Windmill Microlending

“Focus less on having the ‘right answers’ and more on asking the right questions.” That is the advice James shares with newcomers as a Windmill MentorChats mentor. For ATB Financial's James Tran, mentoring is a way to give back. “Every step in my personal, academic and professional journey has been shaped by people who took the time to guide, support and challenge me,” James shares. It all starts with just one coffee chat. Learn more and get involved: https://lnkd.in/gjZbYFFq

Valerie B. moved to Canada from the Philippines as an internationally trained accountant with limited savings and a dream of becoming a CPA in Canada. With a loan and support from Windmill Microlending, she was able to pursue CPA Ontario courses and begin rebuilding her career. Today, Valerie runs her own bookkeeping and tax preparation company. Thank you to CPA Ontario Foundation for your generous support. Your partnership helps skilled immigrants like Valerie access the support they need to rebuild their careers in Canada. #WindmillMicrolending #SkilledImmigrants #CPA #Accounting #SocialImpact

When Rabbia M. arrived in Canada from India in 2017, she was searching for her first professional opportunity. Through a Canadian Immigrant Women's Association internship placement at Windmill Microlending, she began rebuilding her career. What started as an internship grew into a long-term career. Rabbia advanced through multiple roles at Windmill before returning to the IT field she had originally trained for. Along the way, she and her husband were building a company of their own called Agility IT. In 2026, Rabbia took the leap to pursue entrepreneurship full time. It is a full-circle journey from a newcomer seeking opportunity to an entrepreneur creating opportunities for others. Rabbia shared what it was like navigating those early days in Canada and how those experiences shaped her path to business ownership. Read the full Q&A: https://lnkd.in/erzED_ZE

Yousry Bissada’s commitment to giving back is rooted in family and lived experience. After arriving in Canada from Ethiopia as a child, he watched his mother rebuild from the ground up with determination, grit and hope—lessons that still shape how he leads today as President and CEO of HomeEquity Bank. For Yousry, Windmill’s mission feels personal. He remembers talented newcomers in his own circle working hard to re-establish their careers, often without the financial support they needed to move forward. Supporting Windmill is his way of helping ensure skilled newcomers can access opportunity and contribute fully to the communities they call home. Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/gdA4jGPa

Arash and his wife were experienced ICU and ER nurses in Iran, but when they moved to Canada, they faced an insurmountable cost to relicense. With an affordable loan from Windmill Microlending, Arash and his wife are back to work as nurses in Toronto, helping to fill a critical gap in our healthcare system. A huge thank you to the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for your generous support. Your partnership helps skilled immigrants like Arash contribute their expertise to Canada’s healthcare system. #WindmillMicrolending #SkilledImmigrants #HealthcareHeroes #Toronto #SocialImpact

More than 70 internationally educated immigrants and refugees have been able to return to their professions thanks in part to support from The United Church of Canada Foundation. In 2021, Windmill received a $300,000 impact investment from the Foundation—one of their first—to help skilled newcomers access affordable loans. Last year, they built on that support and donated $25,000 to support our highest priorities. Windmill became the first organization to receive both an investment and donation from the Foundation. As Windmill continues to grow, both social impact investments and philanthropic contributions are essential to ensuring skilled newcomers have the support they need to succeed.

Thank you Intact for your continued partnership and for highlighting Windmill Microlending in your 2025 Social Impact and ESG Report. We’re proud to be part of the collective effort to build stronger, more resilient communities across Canada. Your renewed commitment to Windmill will help expand access to tailored loans and support services, empowering skilled newcomers to restart their careers and contribute their talents in Canada. We’re also grateful to the Intact employees who volunteer their time to mentor Windmill clients, helping newcomers navigate the Canadian job market with greater confidence and connection. Partnerships like this demonstrate how collaboration can create meaningful, measurable impact for individuals, communities and the economy.

If starting your own medical practice has been on your mind, know that you don’t have to figure it out on your own. Join us for a free webinar with RBC where you’ll learn practical next steps on your road to entrepreneurship, from creating a business plan to mapping sustainable growth for your practice. Presented by RBC experts Jyoti Sodi, Commercial Relationship Manager and Sadar Gokhale, Small Business Advisor. Together, they bring over 20 years’ experience helping clinicians with insights to start and run a practice successfully. Book your spot today: https://lnkd.in/eJCejdHH

Did you spot our Potential to Prosperity campaign in the Toronto Star and The Globe and Mail?🗞️ For 20 years, Windmill Microlending has provided affordable loans to help 15,000+ skilled immigrants restart their careers. The impact is clear: our clients triple their incomes while filling critical gaps in our healthcare system and economy. When we empower immigrants, we empower Canada. With your support, we can help thousands more rebuild their lives. Learn more and join the campaign today: https://lnkd.in/gf_9ByDq

🏆 Windmill Microlending is proud to be Great Place To Work® certified. This recognition is based on employee feedback and reflects what our team says it feels like to work at Windmill. We excelled in justice, community and competence—meaning people experience fairness and inclusivity, strong teamwork and camaraderie, and strong leadership and people management. 💚 💬Read more: https://lnkd.in/eduaRPcb #GreatPlaceToWork #GPTWCertified #WindmillMicrolending