BY J.M. LEE
Omira’s story has been shaped by change, risk, and a willingness to rebuild. She has moved nearly 17 times across cities, countries, and roles, learning to step into the unknown and start again. Experience has built her resilience and continues to shape how she leads.
“I was born and raised in Vancouver and completed my Bachelor of Commerce at UBC. Right out of university, I joined General Motors as a District Manager. It was a dream role, although I knew nothing about cars. I was 22, the only female District Manager in the country, and one of the very few people of color. I moved to Saskatoon and was completely out of my element.”
That position changed her. Her co-workers were among the kindest and most inspiring, and she learned so much from them. It began her more than two-decade career leading national strategy, sales, marketing, and operations. It was high-performance, fast-paced, and incredibly formative.
Behind the scenes, she felt stuck at times and questioned whether she was building the right kind of life. She had to rebuild from the inside out. What grounded her then, and continues to energize her today, is giving back. Her volunteer work, faith, and community have been constants.
“Today, I focus on partnerships, meaningful work, and life coaching to help others build confidence. My path has not been linear. But every risk and rebuild has shaped who I am today.”
Empowerment means being oneself without apology and having the confidence to make decisions that align with who one is. “If you trust yourself, you stop seeking validation and lead from within. Empowered women create space for others and lift those around them. Knowing yourself will give you confidence, even if you may not always have the right answers. Mine came from going through experiences that challenged me and helped me grow. Early in my career, I learned to deliver results, lead teams, and navigate complexity. The real shift came from doing the inner work and fully understanding myself. Despite being vulnerable, I learned to communicate openly and trusted my voice.”
Omira sets high standards while creating an environment where people feel supported, seen, and able to be their true selves. “The best leaders bring out the best in others, and I am very intentional about that.”
Diversity, equity, and inclusion should be an instinctive practice in our society. “I’ve been one of the very few people in senior leadership roles in a historically male-dominated industry. I know what it was like not to fully belong, which shaped how I lead today; building environments where people genuinely feel they belong and where different perspectives are valued. Diverse thinking leads to better decisions, stronger teams, and meaningful impact. Inclusion requires intention. People need to feel heard and empowered to contribute. I’m proud to be part of United Way BC, an organization committed to creating that sense of belonging.”
Her mother immigrated at 21 after being forced to leave her country and has rebuilt her life more than once, including after a serious illness. Today, at 75, she is still a thriving businesswoman. “When she sets a goal, she sees it through. I admire women like her who are grounded, strong, and true to themselves. That is my mom.”
Omira believes that success is a matter of personal perspective. What it means to one person may mean different to another. “I had a clear definition of success early in my career. I achieved it, yet still felt unfulfilled. That made me rethink everything. Today, success means doing meaningful work, being surrounded by the right people, and feeling fulfilled. It is also about making an impact, continuing to grow, and living a life that feels true to who I am. My advice is to define success on your own terms, even if that is not the easiest path. One should not have to figure everything out to move forward, for clarity comes from taking action and trusting one’s gut.”
The moments that changed her most were the uncomfortable ones. “So trust yourself sooner, stop waiting for permission, and pay attention to what excites and challenges you. That’s when you know you’re moving in the right direction.”
Jay Shetty’s book Think Like a Monk is her favorite, and so is his podcast: On Purpose.
In three words, she describes herself as: Authentic, grounded, driven.
