Ratna Omidvar is an internationally recognized voice on migration, diversity and inclusion. In April 2016, she was appointed to the Senate of Canada as an independent Senator representing Ontario. As a member of the Senate’s Independent Senators Group she holds a leadership position as the Scroll Manager and is also the Deputy Chair of the Special Senate Committee on the Charitable Sector.

Senator Omidvar is the founding Executive Director at the Global Diversity Exchange (GDX), Ryerson University.

Senator Omidvar serves as a Councillor on the World Refugee Council and is also a director at the Environics Institute, and Samara Canada and is the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council’s Chair Emerita. She was formerly the Co-Chair of the Global Future Council on Migration hosted by the World Economic Forum and the Chair of Lifeline Syria.

Senator Omidvar is a Member of the Order of Canada and a recipient of the Order of Ontario.