Uzma Shakir

A long-time community-based researcher, advocate and activist, Uzma Shakir is the Former Director of Equity, Diversity & Human Rights Division, City Manager’s Office, City of Toronto. She is the past Executive Director of Council of Agencies Serving South Asians (CASSA) and the South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario (SALCO). From 2008-2010, Uzma was an Atkinson Economic Justice Fellow and an Adjunct Professor, Department of Geography and Program in Planning, University of Toronto. Her work at the city focuses on legislative and policy compliance, administering the Human Rights Office, embedding equity in all corporate programs/policies/services, developing equity resources for the corporation, providing advice on access, equity, diversity and human rights to the Mayor’s Office, City Council, City Manager, City Divisions, Agencies & Corporations and residents of City of Toronto. Uzma holds degrees from universities across the globe, including Karachi University, Pakistan, Sussex University, England, and Tufts University, Boston, USA. She is a recipient of the J. S. Woodsworth Award in 2010, Outstanding Asian Canadian Award in 2008, and the Jane Jacobs Prize in 2003. Uzma is a past president of the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI), and a founding member of Colour of Poverty – Colour of Change.