SONIA VIRK – DREAM BIG, WORK HARD, AND FACE ALL THE CHALLENGES
Sonia was born and raised in India. She finished her B.A. (laws) and LL.B from Guru Nanak Dev University before immigrating to Canada.
JESSIE KAUR LEHAIL – DON’T BE AFRAID TO TAKE RISKS
Jessie Kaur Lehail, founder of Kaur Collective, and a member of the Board of Directors for Fraser Health, was born and raised in Kamloops, BC. Her parents set the tone to work hard, remain humble, and do good. They encouraged their children to speak up against injustice, value education, and do their best with every opportunity that comes their way.
MANINDER GREWAL – SHINING THROUGH RESILIENCE
Maninder Grewal came to Canada at 19 from her hometown Chandigarh. “My first few years were challenging without close family and minimal support,” she confesses. “When my first child, my beautiful daughter, was born, I felt that I finally had a sense of purpose and belonging.”
MANJIT GILL – A DREAMER WITH A HELPING HAND
Manjit Gill has always been a partner in effecting positive change in her communities. Over fifty years ago, Manjit immigrated to Langley from India, where she was working on completing her Master’s in History at Punjab University. She immigrated to join her husband, Darcy Gill and the family business at Cloverdale Fuel Ltd. Manjit and her husband are still running it. It has been based in Langley since 1945 and has since expanded to three more businesses— Darman Recycling Canada, Darman Recycling USA, and Jasmine Real Assets.
SHARANJIT KAUR SANDHRA – OVERCOMING RACISM THROUGH SISTERHOOD
Sharanjit Kaur Sandhra was born in the UK but has lived almost her entire life in Abbotsford/Fraser Valley in BC. She went to school here, earned her undergrad, Master’s, and just this week, became the first Sikh to graduate from the Ph.D. program at UBC History. She has been working as a coordinator at the South Asian Studies Institute, UFV, for 12 years, a co-curator of exhibits at the Sikh Heritage Museum during that time, and has become a community leader and advocate around issues of anti-racism and anti-oppression. She has constantly called out organizations and institutions to do better and work better towards forging meaningful anti-racist practices. This includes the museum and educational sector. She is also a mother to 10 and 12- year-olds.
PAULINE STEVENSON – CARVING A PATH OF HER OWN
Pauline, at 18, grew up in a small community, being told that having a ‘good job’ for a lifetime of security represented success. She knew her path would be one she would have to carve herself. Though encouraged by her mother to become a strong and self-sufficient woman, this did not include dreaming beyond working at the local sawmill.
LIZZIE ALLAN – OWNING HER STORY, SHINING HER LIGHT
Lizzie Allan is a professional comedian and a registered therapeutic counselor. During a research performance project, while studying comedy at university, she discovered the healing benefits of comedy therapy. It led her to decide to use her own challenging life experience as a show’s springboard.
ANNIE OHANA – THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF WOMENS’ IDENTITIES
Annie Ohana is an anti-Oppression Curriculum Specialist & Indigenous Department Head at LA Matheson Secondary. A Sephardic Jewish settler of visible minority Moroccan immigrants, Annie has lived in multiple worlds, privileged and oppressed. “I realized that I had to make space for others to uplift myself and bring justice to others. I share their stories and constantly question the systems we are forced to follow. Leadership is knowing when to lead from the front, within the middle, and support from behind,” Annie emphasized.
RENAE MORRISEAU – THE RESILIENT ART OF RENAE MORRISEAU
Renae has been creating artistic works for most of her life and journeyed across Canada and internationally in film, television, theatre, and music. As an actress, writer, singer, producer, and director in both television and theatre, she has honed her skills by observing, listening, and supporting the artistic works of many individuals who helped and supported her in understanding artistic passion, focus, and creative vulnerability in sharing Indigenous stories in a good way—miyopimatisowin.
HEATHER LYNCH – AN INTERSECTIONAL LEADERSHIP JOURNEY
With West African ancestry, Heather was born, raised, and currently resides in New Westminster, BC. She holds the title of Senior Manager to one of the largest not-for-profit agencies in the Province. She has a degree in Criminology, a Master’s degree in Leadership, and Certification in Organizational Change Leadership.
JOY SPENCE – IN LIFE, AS IN THE ART OF RUM, JOY IS THE KEY TO ACHIEVING SUCCESS
Joy Spence – Appleton Rum’s Master Blender – is the first female Master Blender in the spirits industry, recognized as a pioneer and celebrated trailblazer in a male-dominated field. With a 40-year career legacy, Joy is a champion for the advancement of women and is dedicated to leading Appleton into the future by supporting diversity and inclusion initiatives.
DALJIT GILL – BADESHA – CONFIDENCE BOOSTS A WOMAN’S SELF-ESTEEM
Daljit Gill-Badesha’s career is driven by social justice, equity, collaboration, and seva (service). She grew up in an immigrant, Punjabi Sikh, multigenerational family, studied at UBC and found her life partner, Avtar. They have two beautiful children, Aneel & Riya. Her career journey has been diverse. She has led portfolios for all ages and served on provincial and national committees on community development, sports, children/youth development, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
LISA XIE – WOMEN EMPOWERMENT BY PAYING FORWARD
Lisa is a first-generation immigrant from China. At 10, she followed her family and moved to Canada. As new immigrants, her family, particularly her brother and her, received tremendous support from the community. That’s how the pay-it-forward mentality grew in her.
SSARITA SIINGH – TRIUMPH AGAINST YOUR FEARS
Growing up in a conservative Rajput family, Ssarita believes she’d taken a longer and more diverse route in her professional life. “I have experience in varied fields, including teaching, finance, publishing, movies, statistics, holistic development, and management. Everything has helped me learn, and I value them all. As a young teacher’s assistant, I left my family with nothing in hand. I made something out of myself, learning from all the obstacles, yet I cherished each part of my journey.”
KASARI GOVENDER, B.C.’S HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONER – ADVANCING AND PROTECTING HUMAN RIGHTS
British Columbia’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner exists to address the root causes of inequality, discrimination, and injustice by shifting laws, policies, practices, and cultures. This is done through education, research, advocacy, inquiry and monitoring.