In my life, the people around me have mattered most. They have helped me dream big, win big, and recover after the setbacks. My close relationships and the kindness of strangers alike have encouraged me to pursue my calling, seize opportunities, and advance big dreams. In good times and bad, I’ve been able to rely on others who have supported my relentless pursuit of seemingly impossible dreams.

Women, especially, have been supportive. They have been kind and generous with their time and advice. I know many are struggling too, and I believe I can help.

ONWARD is about channeling the power of relationships for personal and professional development. It’s a consultancy for women leaders and their allies who may be struggling or looking to maximize their impact.

2021 was a painful year. After 6 years in office, I lost my seat in Canada's Parliament. Around the same time, I was mourning the loss of my ancestral land Afghanistan to the Taliban.

I couldn't feel the fire in the belly anymore. It felt like there was nothing left to give.

I was fortunate to have the time to embark on a journey of healing and introspection, pinpoint the source of my pain, and tend to my wounds. I drew from what I’d learned during my undergrad years as a Psychology major. I also applied some of the same strategies I had learned from the programs I had designed during my time as the head of Active Minds, a mental health advocacy group at Trent University. I developed a daily calendar of activities to help me recover. I set achievable goals and made careful note of the reflections and lessons learned that were crystallizing in my mind.

My self-directed healing program worked. I started to feel the sparks of that old fire in the belly, which has always been a sign of hope and enthusiasm for me. When I was ready, I picked up the phone and made over 100 calls to inspiring women. I was keen to get back to work on the causes I care about. So many of the women were burnt out. Some were hanging on by a thread, opting out of promotions, going on sabbatical, and retiring early. I heard about relationships falling apart, kids not doing well, and about the need for restoration, inspiration and connection.

Over dinner one night, I shared my story with a Canadian entrepreneur who suggested we host a luncheon with other women to talk about self-care and resilience. I was the keynote speaker at this sold out event. As I shared my story, they shared theirs. It was so powerful to watch women do what they do best: network and connect one another to all kinds of exciting opportunities.

This was a turning point in my recovery. I'm grateful for that experience and I want to empower others who are feeling stuck or at a difficult point in their life.

ONWARD is building a community to connect women with others, and help get their ideas off the ground. Together, we can create positive change in the lives of women and those who support us.

Long before I entered politics–where I served as a Member of Parliament and Cabinet Minister in Canada–I learned that when people around me are doing well, I am well, too. When people around me are in crisis, I feel their pain. I remember how my family, especially my grandfather, supported me from a young age. When my sisters and I would ask him why horrible things like war, displacement, and the loss of our father happened to us, he’d reply with compassion: “When you feel pain like that, you learn the value of easing the suffering of others.”

In my pre-political years, these lessons helped me launch ventures that provided support and healing for others. These initiatives include Active Minds–a mental health advocacy group at Trent University–and Red Pashmina, an organization that empowers women and girls in Afghanistan, while celebrating local women of impact in Canada.

ONWARD is a natural extension of who I’ve always been, and what I’ve always done. It’s about helping others, healing wounds, and extending kindness. It’s about bringing people together, giving hope, and building relationships. ONWARD is about sharing our collective stories in this journey of life.

To advance Women’s leadership and to build a world where all women and their families are thriving.

Leading in the best of times is tough, but since the start of the pandemic, women leaders have taken on additional responsibilities–at home and for their teams. These challenges are taking their toll and too many are exhausted from managing the accelerated changes in the world. At a time when we need them the most, too many women leaders are opting out of promotions, going on sabbaticals, retiring early, and not feeling energized by their work.

We can’t afford to lose a single woman at the table, nor for young women to feel they don't belong at these tables. I’ve seen firsthand the tragic consequences of such exclusion. Afghanistan continues to suffer because of this. It's why Red Pashmina focuses on empowering women in Afghanistan and celebrating local women of impact. I’ve also seen firsthand how a diversity of voices in Government can lead to better outcomes for everyone.

ONWARD services offer women leaders personal and professional development opportunities, to overcome challenges and rekindle the fire in the belly.

Dialogue is the best antidote to suffering in silence. It's the best antidote to rising levels of division and hate. I’m offering my services to aspiring and inspiring women leaders who can benefit from my skills, experience, and storytelling. My speaking events, workshops, retreats, and my podcast, ONWARD With Maryam Monsef, can support the heavy lifting on big projects led by women.

Whether it's as your keynote speaker or workshop facilitator, I can engage your team in dialogue about the issues that matter most to them. I truly love engaging a room in conversation. The look in people’s eyes when something clicks for them, when they feel heard, validated, and inspired to make a change, for themselves and their community–that’s everything for me.