Skills for Change | Skills for Change names Zeeshan Sumrani as new Chief Strategy, Innovation and Growth Officer – Skills for Change
Leading our efforts to identify and execute growth opportunities
Toronto, Ontario, December 6, 2022 – Skills for Change is pleased to announce Zeeshan Sumrani, MBA (he/him) as our new Chief Strategy,
Innovation and Growth Officer. Zeeshan will be joining Skills for Change’s Executive Leadership Team, reporting into CEO Surranna Sandy, and will be based in Toronto, with a portfolio focused on planning, growth and business model innovations.
Innovation and growth have been at the center of the success in implementing our five-year strategic plan (2018-2023), and as we look to building our new strategic plan, our focus will continue to be on implementing a strategic vision for the Agency that focuses on identifying and executing effective growth. Zeeshan will oversee the development and implementation of the strategic plan in close coordination with SFC’s strategic planning board and management committee, build new partnerships to grow and sustain the organization, and drive merger and acquisition (M&A) activity.
Zeeshan brings over 14 years of experience working with NGOs/Non-profits leading the development and implementation of programs and services related to Education, Life-Skills and Gender Equity initiatives. He was most recently the Director of Programs and Operations at The Mississauga Food Bank where he was instrumental in driving organizational growth; before that he was the Head of Community Impact at the United Way India directing 80 community impact projects. Zeeshan also served as a Visiting faculty member at the Center for Management and Technical Education and as Head of Community Programs at the Aga Khan Education service in India. Zeeshan has an MBA in Social Entrepreneurship and a Bachelor of Management in Marketing.
CEO Surranna Sandy said “This is an exciting new chapter in Skills for Change’s 40-year history, as we look to more assertive and manageable growth for the Agency. In having Zeeshan on board, Skills for Change will be able to identify and interpret market shifts, make strategic deals and
partnerships and help shape the organization by bringing forward new innovations and game changing opportunities. We are thrilled to have Zeeshan join our expanding team.”
partnerships and help shape the organization by bringing forward new innovations and game changing opportunities. We are thrilled to have Zeeshan join our expanding team.”
Zeeshan shared his thoughts on this new portfolio, “I am very excited to join SfC and be a part of the inspiring mission of the organization. By carrying forward the strategic plan and goals of SfC, I hope to be a part of work that impacts clients and partners in a positive way and empowers them to be self-reliant. I believe my lived experience as a newcomer to Canada, who sought the support of a settlement program, coupled with my vast experience of working in the non-profit sector will help me serve the organization mission, goals, clients and partners passionately.”
Please join us in welcoming Zeeshan to Skills for Change!
For more information or media related inquiries, please contact Sampada Kukade at [email protected].
About Skills for Change:
Founded in 1982, Skills for Change is a leading non-profit organization serving immigrants and refugees in Canada. Our mission is to build
welcoming and equitable communities. We offer over 25 programs and services and annually serve more than 16,000 immigrants and refugees.
Skills for Change is known for pioneering programs that respond to shifting immigration and workplace trends and lead to employment. We create
learning and training opportunities for immigrants and refugees to access and fully participate in the workplace and wider community.
Our Agency has played a major role in uplifting immigrant and equity-seeking communities for 40 years. As one of the leading holistic service
providers in our sector, Skills for Change offers more than 25 programs and services, and annually serves 16,000 people who are newcomers,
immigrants, and equity-seeking groups in services around employment, integration, mental health, leadership, entrepreneurship, and more.
Founded in 1982, Skills for Change is a leading non-profit organization serving immigrants and refugees in Canada. Our mission is to build
welcoming and equitable communities. We offer over 25 programs and services and annually serve more than 16,000 immigrants and refugees.
Skills for Change is known for pioneering programs that respond to shifting immigration and workplace trends and lead to employment. We create
learning and training opportunities for immigrants and refugees to access and fully participate in the workplace and wider community.
Our Agency has played a major role in uplifting immigrant and equity-seeking communities for 40 years. As one of the leading holistic service
providers in our sector, Skills for Change offers more than 25 programs and services, and annually serves 16,000 people who are newcomers,
immigrants, and equity-seeking groups in services around employment, integration, mental health, leadership, entrepreneurship, and more.
Skills for Change is working to: