Samra Zafar

1 in 3 women in North America suffers from abuse. 1 in 5 people in Canada experience mental health challenges. And, all of us will lose a loved one at some point. Yet, many of these issues still aren't spoken about openly at work. What can workplaces do to foster an environment where employees feel safe to show up authentically and ask for help without fear of judgment? By building inclusive, empathetic workplaces, we can create collective resilience where everyone wins. Importance to HR: Diversity & Inclusion is more important now than ever before. This is the way of the new world given everything we have gone through and the challenges we have faced. As an HR Professional it is important you help to foster hiring and a workplace where all people from all walks of life feel seen, heard & truly valued. Samra has travelled across the country and globally to learn and work with BIPOC and minority groups - from indigenous communities in rural Saskatchewan, Black communities in Toronto, South Asian communities in Alberta, to the executive towers of Bay Street. Samra's sessions will help you in HR through education of important issues to educate, train and offer practical implementable solutions to advance equity in the most authentic way.

Mental Health is the shadow pandemic of Covid-19. Rising isolation, financial uncertainty and inadequate support systems are resulting in heightened anxiety, depression and trauma for employees and families. Samra has developed and delivered a series of keynotes and workshops with the focus of providing practical and implementable positive psychology-based tips, tools and strategies to build skills for resilience and mental wellbeing. Sample topics of focus include: Mental Health - The Shadow: Pandemic of Covid-19, Emotional & Mental Resilience Skills During Difficult Times, Building Trust, Connection and Resilience, through Vulnerability and Gratitude, Resilient Teams: Leading with Courage Through Adversity, Mindfulness, Self-Care & Self-Love. Unlocking Your Personal Resilience, and Fostering Psychological Safety & Empathy. Importance to HR: Mental health is on a rise given this pandemic crisis we all have had to face and still currently do. These challenges can lead to low retention, low work ethic and many missed days from the office due to mental health challenges. It's important for HR professionals to fully understand this issue and create workplaces that foster and support healthy mental health-related programs and support systems. Samra speaks to this in her own unique way and from a very personal perspective.

We are in a time of social awakening, where difficult but necessary conversations are shedding light on issues of systemic racism, discrimination and the everyday experiences of BIPOC and other people belonging to minority groups. There is an increasing need to listen, understand, believe and be strong allies to support equity and remove barriers to inclusion. As an immigrant child bride to Canada and an advocate for human rights and equity for over 10 years, Samra Zafar has travelled around the world to learn and work with BIPOC and minority groups ”from indigenous communities in rural Saskatchewan, Black communities in Toronto, South Asian communities in Alberta, to the executive towers of Bay Street. Zafar uses her lived experiences combined with a deep understanding and education of these issues to educate, train and offer practical implementable solutions to advance equity in the most authentic way. HR Importance: HR are leaders and responsible for hiring and retaining employees. In this talk, Samra will help you understand how you can remove your own Unconscious Bias's to advance your workplaces for the better that are inclusive of all.