LESLIE WOO
CEO, CivicAction
As a Chinese immigrant from Trinidad, a woman, mother, urban planner, architect, community mobilizer, and a relentless optimist, Leslie Woo brings every ounce of her forceful personality and diverse background to her love for this region.
A tri-sector leader with over 25 years of experience building sustainable communities and shaping urban development in Canada’s fastest-growing urban region, Leslie understands first hand the critical importance of setting aside individual agendas for the greater good.
As CEO of CIvicAction, she embraces the challenge of rallying support for more collaborative, tangible, and urgent action on housing affordability.
“Having worked in government, academia, and the private and nonprofit sectors, I am now privileged to lead an organization whose founder David Pecaut saw the desperate need to bring these sectors together in pursuit of shared solutions to our most pressing societal issues.”
“I am humbled by the growing number of people from every sector, background, and corner who see the promise in our region, and who have joined Mission: Affordable because of its ambition to tackle the very real and growing affordability challenges that stand in our way, especially for our most essential workers.”
While accolades mean far less to Leslie than action and accomplishments, she has been named a Top 25 Canadian Immigrant, one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women, a Toronto Power Woman by Bisnow, Spacing Toronto’s Transit Changemaker, and Canada’s Women’s Infrastructure Network’s inaugural Outstanding Leader.
What she wants most? To build inclusive cities where anyone can thrive, and everyone belongs.
“As an Asian woman and an immigrant, I know acutely what it feels like not to belong; to not feel valued or wanted for the person I am, or the skills and experience I bring to the table.”
“Everyone deserves the opportunity to make this region their home, especially when they work in the jobs and the sectors that are essential to making it a great place to live.”
