Ayesha Howitt
Director of Learning & Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Reconciliation Programs at Vancity
Ayesha Howitt, with a rich background blending Ugandan, South Asian, and English roots, holds a Graduate Certificate in Diversity & Inclusion from Cornell University and a bachelor’s degree in business from UBC. She brings over fifteen years of corporate human resource experience, including five years of dedicated DEIR practice.
As the Director of Learning & Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Reconciliation Programs at Vancity, Ayesha is instrumental in shaping the organization's DEIR strategy. She has spearheaded the creation and implementation of Vancity’s DEIR strategy, driving transformative change across the organization. Under her leadership, Vancity has integrated workforce analytics data, revamped the myDiversity survey, and launched divisional anti-racism initiatives.
A passionate advocate for inclusivity, Ayesha oversees Vancity’s Workplace Inclusion program, ensuring equitable opportunities for neurodiverse staff. She has also played a key role in Vancity’s Racial Equity audit, working closely with senior leaders to improve policies and processes through a racial equity lens.
Beyond her work at Vancity, Ayesha is actively involved in the community. She has served on the Board of Directors for not-for-profit organizations, including City Hall Childcare in Vancouver, where she successfully negotiated a 3-year collective agreement.
Ayesha’s dedication to fostering an inclusive and accessible workplace has made her a respected leader in the DEIR field, driving meaningful change within Vancity and beyond.
Session:
11:00 AM - 12:15 PM: Net WORTH: closing the pay gap in recreation, tourism & hospitality
