“All of my experiences have inspired my love for healthcare, education, and addressing global inequities,” shares Tanya Misra, Programs Manager at Impact Toolbox.
Born in Libya to an Indian father and a Ukrainian mother, her early world was a beautiful mosaic of languages and cultures. As an only child who spoke Russian and English at home while attending an Indian school in Libya, she often felt like a gentle outsider. Yet, this upbringing sparked a lifelong reliance on empathy.
Some of her earliest memories are wrapped in the warmth of stories her paediatrician mother shared—stories of caring for and healing vulnerable children. “My parents are my inspiration and cornerstone of everything,” says Tanya. “From them, I learned the value of hard work, dedication, and education.” Watching both her emergency-doctor father and her pediatrician mother, Tanya realized early on that science and medicine are at their best when used as vessels for genuine human care.
This grounding became her anchor when her family moved to Canada, when Tanya was seven years old. Her early years were filled with curiosity as she explored her new home. What began as a playful contrast between life in Libya and Canada gradually deepened into a more observant awareness, as she came to recognize the stark differences in the systems shaping people’s lives—particularly in healthcare and education. “Becoming aware of those disparities as I grew up inspired me to make a difference,” Tanya reflects. “How might we work toward closing these systemic gaps?”
Driven by this curiosity, Tanya enjoyed and excelled in her biology studies, completing her Bachelor of Medical Science and Master of Science at Western University. There, she stepped out of her comfort zone to become an orientation leader, later serving as a programming assistant to lead her peer team. Embodying the role of a supportive “big sister,” she guided incoming students through both academic hurdles and personal challenges. It was a formative leap into leadership, showing her the power of meeting people with genuine, human-to-human care.
This same deep care for people stood alongside her scientific research. While writing her master’s paper on how antibacterial infections disproportionately affect individuals experiencing homelessness and injection drug use in Canada, she encountered a moment that stayed with her. In conversation with a front-line street nurse navigating this crisis, Tanya realized: even the most advanced medical innovations can fall short when systemic barriers prevent people from accessing the care they need.
Inspired to address these root causes, Tanya connected with her friend Min Ngo, who introduced her to Impact Toolbox. As our Programs Manager, she found and helped strengthen communities that share her core belief: that global human health, education, and well-being are deeply interconnected. She has guided young changemakers with care as they turn ideas into lasting impact, approaching each workshop and mentorship moment with deep relational awareness. Throughout her time with us, Tanya’s presence has been woven into the heart of
Now, as Tanya steps into her next chapter as a medical student at the University of Toronto, we celebrate not a departure, but a continuation. “My dream has always been to become a doctor,” says Tanya.
“I want to ensure all groups of people can access quality care with compassion. I want to help increase health literacy.”
She is carrying forward this spirit of human-first care, deep listening, and systemic awareness directly into the healthcare system—becoming the kind of practitioner who sees the whole person and the whole community. While her daily presence will be deeply missed, the trust and connection she has nurtured at Impact Toolbox will continue to ripple outward, leaving a lasting mark on our shared, ongoing story.
