Sarjana Binte Rafiq Era has been named to Canada's Most Powerful Women: Top 100™ 2025, an annual recognition honouring women leaders who are shaping the country's future.

The award is presented by the Women's Executive Network (WXN) and recognises trailblazers across business, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), public service and community leadership.

Era was recognised for her growing impact in healthcare infrastructure and her work promoting equity, diversity and inclusion at the policy level. Through her elected leadership roles in professional organisations, she has advocated for inclusive decision-making that reflects the voices of women, immigrants and newcomers. She is also actively engaged in mental health advocacy and mentoring early-career professionals in Canada.

Her commitment to inclusion is rooted in lived experience. Growing up in Bangladesh, Era faced financial hardship and social barriers that shaped her understanding of inequality and motivated her to create spaces where others feel supported and valued.

She studied at Feni Girls' Cadet College and later at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) before immigrating to Canada, where she rebuilt her career through perseverance and community engagement.

At the WXN awards gala, Era wore a 25-year-old saree previously worn by her mother as a tribute to women whose contributions often go unrecognised. Speaking at the event, she said the saree symbolised "the struggle of millions of women whose dedication uplifts families and communities without public acknowledgement".

WXN said the recognition highlights women whose leadership inspires others, strengthens communities and contributes to a more inclusive and equitable Canada.

TBS / Corporate