Asian Heritage Month: Learning from Asian Canadian leaders at Global Affairs Canada

Did you know that May is Asian Heritage Month in Canada? This annual celebration honours the contributions of Canadians of Asian descent to our country socially, culturally and economically. In the spirit of recognition and appreciation, let’s take a closer look at the remarkable experiences of Asian Canadian leaders at Global Affairs Canada (GAC).

Join us as we celebrate their stories of intersectionality, heritage and cultural diversity!

Intersectionality in action

Intersectionality refers to the various aspects of one’s identity and life experiences, such as gender, ethnicity and skills. As a diplomat with over 25 years of experience at GAC, Rajani Alexander, Ambassador of Canada to Guatemala and High Commissioner of Canada in Belize, recognizes that intersectionality has played a big part in her career.

Born in India, she had a taste of international life in her youth as her father worked in many countries. As she explains, “When posted to Bangladesh and India, I was aware that I had an advantage with language, cultural fluency and, of course, my roots. This helped me personally, but also in my dialogue with counterparts.”

Moreover, Rajani advocates for greater Asian Canadian diversity and representation in leadership positions. According to her, “Your diversity is an important part of who you are. It should encourage you to seek leadership opportunities.” This sentiment is a reminder of the importance of intersectionality in leadership positions, which ensures that diverse perspectives are represented at all levels of an organization.

The importance of heritage in diplomacy

Brandon Lee, Director General of the Grants and Contributions Transformation Bureau at GAC, recognizes the importance of heritage in shaping a person’s perspective and experiences. As a first-generation Canadian of Korean descent, he has a deep pride in his cultural heritage. As well, his parents instilled values in him, such as perseverance and hard work in the face of challenges.

He recalls an incident during his time as co-chair for equity, diversity and inclusion for the United States and Mexico. The U.S. delegation had asked for a meeting with Canadian delegates to learn from our diversity best practices as they had heard ours were excellent. Unfortunately, Brandon was informed that the Canadian delegates were all Caucasian, while their U.S. counterparts represented a diverse group. He saw this as an opportunity for the Canadian delegation to practice humility and openness while learning from others’ differences.

“It’s not enough to simply tell people about our own successes and achievements—we need to actively seek out diverse voices and create space for everyone to contribute,” he says.

Multiculturalism in international partnerships

Throughout his career, Paul Thoppil, who recently completed his tenure as assistant deputy minister of the Asia Pacific Branch, has seen the strategic advantage that multiculturalism brings to Canada and GAC; in particular, it allows for a broader spectrum of talent and unique perspectives to be drawn upon.

Growing up in Ottawa, Paul spent his youth supporting his father’s charity The Canada-India Village, which aims to assist impoverished communities in his parents’ home village in Kerala, India. This experience instilled in him the importance of giving back to his community and, ultimately, led him to pursue a career at GAC.

“I find that my heritage and my family history have contributed to an enhanced understanding of emerging and developing economies,” Paul notes.

Beyond Asian Heritage Month

These Asian Canadian leaders are among those who have broken down barriers and paved the way for a more diverse and inclusive future. By embracing their culture, they have made invaluable contributions to GAC and to our country.

Let’s follow in their footsteps and work toward creating a more equitable and inclusive world—not just during Asian Heritage Month, but every single day!