Helping Them Stay: One HR Leader’s Quiet Fight for Newcomers in Winnipeg

Compassionate Leadership: How Daria Pakhomova is Supporting Newcomers in Uncertain Times

In the heart of Winnipeg’s bustling nonprofit sector, Daria Pakhomova, Human Resources Director at Simaril Inc., is doing far more than managing employee files. She’s quietly becoming a lifeline for newcomers navigating Canada’s increasingly uncertain immigration landscape.

Recent federal and provincial policy changes have created mounting anxiety for many temporary residents working toward permanent residency (PR). For immigrants trying to build stable lives, every expiring permit can feel like a setback, regardless of how hard they work or how long they’ve lived in Canada.

“It’s scary,” says Pakhomova. “I’ve been in their shoes. I know what it’s like not to understand the system, not to know if you’ll get to stay.”

At Simaril Inc.—an organization employing around 500 staff, many of whom are newcomers—this uncertainty is part of daily life. As a Certified Human Resources Professional (CPHR) candidate, Pakhomova combines policy expertise with deep empathy. She uses automated alerts to track upcoming immigration status expirations, then reaches out personally: Do you have a plan? Do you know your options?

This proactive, hands-on support isn’t in her job description. It’s a conscious choice rooted in her values. “I always tell them, I’m not an immigration consultant—but I’ll help you ask the right questions. We’ll figure it out together.”

Her approach makes a difference. When newcomers feel supported, they stay. They put down roots, contribute to Winnipeg’s economy and culture, raise families, volunteer, launch businesses, and strengthen the city’s evolving social fabric.

Yet despite the urgency, immigration reform remains largely absent from public debate. As Manitoba and Canada head into elections, leaders like Pakhomova are paying close attention. “I want to hear what the parties will do,” she says. “We don’t just need to bring newcomers in—we need to help them stay.”

There’s a common misconception that once someone lands in Canada, the hardest part is over. But for many, the real challenges begin after arrival: navigating complex legal processes, finding housing, affording childcare, and proving their worth in a competitive job market. In sectors like nonprofit and care work, where employers go the extra mile, the ripple effects are felt across entire communities.

“I had someone ask me recently, ‘Why are you buying a car if you don’t even know if you’ll be allowed to stay?’” Pakhomova recalls. “And the answer was simple: they have a child who needs to get to daycare. They’re building a life—even if it’s uncertain.”

That grounded, human-centred leadership is what makes Pakhomova’s work so powerful. It’s a reminder that good HR isn’t just about policies—it’s about people. And in a city like Winnipeg, where population growth relies heavily on immigration, that perspective isn’t just compassionate. It’s essential.