For nearly two decades, Fleeha Ahmad has been a guiding light for newcomers to Airdrie and surrounding communities.
As a program co-ordinator and settlement counsellor with Rocky View Immigrant Services, her work has touched countless lives, helping individuals and families navigate the complexities of starting a new life in Canada.
Ahmad’s journey began in 2006 when she moved to Brooks and witnessed first-hand the isolation newcomers often feel.
“If I, with all my privileges, felt disoriented and isolated, how much more daunting must it be for someone arriving from another country, unfamiliar with the language and culture?” she says.
That realization ignited Ahmad’s lifelong mission to ensure no one feels invisible.
Through programs like Welcoming Airdrie, Airdrie CultureFest, Taste of Nations and Cultural Cooking Classes, Ahmad fosters belonging and celebrates diversity.
“At the heart of this passion lies a simple belief that everyone deserves to feel seen, heard and valued,” she says.
Her nominator, Oksana Oaltukova, praises her as “a compassionate leader who has inspired others to create a welcoming and inclusive environment.”
For Ahmad, mentorship means walking beside others through transformation.
“The most rewarding part of my role is witnessing someone find their voice and their place in the community,” she says.
The AAWAs are celebrating their Sweet 16 in 2026. What advice would you give to your 16-year-old self?
One of my favourite quotes, “We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty,” is by Maya Angelou. A reminder that growth often involves struggle, and that the beauty we admire in others is often the result of unseen perseverance and change. We all have a purpose and finding it with struggles is the meaning of life.