The Power of Scars: My Journey from Refugee to CEO is a deeply moving and impactful narrative that bridges the gap between Nizar Ladak’s harrowing experiences as a refugee fleeing Uganda and his remarkable rise to success as a corporate leader.

Through this journey, Ladak explores how hardship has shaped his resilience, providing invaluable lessons for both personal and professional growth.

This book offers a unique perspective by intertwining Ladak’s personal narrative with leadership insights and academic research, demonstrating how resilience developed in the face of racial and social challenges can be a powerful tool for success. From the trauma of displacement to the challenges of building a new life in Toronto, and the eventual loss of his job at Health Quality Ontario, Ladak shares his story with vulnerability and wisdom, offering readers practical guidance on overcoming adversity.

In an era where equity, diversity, and inclusion are more crucial than ever, The Power of Scars provides a roadmap for cultivating resilience. While scars may be lasting, they do not have to define one's future.

NIZAR LADAK brings 33 years of leadership experience, including two tenures as CEO, to his debut book—an insightful reflection on his journey navigating senior leadership and confronting racism. This is the first of many works to come.

Born an Ugandan refugee, Nizar earned his M.Ed. from the University of Toronto (U of T), where he later returned as an Adjunct Lecturer. Over his career, he has held influential C-suite roles in the healthcare and post-secondary education sectors. His contributions have been recognized with prestigious honors, including being named one of Canada’s Top 25 Immigrants and receiving U of T’s Leaders and Legends Distinguished Service Award.

Nizar lives in Toronto with his wife, two daughters, and beloved cat Lucky, who are the center of his universe.

Nizar Ladak's profile page

“This book is wonderful and is an important contribution to the layers of rich experiences of refugees who have come to Canada. The Power of Scars feels like stories told by a kind, wise and thoughtful uncle as he honestly reflects on his personal and professional experiences, learning and sharing important lessons along the way. While everyone would benefit from and enjoy reading it, I think it is of special interest to those who have had a role in Ontario’s health system.”
—Deb Matthews, PhD, former Deputy Premier of Ontario and Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.

“The Power of Scars is one of the few books that impeccably portrays the ordeal Ugandan Asians endured during our 90-day expulsion. Nizar’s storytelling vividly captures the emotional turmoil we experienced, transporting me back in memory to my husband’s detention by the army, and my family’s own escape. Nizar’s journey and lessons learned, culminate in a compelling book about a refugee family’s resilience.”
—The Honorable Mobina S.B. Jaffer, K.C., former Senator of Canada for British Columbia.

“A light-hearted yet serious story of the price paid for immigrant success. Nizar chronicles his life’s journey through a series of stories, lessons-learned, and advice on gaining personal resilience while dodging life’s curve balls. It illustrates that success is messy, filled with failures and so many sacrifices, and yet how through it all, we persevered. An enjoyable read for anyone searching for what it means to becoming Canadian."
—Anil Arora, Adjunct Lecturer at Harvard Kennedy School and former Chief Statistician of Canada.

"Nizar’s journey is a profound exploration of resilience, blending emotional storytelling with sharp analytical insights. Through his experiences with racism, conflict, and perseverance, we gain invaluable lessons on how adversity shapes strength and clarity. This book not only inspires but also equips readers with deeper perspectives on resilience and success, making it a transformative read."
—Dr. Judith Shamian Ph.D., President Emerita International Council of Nurses, Former President Victorian Order of Nurses and Canadian Nurses Association.

“The Power of Scars uses personal experience supported by references to scholarly publications to demonstrate the crucial role that resilience plays in gaining success in life. Using Ladak’s own journey of turning adversity into a positive force, while concurrently reinforcing Canada’s greatness through its social safety net enabling opportunity, this book is a compelling read with lessons in leadership for all of us.”
—Daniel Haas, Member of the Order of Canada, former Dean of the University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry.