Date:	September 5, 2019
To:	University of Toronto Faculty, Librarians, and Staff
From:	Kelly Hannah-Moffat, Vice-President, Human Resources & Equity

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I am excited to announce that Karima Hashmani has accepted the role of Executive Director, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), effective September 3. In this new role Karima will work with the tri-campus University Equity Offices, academic units, and senior administrators to foster an intentionally diverse, equitable and inclusive learning and work environment. To achieve this, Karima will develop, enhance, and support the work already being done in the areas of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in our community.

It is this hard work that has laid the foundation for the role of Executive Director, EDI, the creation of which is an expression of our values and a commitment to building an inclusive and welcoming institution for all staff, students and faculty. As such, I would like to thank all the individuals doing formal, informal and often invisible EDI work in their divisions, academic units and in our communities for continually striving for inclusive excellence. Thank you as well to the search committee for their many hours spent designing, recruiting, and interviewing for this role, and for their assistance in welcoming Karima to the position.

After joining the University of Toronto Scarborough in 2018 as the Senior Advisor on Equity and Diversity, and subsequently as the Director, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion, Karima designed a 3-year EDI strategy for the Scarborough campus, successfully championed UTSC’s vision of inclusive excellence while streamlining equity work across the campus, and among other significant achievements, initiated the Anti-Black Racism Committee.

Karima has over 15 years of professional experience in addressing complex equity, diversity and human rights issues within the social housing and non-profit sectors, and within various communities across the city. Karima is a graduate of York University’s Environmental Studies program. She was appointed as an International Development Fellow with the Aga Khan Foundation and as a Leader for Change Fellow with the Maytree Foundation, an organization dedicated to advancing systemic solutions to poverty and strengthening civic communities.

I am looking forward to working closely with Karima to advance the University’s deep commitment to fostering an inclusive culture where all members of our vibrant community have a sense of belonging, and feel valued and respected. Karima will be meeting with staff, faculty, librarians, and students at each campus to better inform her future work implementing EDI, and enhancing ways to build EDI knowledge and capacity.

Please join me in congratulating Karima on her new role.