Syria-born LGBTQ activist and emerging author, Ahmad Danny Ramadan has been named among the 9th annual RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrants, along with doctors, artists, entrepreneurs and philanthropists.
Presented by Canadian Immigrant magazine and sponsored by RBC Royal Bank, this annual awards program celebrates the achievements of inspiring Canadian immigrants.
Canada is certainly a land of immigrants and it shows in the diversity of our winners this year who originally hail from different parts of the world, but now call Canada home.
From The Honourable Ahmed D. Hussen MP, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, to Lebanon-born CEO of food dynasty Paramount Fine Foods, to tech startup guru from Fiji, to a celebrated Lawyer from India, each of our winners is truly inspiring in what they have achieved professionally or personally.
The RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award winners were honoured at ceremonies in Toronto today, and in Vancouver on June 29. In addition, two winners were selected for special recognition, the RBC Entrepreneur Award and the new Youth Award.
Ajay Virmani, president and CEO or CargoJet, Canada’s largest cargo airline, is the third annual recipient of the RBC Entrepreneur Award for excellence in entrepreneurship.
Ishita Aggarwal, scientist, women’s rights advocate and youth philanthropist, is the first recipient of the Youth Award – a new award established this year. The award recognizes immigrant youth who are making a difference in their adopted country through achievement demonstrating that when we invest in youth great things happen.
“RBC is proud to celebrate the outstanding accomplishments and contributions of Canadian newcomers. The RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards showcase the richness and diversity newcomers add to the fabric of our communities,” says Ivy Chiu, Senior Director, Cultural Markets.
“For close to 150 years, we have welcomed new Canadians from all around the world and we look forward to seeing how they help shape Canada for the next 150 years. Congratulations to all winners and nominees.”
The RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award winners received a commemorative plaque and a $500 donation was made towards a registered Canadian charity of their choice.