P2P Session: Welcoming, Attracting & Retaining Skilled Foreign Workers in Ontario

P2P Presenter: Meaghan Edwards
Meaghan has had the privilege of serving in many roles across the Ontario Government and broader public sector, including areas like long-term care, Indigenous affairs, and transportation safety, where she has significantly contributed to policy and program changes at the provincial and national level. Meaghan also has experience in advocacy, having recently worked with a not-for-profit association advancing senior care across Ontario. In her current role as a Program Advisor with the Immigration Promotion and Employer Outreach Unit, Meaghan develops key reports, program recommendations, and informational resources to aid in promoting immigration domestically and abroad.

Anuradha Dam, also known as Anu, is an Economic Development Officer at the County of Wellington, focusing on talent attraction and newcomer integration. She is dedicated to nurturing inclusivity and community engagement through various initiatives, such as the Wellington County Talent Attraction Programme, the #WellingtonWelcomes social media campaign (EDCO 2023 award winner), and the Wellington County Multicultural Festival. Having experienced firsthand, the challenges of being a newcomer herself, Anu is particularly focused on creating welcoming environments that facilitate collaboration and integration for immigrant and newcomer talent in the region. In addition to her role at the County, Anu has contributed to the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council, where she worked to enhance job opportunities for immigrants in the Greater Toronto Area. Her areas of expertise include research, project management, workforce attraction and the organization of events and webinars that connect immigrant and newcomer talent with essential resources. She holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Human Resources and Marketing.