Few leadership journeys span continents, governments, and sectors. Having once served in a senior government role in Afghanistan before seeking asylum in Canada, Tariq Ismati has built a career defined by resilience, public service, and a commitment to creating positive change. Today, Wesley benefits from the depth of experience and perspective he brings to development and leadership.
Tariq’s childhood in Afghanistan unfolded during years of civil war, displacement, and profound societal change. As access to education and personal freedoms became increasingly limited, he witnessed challenges that shaped not only his outlook on life but also the resilience and determination that continue to guide him today.
When Tariq graduated high school in 1999, there were no pathways to higher education. “Education was very limited,” he said. “Women’s education did not exist, even boys had limited options. The only option was to learn English and work for international aid organizations, which I did, and I used that to enter the organizations in low ranking positions.”
Tariq began his career working for Non-Governmental International Organizations providing relief and aid in Afghanistan. This experience provided him an opportunity to develop organizational skills and despite lacking a college degree, in 2002, he was admitted to his first master’s program. This program required him to demonstrate strong academic performance to secure full admission. He successfully met and exceeded those requirements.
“My first degree opened a lot of doors for me,” Tariq said. “It gave me confidence and encouraged me to think beyond my immediate circumstances. As I moved into more senior roles and worked with the United Nations, I began to believe that I could contribute at a larger scale and help shape development efforts across the country.”
This led Tariq to pursue a second Master’s degree in International Development at Andrews University in Michigan, USA. The program followed an intensive learning model, allowing students to complete the equivalent of a full semester’s curriculum in a matter of weeks in-person, combined with distance learning. His research focused on local governance.
Driven by a passion for community development, Tariq joined Afghanistan’s Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development in 2006 as a Regional Manager. Over the next couple of years, he advanced through a series of leadership roles, including Operations Director for a national development program and Executive Director of the National Solidarity Program, the country’s flagship rural development initiative. At the age of 31, he was appointed Deputy Minister, overseeing a portfolio of national programs serving more than 40,000 villages across Afghanistan.
“What made the role unique was the breadth of exposure it gave me,” Tariq explained. “I spent time in villages across Afghanistan, seeing development challenges firsthand, while also engaging with Parliament, international agencies, and donor countries. Whether in Kabul, Washington, Ottawa, or European capitals, my focus was always the same: building partnerships and advocating for investments that would improve the lives of Afghan communities.”
As his career advanced, Tariq’s visibility and influence also made him a target. Security measures became part of daily life, from armed protection, armored vehicles and guarded residences. Over time, his focus shifted from his own safety to that of his family.
“Risk had always been part of my journey,” Tariq reflected. “I was willing to accept that for myself because I believed in the work I was doing. But once I thought about my children, everything changed. I realized I didn’t have the right to make that choice for them. My responsibility was to ensure they had the chance to grow up in a safe and secure environment.”
In 2014, Tariq made the difficult decision to relocate his wife and children to Istanbul, Turkey. While his family settled in Turkey, Tariq remained committed to his work in Afghanistan and travelled back and forth to spend time with them whenever possible.
As the security situation continued to deteriorate, Tariq moved his family to the United States in 2015 and later to Canada, where they sought asylum and began rebuilding their lives.
Throughout this transition, Tariq continued serving the Government of Afghanistan before eventually stepping away from public service. He later undertook international consulting assignments but found himself drawn to a different priority.
“For most of my career, I travelled wherever the work took me,” Tariq said. “At that stage of my life, my focus had shifted. I wanted to be closer to my family, put down roots, and build a future together in the place we now called home.”
After joining his family in Canada in early 2017, Tariq spent several months exploring opportunities. He joined the Government of Ontario in a director role with the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration in June 2017 and went on to serve in several senior leadership positions over the years.
In 2023, after years of executive leadership roles and organizational transitions, Tariq decided to take a break to support his aging parents with their healthcare needs. During that time, he realized he wanted to complement his public-sector experience with a deeper understanding of frontline service.
This realization led Tariq to our Senior Director of Newcomer Programs & Employment Services role. With government experience in both the newcomer and employment sector this was a perfect fit.
Wesley’s Newcomer & Employment Services offers resettlement assistance for Government Assisted Refugees, support for Asylum Seekers and employment help for job seekers. Tariq oversees all of these programs.
And although Tariq’s team at Wesley is much smaller than the teams he led for the Afghanistan or Ontario governments, that doesn’t change his approach with leadership.
“I’m a values-driven leader,” Tariq explained. “My leadership philosophy is grounded in transparency, trust, and integrity. I believe in creating an environment where people feel heard, respected, and empowered. That’s why I involve my team in decision-making whenever possible, it builds ownership, strengthens relationships, and helps people grow into their full potential.”
Since joining Wesley, Tariq has been proud to contribute to several key initiatives. He helped strengthen the employment services program, building closer integration between newcomer and employment services, creating better pathways for clients. He also had the privilege of leading the launch of the Asylum Seekers Assistance Program (ASAP), working with staff and partners to build the program from the ground up.
For Tariq, these accomplishments reflect what he values most about Wesley, a culture of collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to helping people build successful futures in Canada. “I enjoy working with people at all levels of the organization, above me, beside me, and within the teams I lead,” Tariq said. “What brings us together is a genuine commitment to helping others and serving our communities.”
“Culture isn’t something that’s written on paper. It’s created through our actions, how we collaborate, and how we support one another. That’s what makes an organization strong, and we all have a role to play in building and sustaining it
Tariq recognizes that every newcomer’s journey is different, but he credits resilience as one of the key factors behind his success. “I often compare myself to a toaster,” he said with a smile. “No matter how many times you push it down, it always comes back up. Life and leadership have taught me many lessons, and one of them is resilience. Every challenge has made me stronger, and whenever I’ve faced setbacks, I’ve found a way to rise again.”
Wesley is fortunate to have a leader of such breadth and experience helping shape its future.
