WHAT IS THE REFUGEE
JOBS AGENDA ROUNDTABLE?

Established in 2015, the Refugee Jobs Agenda Roundtable provides a platform for over 150 Canadian employers, employment and immigrant-serving agencies, and government representatives to enhance refugees’ access to meaningful employment that leverages their skills and talents.

Led by co-chairs The Honourable Andrew Cardozo & Daniel Tisch Echevarría (Ontario Chamber of Commerce), and strategically coordinated by World Education Services (WES), the Roundtable is a multi-sectoral network, not a formal organization. It was initially created to support Syrian refugees by implementing practical, employment-focused initiatives in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.

Since inception, Roundtable members have regularly met to develop initiatives aimed at connecting refugees with employment opportunities that match their skills and talents. The Roundtable depends on its members to identify opportunities, champion specific initiatives, and work toward this shared goal.

the Roundtable is open to members across CANADA.

Join A GROUP OF employers, employment and immigrant serving agencies, and government representatives WHO foster communication, cross-pollination of ideas and a body of best practices.

Roundtable Objectives:

  • Enhance employment outcomes for all refugees new to Canada, with a particular emphasis on Afghan and Ukrainian newcomers.
  • Collaborate with employers, employment and immigrant-serving agencies, and government representatives to gather and share best practices.
  • Facilitate easy access to these best practices across regions and business contexts, including smaller communities and employers.
  • Support capacity-building for refugee entrepreneurs.
  • Guide and assist companies that are committed to hiring refugees.

Meet the Roundtable Chairs

The Honourable Andrew Cardozo

The Honourable Andrew Cardozo is a recognized expert on public policy, a columnist, and an artist. His policy areas of expertise span Canadian government and politics, broadcasting and cultural policy, skills development especially the future of work, multiculturalism, and diversity. He was appointed as a Senator for Ontario by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon on the advice of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in November 2022. Cardozo is a member of the Progressive Senate Group and sits on the on the Standing Senate Committees on National Finance and on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs.

Prior to becoming a Senator, Cardozo was the President and co-founder of the Pearson Centre for Progressive Policy, Executive Director of the Alliance of Sector Councils working on skills development across some 30 economic sectors, and Executive Director of the Canadian Ethnocultural Council, where he worked on policies and legislation in employment equity, immigration, multiculturalism, and the Canadian constitution. Over the past decade he worked to elevate open public policy dialogue by bringing together thought leaders from all political backgrounds, from business, labour, NGOs and the broader public to address the major challenges facing Canadian society.

Daniel Tisch Echevarría, APR, FCPRS, ICD.D
President & CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce

Daniel Tisch is a business, public policy, and community leader, having held executive roles in government and the corporate sector, and senior governance roles at public institutions and non-profit associations. He is known globally as an expert in corporate communications, public policy, community engagement, crisis and reputation management.

From 2003 to 2023, Daniel was the driving force in building Argyle Communications (now Changemakers) into Canada’s largest management-owned engagement, communication and reputation advisory firm growing to $40M in revenue, 175 employees and ten North American offices by 2023. Earlier in his career, Daniel held senior communications roles in the Canadian government, including serving as Senior Policy Advisor and Acting Chief of Staff to Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. In the latter role, he was a member of the Canadian delegation to the G7 Economic Summit.

Daniel has spoken to business audiences on every continent, lectured at Queen’s University’s Smith School of Business since 1996, and contributed to leading public relations and marketing textbooks. He appears regularly in print and broadcast media, including weekly commentary on CBC Radio and Global News during the 2019 and 2021 Canadian federal elections. In 2021, Daniel was named one of the world’s “top 100” social media influencers on public relations.

Born in Spain to a Latin American family and raised in Toronto, Daniel speaks English, French and Spanish. He holds two degrees from Queen’s University — a Bachelor of Arts in Political Studies and a Master of Business Administration. He is also a certified corporate director, with an ICD.D designation in corporate governance from the University of Toronto. Daniel has served as vice chair of the Queen’s University Board of Trustees, a leader in the international Scouting movement and a board member of Social Venture Partners International.

In 2025, Daniel was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal for his contributions to his community, the province and the country.

World Education Services

Strategic Coordination to the Roundtable is provided by World Education Services (WES). WES is a non-profit social enterprise that supports the educational, economic, and social inclusion of immigrants, refugees, and international students. For 50 years, WES has set the standard for international academic credential evaluation, supporting millions of people as they seek to achieve their academic and professional goals. Through decades of experience as a leader in global education, WES has developed a wide range of tools to pursue social impact at scale. From evaluating academic credentials to shaping policy, designing programs, and providing philanthropic funding, we partner with a diverse set of organizations, leaders, and networks to uplift individuals and drive systems change. Together with its partners, WES enables people to learn, work, and thrive in new places.

The Honourable Ratna Omidvar, C.M., O.Ont. – Former Chair

Ratna Omidvar is an internationally recognized voice on migration, diversity and inclusion. She came to Canada from Iran in 1981 and her own experiences of displacement, integration and citizen engagement have been the foundation of her work. In 2016, she was appointed to the Senate of Canada as an independent senator for Ontario. Senator Omidvar is a member of the Order of Canada, a Member of the Order of Ontario and a recipient of the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Learn more about her work: www.ratnaomidvar.ca