Whether working in a small town, spearheading international corporate expansion, or being involved in the largest-ever vaccination campaign in B.C., Parm Hari has always focused on making a difference. That focus has built a 20-plus year career in human resources, change management and international business optimization that has led her to the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority serving as vice-president of people, process, and performance.

Many immigrants have familiar stories of parents who worked in menial, low-paying jobs to get by and then would build their Canadian Dream from it. This sort of difficult beginning motivates Mandeep Tung to change that paradigm.

Bharathi was very much pushed into leadership roles in her early 20s when others saw her potential, but she could only see her flaws and inexperience. What she considered to be inexperience at that time allowed her to problem solve out of the box and develop strategies to move organizations forward where she held leadership positions. 

Radha Curpen, Vice-Chair, Vancouver Managing Partner and National Leader ESG Strategy & Solutions, Bennett Jones LLP 

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. Upon obtaining a Canadian Law Degree from the University of New Brunswick, she moved back to BC and started her legal career. She articled with the law firm of Yearwood & Company and was called to the Bar in BC in 2005, and in 2008, she co-founded the law firm of Joomratty & Virk. In September 2012, she co-founded Virk Sabharwal, Lawyers, now called Virk Viyas & Associate Lawyers. Sonia specializes in Corporate/Commercial Law, Residential and Commercial real estate, Wills & Estates, and General Litigation matters.

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 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.” 

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.