About Nick

When Nick Noorani speaks, he inspires his audience of Canadian immigrants into action. Why? Because he’s been in their shoes. Like the newcomers who come listen to his marquee speech “7 Success Secrets for Canadian Immigrants,” Nick came to Canada in 1998 with hopes for a better life.

Born in Mumbai, India, Nick came to Canada in 1998 with a world of international experience in advertising and marketing in three countries, but he faced many challenges in his new Canadian home, and he noticed that many other immigrants were also struggling.

In 2000, Nick co-authored the hugely successful book Arrival Survival Canada, subsequently published by Oxford University Press. This led to his creation and the launch in 2004 of Canadian Immigrant magazine; Canada’s first national magazine for all immigrants. In 2007, Nick sold the magazine to Star Media Group – a division of Toronto Star Newspapers Ltd. and continued his position as publisher.

Under Nick’s leadership, the magazine won accolades and awards in addition to becoming a must-read for immigrants to Canada, reaching a combined readership of 500,000 readers per month with two print and an online edition. Nick also developed the magazine’s Lilian To Scholarship, giving away $55,000 of education to newcomers annually, and was the architect of the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards, Canada’s first national recognition of immigrant contributions.

But for Nick, the magazine has always been just one part of a journey that earned him the sobriquet “social entrepreneur and immigrant advocate.” In 2005, he became the host of his own weekly radio show called “Ask Nick” on Radio Canada International.

In 2008, Nick launched an online networking site called ImmigrantNetworks.ca. And, in addition to countless hours spent volunteering with newcomers one-on-one, he has served on numerous community boards like President of The Vancouver Multicultural Society (VMS) C0-Chair Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) ‘E’ Division the RCMP, Mayor’s Task force on immigration and Vancouver 2010 Olympics. Nick has also been the keynote speaker for several conferences on ethnic marketing, diversity and entrepreneurship.

In August 2010, Nick resigned from the Canadian Immigrant magazine to launch Destination Canada, a company dedicated to helping international students and immigrants before they arrive in Canada. And he continues to speak to thousands of immigrants through his seminars and keynote addresses, inspiring them to go after success.

In 2014 Nick received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee award for service to Canada.

Community Involvement
Nick believes in giving back to the community through volunteering and serving as an immigrant advocate, making presentations to decision makers, governments and parliamentary committees.

He is also involved in several non-profit boards and charitable organizations, including:

  • Vancouver Mayor Task Force for Immigration
  • Member of the RCMP Commissioner’s Advisory Committee on Visible Minorities
  • Council member of the Ethno Business Council
  • Committee member for the Institute for Canadian Citizenship
  • Director of the Indo Canadian Chamber of Commerce (Vancouver chapter)
  • Founding Director BC India Business Network
  • Past member of the Royal Commonwealth Society
  • President of Vancouver Multicultural Society (2007-2009)
  • Advisory member on the Vancouver 2010 Olympics Advisory Committee
  • Past board member of YMCA Vancouver
  • Witness for the Truth & Reconciliation Commission