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 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 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, 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 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 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 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.
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 – 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’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 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.
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.”
Expressing himself through different Art forms has been Harish’s endeavor for three decades. He carved his niche as a bilingual broadcaster at All India Radio Delhi in early 1990s. Soon it led him becoming a voice artist for dramas and plays. With expertise in diction, tone and dialogue delivery, doors opened in the world of stage and theatre.
After spending over a decade at TD Bank, Ruby Dhillon served as a top quartile performer in sales, a facilitator of large deals, and the founder of multiple philanthropic and diversity-focused initiatives. She is proud of the hard work behind her career growth, from starting as a temporary receptionist at TD to and ultimately progressing into her current role as a Director at Planworth, specializing in various roles and building expertise across multiple business divisions. Through this career advancement, Ruby significantly grew large portfolios, earned significant donations and grants, led and developed teams of 20+, and was consistently recognized by senior executives throughout official programs.
Dr. Birinder Narang is a family physician committed to addressing social and health inequities that impact underserved communities. When not seeing patients, he can be found instructing future physicians for UBC while serving as Board Chair for the Burnaby Division of Family Practice and as a Steering Committee member for the South Asian COVID Task Force. In-between posting on health and public issues on social media, and speaking on medical matters on television and radio, Dr. Narang engages in self-care and spends quality time with family and friends…and, if you’re lucky, he may even bring out his Dhol.