Ayesha Shah
CHRL, CCP, GRP, Prosci ADKAR, ENFP-A.
Keynote Speaker | Author | People & Culture Executive | Leadership & Mindset Coach | Transformation Catalyst | Inclusion Expert
Follow Ayesha
About Ayesha
Ayesha Shah is a Keynote Speaker, Author, and People & Culture Executive with deep expertise in creating ecosystems that fuel creativity and nurture the development of empowered leaders who find novel solutions to persistent problems. Ayesha has served as a professor, she is a sought-after thought partner and coach, and is committed to human development as an essential strategy for business success.
Ayesha is a board member and respected mentor. She regularly volunteers as an advisor, coach, and panelist in various settings. As a thought leader, Ayesha speaks and writes about various topics in work-life and leadership. Topics include:
-
Mindset
-
Leadership
-
Creativity & Innovation
-
Workforce of the Future
-
Behavior & Culture Change
-
Equity, Inclusion & Wellbeing
-
Change Management
Ayesha believes that work is intrinsically connected with human development and progress on an individual & collective level. The workforce of the future is bright, independent, conscious, and fearless in ways unimaginable; facing unprecedented challenges. Leaders today must anticipate this, and be ready to unlearn the irrelevant to co-create new systems, ways of doing, and being that move us forward together.
Professional Experience
2022 - Present
Toronto, Canada
Vice President, Human Resouces
The Corporation of Massey Hall & Roy Thomson Hall
The Corporation of Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall is a not-for-profit charitable organization operating two of Canada’s premier concert halls. Showcasing the world’s greatest performers in all disciplines, the Halls are also prominent venues for diverse activities in the business and entertainment district of downtown Toronto. Ayesha provides strategic and operational HR
2020 - Present
Canada
Consultant & Brand Ambassador
Women's Executive Network (WXN)
WXN is Canada's #1 and only national organization that meaningfully propels and celebrates the advancement of women at all levels, in all sectors, and of all ages.
2017 - 2021
Toronto, Canada
Professor | School of Human Resources | Centre for Business
George Brown College · Part-time
Ayesha teaches diploma and post-graduate courses in all areas of Human Resources to students from diverse age ranges and various educational and cultural backgrounds utilizing adult education principles and respecting individual learning styles.
2018 - 2020
Toronto, Canada
Senior Director, Strategic Solutions & Rewards
Director, Total Rewards & Organizational Effectiveness
Compass Group Canada
Ayesha led strategy, design, and delivery of compensation, benefits, pension, HR technology, analytics & reporting, recognition, diversity & inclusion and wellness.
2016 - 2018
Canada
Global Human Resources Director
Cogeco Peer 1
Ayesha was accountable for global performance management, talent management, development, total rewards, payroll, HR policies & operations, HR technology and workforce analytics for Canada, USA, UK & France with expansion into Mexico & Singapore with a mandate of streamlining and integrating the HR function in a post-merger organization.
2014 - 2016
Toronto, Canada
National Director, Total Rewards
PwC Canada
Ayesha led a team of professionals to provide talent and rewards leadership for 7,500 staff and partners nationally. Responsible for fostering a high performance culture through effective pay for performance strategies in design, delivery, and governance relating to performance management, compensation, benefits, pension, disability, wellness, health & safety, workplace accommodations, M&A activity and HR compliance (ESA, PBA, OHSA, AODA, Pay Equity, Independence).
2013 - 2014
Toronto, Canada
HR Director, Total Rewards
Saint Elizabeth Health Care
Ayesha led a team to provide strategic HR and total rewards leadership for 7,500 staff nationally promoting a culture of learning and high performance.
2012 - 2013
Toronto, Canada
HR Business Partner & Global Total Rewards Manager
ERCO Worldwide
Ayesha was the HR business partner and led a team to provide strategic HR and total rewards leadership for 1,000 staff in Canada, US, and Chile. Responsible for design, delivery, and governance relating to payroll, HR technology, compensation, benefits, pension, disability, and wellness.
2012 - 2013
Niagara Falls, Canada
Senior Compensation & Benefits Specialist
Niagara Casinos
Ayesha provided expertise in the areas of compensation, benefits, pension, recognition, and HRIS to support 4,500 employees in the Niagara region.
2006 - 2011
Toronto, Canada
Consultant/ Senior Analyst, Talent & Rewards Consulting/ Business Process Outsourcing
Aon Hewitt/ Morneau Sobecco
Human Resources Consulting & Business Process Outsourcing for large clients in US and Canada in areas of benefits, pensions, compensation, employee engagement and talent.
2020 - Present
North America
Founder & Managing Director
C-Potential
C-Potential is a human capital advisory, talent assessment, coaching & development organization that takes pride in capturing, curating, and cultivating diverse human potential within organizations and society.
Education
Co-Active Training Institute (CTI)
Co-Active Coach
100+ hours of in-class & experiential coach training
The Podcasting Workshop
POD Certificate Granted, Seth Godin's Akimbo Workshops - 2021
Queen's University - Kingston, Canada
Masters of Arts
Activities and societies: Committee of Graduate Studies Member, Teaching Assistant for Phil153 The State and the Citizen, Teaching Assistant for Phil240 Philosophy of Education
York University, Osgoode Hall Law School - Toronto, Canada
Advanced Human Resources Law Certificate For Senior HR Executives
York University - Toronto, Canada
BA, Public Policy and Management
York University - Toronto, Canada
BA Hons., Philosophy
Cum Laude & Dean's Honor Roll
Activities and societies: Executive Member of Philosophia Student Group.
University of Alberta
Indigenous Canada Course - 2020
Volunteer Experience
2022 - Present
Environment
Director At Large
Ontario Nature
Ontario Nature is a conservation organization that protects wild species and spaces through conservation, education and public engagement.
A registered charity, Ontario Nature represents more than 30,000 members and supporters, and more than 155 member groups from across Ontario.Ontario Nature is a conservation organization that protects wild species and spaces through conservation, education and public engagement. A registered charity, Ontario Nature represents more than 30,000 members and supporters, and more than 155 member groups from across Ontario.​​
2021 - Present
Social Services
Secretary, Board of Directors
Halton Women's Place
Halton Women’s Place provides shelter and crisis services for physically, emotionally, financially and sexually abused women and their dependent children and is dedicated to ending violence against women and their children. As Secretary of the board, Ayesha is a member of the Executive Committee of the board.
2021 - 2022
Education
Volunteer, Board Inclusivity Task Force
HRPA - Human Resources Professionals Association
Board Inclusivity Task Force was established to examine policies and procedures with respect to elevating and enhancing HRPA’s Governance & Nominating Committee's diverse and inclusive governance practices.
​
​Collective achievements of the task force include:
• Updated board nomination package to include a self-disclosure option
• Established a 3-year aspiration to achieve and sustain gender parity on the board
• Provided guidance to Board Nominating Committee on the non-member director appointment process and a directive to increase the playing field by highlighting qualified candidates who are also diverse
2020 - 2022
Human Rights
Mentor
Brave Beginnings
Brave Beginnings is a non-profit organization that matches women survivors of abuse, violence, or oppression with trained mentors, helping them rebuild their lives through friendship and support.
2015 - 2021
Education
WorldatWork Manuscript Reviewer
WorldatWorkWorldatWork
Provide written constructive feedback of the submitted work, including reviewing for accuracy, relevance, timeliness and reader takeaways.
2018 - 2019
Environment
Board Member
Ecosource
Combining my passions; people, education, & the environment.
Ecosource is an environmental education charity in Ontario serving children, youth, adults, and families with a focus on improving access to environmental engagement for marginalized communities.
As members of the board, we work with Ecosource's leadership team towards achieving a sustainable future for the organization through effective strategy, governance, and policies.
2016 - 2017
Education
Member, Experience Assessment Committee
HRPA - Human Resourcess Professional Association
Brave Beginnings is a non-profit organization that matches women survivors of abuse, violence, or oppression with trained mentors, helping them rebuild their lives through friendship and support.