Naba Saeed

Background

About Naba Saeed

Successful public policy, program design and communications professional working in the Ontario Government with 4+ years of experience in leading high-profile, multi-faceted projects in support of Indigenous, Black and other racialized people, faith-based and cultural groups, women and 2SLGBTQ+ communities in Ontario with specialized knowledge of anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion. I came into the Ontario Government as one of five communications interns and provided communications support at the Ministry of Health for senior leadership. My second role was a Policy Coordinator with a portfolio of regulatory oversight functions, policy analysis and research for five of Ontario's 26 regulatory health colleges. Communications internships at Pride Toronto, SickKids Hospital and the Ontario Government are the foundation of my public sector work and what sparked my passion for helping vulnerable populations. It's what brought me to the Anti-Racism Directorate where I have led communications strategies in support of Ontario's Anti-Racism Strategy and have transitioned into leading policy development, program design and implementation for anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and programs that break down systemic barriers for Indigenous, Black and other racialized people. In my spare time, I am a volunteer Communications Team Lead for Hola OPS - The Organization for Hispanic and Latin American OPSers, the Ontario Government's first employee resource group to represent and provide support for Latinx professionals in the organization where I lead a team of communications advisors to deliver end-to-end communications. I am also an alum of the Rise on Boards program which is a non-profit run program that puts young women at the center of decision-making spaces and helps them gain experience in leadership by providing training and mentorship and placement as a Board Member in a non-profit organization. Most recently, I joined YWCA Toronto's Board of Directors as a Board Member for a two-year term and am working to advance the organization's mission to seek a radical transformation of society where women, girls and gender diverse people can thrive. I hold a Bachelor of Applied Arts from the University of Guelph-Humber in Media Studies with a focus in Public Relations and use this knowledge to make nitty gritty complex ideas accessible for everyone. My core belief is that knowledge is power and one of the keys to closing equity gaps.