practical takeaways.
Skill-Building Sessions: In partnership with ACCES Employment, participants gained hands-on skills for job seekers and equity-focused employers, including tools to navigate employment barriers and foster inclusive workplaces.
Networking Opportunities: This conference provided ample space for networking with professionals, changemakers, and peers, fostering new connections and collaborations that will extend beyond those two-days.
Vibrant Marketplace: On the evening of Thursday 6th November, attendees explored a marketplace featuring 17 vendors! Showcasing Muslim women entrepreneurs, supporting local talent and connecting with unique, community-rooted businesses.
ASPIRE Workshop Modules
Last year, CCMW launched a national employment study exploring the unique and complex barriers that diverse Muslim women experience in the Canadian workforce. You can read the full ASPIRE Study and Executive Summary here.
Building on the study’s findings and recommendations, the conference officially launched the ASPIRE Toolkits and Workshop Modules, providing practical resources for Muslim women and Canadian employers alike.
The ASPIRE Workshop Modules include:
Equitable Promotion and Leadership Development – Strategies to ensure fair advancement opportunities and support leadership growth for Muslim and racialized women.
Cultural Safety and Religious Accommodation – Guidance for managing workplaces that respect and support diverse cultural and religious practices.
Building Career Pathways & Leadership Confidence – Tools to empower women in navigating career development and building professional confidence.
Creating Safe and Inclusive Workspaces – Practical approaches for fostering environments free from harassment, bias, and systemic barriers.
These modules provide hands-on tools, practical exercises, and actionable strategies to help organizations implement equity initiatives and support women in achieving their career goals. If you are interested in learning more about these modules, please email info@ccmw.com
Acknowledging Our Partners, Sponsors, and Vendors
We are deeply grateful to everyone who made the ASPIRE ‘I Belong, You Belong’ National Employment Conference a success:
Hosted by the Canadian Council of Muslim Women and Diversity Institute
Funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada
Silver Sponsor - JLC Accounting
Community Partners - Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), Canadian Blood Services (CBS), Human Concern International (HCI), Canadian Women’s Foundation, Bridges Niagara, and Emmanuel College of Victoria University.
Our Vendors - Nomo Studio, Layli Rewear, Harma Inc, Aelin Jewelry, Sprout and Bloom, Sitti Social Enterprise, AYDA Health Inc., UmmaHome Art, Yafa Embroidery, PAVE Prevention, Amna Nawab Designs, Ihsan App, Bridges Niagara, Duha Therapy, Life Skills Occupational Therapy, and Seedling Books.
Your participation, support, and collaboration helped make this conference a powerful step toward more inclusive workplaces for Muslim and racialized women across Canada.
Get Involved & Stay Connected!
ASPIRE 2025 was made possible thanks to the generosity and support of our sponsors and partners, whose collaboration allowed us to host an event of this scale. If you are interested in collaborating with CCMW on future events, please reach out to mariam.hamaoui@ccmw.com
Stay engaged with CCMW:
If you have any questions about the ASPIRE Conference or would like to learn more please contact conference@ccmw.com
Follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook @CCMWNational to stay up to date with future events and opportunities
Join our mailing list for updates on upcoming events, programs, and initiatives.
Together, we can continue to advance workplace equity, inclusion, and opportunity for Muslim and racialized women across Canada.