Urz Heer
Brampton, ON, April 2010- Urz Heer, a dynamic change maker, an inspiration to men and women alike, and an energetic community organizer, was born in Hamilton, Ontario. Her post-secondary education includes a BA in Economics and additional studies in Biology from the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario. Since 1992, Urz has made Brampton her home.
Working in the Financial, Credit & Risk Management industry for several years, Urz recently joined the non profit sector in Brampton following her passion in assisting newcomers integrate into the Canadian society. She previously worked at the TD Financial Group & Dun & Bradstreet and prior to that, taught students at a Cambridge level school in Grades 1 to 5.
A proud Bramptonian, Urz has been active in Peel Region for about two decades serving on many boards including The Care Factor, Shalom-Salaam Toronto and Concerned Citizens of Brampton, Urz’s charisma and dynamic leadership skills have brought people from all walks of life together to work for common causes such as raising funds for Brampton's William Osler Health Centre, local food banks and soup kitchens. Internationally she has helped in raising funds for humanitarian causes in Indonesia, Mali, Bangladesh, Haiti earthquake relief and for many other causes affecting people’s lives.
Her extensive world travels to places like Paris, Amsterdam, Jerusalem, Cairo, Jordan and Geneva have contributed to her understanding of different cultures. Through her passionate work on interfaith initiatives, including participation in an international peace conference in Switzerland, Urz has successfully built bridges amongst people of different faiths in Brampton and across the Greater Toronto Area.
Not being part of the “old boys club” as council is now popularly called, Urz will bring a fresh energy and new ideas to Brampton City Council. With her passion to improve the city she calls home, her extensive community involvement, and her understanding of city issues combined with her ability to mobilize people and resources, Urz will bring about the change that is needed. She will be a passionate advocate for the residents of Wards 2 and 6 as well for the City of Brampton.
Bringing people together will make Brampton stronger and more vibrant. “I would like to see Brampton's growing community have all the necessary services to accommodate the needs of my family and all families. Together, we can do this. Brampton is a community with people of many talents. Let’s use our collective talents and make Brampton the leading city it has the potential to be.”
********************************************
Urz Heer's past community involvements include:
*Over $2M fundraising for various causes
*Fundraising for Brampton's William Osler Hospital & petitioning for the rebuilding of Peel Memorial Hospital in 2008
*Founding Member of Concerned Citizens of Brampton in 2009
*MS Walk in Brampton 2010
*Organiser of the CIC Citizenship Week event at the Brampton Rose Theatre- Towards an Inclusive Society on Oct 18th, 2010
*Organiser of the Dialogue for Peace & Understanding in Brampton for all faith group members 2010
*Interfaith bridge building at mosques, churches & synagogues in Brampton and the GTA 2004-present
* Twinning of mosques & synagogues in 2008, 2009 & 2010
*Peace activist speaker at a Brampton City Hall March 2001
*Raising awareness for the United Way of Peel in 2005, 2006
*Community Awareness for the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Peel 2008, 2009
*Women Leadership Fundraisers in 2008, 2009
*Career Fair in Mississauga for New Immigrants in 2006
*Over $2M raised for Humanitarian and Disaster Relief (Tsunami, South Asian, Bangladesh, Gaza, Swat, Katrina relief, Pakistan Floods) 2004-2010
*Raising money for Mississauga's Food path food bank in 2008
*Toronto's Daily Bread Food bank in 2007
*Interfaith dialogue at World Youth Day with Pope John Paul II in Toronto in 2002
*Organised Career Fairs for newcomer and immigrants in 2006
*Represented Canadians at Caux, Switzerland's conference "Tools for Peace Conference" 2009
*Speaker at a Canadian conference in Hamilton- Peace and bridge building between faith groups
*Attended Brampton's remembrance of the Dec 6th event honouring women in 2009
*Attended Khalsa Day parade in Toronto 2010
*Attended the Multi faith event at Brampton Rose Theatre in 2009, 2010 at Brampton's Rose Theatre
*Concerned Citizens of Brampton Speaker at Peel Poverty Action Group in February 2010
*Organised Islamophobia session for Peel Regional Police 2009
*Earth Day events at Brampton Brick in 2004, Downsview Park 2007, 2009
*Organised Business Case Competitions to inspire youth entrepreneurship at University of Toronto in 2007 & 2008
Working in the Financial, Credit & Risk Management industry for several years, Urz recently joined the non profit sector in Brampton following her passion in assisting newcomers integrate into the Canadian society. She previously worked at the TD Financial Group & Dun & Bradstreet and prior to that, taught students at a Cambridge level school in Grades 1 to 5.
A proud Bramptonian, Urz has been active in Peel Region for about two decades serving on many boards including The Care Factor, Shalom-Salaam Toronto and Concerned Citizens of Brampton, Urz’s charisma and dynamic leadership skills have brought people from all walks of life together to work for common causes such as raising funds for Brampton's William Osler Health Centre, local food banks and soup kitchens. Internationally she has helped in raising funds for humanitarian causes in Indonesia, Mali, Bangladesh, Haiti earthquake relief and for many other causes affecting people’s lives.
Her extensive world travels to places like Paris, Amsterdam, Jerusalem, Cairo, Jordan and Geneva have contributed to her understanding of different cultures. Through her passionate work on interfaith initiatives, including participation in an international peace conference in Switzerland, Urz has successfully built bridges amongst people of different faiths in Brampton and across the Greater Toronto Area.
Not being part of the “old boys club” as council is now popularly called, Urz will bring a fresh energy and new ideas to Brampton City Council. With her passion to improve the city she calls home, her extensive community involvement, and her understanding of city issues combined with her ability to mobilize people and resources, Urz will bring about the change that is needed. She will be a passionate advocate for the residents of Wards 2 and 6 as well for the City of Brampton.
Bringing people together will make Brampton stronger and more vibrant. “I would like to see Brampton's growing community have all the necessary services to accommodate the needs of my family and all families. Together, we can do this. Brampton is a community with people of many talents. Let’s use our collective talents and make Brampton the leading city it has the potential to be.”
********************************************
Urz Heer's past community involvements include:
*Over $2M fundraising for various causes
*Fundraising for Brampton's William Osler Hospital & petitioning for the rebuilding of Peel Memorial Hospital in 2008
*Founding Member of Concerned Citizens of Brampton in 2009
*MS Walk in Brampton 2010
*Organiser of the CIC Citizenship Week event at the Brampton Rose Theatre- Towards an Inclusive Society on Oct 18th, 2010
*Organiser of the Dialogue for Peace & Understanding in Brampton for all faith group members 2010
*Interfaith bridge building at mosques, churches & synagogues in Brampton and the GTA 2004-present
* Twinning of mosques & synagogues in 2008, 2009 & 2010
*Peace activist speaker at a Brampton City Hall March 2001
*Raising awareness for the United Way of Peel in 2005, 2006
*Community Awareness for the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Peel 2008, 2009
*Women Leadership Fundraisers in 2008, 2009
*Career Fair in Mississauga for New Immigrants in 2006
*Over $2M raised for Humanitarian and Disaster Relief (Tsunami, South Asian, Bangladesh, Gaza, Swat, Katrina relief, Pakistan Floods) 2004-2010
*Raising money for Mississauga's Food path food bank in 2008
*Toronto's Daily Bread Food bank in 2007
*Interfaith dialogue at World Youth Day with Pope John Paul II in Toronto in 2002
*Organised Career Fairs for newcomer and immigrants in 2006
*Represented Canadians at Caux, Switzerland's conference "Tools for Peace Conference" 2009
*Speaker at a Canadian conference in Hamilton- Peace and bridge building between faith groups
*Attended Brampton's remembrance of the Dec 6th event honouring women in 2009
*Attended Khalsa Day parade in Toronto 2010
*Attended the Multi faith event at Brampton Rose Theatre in 2009, 2010 at Brampton's Rose Theatre
*Concerned Citizens of Brampton Speaker at Peel Poverty Action Group in February 2010
*Organised Islamophobia session for Peel Regional Police 2009
*Earth Day events at Brampton Brick in 2004, Downsview Park 2007, 2009
*Organised Business Case Competitions to inspire youth entrepreneurship at University of Toronto in 2007 & 2008