Who We Are
Ignite Her Potential (IHP) is a registered Canadian charitable organization committed to eliminating barriers to education and broadening equitable learning opportunities for women, youth, and marginalized communities. IHP provides accessible programs designed to enhance skills, boost confidence, and support long-term economic stability for individuals facing systemic, financial, linguistic, or geographic obstacles.
In addition, IHP prioritizes the creation of robust and supportive networks for young women globally, recognizing the unique challenges and limitations they encounter. By facilitating connections among individuals with shared experiences, IHP aims to cultivate solidarity and mutual understanding. This network delivers both emotional and practical assistance, while also encouraging collaboration and collective problem-solving.
Our Milestone!
The 2025 graduation of the first class of girls in the IHP Program.
Barrie Community BBQ
IHP members express their sincere appreciation to John Brassard, CPC, and MPP Andrea Khanjin for organizing the Community BBQ in Simcoe County, Barrie Innisfil. This successful event would not have been possible without the coordinated efforts of our team leaders, volunteers, staff, and community partners. We thank everyone involved for their dedication to fostering community spirit and bringing people together.
Our Founder
Zarmina Nekzai
Founder & Executive Director
Educator | Humanitarian | Community Leader
Zarmina arrived in Canada in 1988 as a refugee and built her life through resilience, education, and community service. Her experiences shaped her belief that access to learning transforms lives and strengthens communities.
In 2009, she founded the Canadian Community Organization for Women and Youth (CCOWY), leading initiatives including classroom construction for girls, subsidized childcare for working mothers, food and clothing support, skill-building programs, and the Hockey Girls of Kabul project.
400-Kilometre Walk from Barrie to Ottawa
Her advocacy for gender equity gained national attention in 2019 when she completed a 400-kilometre walk from Barrie to Ottawa to raise awareness about domestic abuse and women’s rights.
Today, through Ignite Her Potential, Zarmina continues her mission to empower women and underserved learners through education, community support, and opportunity.
OUR CAUSES
What Make us different
At Ignite Her Potential, we go beyond offering resources—we walk with you every step of the way.
We help
Guiding learners toward brighter futures.
We Support
Connecting people with vital resources.
We Build
Strengthening through education.
We Educate
Creating pathways to lifelong learning.
Education is one of the most powerful tools to overcome systemic barriers and create lasting change in our communities.
Our Mission
Ignite Her Potential works to reduce educational inequities by providing accessible learning pathways for newcomers, refugees, low-income individuals, Indigenous learners, first-generation students, and others facing systemic barriers. Our programs help participants build skills, strengthen confidence, and create sustainable futures for themselves and their families.
Our Core Values
Everything we do is rooted in five guiding principles:
Caring
We approach every participant with compassion and a commitment to their well-being. Our programs are designed to meet people where they are and support them with dignity.
Empathy
We listen deeply and respond with understanding. Many of our participants have experienced trauma, displacement, or hardship, and we honour their stories with sensitivity and respect.
Support
We provide practical, educational, and emotional support that helps individuals overcome barriers and achieve their goals. Our team walks alongside participants throughout their learning journey.
Respect
We value every person’s lived experience, culture, and identity. We foster inclusive environments where participants feel safe, welcomed, and empowered.
Understanding
We recognize the complex challenges faced by marginalized communities and design programs that reflect real-world needs, cultural contexts, and systemic realities.
