ABOUT
Airlea Rasul
Her initiatives are more than projects—they are campaigns, built on the belief that real change begins with inspired individuals and united communities.
Airlea Rasul’s story is one of resilience, transformation, and the power of community. Born to an Afghan war refugee mother, Airlea grew up in Toronto’s Jane and Finch neighbourhood, a place often overshadowed by stigma but filled with culture, creativity, and untold stories. Raised in poverty, Airlea witnessed her mother’s unwavering strength as she navigated the challenges of raising a family alone in a community with limited resources.
Jane and Finch introduced Airlea to the vibrancy of multiculturalism and the profound connection between art and identity. In a neighbourhood where the rhythm of life was marked by music, dance, and storytelling, Airlea saw how art could serve as a powerful medium for expression and healing. These experiences inspired her to view underserved communities not as places defined by struggle, but as hubs of untapped potential and creativity.
Displacement came early in Airlea’s life. Development projects in her neighbourhood forced her family to leave the Grassways, pushing her to live in various parts of Toronto, from Parkdale to East York to Scarborough. Each move deepened her understanding of the city as a mosaic of cultures, stories, and shared dreams.
Airlea pursued her passion for community and the environment by studying Environment and Urban Sustainability at Toronto Metropolitan University. She specialized in biology, law, and environmental geography, developing technical expertise in GIS mapping, urban sustainability, and the ecological impacts of urbanization.
Her professional path has been guided by her desire to create equitable opportunities and amplify voices that often go unheard. Airlea has contributed to the success of many organizations such as LEAF Canada, Rafiki Bridge, Parks Canada, and Coast Funds dedicating herself to projects that protect the environment and empower communities.
In 2023, Airlea founded the Terra Elysium Foundation, a not-for-profit dedicated to challenging conventional methods of environmental education. Terra Elysium creates immersive learning experiences that spark connection, awareness, and action by integrating arts and culture into workshops and initiatives. The foundation’s mission reflects Airlea’s belief that art can be a transformative tool for education, especially in building sustainable communities and driving meaningful action.
Today, Airlea focuses on motivating youth and those in underserved communities to realize their potential while advocating for Toronto to thrive economically, socially, and environmentally. She is devoted to strengthening urban development, and innovative approaches to city-building, ensuring Toronto has the resources to support vibrant projects, programs, and infrastructure for all communities to thrive.
Airlea Rasul’s journey is a testament to the power of vision and determination. Through her relentless work in community engagement, education, and urban sustainability, she is redefining what it means to make a lasting impact. Her initiatives are more than projects—they are campaigns, built on the belief that real change begins with inspired individuals and united communities.
MISSION STATEMENT
Building Tomorrow Today
At the heart of Airlea’s work lies the belief that equality and opportunity should intersect for every individual, regardless of background, status, or circumstance. Her mission is to uplift underserved communities across Toronto—whether in Jane and Finch, Scarborough, Parkdale, or beyond—by addressing the systemic barriers that limit access to sustainable development and urban planning. Airlea strives to amplify the voices of those often excluded from decision-making processes, ensuring that the communities most affected by urban growth have a meaningful say in shaping the future of Toronto.
Airlea recognizes the profound debt owed to Indigenous communities, whose unwavering stewardship of the land spans centuries. Their deep, traditional knowledge of the environment, along with the rich history and culture they carry, has been a guiding force for generations. This wisdom, born from a connection to the land that stretches far beyond the modern framework of urban development, must be acknowledged and respected. Airlea is committed to ensuring that the legacy of Indigenous peoples is honoured and their voices are integral to shaping a future of environmental and cultural sustainability.
Airlea’s focus extends to empowering youth, addressing mental health challenges, combating poverty, homelessness, and violence. She understands that the vibrancy of a city cannot be realized without confronting these critical issues. Airlea believes that Toronto’s potential lies in the untapped brilliance of its people, and she strives to inspire them to act today, not tomorrow, toward creating a sustainable and thriving city for all.
By advocating for better funding frameworks, addressing city gaps, and fostering partnerships across public, private, and philanthropic sectors, Airlea works tirelessly to create a Toronto that is both resilient and equitable. She envisions a city where opportunity isn’t just a dream—it’s a reality.