Alberta Anti-Racism Advisory Council
Shan Ali
Shan Ali is the owner and publisher of Express Media Network Ltd. where he launched Weekly Canadian Express, one of Western Canada’s largest South Asian newspapers, covering Calgary and Edmonton. Shan has been editor of South Asian Xpress Magazine and hosts the popular radio show “Sangeet Studio” for Albertans of South Asian origin. Shan is a board member for the Asian Heritage Foundation and the South Asian Canadian Seniors Society. He has been awarded the South Asian Canadian Anchor of the Year from the South Asian Arts & Cultural Association of Alberta and been recognized for his volunteerism by many individuals and associations, including PCA, PCCA and the Cancer Education Research Foundation. Shan holds a Bachelor of Law and Masters Degree in Business and Economics.
Sonia Aujla-Bhullar
Sonia Aujla-Bhullar is a public school teacher in Calgary and a PhD candidate in the Werklund School of Education at the University of Calgary. Her current work centers on exploring multiethnic and multicultural community engagement within schools as part of present-day inclusive education measures. Her work with community organizations includes working with local and national initiatives within the Sikh community, and she is a member of the South Asian Police Advisory Committee for the Calgary Police Service.
Melodie Bastien
Melodie Bastien is the North Star parent connector at Opokaasin Early Intervention Society in Lethbridge, where she provides one-on-one support, wrap-around resources and cultural programming for families. Melodie participates in the Blackfoot Traditional way of life within the Blackfoot Confederacy. Melodie holds a Bachelor of Arts from the U of L and is currently working on her Indigenous Bachelor of Social Work at Red Crow College in Kainai.
Iman Bukhari
Iman Bukhari is a multimedia professional working as a Planner, Channel Management for the City of Calgary. Iman is also an adjunct professor at Columbia College, teaching human rights and diversity courses. Iman is the founder and CEO of the Canadian Cultural Mosaic Foundation. In this role, Iman led the organization to win two separate community advocacy awards. Iman is the recipient of the Community Leadership award from the Sarb Akal Music Society of Calgary and the Top 30 Under 30 award from the Alberta Council for Global Cooperation. Iman holds a Master of Arts in Multimedia Communications, with honours, from Academy of Art University.
Yic Camara
Yic Camara is an Integration and Community Liaison Agent with Centre d’acceuil et d’etablissement of Northern Alberta. Yic establishes and maintains contact with French multicultural communities in Edmonton, providing support for integration efforts and assisting in building networks between individuals and the community. Yic has been actively involved in the Guinean community as a student in Bordeaux, France, and in Edmonton. Yic currently sits on the Board of Directors Institut Guy-Lacombe de la Famille (Parent Link Centre) in Edmonton. Yic holds Masters Degrees in International Law and in Public and Health Law from the University of Bordeaux IV, France.
Heather Campbell
Heather Campbell is a Procurement Manager with the Alberta Electrical Systems Operator, supporting the commercial business unit. A practicing licensed professional engineer in Alberta, Heather holds a Bachelor of Engineering Science degree in Biochemical & Chemical Engineering from the University of Western Ontario and a Master of Laws in Energy Law & Policy from the University of Dundee. Heather is a member of the advisory council for Western Engineering, sits as Vice-President of the board of directors of Downstage Theatre, and is a board member of Calgary’s performing arts centre, Arts Commons.
Nadine Eagle Child
Nadine Eagle Child is the new student counselor at Red Crow Community College where she supports First Nation student success through navigation, organization, academic and personal support. Nadine is an executive member of the Apiistamiiks – White Buffalo Trail Blazers, a grassroots group fighting against racism, hate, and discrimination in Southern Alberta. She has served as the Co-Chair of the Employment and Education subcommittee with the City of Lethbridge’s Interagency Group, and Chair of the Student Success and Retention working group under the Iniskim Education Committee at the University of Lethbridge. Nadine has a degree in Native American Studies, a management certificate in Business Enterprises and Self-Governing Systems and is currently in her final semester of studies in an Indigenous Bachelor of Social Work Degree with Red Crow Community College on the Blood Reserve.
Michael Embaie
Michael Embaie has completed the Canadian Immigration and Refugee Law program and is a practicing, licensed immigration consultant in Canada. Michael has volunteered with not-for-profit local, provincial, national and international organizations for over 25 years, including among others, as President and board member for the Southern Alberta Heritage Language Association and as founding member and president of the African Community Association of Calgary. Michael is the recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Immigrant of Distinction Award, the Black Achievement Award and the 125th Anniversary of Confederation of Canada Medal. Michael holds a Bachelor and Master of Social Work degrees, with specialization in Policy and International Social Work from the University of Calgary.
Sithara Fernando
Sithara Fernando is a community-based environmental monitoring instructor at Keyano College, working to empower individuals in Indigenous communities. In this role, Sithara develops curriculum that braids both western science and Indigenous knowledge and delivers the program in northern communities. Sithara formerly served as the secretary and Chair of the governance committee for the Pride Centre of Edmonton and the Vice-Chair of Some Other Solutions, crisis prevention centre. Sithara is a recipient of the Top 50 under 50 Award from Your McMurray Magazine and the Council Commendation Medal for Service during the first 100 hours of the Fort McMurray Wildfire. Fernando is a registered professional forester in the Province of Alberta and a mental health advocate. Sithara holds a BSc in Forestry from the University of Alberta and a MBA from the University of Fredericton.
Nahla Gomaa
Nahla Gomaa is an Associate Clinical Professor, researcher and educator at the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta. Nahla has been serving as the Interfaith Portfolio Chair in the Edmonton Council of Muslim Communities for four years, and has built bridges with a number of interfaith organizations in Alberta. Nahla has been contributing yearly in the city commemoration of Remembrance Day, and has organized the Islamic history month at city hall each year. She is a graduate of the “Gold College of Leadership” at the University of Alberta, has obtained her fellowship in the U.S.A., and has been teaching as a visiting faculty member at a number of international universities, where she enjoyed multiculturalism.
Adil Zaki Hasan
Adil Zaki Hasan is the Vice-President and Chief Operations Officer at Hasco Development Corporation, leading multi-million-dollar project development and delivery. Adil is active in the community, including in roles as Vice-President, Civic Engagement for the Alberta Muslim Public Affairs Council and board member for Al Mustafa Academy and Humanitarian Society. Adil holds a BSc in Electrical Engineering (Biomedical) and a Masters in Engineering Management. Adil is currently working towards a Masters in Business Management.
Zahro Hassan
Zahro Hassan is an activist and a community worker. She holds a master’s degree in Conflict Studies and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. at the University of Alberta. She is currently a Case Manager at the Alberta Emergency Management Agency. Zahro has extensive community and youth development experience within the multi-cultural immigrant communities of Toronto, Ottawa, and Edmonton. She has worked as a grant writer and served on committees that seek to support youth and families in areas of education, community safety, and violence diversion.
Abdulghani Haymour
Abdulghani Haymour is a business manager who works closely with the Canadian Arab Friendship Association (CAFA) to assist community members in many areas such as filing government documents and accessing government resources, as well as event facilitating. Abdulghani attends CAFA board meetings as a guest member. Abdulghani is certified in Intercultural Communication Skills from Bond University. He recently completed his education in Bachelor of Laws LL.B., from Bond University in QLD, Australia.
Bernadette Iahtail
Bernadette Iahtail is a co-founder and Executive Director of Creating Hope Society, a society founded for the survivors of the “The Sixties and Seventies Scoop of Aboriginal Children in Care”. Bernadette is an active member of Edmonton Coalition for Human Rights, Aboriginal coalitions, the Edmonton Aboriginal Leadership Team and Stony Plain Wapekin Leadership Team. Bernadette is the recipient of numerous awards, including the 2015 John Humphrey Centre Gerald L. Gall Award For Peace and Human Rights, the 2018 Diversity Award “Friends of Diversity” and the 2018 Star Blanket Award from Stony Plain Child and Family Services. Bernadette’s 60’s child welfare scoop life documentary is in the Canadian Human Rights Museum in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Bernadette holds a Social Work diploma from UNBC as well as many certificates including Banff Indigenous Leadership Certificates.
Adebayo Katiiti
Adebayo Katiiti is the founder and President of RARICAnow, an organization for all LGBTIQ+ refugees in Canada. Katiiti advocates for the rights of refugees by creating awareness of their existence in Canada. He works to ensure that newcomers and refugees learn Canadian culture and get support in navigating the refugee and settlement process. Katiti is passionate about addressing the challenges around refugees and newcomers in the LGBTIQ+ community that are left untouched and ignored. He hopes that one day all will be well, preaching to the world that every single life matters regardless of the differences.
Feisal Kirumira
Feisal Kirumira is special advisor (international students affairs) to the Dean, Augustana campus, University of Alberta. Feisal provides academic support to full-time international and bridging program students, as well as planning and implementing international student programming, and advising the Dean on strategies to improve the academic performance and social integration of international students. Kirumira leads workshops on antiracism education and inclusion for students and staff at Augustana. He participates on the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion Working Group and the International Week planning committee at Augustana Campus. Feisal is currently working towards a PhD in Postsecondary Education at the University of Alberta.
Omar Najmeddine
Omar Najmeddine is the Executive Director of the Al Rashid Group and leads all corporate functions for the organization. He is a board member with the American University of Beirut Alumni Foundation and a former board member with the Red Cross, and Community Interest Companies Association. Omar holds a Bachelor degree in Nutrition and Food Science from AUB University and an MBA from the LAU University. Omar is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Finance and his Charted Professional Accountant designation.
Lucenia Ortiz
Lucenia Ortiz is a Planner II with the City of Edmonton’s Citizen Services, developing policies and strategies as they relate to social development in the city. Lucenia is also founding member of the Edmonton Multicultural Coalition and a member of the Multicultural Health Brokers Co-op. She was a recipient of the Doris Badir Research Award and holds a PhD in Human Ecology from the University of Alberta.
Roy Pogorzelski
Roy Pogorzelski is the Director of Indigenous Student Affairs at the University of Lethbridge where he is also an instructor for the Dhillon School of Business. Roy is very involved in the community; as a member of the U of L Senate, board member with the YMCA Lethbridge, President for the Rotary Club of Lethbridge Mosaic and member of the board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce. Roy is also an appointed director for the Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF) and sits as the CRRF advisor to the National Canadian Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination committee. Roy has received a Human Rights Champion Award from the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights, a Friends of Diversity Award from Diversity Magazine in Calgary, and was named the overall winner of the Top 40 under 40 by the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce. Roy also owns and operates three businesses: Good Times Comedy Club, Pogo Bros Inc., and RWP Consulting. Roy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Studies, a Bachelor of Human Justice from the University of Regina and a Masters of Science in Cultures and Development Studies from the Katholieke Universiteit of Leuven in Belgium.
Tasneem Rahim
Tasneem Rahim is the Director, Fund Development and Alumni Engagement at Bow Valley College, responsible for developing and implementing fundraising priorities and strategies for Bow Valley College’s institutional fundraising program. Tasneem serves as member, Community Relations on the Aga Khan Council for the Prairies and is the communications member of the Management Committee for Generations: Multi-Generational Housing and Community Centre Campus Calgary. Tasneem was a member of the Leadership Calgary program and a member of the 2007 Class of Calgary’s Top 40 Under 40. Tasneem holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications & Culture from the University of Calgary.
Judy Shapiro
Judy Shapiro recently retired from her position as the associate Executive Director of the Calgary Jewish Federation, overseeing all of its programming areas. She is a member of the Calgary Interfaith Council, a regular volunteer at the Calgary Interfaith Food Bank, and has served as a board member for the Calgary Council of Christians and Jews and the Committee on Race Relations and Cross-Cultural Understanding.
Pavit Sidhu
Pavit Sidhu is a WiseGuyz Program Facilitator and sexual health educator at Centre for Sexuality in Calgary. WiseGuyz engages young men in conversations and skill building around their health, relationships, sexuality, and human rights. His work focuses on engaging ethno-cultural and newcomer populations and involves collaboration with organizations including the Center for Newcomers, Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association, and Indigenous Initiatives at the Boys & Girls Club of Calgary. Pavit served as a member of the University of Calgary Senate in 2013, and as an appointee of the Students’ Union representing the undergraduate student body.
Delainah Velichka
Delainah Velichka is a School Board Trustee with Peace River School Division #10. Delainah’s portfolios include Administrators’ Association, Teacher Board Advisory Committee, Transportation Liaison Committee, Audit Committee, ASBA Second Language Taskforce, Clear Hills Trades Training, Council of School Councils Liaison Committee, Discipline Committee and the First Nations, Metis & Inuit Liaison Committee. Delainah has previously worked as an educational assistant, supporting students with behavioural and learning challenges. Delainah holds certificates in Native Awareness and Special Needs Tools from Bow Valley College.