The YMCA of Greater Toronto is honoured to welcome Bahadur Madhani as the new Chair of our Board of Directors.

Bahadur was born in Tanzania and lived in London, England before immigrating to Canada in 1982. From early childhood, he was taught to volunteer to help others, and throughout his life he has been devoted to public service.

In 2001, Bahadur received the Order of Canada in recognition of his invaluable and selfless contribution to voluntarism in Canada. He is the former Chair of the United Way of Greater Toronto and the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund Canada. He has served on the Boards of the Toronto 2008 Olympic Bid, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the Royal Ontario Museum, Advisory Board of the Toronto Community Foundation and Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner's Community Advisory Council. Bahadur has also served in senior volunteer capacities in the Aga Khan Ismaili Community around the world.

In addition to the Order of Canada, Bahadur Madhani has received numerous awards for community service, including the Ismaili Award of Excellence for Community Service (2006), the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal (2004) and the Lifetime Community Service Award from the South Asian Heritage Foundation (2002).

Bahadur and his wife Polly have been married since 1972 and they have a son, Jameel (26), and daughter, Farahnaaz (22). He is the president and owner of Equiprop Management Ltd., a property management and real estate syndications company. An energetic and engaged man, Bahadur says he finds it difficult to turn down opportunities to volunteer…so he said yes when former YMCA President Richard Bailey and the then Chair of the Board Don McCreesh asked him to join the Board in 2000. Accepting the role of chair after two terms as vice-chair, he says that he considers it “an immense privilege” to serve an organization that makes such a significant contribution to the community.

“The YMCA prepares people to take their rightful and meaningful place in society, enabling them to become strong and healthy in all aspects of body, mind and spirit,” Bahadur says. “Individuals become leaders within their own families, and grow to take leadership roles in the community.”

He praises the YMCA for its inclusiveness and openness, where people of every age, race, religion and circumstance are welcome. “This is a place where doors are truly open to all,” he says.

Bahadur Madhani applauds YMCA staff, volunteers and fellow Board members for being such a strong and supportive team, and looks forward to working with everyone in our Association in his new capacity.