We are delighted to announce Kanwaljit Chaudhry from Canada as a finalist for the 2025 Wedu Women’s Leadership Awards in the Flame of Solidarity Award category.

Connection to the Award

The Flame of Solidarity Award honours those who stand alongside others to help them find their voice, achieve their goals, and grow into confident leaders. For Kanwal, this has been both a calling and a practice. Officially matched with her Wedu mentee in October 2022, she has since become known as a steadfast advocate—sharing her wisdom, offering support, and opening doors for women across different stages of their journeys.

As a mentor and certified leadership coach, Kanwal believes women are not only building careers but also shaping legacies. She works primarily with women, though she also coaches men to foster inclusive leadership across all genders. Her role, as she often says, is to “walk beside others, reflect their strengths, and remind them they are meant to burn bright, not burn out.”

Mobilising Change

Kanwal’s impact is rooted in both professional and personal solidarity. With organisations such as CPHR Alberta and ECO Canada, she mentors professionals who are often new to the country or new to their fields. She understands how disorienting this phase can be—starting over in an unfamiliar system—but she also recognises the quiet strength and resilience of these women. For her, walking alongside them through that journey is a privilege she never takes for granted.

Her mentorship through Wedu extends across Asia, where she supports young women to develop leadership skills grounded in their own culture and context. She insists that authentic leadership comes from who we are and where we come from. This conviction has had a profound impact on her mentees, including those navigating transitions as complex as relocating across borders. One of her mentees credits Kanwal with helping her adapt her goals when life circumstances changed, tailoring her CV to Canadian standards, preparing her for interviews, and connecting her with networks that ultimately led to multiple job offers within a month of arrival.

Through these practical, compassionate interventions, Kanwal not only helped her mentee settle into a new country but also instilled resilience, clarity, and belief in her own abilities. The ripple effects of her guidance extend into every professional and personal choice her mentees make.

Why Kanwal Stands Out

What makes Kanwal extraordinary is the way she combines expertise with empathy. She is a mentor who not only equips women with the technical skills to succeed but also reminds them of their inherent value and power. She is generous with her knowledge, deeply committed to the women she supports, and unwavering in her advocacy for gender equality.

Her mentees describe her as an inspiring presence—an individual who goes above and beyond to guide, connect, and uplift. Through her voluntary work with Wedu, CPHR Alberta, and ECO Canada, Kanwal has supported hundreds of women, from young leaders across Asia to newcomers in Canada. She embodies solidarity not as a concept but as a daily practice of care, encouragement, and empowerment.

As a finalist for the Flame of Solidarity Award at the 2025 Wedu Women’s Leadership Awards, Kanwal represents what it means to stand beside others with strength, wisdom, and generosity. She is a mentor, a coach, and a true advocate for building a future where women lead with confidence and authenticity.

Connect with Kanwal on LinkedIn

Join us in celebrating women’s leadership!

On 30 September at 6PM ICT, we will announce the awardees of the four Wedu Women’s Leadership Awards in a special online celebration. Reserve your spot and be part of the moment. RSVP here to join us