Arooj Shaikh: Rooted in Faith, Driven by Purpose

Born and raised in Montreal, Quebec, Arooj is a proud Canadian with deep cultural roots in Lahore, Pakistan. Her heritage is central to her identity and informs much of the work she does today—as a leader, a changemaker, and a fierce advocate for representation. After years in Brampton, Arooj and her family made the move to Paris, Ontario, during the COVID-19 pandemic. we instantly fell in love with the small-town charm and close-knit community,” she recalls. “It felt like a place where we could finally experience that ‘everyone-knows-everyone’ feeling.”

Though Paris was picturesque, it wasn’t immediately welcoming in the ways Arooj had hoped. “When I first moved here, I didn’t see anyone who looked like me. There were no halal restaurants, no cultural groceries—nothing that reflected who I was.” Determined to change that, she created a WhatsApp group called Ladies of Paris, connecting local Muslim women and helping newcomers feel less alone. From that spark grew a powerful flame: Muslim Women of Brant, a nonprofit she founded and now leads with a mission to bridge cultural divides and foster belonging through charity, dialogue, and action.

Leading with Vision and Impact

Arooj knows what it’s like to challenge assumptions. “I’ve had moments where people are surprised that I’m in a senior management role. They don’t say anything, but you can see it in their eyes—for just a second.” Those seconds are what fuel her drive. “I want it to be normal to see visible minorities, including Muslim women, in leadership. Right now, executive teams across many organizations still lack diversity. I want to help change that.”

As the founder and president of Muslim Women of Brant, Arooj’s impact goes beyond WhatsApp groups. She’s built a network that uplifts Muslim women, connects them to each other, and shows the broader community what representation truly looks like. Her work with the Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS) began through this very visibility. “I was invited to an Iftar, and from there, was asked to join the Patient and Family Advisory Council,” she shares.

“I’m passionate about showing that Muslim women, especially those in hijab, are active, capable, and engaged. We’re not just behind the scenes—we’re leading initiatives, managing teams, and serving our communities.”

Arooj helps develop learning modules and key performance indicators relating to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEI-B) for staff education at BCHS. Even though she balances a full-time leadership role at work, her nonprofit, the masjid, and family life—she still finds time to contribute. “Even leaders need pep talks,” she laughs. “Sometimes I turn to books, TED Talks, or my favourite song—Fight Song—for that extra motivation.”

Creating Joy, Preserving Culture

Her approach to leadership and belonging is grounded in self-awareness and growth.

“I didn’t grow up religious. There were times when I made assumptions about others in my own community. That experience taught me how important it is to check our biases and seek understanding. Often, racism comes from a lack of connection. If someone is saying harmful things about Muslims, it’s likely they’ve never had a Muslim friend. Relationships change perspectives.”

To Arooj, belonging means being comfortable in your own skin. “That kind of comfort comes from your environment—when your surroundings say, ‘You’re welcome here just as you are. If someone sees a hijabi woman in your job posting, that tells them, ‘Hey, I can work here too.’ Representation matters.”

Arooj makes it a priority to celebrate her culture and religion in meaningful ways. Ramadan and Eid, especially Eid al-Fitr, are major events in her household. “Growing up, I loved Christmas—the music, the gifts, the joy. But Eid didn’t feel the same because it wasn’t celebrated at school or in the community. I go all out for my kids. We have chand raat iftars, candy, gifts, games—we give gifts to our children and nieces/nephews on Eid morning so that the children don’t feel a lack of celebration compared to the Christian holidays celebrated in school. I want them to feel proud of their identity.”

Her final message is simple yet powerful: “Everyone has a story. If we just treated each other with love, kindness, and respect, the world would be a much better place.”

Chicken Karahi

Click here for the recipe.

This feature is part of the “I Belong” campaign, where BCHS employees, professional staff, and volunteers are given the opportunity to share their personal stories, strengthening a culture of belonging that empowers each individual and deepens our collective mission to provide exceptional care. Together, we’re creating a more inclusive, connected, and empowered BCHS.