Oakville ‘champion’ of diversity and inclusion appointed Order of Canada

Oakville’s Rola Dagher has led some of the brightest minds in technology and been a strong advocate of mental health for children.

Now you can add recent appointee to the Order of Canada to her already impressive resume.

The Oakville native joins Schitt’s Creek actor Daniel Levy and Toronto Raptors president Masai Michael Ujiri on a list of 85 advocates, artists and academics presented with one of Canada’s highest honours.

Announced Friday by Governor-General Mary Simon, the Order of Canada recognizes people across all sectors of society who have made extraordinary and sustained contributions to our nation.

Dagher, the Global Channel Chief with Dell Technologies, is being recognized for her “contributions as an inspiring and impactful leader in the technology sector, and as a champion of diversity and inclusion.”

“Today, we recognize individuals who have made an extraordinary contribution to our society,” said Simon. “A group of individuals who, through dedication and ajuinnata—perseverance—make our communities and our country better every day.”

At the same time, Simons says that we must also acknowledge that work remains to ensure that Canadian honours better reflect the full diversity of our country.  “Nominations continue to fall short of representing the excellence achieved by women, Francophones, persons with disabilities, and people from culturally diverse backgrounds,” she added. “We want to learn more about the contributions from Indigenous peoples, Black and 2SLGTBQIA+ communities, to truly honour the richness of our country.

“We encourage everyone to have a say in how we honour our fellow Canadians by nominating individuals that reflect the very best of who we are and want to be. ”

Dagher has used her natural leadership style over her career of two decades. She returned to Dell Technologies after spending three years as President of Cisco Canada, which distributes electronic parts and communication equipment.

Prior to joining Cisco, Dagher held various sales leadership roles with Dell and Bell Canada.

A believer in empowering women, she was one of the 2020 Top 25 Women of Influence™, by WXN as one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100™, and by Women in Communications and Technology (WCT) as the 2019 Woman of the Year.

Dagher has also been selected as one of RBC’s Top 25 Canadian Immigrant winners for 2019, was named the “Lady of the Cedar” by the Lebanese Embassy, and received a 2018 Leadership Award from the Lebanese Chamber Business of Commerce.

She sits on the board of Cedars Cancer Foundation and is an advocate for pediatric and young adult cancer patients. She is also on the Circle of Champions for the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council, promoting growth through diversity in the workplace.

An advocate of mental health, Dagher sits on the foundation board for the Centre of Addiction and Mental Health.

Dagher is one of more than 7,800 people who have been inducted into the Order of Canada since its creation in 1967.

She was inducted as a member, one of three Order of Canada levels of recognition including companion at the top followed by officer,

The first two levels celebrate achievement and merit to Canada at large, while a member is celebrated for their service to a particular group or field.

Dagher and the other appointees will be invited to a special ceremony to receive their insignia to be announced at a later date.