Profiles

MARIA FACCIO – CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER, SURREY HOSPITALS FOUNDATION

Maria Faccio, a first-generation Canadian with Italian immigrant parents, embodies the values of hard work, strength, and community engagement instilled in her from a young age. Raised in a sports-oriented family, Maria’s journey began on the soccer field at the young age of five, leading her to play through college and now coach of her son’s team. The lessons learned from being part of a team, such as teamwork, determination, respect, inclusion, and lasting friendships, have shaped her character.

CARLEEN PAULIUK – TRANSFORMING HEALTHCARE THROUGH PURPOSEFUL INVESTMENTS

White Rock resident Carleen Pauliuk is Arthritis Society Canada’s Vice President of Western Canada and is fiercely determined to get meaningful results on arthritis. Passionate about healthcare fundraising, Carleen is laser- focused on her mission to inspire leaders, governments, and community members to invest in arthritis program and research.

JASMINE BHAMBRA – PAYING FORWARD TO BUILD A JUST SOCIETY

Jasmine’s journey is deeply rooted in her upbringing as the eldest daughter of immigrant parents in Surrey, BC. Raised in a household with four children, she witnessed her parents’ unwavering dedication to providing a better life for them, which ignited within her a strong work ethic and a drive for success.

NATALIA BUSSARD – BELIEVING IN ONESELF FULFILLS DREAMS

Natalia Bussard got where she is today thanks to her perseverance, hard work, curiosity, high motivation, and belief in herself. She grew up in Ružomberok, a small town in a mountainous part of Central Slovakia, where she was fortunate to grow up in a caring and nurturing family of educators who loved nature and the outdoors and learned to ski when she was just three. Growing up, she enjoyed a happy childhood. Her family spent a lot of time together, making her an optimistic, resilient, and goal-oriented person with a happy outlook.

KAREN DOSANJH – BLAZING BRAVE NEW PATHS FOR GENERATIONS TO FOLLOW

For the past three decades, Karen Dosanjh has built a reputation for blazing brave new paths in Marketing, Public Relations & Communications in the global technology industry. She has overcome gender and cultural barriers to reach new heights in the corporate world as the Vice-President of Marketing at OSI Digital, a digital transformation leader. She leads the company’s global marketing strategy and is the first woman to earn that esteemed title at OSI. Karen is a force to be reckoned with in Canada’s tech marketing sector and was instrumental in helping launch three successful tech start-ups here in BC including Bit Stew Systems that exited for $200 million upon acquisition by GE in 2016.

PHALAK BETAB – NAVIGATING THE THIRTIES

In the sea of life, our thirties often become the compass that guides us through the stormy waters of adulthood. It’s the time for growth and self-discovery. And who better to navigate this journey than Phalak Betab. The Marketing, Communications, and Fundraising Officer at PICS Society is the ingenious mind behind “Stranger Story,” a global Video Podcast Series that delves into the enigmatic tales of strangers.