Indira Naidoo-Harris is a trusted public leader, policy-maker, journalist, and advocate. Serving as the AVP of Diversity & Human Rights at the University of Guelph, Naidoo-Harris worked to foster a culture of inclusion by creating policy, research frameworks, staff and academic strategies on inclusivity, equity, human rights and accessibility. To further inclusion on campus, Indira spearheaded the development of an annual EDI Enhancement Fund, the university’s Anti-Racism Action Plan, the university’s required Principles of Belonging training, Multi Year Accessibility Plan and several human rights handbooks (including Fostering a Sense of Belonging in Times of Crisis and Challenge, Building Community: Introduction to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion).
Naidoo-Harris was elected to public office in 2014 as Halton’s MPP and held several high profile cabinet posts, including Ontario’s first Minister of the Status of Women, Minister Responsible for Early Years and Child Care, Minister of Education, and Associate Minister of Finance.
Over the years, Indira has developed and worked on policies, strategies and frameworks that have changed lives including Ontario’s Renewed Early Years and Childcare Policy Framework, the Strategy to Deliver Free Preschool Childcare, Women’s Economic Empowerment Strategy, Ontario’s Immigration Strategy and Ontario’s first Comprehensive Dementia Strategy.
As the first official voice for women in the province, Naidoo-Harris headed the Women’s Economic Empowerment Strategy and the Strategy for Gender-Based Violence. She also worked on anti-human trafficking legislation, led consultations across the province on women’s issues, and worked with community groups, business and government officials on pay equity, gender equality, domestic violence, child care supports, board representation, human rights and other issues.
Naidoo-Harris currently serves as Board, Vice Chair for the Pearson Centre for Progressive Policy, she also sits on the NATO Association of Canada Board, along with the Fulbright Canada and Halton Healthcare Boards. Indira is an Honorary Board Member for the Canadian Ethnic Media Association. She has been named to the Brainwell Trust/Alzheimer’s Society of Ontario Dementia Task Force, and was recognized as a Brand Ambassador for the Women’s Executive Network (WXN). Naidoo-Harris is also known for her leadership in the creation of the Pearson Centre for Progressive Policy’s national EDI Hub. She is often featured on the NATO Association of Canada’s Diplomatic Speaker Series as a moderator and expert on peace, gender equity and security issues. In the past, Indira was a Board member of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and the Reelworld Film Festival.
In 2022, Naidoo-Harris was named one of WXN’s Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 by the Women’s Executive Network. In 2023, she travelled to the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos to deliver a keynote address at a special gathering on Unlocking Balanced, Integrated Leadership for a Healthier World organized by WEF leader Andre Hoffman, and spoke about the importance of gender equity in leadership. She has been awarded a Queen’s Platinum Jubilee medal for Community Impact and was recognized as one of Milton Ontario’s 100 years/100 Women Trailblazers.
Naidoo-Harris is considered an expert in education, equity, human rights, women’s and newcomer issues. She is a regular host, panelist, and keynote speaker. She has been a featured speaker at numerous national conferences and podcast/webinars including the Government Professionals of Canada’s Annual Corporate Governance Conference, Dreamer Day Fest 2023, Ontario Legislature’s Women’s Forum, the National Indigenous Women’s Summit, FBS/CAUBO National Provost’s Summit, Standing Committee on Science and Research, the Women in Tourism & Hospitality Summit, Women of Distinction, Local Immigration Partnership Forum, and more.
Before entering politics, Naidoo-Harris was an award-winning journalist in Canada and internationally with outlets including CBC, OMNI, TVO and CTV. She has been recognized for her groundbreaking work on human rights violations, and with diverse newcomer communities in Canada. Naidoo-Harris is regarded as one of the first women of colour to anchor national newscasts on CBC Newsworld and CBC National Radio and was named OMNI/Roger’s television’s “Face of Diversity”.
