For the first time, a mother-daughter duo has been named two of Canada鈥檚 most powerful women in the .

Both residents of Surrey, 鈥檚 COO Azra Hussain and her daughter Hebah Hussaina have been given KPMG C-Suite Executives and RBC Future Launch Future Leaders awards, respectively.

Azra is an accountant and fundraising executive who immigrated to Canada 22 years ago, and Hebah is the Surrey co-ordinator of the , TEDx speaker and founder of the non-profit organization.

The Women鈥檚 Executive Network (WXN) recognizes women who 鈥渁dvocate for workforce diversity and inspire tomorrow鈥檚 leaders,鈥� with .

For the first time in Canadian history, our COO, Azra Hussain, and her daughter, Hebah Hussaina, have both been recognized in 's 2021 Canada鈥檚 Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award! We are incredibly proud of Azra and Hebah鈥檚 achievements. Congratulations to you both!

鈥� Surrey Hospitals Foundation (@SurreyHospFdn)

鈥淲e are so incredibly proud of Azra and her daughter鈥檚 achievements,鈥� Jane Adams, president and CEO of Surrey Hospitals Foundation. 鈥淚t is such a great female-empowerment story to have a winning mother-daughter team who show strength, resilience and fearlessness to inspire more women in the generations to come.鈥�

Born in India, Azra鈥檚 life story 鈥渉as built the base for her commitment to being a role model in resilience,鈥� according to a news release.

鈥淢y father instilled in me the importance of charity and giving back to our communities, and it鈥檚 a virtue that I鈥檝e taken with me throughout my career including my work at (Surrey Hospitals Foundation),鈥� Azra said.

鈥淚t is an honour, privilege and incredibly proud-mom moment to be part of the same awards as my daughter 鈥� to see her make her own successes and achievements by being a positive influence and making a difference in the path she takes.鈥�

At age 15 six years ago, Hebah started Youth for Care, a not-for-profit youth group that organizes fundraisers for Surrey Memorial Hospital and fosters connections between youth and the hospital.

鈥淏eing recognized with this award amongst so many inspirational women, and especially with my mother, is an absolute honour, as it is her trailblazing passion for giving back and helping people that continues to inspire me each day,鈥� Hebah said.

tom.zillich@surreynowleader.com
Like us on Follow us on and follow Tom on