The role of Kurdish women
Women We Admire in Canada has announced Top Women Leaders for 2023. on the list, we have a Kurdish-Canadian communications strategist, illustrator, and designer based in Toronto.
Ashna Ali
Co-founder and Director of Strategy & Growth, Anti-Heroine Media
Ashna Ali is a Toronto-based consultant widely recognized for her expertise in strategic communications and social impact. She has a proven track record of collaboration with purpose-driven organizations and enterprises. With a rich background in the nonprofit sector, Ashna’s journey took a transformative turn in 2020 when she co-founded Anti-Heroine Media, a creative communications studio committed to harnessing the power of storytelling for social change. Ashna’s knowledge spans strategic communications, corporate social responsibility, horizontal leadership, and systems thinking. Her ability to foster strategic partnerships and co-create cultures of inclusion is a testament to her vision for a more equitable world.
In the digital domain, Ashna has proficiency in digital rights, AI, innovation, and campaigning. Anti-Heroine Media foregrounds inclusive design, applying an intersectional lens to its projects. The studio has collaborated with diverse organizations including the World YWCA, the Centre for Feminist Foreign Policy, Oxfam Canada, the International Development Research Centre, and the gender division of Canada’s Department of Global Affairs.
Ashna’s commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices extends beyond the studio’s work. She has strategized digital campaigns for global coalitions, emphasizing women’s meaningful inclusion in critical processes like the Korean peace negotiations. Her involvement in InterviewHer, a platform connecting journalists with women experts in conflict and security, underscores her dedication to promoting diverse perspectives. In 2023, Ashna’s short film “Girê” premiered at the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival, showcasing her desire to break barriers both in the boardroom and on the silver screen.
A seasoned speaker, Ashna regularly facilitates workshops and has addressed forums such as the Senate of Canada, Parliament Hill, and the Global Affairs Department of Foreign Affairs, advocating for women’s meaningful participation in peace movements. With a background in Anthropology from Western University, Ashna catalyzes positive change using the power of narratives to challenge the status quo.
Top Women Leaders for 2023 – Women We Admire (thewomenweadmire.com)
