At the heart of Jumpstart Refugee Talent is a community of individuals driven by resilience, compassion, and a commitment to empowering newcomers. One such individual is Avelia Stewart, board member of Jumpstart Refugee Talent, whose personal journey and professional dedication exemplify the spirit of the organization. 

Avelia Stewart is a senior HR and equity strategist with over 15 years of experience leading transformative people, culture, and inclusion initiatives across Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean. She is the founder/advisor of Student Catalyst Gateway, a social enterprise supporting equity-deserving students in navigating education-to-employment transitions with confidence and clarity. Avelia has held executive roles in the nonprofit, corporate, and public sectors, with a focus on inclusive leadership, talent development, and systems change. She remains passionate about building workplaces where people and purpose thrive and is always exploring new opportunities to drive impact through culture, people, and equity strategy.

Why I joined Jumpstart’s Board:

I joined Jumpstart’s board because I believe refugee talent is not just underutilized, it’s transformational. I wanted to be part of an organization that moves beyond rhetoric and invests in real solutions that unlock human potential, strengthen communities, and shape a more equitable future.

What ‘refugee talent’ means to me:

To me, refugee talent represents courage, adaptability, and a global perspective. These are the very qualities our workforce and society need, and when we remove barriers and create meaningful access, everyone benefits.