Events /

Honoring Immigrant Excellence: Pioneers for Change Gala 2025

October 23, 2025

About the Gala

The Pioneers for Change initiative, led by Skills for Change (SfC), is an annual event that celebrates and recognizes the contributions of exceptional immigrants, refugees, and underrepresented individuals who have made a significant impact on Canadian society. Through this initiative, Skills for Change showcases inspiring leaders across various fields who have demonstrated resilience, innovation, and leadership while fostering positive change in their communities. 

Since its inception in 1993, Pioneers for Change has highlighted and honored outstanding individuals whose work has influenced sectors such as business, social services, education, health, arts, public policy, and advocacy. The program underscores the importance of diversity and inclusion while promoting the successes and contributions of newcomers and underrepresented groups in Canada.

Past Events Gallery

  • Two women standing in front of a backdrop with the Skills for Change logo, smiling for the camera.
  • Group of diverse women celebrating with drinks at a formal event, smiling and enjoying their time together.
  • A woman with long curly hair wearing a brown dress is speaking at a podium in a large room with windows. Behind her, a large screen displays information about a charity gala and a photo of a woman named Jallahqueena Konneh. To her right, there is a banner for Skills for Change organization.
  • Group of nine diverse professionals posing in front of a Skills for Change backdrop, dressed in formal and business casual attire, in a brick-walled room with photography equipment.
  • Group of six diverse professionals at a conference table with laptops, papers, and water bottles, smiling for a photo in a room with a high glass ceiling and other people in the background.
  • Indoor event with large audience seated at round tables with white chair covers, decorated with small plants, in a spacious venue with high ceilings, exposed brick walls, and large windows. String lights hang from the ceiling, and some people are standing and clapping.
  • Two women are standing at a podium during a charity gala event. One woman is reading from a paper, and a large screen behind them displays event details: 'Pioneers for Change Charity Gala 2019, June 13, 6:00pm to 10:00pm at Wychwood Barns, Toronto'. A banner on the right side promotes Skills for Change, an organization supporting immigrant communities.
  • Two women smiling and holding a glass award at an event, standing near a sign that reads "PION FOR C ANNUAL P".
  • Attendees seated at a formal event or conference, smiling and listening attentively, with tables set with glasses and plates.
  • Five women standing in front of a backdrop with the logo and text 'Skills for Change.' They are dressed in colorful, traditional and modern attire, smiling for the photo.
  • Three women standing in front of a white backdrop with blue 'Skills for Change' logos. The woman on the left has short blonde hair, wears a gray blazer and black shirt. The woman in the middle has long curly hair, wears a pink sleeveless dress. The woman on the right has shoulder-length blonde hair, wears a blue dress.
  • A man in a suit and woman in a yellow patterned sari standing together on stage at the Pioneers for Change charity gala, holding an award and a certificate, with a large projection screen displaying event details behind them.

Nominations Are Open!

We’re excited to open nominations for the 2025 Pioneers for Change Awards, a signature part of the Gala that celebrates immigrants and immigrant-led organizations who are creating lasting change in Canada and beyond. 

This year’s categories celebrate the diverse impact of immigrants across entrepreneurship, climate leadership, technology, social services, creative arts, advocacy, and beyond. 

Do you know someone whose story deserves to be recognized? 

We’re calling on community members, organizations, and changemakers to nominate individuals and groups whose work inspires, uplifts, and transforms.

Who is eligible?

All nominees must be immigrants to Canada (individuals) or immigrant-led/immigrant-serving organizations or companies.

Award Catergories

The 2025 Award Categories are:

  1. Entrepreneurship Award 

  2. Youth Sustainability (Climate Action) Leader 

  3. Social Services Leader (Individual or Organization) 

  4. Immigration Advocate Award 

  5. Skills for Change Alumni Award 

  6. Training Provider Award 

  7. Leader in the Skilled Trades 

  8. Local Community Trailblazer 

Nominations will open soon!

Questions? Contact Us.

events@skillsforchange.org