A seasoned IT and business professional with over 20 years’ experience leading telecom teams across Canada and the US, Asim Husain has dedicated his professional careers to build resilient, scalable, and secure tech environments.
Asim was honoured at the 2026 TMP Impact Awards, co-hosted by TD, for mentoring over 15 newcomers through the TRIEC Mentoring Partnership (TMP).
He shares with us the reasons behind why he chose to take up mentoring, and why he continues to give back.
What inspired you to become a mentor?
The answer is simple: I saw myself in every newcomer struggling to find their foothold in Canada.
When I arrived decades ago, I benefited from people who guided me, encouraged me, and opened doors I didn’t even know existed. Over the years, as my career grew across cybersecurity and project management, I felt a responsibility, and a genuine desire, to pay that forward.
Mentoring became my way of giving back to the community that helped shape my journey.
What is the one mentoring partnership that stands out to you, among all the others? What made it so meaningful?
Each mentoring partnership is unique and enlightens both mentor and mentee. One partnership that stands out is with a mentee who arrived in Canada with strong and focused technical skills, but very little confidence. He had faced repeated rejections and was close to giving up.
We worked together on everything: from understanding the Canadian job market and doing short technical courses to refining his communication style and interview presence.
The moment he called to say he had landed his first IT role here – his voice full of pride and relief – was unforgettable. What made it meaningful wasn’t just the job offer. It was watching someone rediscover their belief in themselves. That transformation stays with you.
Could you tell us about the impact your mentoring journey has had on you, both personally and professionally?
Personally, mentoring has grounded me. It reminds me of where I started and keeps me connected to the human side of our industry: the hopes, fears, and ambitions behind every résumé. It has made me more patient, more empathetic, and more grateful.
Professionally, mentoring has sharpened my leadership skills. It has strengthened my ability to communicate complex ideas simply, to listen actively, and to guide people through uncertainty. It has also expanded my understanding of the evolving IT landscape through the fresh perspectives that mentees bring with them from around the world. In many ways, mentoring has made me a better professional and a better person.
What are some of the most valuable lessons you’ve learned from your mentees?
My mentees have taught me that resilience is universal — regardless of background, age, or experience. They’ve shown me that learning never stops, and that adaptability is one of the most powerful skills anyone can have.
They’ve also reminded me that success looks different for everyone. Sometimes it’s a first job; sometimes it’s a promotion; sometimes it’s simply gaining the confidence around change in careers. Their journeys have reinforced the importance of humility, continuous learning, and staying open to new ways of thinking.
What advice would you give to fellow professionals who say they are unsure about mentoring or feel they don’t have the time?
Journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step – You don’t need hours every week to make a difference. Sometimes a single conversation, a small piece of guidance, or a quick review of a résumé can change someone’s trajectory.
Mentoring isn’t about having all the answers. It is about sharing what you’ve learned, being honest about your own journey, and offering support where you can.
If you’re unsure, start small. You’ll be surprised by how rewarding it becomes, and how much you grow in the process. The impact you make often far outweighs the time you invest.
What inspires you to keep mentoring?
What keeps me going is seeing newcomers succeed. Watching them build careers, support their families, and become confident contributors to Canada’s tech ecosystem. Every success story reinforces why this work matters.
I’m inspired by the idea that even after more than 20 years in the industry, I can still help shape someone’s future. Mentoring gives purpose to my experience and allows me to give back to a community that has given me so much.