International Women’s Day (IWD) is our yearly reminder to re-commit to working towards gender equality.  

It is also a reminder to celebrate and acknowledge the many wins and achievements of the women in our lives and those around us.  

This IWD, read as we highlight a few women affiliated with GBC who are leaders in their own capacities.  

These women, like many others in our community, have their personal journeys and set of values that define their achievements. Let us celebrate them and be inspired to contribute towards equity and positive change ourselves.  

Hazel Ycasiano
GBC Student, Fashion Scholarship Fund award winner 

Ycasiano is a second-year Fashion Management student at GBC. She also works as a student research assistant in the Fashion department.  

She is an international student from the Philippines. Ycasiano worked as an educator and fashion designer back home. She graduated from fashion school in 2009 and designs bridal and evening wear. 

Ycasiano recently won the annual Fashion Scholarship Fund (FSF) case study challenge. Her case study aimed to tackle problems faced by single mothers working in the garment industry. 

“I have met some garment workers, I know how it is for them. So, it’s very personal to me. With this case study I wanted to spread awareness that companies could change, to give the workers a chance to have a decent life,” she says. 

Her case study focuses on a fashion company and its potential launch of a campaign that supports single mothers working in their factories. The campaign aims to provide a livable wage and flexible working hours to these women. 

Ycasiano says her biggest achievement was winning the award and getting her case study published.  

“People can can get more access and I think that would open a venue to spread awareness. Because it’s just a case study, it’s not like it’s doing anything, it’s not like the brands are doing it. But [it’s] putting the idea out there. It could spread awareness and make them think, oh, they can do this as well,” she says. 

She will receive $7,500 with this award and another $2,500 from luxury retailer Neiman Marcus who was impressed by her case study. 

To Ycasiano, leadership means providing equal opportunities and amplifying all voices in all industries. She believes that women leaders think for those beyond themselves, and these women should be empowered. 

“I firmly believe that empowering women through equal opportunities for leadership roles would create a more inclusive and diverse workplace, leading to better decision-making and improved outcomes for organizations.” 

 

Cassandra Koss
2022 Premier’s Awards nominee, GBC Alumni 

Koss got her undergraduate degree from McMaster University, where she realised that she wanted to work with older adults. She then moved to working in long-term care facilities in various capacities.  

She currently works as a lifestyle engagement manager with V!VA retirement communities. 

In spring 2021, Koss graduated from the Interprofessional Complex and Long-term Care program from GBC. She studied the program while working full-time at a local long-term care centre in Toronto.  

While studying the program at GBC during COVID-19, Koss completed a capstone project at the centre she was working in. She was later nominated for the 2022 Premier’s Awards for Health Sciences for this project. 

“I was working in long-term care in a COVID outbreak. Obviously, there’s so much disconnect. People were isolated. They were really feeling the effects of being isolated, it was absolutely terrible for their mental health,” Koss shares. 

The project focused on connecting residents of the centre with each other, and not just with their families outside of the facility. 

“This sort of brought people together in a different way than our regular programs, which weren’t just really focusing on the mental health during COVID,” Koss says. 

The project targeted residents with cognitive impairments, those who already had friends, and those who didn’t have friends in the facility.  

Koss says that another major achievement in her life was when she moved to British Columbia from Ontario to start a new role. It was the first time she took a management role. 

However, the nomination still remains her biggest achievement.  

“I got nominated for the award through George Brown and I finally got to meet George Brown faculty members in person and just connect with them. I’m really proud to be a GBC alumni,” she says. 

Leadership, to Koss, means to support, guide and inspire one another.  

“In this field in the field of health care, long term care, retirement other managers across the company are women. And it’s amazing to work with them and learn from them.” 

Koss dreams of opening her own long-term care centre in the far future. For now, she wishes to continue making a difference every day by showing up, leading, and caring.  

“The greatest thing I say about working in this field is it is so fulfilling. I come into work and I know I’m making a difference.” 

 

Ronnie Cruz
Manager, Equity and Advocacy (interim), Student Association of George Brown College

As manager of equity and advocacy, Cruz is responsible for providing guidance and leadership to SA staff and student leaders in areas of health and wellness, campaigns, academic advocacy, food security, student engagement and well-being, and initiatives aimed at supporting marginalized groups.  

Cruz has been at the SA almost 10 years. She previously held the Community Services Coordinator position and was part of the Health Benefits team prior to that. 

“My time with the SA has been marked by a strong commitment to service and advocacy. Working in a variety of roles, each of which has required different skills and knowledge, has been extremely remarkable and rewarding, especially the positive impact on the lives of students and the GBC community,” Cruz says. 

Cruz was once an international student in Canada at the University of Manitoba. She then embarked on a career in the tech industry, working for several start-ups and blue-chip companies, such as Microsoft. In addition, she also helped her family run their businesses, gaining valuable experience in entrepreneurship and business management along the way. 

“I have always been passionate about learning and about creating opportunities for others to learn and grow, and I have always felt a deep sense of connection to the academic community.”  

She says she wanted to be a part of a community that shared her passion for education and personal growth, therefore joining the SA made sense. 

One of her most significant achievements was securing more than $600,000 in funding to support students in need and address food insecurity through the Student Nutrition Access Program.

“This program has had a profound impact on the lives of countless students, helping to ensure that they have access to healthy, nutritious food, and reducing the financial burden that can come with pursuing a post-secondary education,” said Cruz.  

Cruz believes that leadership is about creating a sense of purpose and belonging, about helping others understand why their work matters and how it contributes to a larger goal or mission. 

“One of the key qualities of a great leader, in my opinion, is the ability to listen. To truly understand the needs and concerns of others, and to be able to respond with empathy and understanding. This requires an open mind, a willingness to learn from others, and a commitment to continuous growth.”  

She believes that we can support more women in leadership by providing mentorship, guidance, and support. 

“Ultimately, the goal of promoting women in leadership is not just about achieving greater gender equality. It’s also about creating more effective, dynamic, and innovative organizations that can thrive in a rapidly changing and increasingly competitive global landscape. By tapping into the full range of talents, perspectives, and experiences that women bring to the table, we can create stronger, more resilient, and more successful organizations that are better equipped to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century,” Cruz says. 

 

Sohaila Khaliqyar
Former GBC PEN Writer-in-Residence, GBC Honorary diploma holder 

Sohaila Khaliqyar escaped to Canada as a refugee from Afghanistan in 2017. In Afghanistan, Khaliqyar was a photojournalist with UNICEF, documenting and exposing plight of powerless Afghan youth and women.  

She is currently a PhD student at York University. She also works with WES Gateway Program which supports refugees with credential evaluation and with Lifeline Afghanistan team. She was appointed as the 2018-2019 PEN Writer-in-Residence at GBC, where she visited dozens of classes and spoke to students about her experiences and work. 

“I found the George Brown College community a very committed and supportive environment for fighting unfairness and advancing social justice and inclusion,” she says, 

Khaliqyar has faced challenges in Canada as a refugee during COVID-19. Struggling to move forward with her studies and professional life, she has managed to stay inspired and doing the work that matters to her. 

“Being a refugee has been arduous, challenging, and sometimes painful, as I feel it with my bones, but simultaneously rewarding. As a researcher, it gives me an engaging real-life experience and worldview that millions, particularly women and children worldwide, go through. It is a journey that may snatch one’s childhood joy, dreams, the basic right of access to health care and education, and sometimes even their life,” Khaliqyar shares. 

One achievement of Khaliqyar’s was being awarded an honorary diploma from George Brown College in 2022.  

“This is a remarkable achievement for me in a sense that it motivated me to remain involved and committed to working with refugee organizations and continue my research,” she says.  

She believes in collective work where everyone can contribute and all of it matters. She also believes that women in leadership are crucial in every sector to ensure equity. 

“Leadership results from collective work and the support of those who help you become the best of yourself that equip you with humanness, values, and competencies that give you enough strength and motivation to support yourself and your community to make a real impact,” she says.