Zain Bandali

Zain Bandali is an award-winning children’s book author, community organizer, and human resources professional. His debut children’s book, Mehndi Boy, was named a Best Book for Kids by the New York Public Library, selected as an Ontario Library Association Best Bet, and nominated for the Silver Birch Express Award.

Zain holds a degree in Environment and Business from the University of Waterloo. While at Waterloo, he founded QTPOC KW, a community group supporting racialized LGBTQ+ students in Kitchener-Waterloo. This work earned him the Upkar Arora Social Impact Leadership Scholarship.

Across his work in the arts, community building, and organizational support, Zain is guided by a commitment to creating more inclusive, sustainable, and people-centred environments. He brings this interdisciplinary perspective to his role at Curated Leadership, along with a passion for helping people and organizations turn their values into meaningful action.

What brings you joy? – finding unique and obscure trinkets while thrift shopping!