Canada
Sharifa Khan, a visionary entrepreneur credited as a pioneer of multicultural marketing in Canada, has been named among the Top 50 Women Leaders of Toronto, by Women We Admire, an organization that brings together and recognizes exceptional female executives. Khan, founder and president of Balmoral Multicultural Marketing, Canada’s longest-running, preeminent multicultural advertising agency was described by Women We Admire as, “a maestro in putting a cultural lens on strategy and brands.”
The organization which is also one of today’s fastest growing professional women’s networks, said they chose this year’s winners based on how these awardees foster collaboration, drive sustainable growth,
and promote a more equitable society in their work. Women We Admire also factored their dedication
in the workplace and through volunteerism to helping break barriers, and sparking change for future
generations of women in leadership.
“I believe passionately in building a more equitable society, where new immigrants are truly valued for
the rich contributions they make to the economic and cultural fabric of our nation,” said Khan. “To have
an organization like Women We Admire, with North American reach, acknowledge the impact of
multicultural marketing – that means so much to me.”
Khan commended the impressive group of esteemed female leaders on this year’s list. “I want to thank Women We Admire and congratulate my fellow awardees for steadfastly pursuing their visions and
breaking boundaries; it is an honour to be counted among such trailblazers,” she added.
Khan, alongside her fellow top women leaders of Toronto in 2023 are producing game-changing work
across a wide spectrum of sectors. From creating acclaimed apps, games, and immersive experiences, to managing a $12 billion program by the Government of Canada, to leading large-scale mergers of banks in Latin and North America, these women are demonstrating exemplary leadership and innovation.
Their achievements will undoubtedly inspire other women to rise up, aim higher, and be
uncompromising in reaching for their full potential.
Khan’s groundbreaking work in multicultural marketing, spanning four decades now, has also been
recognized as a lifetime achievement by the prestigious Canadian Marketing Hall of Legends. Khan broke an important glass ceiling in 2021, becoming Canada’s first multicultural marketer to be inducted, receiving the nation’s highest honour in advertising.
Khan said she is more excited than ever before to continue exploring new frontiers in multicultural
marketing with her team at Balmoral. “I believe it is critically important to continue building what I call
‘Bridges of Understanding’ – to deepen relationships for Canada’s government bodies, media, and
businesses, with our thriving multicultural communities.”
