Toronto, ON – May 28, 2025 – The Board of Directors of the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Sartaj Sarkaria as the organization’s next Chief Executive Officer, effective June 18, 2025.
Marni Panas, Director and Chair of the Board, shared that Sarkaria’s appointment comes at a crucial moment as CCDI continues to grow its national impact and deepen its commitment to inclusive leadership.
“Sartaj brings the rare combination of operational excellence and deeply held values,” Panas said. “Her lived experience and long-standing leadership in DEIA – combined with an unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and respect for lived identities – position her to be a powerful champion of CCDI’s mission. The Board is excited about the future of CCDI under Sartaj’s leadership, and what it means for our Employer Partners and for advancing inclusion across Canada. We’re thrilled to welcome her as we take this important step forward.”
A transformational leader with more than a decade of executive experience, Sarkaria is widely recognized for driving strategic growth, organizational culture change, and inclusive leadership across multiple sectors. She most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of Holstein Association of Canada and previously held senior roles at the Canadian Marketing Association, where she led national DEIA initiatives, revitalized organizational culture, and strengthened governance frameworks.
“Stepping into the role of CEO at the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion is both a privilege and a calling,” said Sartaj Sarkaria. “As someone who has navigated the complexities of identity and belonging, I know how powerful it is when people feel seen, valued, and empowered to lead. CCDI has long been a force for change in this country, and I’m excited to build on that legacy—working alongside our dedicated team and partners to imagine and create a more inclusive future for everyone in Canada.”
In addition to her executive experience, Sarkaria actively contributes to the nonprofit and governance sectors. She currently serves in leadership capacities on the boards of the Human Resources Professionals Association, United for Literacy (formerly Frontier College), and the Do More Agriculture Foundation, where she is Board Chair.
As Sarkaria assumes the CEO role, she will work closely with Anne-Marie Pham and CCDI’s senior team to ensure a smooth and thoughtful transition. The Board extends its deep appreciation to Pham for her years of exceptional leadership and is grateful that she will be staying with CCDI, where she will focus on shaping national conversations and driving meaningful progress. Together with CCDI’s leadership, the Board looks to the future with confidence and excitement as Sarkaria takes the helm.
About Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion
Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI) is a national charity established in 2013 with the mandate of building a more inclusive Canada. CCDI offers a comprehensive suite of bilingual services including webinars and conferences, communities of practice events, research, and resources on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) in the workplace, the Canadian Certified Inclusion Professionals (CCIP) certification, the See Different youth education and ambassador programs, and networking opportunities throughout the year. We are committed to educating workplaces, schools and communities on DEIA and to shape the national dialogue towards a more equitable and just society for all. Learn more at ccdi.ca.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Joseph Levesque
Director, Communications
Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion
+1 (416) 968-6520
[email protected]
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