Miss Universe Canada

Esma Gadzo


Hometown:
 Toronto, ON 

Occupation: Stock Market/Options Trader 

Esma Gadzo is a proud Canadian currently representing Toronto, Ontario. Raised in a family shaped by resilience and perseverance, Esma developed a deep appreciation for cultural identity, strength, and community from an early age. Her experiences navigating different cultures have shaped her into a compassionate and ambitious young woman who believes in using her voice to uplift and empower others.

Throughout her life, Esma has overcome significant personal challenges, including healing from complex PTSD. Her journey taught her the importance of resilience, self-worth, and emotional healing, inspiring her passion for advocating for mental wellness and empowering women to reclaim their strength after adversity. She is especially passionate about raising awareness surrounding genocide education and violence against women, using her platform to encourage remembrance, accountability, and meaningful conversations that help prevent cycles of harm from being repeated.

Currently pursuing opportunities in business, media, and entrepreneurship, Esma is passionate about creating a career that combines creativity, leadership, and global impact. Competing in Miss Universe Canada represents more than a title to her, it is an opportunity to inspire women to embrace both their femininity and their strength unapologetically. Esma hopes to use her platform to promote confidence, resilience, cultural pride, and the importance of protecting and empowering women worldwide.


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Q&A

 

What are your interests and what do you enjoy doing the most?

I really enjoy learning languages and exploring different cultures. I’m currently learning Russian and German, and I’m also learning how to read and write in Arabic. For me, languages are not just communication tools they are a way to understand people, history, and different ways of thinking.

I also love reading, especially books on philosophy, history, politics, psychology, and self-development. I’m very curious about how people think and how societies evolve, which is why I enjoy learning deeply about different subjects.

In my free time, I love being active and spending time in nature. I enjoy traveling, swimming in the sea, hiking, yoga, and Pilates. These activities help me stay balanced mentally and physically, and they keep me connected to a more grounded and peaceful way of living.



List any special training you have had (music, art, drama, dance, etc.)

I do not have formal artistic or performance training. However, I believe growth comes from experience, and I have been intentionally developing my presence, discipline, and confidence through pageantry, self-study, and continuous personal development.


In what sports, if any, have you participated?

I previously participated in cross country running, which was an important part of my development and taught me discipline, endurance, and mental strength.


Name one person, other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life. Why?

I would say my sister has had the greatest influence on my life. She’s an award-winning journalist who has worked in war zones, and watching her pursue truth with courage and resilience has deeply inspired me.


What is your proudest personal accomplishment (other than participating in this pageant)?

My proudest personal accomplishment would be overcoming CPTSD. I’m proud that I was able to take responsibility for my life by healing my self and not letting my struggles define me.


What is the most interesting or unique thing that has ever happened to you and/or what is the most interesting thing about you?

One of the most unique things about me is that I grew up between two very different worlds, Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina, where I spent part of my childhood and my summers. Experiencing life in two cultures at a young age shaped the way I see the world. It made me adaptable, open-minded, and deeply curious about people and their stories. I think what makes me most interesting is not one single event, but this constant desire to understand the world from multiple perspectives.


What is your career ambition and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal?

My career ambition is to build a life that combines financial independence, global influence, and personal impact, where I can use both my discipline and my voice to create opportunities for myself and others.

I currently work as an options trader in the stock market, which has taught me resilience, emotional control, and the importance of strategic decision-making. It’s a field that requires constant learning and discipline, and it has shaped the way I approach challenges and long-term goals. At the same time, I am also developing myself beyond finance through pageantry, communication, and continuous self-growth.

My long-term goal is to combine these experiences into something bigger, whether that is through entrepreneurship, media, or advocacy where I can inspire others, especially young women, to become confident, independent, and intentional about building their own future.


What would be your “dream job” in life?

My dream job would be to build a global platform where I can combine entrepreneurship, media, and finance to empower people—especially young women—to become confident, independent, and financially literate.

I would love to create something that allows me to educate, inspire, and connect with people across cultures, whether through business, content, or advocacy. For me, it’s less about a specific title and more about having the freedom to build impact on a global scale.


Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was like.

I was raised primarily in Toronto, Canada, but from the ages of seven to nine, I also lived in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and I continued spending my summers there growing up.

Experiencing childhood in two very different environments shaped my perspective on life in a meaningful way. Toronto gave me exposure to diversity, opportunity, and ambition, while Bosnia connected me to simplicity, family values, and resilience.

Moving between these two worlds at a young age taught me adaptability and helped me understand that identity isn’t limited to one place. It made me more grounded, more open-minded, and appreciative of different ways of living.


List any interesting or unusual jobs you may have had.

My most notable work experience is as an options trader in the stock market. It is a highly analytical and fast-paced field that requires discipline, emotional control, and strategic thinking.


List any volunteering you have done.

I have volunteered with the Institute For Research of Genocide Canada (IGC), where I supported advocacy and awareness initiatives related to the genocide that happened in Bosnia during the civil war in the 90s. This experience was very meaningful to me, as it deepened my understanding of history, human rights, and the importance of education in preserving truth and preventing the repetition of past injustices.


What is your most unusual talent?

I would say one of my unusual talents is that I’m very good at recognizing patterns—whether in languages, human behaviour, or decision-making. I enjoy learning complex systems and breaking them down in a way that makes them easier to understand.

Where is the most interesting place you have been to?

The most interesting place I have been to is Bosnia, where I spent part of my childhood and also return during the summers. It is a place that is very different from where I was primarily raised, and experiencing that contrast gave me a deeper appreciation for different ways of life. It also connected me to my roots in a very meaningful way, and shaped my perspective on resilience, culture, and identity.

What do you hope to be doing in ten years?

In ten years, I hope to be in a position where I have built a successful and independent career that combines entrepreneurship, finance, and media, allowing me to create meaningful impact on a global level.

I want to be using my platform to empower others, especially young women, to become confident, financially independent, and intentional about their future. I also hope to continue growing personally through travel, languages, and cross-cultural experiences, because I believe perspective is one of the most powerful tools in leadership.


Is there anything you would like to add that we haven’t asked?

I would just like to add that everything I do is guided by curiosity and growth. I am passionate about becoming a well-rounded individual someone who is disciplined in her work, curious about the world, and committed to creating positive impact. For me, success is not only personal achievement, but also the ability to inspire and uplift others along the way.