Winston Kassim, a Guyanese-born businessman and renowned philanthropist, was formally invested with the Order of Ontario, the province’s highest civilian honor, in a ceremony held on June 16, 2025. Kassim was initially named to the Order in January 2025 in recognition of his over four decades of global humanitarian service and volunteerism spanning more than 25 countries.
Kassim made history in 2009 as the first Guyanese-born individual to be appointed a Member of the Order of Canada (C.M.), the nation’s highest civilian distinction for Canadian citizens. His exceptional contributions have also earned him the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal and numerous accolades for his extensive volunteer work. More recently, on June 1, 2025, he was honored with the Guyana High Commissioner’s Award for Excellence in Ottawa.
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Winston Kassim’s professional journey began with Barclays Bank in Guyana and the Caribbean before he emigrated to Canada in 1975. He subsequently joined the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), where he built an impressive 40-year career, retiring as the Executive Head of Financial Performance Management and Business Strategy.
As a certified corporate director, Kassim has served on numerous boards, including Royal Bank Barbados Limited and a variety of not-for-profit organizations such as the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, Canadian Museum of Indian Civilization, and the Sunatul Jamaat of Ontario Canada.
His deep commitment to community upliftment is evident both in Canada and in his native Guyana. For over 40 years, Kassim, along with his family—including his late mother Noorun Nisa Kassim, late brother Dr. Sultan Farook Kassim, retired Deputy Commissioner of Police Sultan Feroze Kassim, and sisters Bibi, Dolly, Anne, and Ingrid—has supported the Central Islamic Organization of Guyana.
He also played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Canada-Guyana Chamber of Commerce and the Doobay Gafoor Medical Centre. His contributions extend to supporting the One Guyana Forum (Canada), alongside his wife Kameni and children Nadina, Shaun, and Sara.
“He and his family have been significant supporters of the One Guyana Forum’s initiatives,” noted Jerry Karamat, one of OGF’s primary convenors.
Kassim has advised global organizations on business strategies and investment opportunities across Africa, Asia, Australia, Canada, the Caribbean, India, South America, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
His academic credentials are equally distinguished, holding a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA), an Advanced Graduate Diploma in Management (AGDM), and the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors at the University of Toronto.
Winston Kassim’s life work stands as a testament to leadership, cross-border philanthropy, and community building. His formal investiture into the Order of Ontario solidifies his place among the province’s most celebrated citizens, while his unwavering commitment to both Canada and Guyana continues to inspire.
Guyanese-born businessman and philanthropist, Winston Kassim, who was recognized with the Province of Ontario’s highest civilian award in January 2025, is formally invested with Order of Ontario.
The order was bestowed upon him on June 16, 2025, for his more than four decades of worldwide humanitarian and volunteer work in over 25 countries.
He was the first-born Guyanese to be awarded a Member of the Order of Canada (C.M.), the nation’s highest civilian honor for Canadian citizens in 2009. He was accorded the Guyana High Commissioner’s award for excellence on June 1st in Ottawa. He is also a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal and many other awards for Volunteerism.
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Mr. Kassim began his business career with Barclays Bank in Guyana and the Caribbean before immigrating to Canada in 1975. He then joined Royal Bank of Canada, where he enjoyed a distinguished 40-year career, eventually retiring as the executive Head of Financial Performance Management and Business Strategy.
Guyanese-born businessman and philanthropist, Winston Kassim
The awardee is a certified board director and has served on a variety of boards including Royal Bank Barbados Limited. He also supported a number of not-for-profit Boards including the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, Canadian Museum of Indian Civilization, Sunatul Jamaat of Ontario Canada and private companies.
In Guyana, he, his late mother Noorun Nisa Kassim, late brother Dr. Sultan Farook Kassm, retired Deputy Commissioner of Police, Sultan Feroze Kassim, sisters Bibi, Dolly, Anne and Ingrid have been supporting the Central Islamic Organization of Guyana for over 40 years. Mr. Kassim also played a key role in establishing the Canada Guyana Chamber of Commerce and the Doobay Gafoor Medical Centre. In Canada, “
Mr. Kassim along with his wife, Kameni and children, Nadina, Shaun and Sara have been significant supporters of the One Guyana Forum (Canada) initiatives” according to Mr. Jerry Karamat, one of OGF’s primary convenors.
Mr. Kassim has advised global organizations on business opportunities in Africa, Asia, Australia, Canada, the Caribbean, India, South America, the United Kingdom, and the United States. He holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA), an Advanced Graduate Diploma in Management (AGDM) and is a Certified Corporate Director, Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD.D. University of Toronto).
