Program...Mr. Devinder Shory, MP on behalf of the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of...

Immigrant Services Calgary: A New Beginning - A Better Canada 1

Program The 18th Annual Immigrants of Distinction Awards

Reaching New Heights Together:Accomplished Immigrants. Stronger Communities. Brighter Futures.

MASTERS OF CEREMONY

Linda Olsen, Global News Calgaryand

Doug Dirks, CBC Calgary

O CANADA

United Conservatory of Music

WELCOME

Josephine Pon, Chair of the Board // Chair of the Immigrants of Distinction Awards 2014

Krystyna Biel, CEO, Immigrant Services Calgary

GREETINGS

His Worship, Naheed NenshiMayor of Calgary

The Honourable Thomas LukaszukMinister of Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour

Mr. Devinder Shory, MPon behalf of the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada

AWARD PRESENTATIONS

The Honourable Premier, Alison Redford, QCPremier of AlbertaOpens the Awards

His Honour, Col. (Ret’d) the Hon. Donald S. Ethell, OC, OMM, AOE, MSC, CD, LLDLieutenant Governor of Alberta

Closes the Awards

ENTERTAINMENT

Valorine Melani and CompanyMidnight Taiko Kai

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About Immigrant Services Calgary Vision: Immigrants and their families participate fully in an integrated and cohesive Canadian society. Mission: Immigrant Services Calgary is committed to being a comprehensive settlement agency working together with immigrants and their families to make Canada home. Values: We are passionate, collaborative, accountable, and ethical leaders in settlement services. We believe that people come first. We are committed to quality services for a diverse Canadian community. Board of Directors

Josephine Pon (Chair)Wilson Ho (Vice-Chair)Dr. James Frideres (Past-Chair)Raymond C. T. Cheung (Treasurer)Anny Quon (Co-Treasurer)Nicole Jelley (Secretary)Josephine YamYohannes AfeworkGabriel PngJayashree BhatJohn PatinoRobert BlainPaul AvenderRoland OsskeKrystyna Biel (Chief Executive Officer)

Josephine Pon (Chair) Wendy AugerJayashree BhatKrystyna BielHo-Man ChanColin ClachrieHala DehaisCindy DeVouge

Wilson HoMichelle Htun-KayDanuta KrajewskaBarb McIntoshMylan NguyenCarly PenderKatherine SeheultJuan Torres

Immigrants of Distinction Awards Steering Committee

Immigrant Services Calgary: A New Beginning - A Better Canada

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WelcomeWelcome to the 18th annual Immigrants of Distinction Awards (IDA) gala! This year’s event celebrates how far we’ve come as a diverse Calgary community and, yet, how excited we are to see what comes next. Our gala’s theme, “Reaching New Heights Together: Accomplished immigrants. Stronger communities. Brighter futures,” summarizes these sentiments beautifully.

You are in great company tonight: Accomplished professionals, artists, dedicated volunteers, business professionals, and youth who will be honoured are truly integral to the vibrancy and success of the Calgary community. These accomplished finalists and recipients represent the values that we strive to uphold as residents of this growing and changing city. They connect us together in building stronger communities and creating brighter futures towards an integrated and cohesive society. They are an inspiration to us all.

Every year this event is truly a highlight on our agency’s calendar. Together with our funders, sponsors, community partners, and volunteers, we are proud to showcase these amazing newcomers. They propel us in our journey to improve the quality of life of the tens of thousands of individuals and families we support every year. We believe that in supporting immigrants and refugees to reach new heights, we are making Calgary and Canada a better place.

We need your support to reach our agency’s vision and providing a platform to highlight and celebrate the accomplishments of our outstanding finalists and award recipients. By taking part in IDA, you help pave a bright future for newcomers like Malithi Fernando, a 2010 Youth Scholarship recipient. Recalling her IDA experience, Malithi says:

“Apart from the obvious financial assistance the youth scholarship provided me by helping pay for university, attending the Immigrants of Distinction Awards gala was a very special experience . . . I had never seen anything like it! I walked away from that evening feeling incredibly humbled to have been part of such a group, feeling proud of my heritage in a way I had not experienced, and feeling inspired by all the individuals whose stories I had heard and applauded.”

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to every individual and organization as well as our dedicated staff and volunteers that have supported us in any way for the past 36 years and that have joined us to celebrate this special evening. We look forward to a fun and inspiring event and the new heights that lie ahead of us.

Josephine Pon Krystyna BielChair of the Board Chief Executive OfficerIDA Chair


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Thank you to our hosts

It is with great pleasure that I congratulate all those being honoured at the 18th annual Immigrants of Distinction Awards gala. In so many ways, big and small, Canadians are making a difference. I have seen countless examples of ingenuity and generosity, as well as an embracing of cultures across Canada. All this serves to lift our country to great heights. Today, as these honourees are celebrated, there is once again an opportunity to thank Canadians who have made significant contributions to the well-being of the nation and its people. I commend all those who are being honoured on this occasion and I wish them the very best in the future.

DaDavid Johnston

March 2014

Linda Olsen, Global News

Born and raised in Calgary, Linda Olsen graduated from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in 1988 with an Honours Diploma in Broadcast Journalism. She embarked on her career in 1988 at Global’s STV News in Saskatoon. Since then she has worked as a reporter, producer and anchor.

Linda has been host and producer of Global’s “Woman of Vision” series, a monthly segment that highlights the stories of inspirational women in the Calgary community.

Career highlights for Linda include hosting the live AMPIA Awards provincial broadcast, election nights and taking part in numerous charity events around Calgary, including a fundraising dinner with former U.S. President Gerald Ford.

Doug Dirks, CBC Calgary

You can’t turn on the radio or television in Calgary without hearing from Doug Dirks. A 20-year veteran with CBC Calgary, Doug has hosted the Homestretch on radio, the local TV news, and shows on CBC News Network.

A big sports fan, Doug has also worked as a sports commentator, covering everything from Stanley Cup matches to Olympic showdowns.

Doug is no stranger to the academic world. He’s studied at McGill University, Mount Royal University, and Humber College. He’s also married to a mental health professional, which comes in handy because he’s the father of two teenagers and continues to struggle with his golf game.


Immigrant Services Calgary: Reaching New Heights Together5

It is with great pleasure that I congratulate all those being honoured at the 18th annual Immigrants of Distinction Awards gala. In so many ways, big and small, Canadians are making a difference. I have seen countless examples of ingenuity and generosity, as well as an embracing of cultures across Canada. All this serves to lift our country to great heights. Today, as these honourees are celebrated, there is once again an opportunity to thank Canadians who have made significant contributions to the well-being of the nation and its people. I commend all those who are being honoured on this occasion and I wish them the very best in the future.

DaDavid Johnston

March 2014


I am pleased to extend my warmest greetings to all those attending the 18th annual Immigrants of Distinction Awards, hosted by Immigrant Services Calgary (ISC). Tonight’s event gives due recognition to an outstanding group of individuals and organizations that have enriched the life of Calgary. I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to all those accepting awards this evening: you have earned the respect and admiration of your peers. I know that your strong work ethic and commitment to excellence will serve you well as you go on to pursue future challenges and make your unique mark on our great country. I would also like to commend Immigrant Services Calgary for their commitment to helping newcomers build successful new lives for themselves and their families. Please accept my best wishes for a memorable evening.

The Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper, P.C., M.P. OTTAWA 2014


Message from the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta

As Her Majesty the Queen’s representative, it’s my pleasure to congratulate everyone being honoured this year with an Immigrants of Distinction Award. I’d also like to extend sincere thanks to all those who are dedicated to ensuring that our province is a welcoming place for new Canadians.

Immigrants and refugees face numerous social, cultural and economic challenges as they work to build new lives as citizens of our great nation. It’s a process that demands true courage and strength of purpose, but it’s also a path that leads to considerable opportunities for a better life. Those being honoured with an Immigrants of Distinction Award have found a path that not only enhances their own futures but also builds a stronger community for the benefit of us all. I salute their contributions and I trust their many achievements will inspire all of their fellow Calgarians to continue serving the greater good.

Thank you to the staff, volunteers and supporters of Immigrant Services Calgary for your work to make new Canadians feel at home and best wishes to all for continued success in the future.

Donald S. Ethell, OC, OMM, AOE, MSC, CD, LLDLieutenant Governor of Alberta



March 2014

A MESSAGE FROM MAYOR NENSHI

On behalf of my City Council colleagues and the citizens of Calgary, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2014 Immigrants of Distinction Awards Gala.

These awards demonstrate just how much our city owes to those immigrants and refugees who have chosen to build their Canadian life in Calgary. Their contributions are felt throughout our entire community. There is no limit to what we can accomplish when we work together in pursuit of a brighter future for everyone who calls our city home.

I congratulate everyone being honoured here tonight for their achievements. We must also acknowledge those individuals and organizations that provide the encouragement and resources for all of us to reach new heights, together.

Sincerely,

Naheed K. Nenshi MAYOR


Greetings from Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister

I would like to extend my warmest greetings to all those attending the 18th Annual Immigrants of Distinction Awards, hosted by Immigrant Services Calgary (ISC). On behalf of Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Government of Canada, I would like to thank ISC for the invaluable services and programs you provide to new Canadians. Throughout our history, new Canadians have contributed significantly to our cultural and economic development and have been instrumental in building the strong, diverse and prosperous Canada we know today. Our diversity is one of our biggest assets, and community organizations such as ISC play an important role in fostering the core values of Canadian pluralism, notably through the assistance they provide to new Canadians in their journey to contribute their full potential to our society. As Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister, I would like to congratulate all the award recipients for your important achievements and for your continued commitment to the advancement of Canadian society. All Canadians join me in wishing you a successful event. Sincerely,

Chris Alexander Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister

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Arts and Culture AwardThe Arts and Culture Award is presented to an immigrant who merits recognition in an artistic endeavour within the visual or performing arts fields.

Business AwardThe Business Award is presented to an immigrant who has achieved success in the creation or operation of a business in Calgary or surrounding areas.

Community Service AwardThe Community Service Award is presented to an immigrant who has provided valuable service to Calgary and the immigrant communities, either as a volunteer or as a professional.

Achievement Under 40 AwardThis award is presented to an immigrant under 40 years of age who has had remarkable success and made significant achievements in his or her chosen career path in a relatively short period of time. Overcoming significant obstacles, he or she has demonstrated perseverance and dedication.

Lifetime Achievement Award This award is presented to an individual who has achieved outstanding success in his or her chosen career path or professional field. This individual will have made significant contributions to our city in the areas of professional achievement, community building and philanthropic endeavours.

Organizational Diversity AwardThis award is presented to a business, government or non-profit organization or media outlet that is leading the field in implementing diversity initiatives in the workplace. The winning company will be a shining example of true labour market integration and will have made significant contributions in serving ethnically diverse client groups.

Youth Scholarship AwardsYouth Scholarships are awarded to immigrant youth between the ages of 14 and 25 who have made an outstanding contribution or significant achievement in one or more of the following area: arts and culture, sports, community, and volunteer activities and/or academics.

2014 Award Categories


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Arts and CultureYogeshwar Navagrah

Born in Nasik, India, Yogeshwar (Yogi) Navagrah has always been involved in the arts. At the age of 17 Yogeshwar left Nasik to pursue a formal education in architecture at the University of Pune. During his years of formal training, Yogi realized the role that urban design could play in shaping the future of cities: improving the quality of life for many through the creation of better public spaces. Yogi’s pursuit to further his education in urban design brought him to Calgary at the age of 23.

Yogi’s active involvement at the University of Calgary and with the Calgary community allowed him to combine his love of art with design. As part of his university project, Yogi identified the potential for redevelopment of Brentwood Mall, and his submitted proposal was awarded the City of Calgary Mayor’s Urban Design Award in 2005. Since completing his master’s degree as an international student, Yogi has received several awards for his work including a second Mayor’s Urban Design Award and a winning entry, “Centennial Grove,” in the City of Calgary Landscape Installation competition. Centennial Grove still stands opposite Calgary City Hall.

Today, Yogi combines his years of work experience and professional designation to bring people, concepts and art together through his own business, Navagrah Landscape Architecture + Urban Design.


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Arts and CultureEdward Perez Beltran

Edward Perez Beltran grew up in Valle De Santiago, a small municipality in central Mexico. As a child, Edward’s love of sculpture began after seeing his eldest brother playing with modeling clay. Through community support, Edward gravitated towards sculpture as not just a hobby but as a potential career. Upon finishing high school, Edward travelled to Salamanca Guanajuato to study the traditional method for sculpting in wax and was soon making a living as a wax sculptor. However, his desire for a more formal approach to art drove him to look towards Mexico City as the next logical step.

Mexico City proved to be a successful move for Edward as he would come to win the FONART national competition for artists and artisans two years in a row for his work. Edward’s achievements, including a scholarship and residency with sculptor Javier Marin, would only continue to grow. In December 2011, Edward arrived in Calgary as a landed immigrant where his wife and sculpting partner, Danira Miralda, was waiting for him. Two short years later, INCIPIO MODO, their collection, won the public art competition for the Poetic Park Plaza. Soon afterwards they were commissioned to make an outdoor sculpture for Calgary Archives. They have since been shortlisted in various other competitions. At present, Edward is working on a body of work which he intends to exhibit here in Calgary. It consists of nine sculptures of which five have already been completed. The work is called Dinamica Perfecta.


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BusinessMargaret Adu

Margaret Adu was born in Cape Coast, Ghana. A highly accomplished architect, Margaret is the founder and managing director of Aomega Group Inc. operating as Aomega Lodges, a local personal care home.

Margaret has always been extremely community-minded and is today the President of the Ghanaian Canadian Association of Calgary and President of the Personal Care Homes Council of Calgary. In 2010 she received the Ghanaian Canadian Achievement Award for Community Service and in 2013 she was nominated for the a Black and Gold Award for her community and business efforts.

Educated in Africa, she worked in London, England, for a few years and moved back to Ghana to start her own business. She exhibited great knowledge in the world of architecture due to her diverse experience and thus had a lot to offer to her Ghanaian clients. She stood out from other architects because she paid great attention and detail to the needs of her clients. This trait Margaret still possesses, as she is detail-oriented in the business she runs today.

In 1993, Margaret married David Nyarko, who at the time was pursuing his doctorate at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. Later that year, Margaret moved to Edmonton to join David and in 1997 the couple moved to Calgary. They are parents to Danielle, 17, Debbie, 15, and Kobby, 12.

Award category sponsored by


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BusinessWael Badawy

Modern-day sleuth Dr. Wael Badawy doesn’t use a Sherlockian magnifying glass to monitor his subjects: he uses state-of-the-art video surveillance technology designed and implemented by his firm, Intelliview Technologies, a rising star in the surveillance universe that specializes in providing video analytics solutions for industrial applications. Intelliview’s highly sophisticated video-monitoring system monitors, gathers and assesses algorithmic information in real time and sends it to clients.

The CEO of Intelliview, Wael was born and educated in Alexandria, Egypt, earning his PhD in computer engineering at the University of Louisiana. When he arrived at the University of Calgary in 2000, he began conducting research in video analytics and allied fields and developed a wealth of experience in academia, industry and innovation management. Today, he is a recognized international researcher with a proven record in research, commercialization, standards development and innovations.

Wael has also trained and mentored researchers and engineers in his new technology, leading them to a successful commercialization path through a university spin-off, which housed 12 student co-founders who worked in his research team. In 2012, Wael was named as a CEO in the category of Top 50 fast-growing Canadian companies, and in 2013, Intelliview was recognized by Alberta Venture magazine as one of the top 25 innovative companies to set up innovation standards in Alberta.



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Community ServiceGurmit Sarpal

Gurmit Sarpal immigrated to Canada from India as a nurse in 1976. A devoted wife of 37 years and a proud mother of two children and three grandchildren, she is also an active member in the community through her work as a writer in publications such as Indo Canadian Times and Sikh Virsa, and as a radio host discussing spirituality and culture. She volunteers with Alberta Health Services for “Better Choice, Better Health,” a self-management program that educates patients how to live well with chronic conditions. She has also aided in the establishment of the Shivratna Charitable Cancer Eradication Society and collects donations for the Alberta Children’s Hospital.

Gurmit’s most notable community contribution is The Royal Women’s Cultural Association, created to address the isolation and loneliness many immigrant women experience in Canada. Gurmit’s leadership role in this group over the past five years has enabled the program to reach its present success in the South Asian community, and has been recognized by many government officials. This group has enhanced the life of its members by giving women a voice and the ability to perceive themselves as equal and productive members of society. Gurmit has been recognized by the Legislative Assembly and the Prime Minister’s Office for her unstinting efforts.



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Community ServiceDolores Dill

Born in Mexico, Dolores Dill came to Canada in 1966. She began her Canadian career as a teacher’s assistant and in 1981 attended the first Making Changes program for immigrant women presented in Calgary by the Arusha Centre. In 1982 she was part of the committee that formed the Immigrant Women Centre, now the Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association (CIWA) and was named Treasurer of the Board. At this time she also settled into work at the Immigrant Services Calgary (then the Calgary Immigrant Aid Society) where, from 1981 to 1994, she excelled in providing settlement services.

After retiring in 1994 Dolores continued to be a persistent and dedicated volunteer. She has worked with Immigrant Services Calgary, Canadian Hispanic Seniors Services Society, Calgary Catholic Immigration Society, and Canada Revenue Agency, to name a few. In 2013 she was named Vice President of the Calgary Mexican Canadian Cultural Society.

Dolores’ legacy will endure for many reasons, but interestingly, in 1999 she wrote a message of love and understanding on behalf of the Canadian Hispanic Seniors Services Society to the future generation. This message is preserved in a capsule at Calgary’s City Hall, to be opened in 2024.

Dolores has three children and five grandchildren. She enjoys reading, writing, singing, dancing, and handcrafts.



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Achievement Under 40Yogeshwar Navagrah

Born in Nasik, India, Yogeshwar (Yogi) Navagrah has always been involved in the arts. At the age of 17 Yogeshwar left Nasik to pursue a formal education in architecture at the University of Pune. During his years of formal training, Yogi realized the role that urban design could play in shaping the future of cities: improving the quality of life for many through the creation of better public spaces. Yogi’s pursuit to further his education in urban design brought him to Calgary at the age of 23.

Yogi’s active involvement at the University of Calgary and with the Calgary community allowed him to combine his love of art with design. As part of his university project, Yogi identified the potential for redevelopment of Brentwood Mall, and his submitted proposal was awarded the City of Calgary Mayor’s Urban Design Award in 2005. Since completing his master’s degree as an international student, Yogi has received several awards for his work including a second Mayor’s Urban Design Award and a winning entry, “Centennial Grove,” in the City of Calgary Landscape Installation competition. Centennial Grove still stands opposite Calgary City Hall.

Today, Yogi combines his years of work experience and professional designation to bring people, concepts and art together through his own business, Navagrah Landscape Architecture + Urban Design.


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Achievement Under 40Benard Onsare

Kenyan-born Benard is an elite long-distance runner who has made a real impression on his adopted home of Calgary. A professional marathon runner with numerous wins in Canada and top-level placements in international competitions, his dream is to run for Canada in the 2016 Olympics. After this, another lifelong goal is to become a firefighter.

Despite his robust training schedule, Benard always finds time for charity work. One project involves collecting shoes for the poor in Kenya. It was through the kindness of a stranger that he received his first pair of shoes at age 17, a gesture that changed his life. Now he is committed to “paying forward” his own good fortune.

While his running ability places him within a small and talented group, Benard’s friends chiefly admire him for his humble character. He handles even the most adverse conditions with courage and resilience. Recognized for his dedication to his job at Canada Olympic Park and for his racing achievements, he attracts fans wherever he goes. He is generous with his time and especially enjoys speaking at schools. Parents, their children, and even complete strangers approach him eagerly to hear his stories. Gracious and straightforward, he demonstrates an easy ability to rub shoulders with anyone, especially with the average Canadian runner and non-runner alike.


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Achievement Under 40Vikas Kuriachan

Dr. Vikas Kuriachan is a cardiac electrophysiologist and emerging national leader caring for patients with heart rhythm disorders. He developed the epicardial (outside the heart) ablation program in Calgary after bringing this technique to the city from Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA, where he took advanced training. His life journey began in southern India where he was born, continued in Saudi Arabia where his father was transferred, and changed course again when he moved to North America at 15 to attend school on a scholarship.

The rest of the Kuriachan family moved to the U.S. while Vikas was completing his undergraduate degree in chemical engineering at Texas A&M University, the young professional experiencing the interesting role reversal of helping his parents and younger brother become accustomed to life in North America. The next step in his journey was a decision to study medicine in Kingston, Ontario in 1997. In 2004 he moved to Calgary to pursue cardiology and cardiac electrophysiology (the electrical activity in the heart), training at University of Calgary’s Libin Cardiovascular Institute.

Today, Vikas is the director of the Cardiac Electrophysiology Training program, is a member of the continuing professional development committee of the Canadian Cardiovascular Society, and a clinical assistant professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Calgary.


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Achievement Under 40Turin Tanvir Chowdhury

Dr. Turin Tanvir Chowdhury, who was born in Bangladesh, is an accomplished health researcher. He came to Calgary in 2010 after a seven-year stay in Japan where he excelled in his research training. He brought with him an impressive resume and a desire to contribute in population and public health. Within only three years, Turin joined the University of Calgary as a faculty member – a dream come true.

Turin’s research focuses on chronic disease prevention and control. To date he has published over 115 scientific papers and journal articles. He also published a book on hypertension.

Turin has excelled in the research work he has undertaken after coming to Canada. He estimated the disease burden of kidney diseases in Alberta. His work regarding lifetime risk of kidney failure and life expectancy among people with chronic kidney diseases are not only unique within Canada but also pioneering work internationally. Turin’s work regarding the progression in kidney disease contributed heavily to the international collaboration on chronic kidney disease guideline preparation.

Turin is active in a variety of community and cultural organizations. Outside his professional interests, he enjoys music, cricket, soccer, writing, and spending time with his wife and two sons.


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Lifetime AchievementOm Malik

Dr. Om Malik was born in the Northwest part of the Indian subcontinent. With the creation of the new country of Pakistan in 1947, and amid religious violence, he moved as a refugee to the newly independent India at the age of 15.

Om immigrated to Canada in 1966, upon the suggestion of a friend from Edmonton. He joined the recently established University of Calgary in 1968 and was involved in teaching, research and administration until his formal retirement in 1997.

Om has conducted pioneering research on adaptive and artificial-intelligence-based controllers for use in electric power systems. Close to 100 students have successfully completed their degrees under his supervision. He has published more than 350 papers in reputed international journals, and has presented more than 360 papers at conferences. He has one book, seven book chapters, and more than 50 other publications to his credit. His scientific contributions are well known internationally, and his work has led to collaborative research with a number of research groups in several countries.

Om is an exemplary and internationally respected engineer, researcher, scholar, and administrator. He gives back to his community as a committed volunteer with Historica Canada’s Passages Canada initiative, which gives speakers from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to share their stories of immigration and culture with youth and newcomers.


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Organizational DiversityCargill Meat Solutions High River

Diversification of personnel is considered a valuable asset by those corporations looking to expand their workforce, but at Cargill Foods in High River, it is more than just finding international employees with the best toolkit of skills: it is also about creating a vigorous and harmonious work community out of hundreds of employees with different backgrounds, languages, and customs, and giving them every opportunity to learn and flourish in a new country.

Cargill’s positive environment of inclusiveness and safe, stable and secure employment draws foreign workers to the company. Once past the interview stage in their home country that assesses qualifications, attitudes and expectations, the chosen applicants, who must qualify under existing federal, territorial and provincial legislation, are flown to Canada at Cargill’s expense as temporary foreign workers. However, there is an understanding that once a successful contract period has ended, Cargill will support an application for permanent residency for those who wish to stay.

Cargill offers consistent and ongoing support for all employees both on and off the job; partnerships with Immigrant Services Calgary and other local organizations who assist with individual settlement needs; family and multicultural social functions; physical fitness programs on site, and a health office. Cargill also extends its care to the larger community of High River. It donated food to the town during the catastrophic flood of 2013, fund-raises for charitable causes like the United Way, supports local schools that their employees’ children attend, and generally acts as a good corporate citizen of the community, the province and the nation.


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Organizational DiversityScotiabank

Scotiabank is a leading financial services provider in over 55 countries and Canada’s most international bank. Through their team of more than 83,000 employees, Scotiabank works hard to ensure their organizational culture is one of inclusion and diversity. As an organization, Scotiabank puts diversity and inclusion at the forefront of everyday dealings with employees, customers and partners. Seeking the best talent from all communities and with all abilities is how Scotiabank is able to ensure that they truly understand and serve their customers. As customer demographics change, Scotiabank leverages the abilities of a workforce that responds to and reflects their communities.

Supporting employees is also important. A number of Employees Resource Groups (ERGs) have been implemented across the organization to support engagement of many “new to Canada” employees who look forward to these networking opportunities as they begin to settle into their new environments.

Partnering with organizations who embrace a diverse culture is important to Scotiabank and it’s tfor this reason why they have partnered with organizations like Immigrant Services Calgary, Centre for Newcomers, and Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association, among others.

Scotiabank was recently recognized by The Banker magazine as Bank of the Year in Canada for the second consecutive year. Scotiabank was also named “Bank of the Year” by The Banker in the British Virgin Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, and Jamaica.


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Organizational DiversityTransCanada Corporation

TransCanada Corporation has a dynamic approach to diversification of its workforce: it aims to move qualified newcomers into positions of leadership within the company through diversity and inclusion in leader-training programs. Some of these leaders-in-waiting may come from the pool of foreign engineers who begin their careers as technologists but move to the engineering classification after receiving accreditation from the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta. Others are given a boost through the Calgary Region Immigrant Employment Council’s mentoring program, participated in by TransCanada employees, who provide informal advice on a range of topics designed to encourage and educate new employees while giving them added skills that allow for advancement.

A dedicated staff, with a corporate vision of diversity, ensures that the twin pillars of diversity and inclusion stretch to all corners of the workplace, and hiring goals are set each year to ensure that new talent is attracted and recruited and then given the chance to shine. Collaborative efforts by TransCanada with local community organizations also help promote the employment efforts of new Canadian job-seekers, as does its linkage with Equitek’s Workforce Inclusion Network.

Workplace policies at TransCanada are respectful of differences in background, religion and customs, and open to learning about and exchanging multicultural views in an atmosphere of equality and amity. In 2013, TransCanada was recognized by Mediacorp as one of the Best Employers for New Canadians.


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Organizational DiversityAccenture

As a global company with approximately 275,000 employees, and offices and operations in more than 200 cities in 56 countries, Accenture is culturally diverse by nature. Going beyond abilities, age, ethnicity, or gender, Accenture aims to create an environment that welcomes all forms of difference. Inclusion and diversity are fundamental to its organizational culture and core values, fostering an innovative, collaborative and high-energy work environment. By embracing an inclusive culture that supports diverse talent, Accenture is able to compete effectively in the global marketplace.

As a corporate priority, Accenture has made it a primary objective at the highest level to ensure that diversity is sustainable across the organization by placing a leader in each geographical location who serves as the Human Capital and Diversity geographic lead. Its Diversity Council, and Inclusion and Diversity Advisory Committee, offer Global Inclusion and Diversity Training opportunities to their workforce.

A diversity leader at the international, national and local level, Accenture has received the following awards: Fortune magazine’s “Top 50 World’s Most Admired Companies” and “100 Best Companies to Work For,” DiversityInc’s “Top 50 Companies for Diversity,” One of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers 2013, Human Rights Campaign’s “Corporate Equality Index” and “Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality,” and HispanicBusiness Inc’s “Best Companies for Diversity,” among others.


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Youth ScholarshipChuyang (Aaron) Lin

Chuyang (Aaron) Lin immigrated to Canada with his mother in 2006, leaving his friends and family behind in China. Like many other immigrants, his family struggled for the first few years but, through all the economic and social hardships, Aaron saw his education as a priority. Now in Grade 11, Aaron has secured a research internship with the University of Calgary Faculty of Science, has a 97 per cent grade average and is an International Baccalaureate student with hopes of becoming a cystic fibrosis researcher.

Aaron’s leadership was sparked during a social studies class about underdeveloped countries. At that point he realized that many countries in the world do not have the privilege that Canada does. Poverty and social injustices were widespread around the world, and he wanted to make a global impact. He first began by volunteering with several local organizations in Calgary, such as Youth Volunteer Corps, Youth Central, and Canadian Blood Services. It was through World Vision that he volunteered abroad and built a house for a needy family in the Dominican Republic. Upon his return, Aaron established a Calgary Youth Committee for World Vision International and now oversees this committee where youth congregate to generate an impact in our world. At this point, he believes that helping others to overcome poverty is not a matter of charity, but a matter of justice.



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Youth ScholarshipDawinder Kaur

Dawinder Kaur spent the first 15 years of her life in Jatana, a small village in India. In 2011, her family immigrated to Calgary. Inspired by the sacrifices of her parents and the availability of opportunities for education in Canada, Dawinder has dedicated herself to her studies and success. She took English as a Second Language (ESL) classes to learn cultural and language basics. She worked hard to attain good grades and finish her ESL courses. For her hard work, Dawinder has received several academic awards in chemistry, math and English as she works towards her dream of a post-secondary education.

In addition to her academic achievements, Dawinder is active at both the school and community levels. She is a member of the James Fowler High School leadership team and the Volunteer and Social Justice clubs, and an active volunteer and mentor with Immigrant Services Calgary, The Mustard Seed, Calgary Food Bank and Salvation Army. Dawinder looks forward to continuing her studies in September at the University of Calgary.



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Youth ScholarshipRaunaq Gupta

After moving to Canada from Dubai at age 11, Raunaq quickly found his niche in sports, joining his school’s basketball, track and field, soccer, and swim teams. His dedication towards basketball in particular and hard work as a team player won him several accolades at both the city and the provincial levels, including a gold medal from the Calgary Minor Basketball Association in 2010-11, a silver medal in the RAMS Classic Tournament, and two silver medals from the Great Canadian Basketball Shootout CBA 2011, as well as the Calgary Minor Basketball Association 2012.

Although the athletic side of Raunaq has shone, his academic future is also bright. Through many role models in his life, including teachers, family and friends, Raunaq became attracted to the field of science. His initial inclination was to pursue a career in computer science because he was always fascinated with networking technology and the intricacies of the Internet Then, as a volunteer with TELUS Spark Science Centre in Calgary, his experience exposed him to the different uses of alternate sources of energy such as solar. This was the beginning of Raunaq’s newly found interest in the field of engineering.

Raunaq believes that his unique experiences as a newcomer to Canada have taught him many lessons in life such as appreciation, diversity, and the ability to be a compassionate leader. Some of Raunaq’s goals in life include a career in mechanical engineering as well as playing basketball in the NBA, representing Canada.



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Youth ScholarshipSarthak Sinha

Sarthak Sinha is a Grade 12 student who has received significant academic and professional success at an early age. Recognized in Avenue magazine’s Top 40 under 40, Youth in Motion’s Top 20 under 20, and awarded the Neuroscience Prize at the American Academy of Neuroscience, Sarthak has already made an impact in the field of stem cells and neurobiology. When Sarthak was younger, his aunt underwent open-heart surgery to end years of suffering from a heart condition. This fueled his motivation to work towards something that wasn’t a short-term solution, and science became that vehicle.

At 14, he wrote countless emails to professors until he landed a spot in Dr. Jeff Biernaskie’s University of Calgary laboratory to study regeneration after severe trauma. He is now investigating one of the fundamental questions in stem cell research, namely: how are adult stem cells able to “communicate” through signaling mechanisms? His research has uncovered innovative ways of dealing with such traumas. Sarthak’s journey includes working with Multiple Sclerosis Canada, which has in turn led to work on policy making that can change the way people receive insurance benefits. His efforts have been recognized with the title of National Ambassador. Sarthak has also represented the Calgary region at the national and international level, receiving a silver medal at the Canada Wide Science Fair in 2011, and representing Team Canada and receiving third place at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair where he was among the top 18 high school students in Canada. This fall, Sarthak will be one of the youngest students to attend the University of Pennsylvania.



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Youth ScholarshipShalaka Dixit

Shalaka Dixit lives her life by the motto, “Dance like nobody’s watching.” Eliminating all fears and obstacles has allowed the Brunei-born Shalaka, only two years old when she came to Canada in 2001, to attain both academic and community success. A high-achieving student now in Grade 9, Shalaka earned invitations to both the Potentials Conference and the Mayor’s Expo. She also placed a consecutive third in several science fair competitions, earned three Mastery Learning Awards from her school, and won the Academic Excellence Award from the Indo Canadian Association for Calgary in 2013.

Shalaka has volunteered during summer holidays with the Chinmaya Organization for Rural Development in Sidbhari (CORD) in India. At CORD, Shalaka helped with play therapy of disabled rural children from poor families. In Grade 8, Shalaka helped run a very successful “Jacket Racket” program at her school to collect used clothing for Calgarians in need. She completed the Leadership, Empowerment, Achieving a Difference (LEAD) program through City of Calgary in July 2012, and volunteered at the “Stay and Play” program run by the city. Shalaka’s involvement with the East Indian community in Calgary has also allowed her to express her passion in classical dance performance at venues such as Jack Singer Hall, Leacock Theatre, Wright Theatre, and the Jubilee Auditorium.



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Youth ScholarshipSimei (Amy) Li

At 10 years of age, Simei (Amy) Li immigrated to Canada with her parents from China. After seeing her grandfather struggle with Parkinson’s disease, she became interested in studying how diseases manifest in the healthy brain. Since doing her first research project in high school she has received four scholarships to continue her neuroscience studies at the University of Calgary, where she is currently a second-year student with a top GPA. In 2013, Amy worked with a postdoctoral researcher at the Hotchkiss Brain Institute at the University of Calgary, studying how stress contributes to neurodegenerative diseases.

In addition to Amy’s academic achievements she has a passion for helping others, first volunteering as a ConnecTeen volunteer at Distress Centre Calgary. She then founded the Distress Centre on Campus Club at her university and created awareness events such as the Outrun the Stigma – the first run of its kind in western Canada. Amy has since been invited to speak at the 2014 Canadian Conference of Student Leadership and has co-founded the Brain2Brain initiative to inspire greater interest in the field of neuroscience. Through this initiative Amy has formed partnerships with organizations like Family Place, Between Friends Club of Calgary, and Calgary Public Library. As someone who had to adapt to life in a foreign country, Amy learned the importance of taking steps outside of her comfort zone, which has given her the courage to follow her passion and initiate support issues she feels strongly about.



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Youth ScholarshipSujay Nagaraj

Sujay Nagaraj emigrated from India to Canada with his family in 1999. His educational success story was bolstered by the enrichment programs offered by Calgary Board of Education and its inquiry-encouraging environment, including the project-based learning program offered by Gifted and Talented Education (GATE). Exposure to the Calgary Youth Science Fair also offered a channel for Sujay’s intellectual discovery.

In subsequent years, Sujay became involved in scientific, inquiry-based, solutions to problems he saw. He pursued solutions ranging from oil-sands remediation to incurable brain tumors, winning many accolades at city, provincial, national and international levels for his work. Awards include the Lafarge Science, Society and Technology award at the Calgary Youth Science Fair (2010), gold and silver medals at the Canada Wide Science Fair (2011,2012), and second place at Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Alberta (2013).

Sujay has an innate desire to make the world around him a better place by solving some of our most urgent issues. His quest for knowledge continues in his research at the University of Calgary in the field of Oncology.



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Youth ScholarshipAmyna Fidai

Before moving to Canada in 2005, Amyna Fidai was exposed to three very distinct cultures while living in Asia, Africa and North America. These life experiences, she believes, contribute to her identity today. During a trip to Nepal in 2013, Amyna gained a deeper understanding of the impact that cultural differences and socioeconomic status can have on patient care. Through her experience in impoverished parts of the world, Amyna developed a passion for learning about global health and wellness, a passion that has been the foundation for her current area of study, Health Sciences.

Amyna has been awarded several scholarships and honors, including the Dean’s list with Faculty of Medicine, ConocoPhillips Canada Award and the Kiwanis Award for leadership and community service, and an early entrance to the Bachelor of Health Sciences (honours) program at the University of Calgary where she plans to graduate in 2014. Separate from her academic successes, Amyna has also shown remarkable philanthropy through her volunteering endeavors. In her spare time – and she doesn’t have much – Amyna makes it a point to give back to her community through organizations such as the Discovery Summer Program and the Ismaili Tariqah and Religious Education Board, where she helps students develop their identity through religious education.



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Youth ScholarshipJiani Deng

As a child in China, Jiani Deng was not exposed to the hardships that she came to know after moving to Canada with her parents at age six. The sudden shift in culture and socio-economic status forced her to understand just what her parents had sacrificed to provide a successful future for their family. The three of them squeezed into a tiny, dilapidated basement room located in an area with lower socio-economic status. A fast-dwindling bank account forced Jiani and her family to reduce everything to the bare minimum. While her parents were working multiple jobs just to make ends meet, Jiani began to see things more clearly.

Throughout her short time in Canada, Jiani has not only proved her potential academically, she has also played a vital role in her community. By taking part in a variety of clubs, including the Youth Earth Ambassadors steering committee, Model UN, Earth Club, and many others, Jiani developed a keen interest in her community and those in it. For Jiani, success equals accomplishment more in abstract than concrete terms. She believes her success comes from being open to the many and diverse cultures that Canada offers and overcoming the linguistic, cultural and economic difficulties through a positive and humble attitude.



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Youth ScholarshipRabiya Malik

Rabiya Malik was born in Islamabad, Pakistan but, wanting a better future for Rabiya and her younger brother, her parents decided that moving to Canada was the best decision they could make. So in 2005, the Malik family began calling Calgary home.

Transitioning to a new lifestyle has its challenges. Rabiya required support to learn a whole new language but, with the help of the Calgary Bridge Foundation, her English improved and sparked an interest in writing at an early age. After entering junior high school, Rabiya developed a passion for the arts as a way to express herself, her thoughts, hopes and dreams, through the work she created. Between her writing and her art, Rabiya, a model student currently in Grade 11 at Lester B. Pearson High School, is now exploring her options to become a doctor, something she has always wanted to do. Finding inspiration through Shakespeare, Rabiya lives by this motto: “Love all, trust few, do wrong to none.”

Rabiya always finds time to give back to her community through various volunteering activities such as the Calgary Public Library’s Reading Buddies program, to which she has given more than 70 hours throughout her time there. In her spare time, Rabiya enjoys reading, sketching or enjoying outdoor activities such as badminton.



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Youth ScholarshipSongju Kim

Leaving behind a strong support system, Songju and her parents courageously packed up their life in Korea and made the long journey to Canada. Life wasn’t always easy for Songju after arriving in Canada. Not knowing the language and feeling uneasy about her new home created temporary difficulties with making new friends. However, despite the challenges, life became better over time, and Songju and her family integrated themselves into Canadian culture as much as possible without losing their own unique identity. With the birth of her premature twin sisters, she experienced the kindness of hospital staff members during a difficult time for her and her parents, inspiring Songju to give back to a community that had shown compassion to her family. Influenced by this and her own personal experiences as a new immigrant, Songju became a stronger individual, both physically and mentally, while volunteering in various activities such as coaching a local wrestling team and being a personal assistant to a disabled youth.

The duty of giving back to the community has given her a purpose in life. Through these volunteer activities, Songju has honed the necessary skills to be a contributing member of society. She says, “The qualities that make up who I am today have been influenced greatly by my parents and their determination to succeed.”



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Youth ScholarshipSprihaa Datta

Since moving to Canada seven years ago with her family, Sprihaa Datta, a Grade 12 student at James Fowler High School, has given back generously to her new-found home. Although the move from her hometown in Beas, India was not an easy one, Sprihaa has thrived in the soil of her new country.

Since December 2012, Sprihaa has been involved with Youth Central, a youth volunteer organization, and has given more than 70 hours to her community through organizations like the Calgary Zoo, Calgary Public Library, Immigrant Services Calgary, Salvation Army, and many more. In her own words, Sprihaa feels that volunteering is one of the ways she can show her appreciation to a country that has provided her with opportunity to become a stronger individual with goals and dreams of the future. Sprihaa has some big dreams. Her plans for the future involve graduating with a Bachelor of Engineering from the Schulich School of Engineering at the University of Calgary.



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Youth ScholarshipAmit Chowdhury

Amit moved to Calgary from Bangladesh in April 2008 with his family. While learning a new language and adjusting to a new culture were challenges, Amit is grateful for the City of Calgary’s public education, recreation, libraries and transit programs that allowed him to accomplish his many achievements. Currently a third- year biomedical science major in the Faculty of Medicine at University of Calgary, he has already published some of his research in the Journal of Undergraduate Research while working as a summer student with the Neuropsychiatry Services (Calgary) of Alberta Health Services. Amit plans to pursue further education in health care law and policy.

In addition to his studies, Amit has volunteered at the Peter Lougheed Center as an ICU family care volunteer and provided support and comfort to the family members of ICU patients. He was active with the Boys and Girls Club and served as a flood relief volunteer at the University of Calgary during the 2013 June flood. Currently Amit is the VP (External) of the Development Students’ Club (DSC) at University of Calgary. DSC has organized and participated in various events to achieve more inclusive socioeconomic development in Calgary and around the world. Through DSC, Amit is collaborating with a Ghanaian university students’ club to combat issues related to poverty.



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Immigrants of Distinction Awards previous recipients

Arts and Culture Award 2013 N/A2012 Jacek Malec2011 Shenaaz Nanji2010 Karin Richter2009 Lyn Pflueger2008 Cecilia Gossen2007 Vahe Tokmajyan2006 Alexandra Haeseker2005 Alina Dabrowska2004 Umran Sumen2003 Elizabeth Allen2002 Siegfried Wieser & Mrs. Joan Xauen Wieser2001 Angelique Gillespie2000 Neel de Wit-Wibaut1999 Helen Seka Owen1998 Antonia C. Wicherts & Mr. David M. Spriggs1997 Mark Skalinski, PhD

Business Award2013 Mike Shaikh2012 Baldev Shergill2011 Fatima Dhanani2010 Bea Twumasi2009 Raymond T. Chan2008 Saad Ibrahim2007 Lina Castle2006 Nashir Samanani2005 Abed Itani2004 Wayne Chiu2003 Gerald Wood2002 Chan Yang Kim2001 Mike Ciccaglione2000 Said Arrata1999 John Dasilva1998 Hatim Zaghloul, PhD1997 Dan Capitanescu

Community Service Award2013 Amal Mohamed2012 Dr. Geetha Ramesh

Since the Immigrants of Distinction were first awarded in 1997, Immigrant Services Calgary is proud to have honoured the following individuals for their achievements and contributions to the City of Calgary and its immigrant community:


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Previous recipients continued

2011 Dr. Brijendra K. Sood 2010 Idrees A. Khan2009 Cesar P. Cala2008 Dr. Kabir Jivraj2007 Dr. John Wu2006 Tseden Dhogonpa2005 Dinesh Dattani2004 Ashid Bahl2003 Vinay Dey2002 Baljinder Mann & Michael Embaie2001 Vettivelu Nallainayagam, PhD2000 Chamnan Chap, PhD1999 Vilma Dawson1998 Teresa Woo-Paw1997 Nirmal Dey (Volunteer Service Award)

Achievement Under 40 Award2013 Hayato Okamitsu

Lifetime Achievement Award2013 Sid and Bronia Cyngiser

Hadassah Ksienski Distinguished Service Award2013 Umashanie Reddy2012 Bob Khan2011 Tina Merali2010 Genevieve Balogun2009 Peter Wong, Q.C.

Distinguished Professional Award (offered until 2012)2012 Dr. Bejoy Thomas2011 Dr. Chirag Shah2010 Dr. Wael Badowy2009 Dr.Tadeusz Dabrowski2008 Dr. Alykhan M. Nanji2007 Dr. Thaddeus Demong2006 Margaret Styczynska & Sinisa Sonny Tomic2005 Daniel Lai, PhD2004 Hetty Roessingh, PhD2003 Hans Vogel, PhD & Gamil Tadros,PhD2002 Wilhelmus (Duffie) VanBalkom, PhD2001 Taj Jadavji, PhD & Max Coppes, PhD2000 Elaine Chan1999 Hans van der Sande, PhD1998 Henk E.D.J. ter Keurs, PhD1997 Magdalena Amnestica


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Organizational Diversity Award2013 Agrium2012 N/A2011 OMNI Television (Alberta)2009 Bow Valley College2008 GlobalFest (Government or Non-Profit Category)2008 Haworth Ltd. (Business Category)2007 Calgary Public Library2006 Boys & Girls Club of Calgary2005 Calgary Health Region2004 Village Square Leisure Centre2003 Calgary Public Library2002 Calgary Police Service2001 The Westin Calgary2000 Cyberwave Technologies Inc.1999 Shell Canada Limited1998 Standen’s Limited

Youth Scholarships2013 Amrita Bhattacharje, Angelica Lai, Hassan Riaz, Henry Siu, Mariam Amwara2012 Janriu (Peter) Liu, Silvana Echeverri, Michael Deng, Julia Qin, Vasanth Ranganathan2011 Koray Demirbag, Meng Zhao, Naanak Sodhi, Patti Wang, Sergiu Lucut2010 Annie Zheng, Shayna Ding, Malithi Fernando, Daria Tilimpea, Jethro Cheung2009 Ana Angela Lopez Quiroz, Bani Turkmani, Di Mo, Fariha Ahmed, Valez Lumi2008 Simon Atem, Hin Man (Ivy) Cheung, Zoe Beatrice Cheung, Sana Tariq, Jane Wu2007 Alice Chen, Nyail Majock, Eva Ouyang, Joseph Lagasca, Carrol Zhou2006 Alexsander Dshurkov, Elva Fan, Mahesh Hariharan, John Reuben Lagasca, Lina Roa2005 Karen Hyo Min Kang, Shuyang Li, Hong Lu, Sherry Qin, Xiao Wang2004 Abednego Deng, Yao Li, Vinh Luu, Salil Pradham, Celine Zeng2003 Natalia Beloukhina, Olga Konwisorz, Jan Owoc, Crystal Rego, Jeremy Torio2002 Genesis Juat, Eisha Alemao, David Lee, Steven Cheng, Pascal Yu2001 Dominika Boczula, Shirley Ngo Suet Ho, Jung-Mee Hwang, Danijel Margetic, Sheila Muy Lee Ung2000 Susan Doan, Nilou Davoudi, Samir Pradhan, Stephen Kung, Casy Wang1999 Newman Yu Ting Lin, Aly Kassam-Remtulla, Alisa Palic, Wei-ting Chen, Omar Tahmisicic

Previous recipients continued


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Established in 1977 as the Calgary Immigrant Aid Society, Immigrant Services Calgary is one of Alberta’s longest-serving settlement agencies. We are committed to being a comprehensive settlement agency working together with immigrants and their families to make Canada home.

In partnership with other service providers, we work towards a vision where immigrants and their families participate fully in an integrated and cohesive Canadian society. We are passionate, collaborative, accountable, and ethical leaders in settlement services.We believe that people come first. We are committed to quality services for a diverse Canadian community.

Providing assistance in over 70 languages, Immigrant Services Calgary takes an integrated approach to helping individuals and families settle into life and work in the Calgary community by offering:

• Support for newcomers in adjusting to life in Canada• Information about community services and referrals• Citizenship classes• Interpretation and translation services• Assessment of English and literacy skills• Information about and referral to LINC/ESL classes• Community-based programs• Community development• Career, educational, and vocational counselling• Employment workshops and information• Pre- and post-natal programs• Volunteer opportunities• First-language support• Mentorship opportunities• Parent support groups• Child and youth programs• Family literacy programs• Men’s program• Seniors’ program• Public education• Labour market integration• Pan-Canadian initiatives• Community consultations• Pre-arrival support• In-home support program• Pre-school programs• Crisis and supportive counseling

Putting people first


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Entertainment

This evening’s entertainment is brought to you by outstanding entertainers who have donated their time, energy, and resources to making sure this gala is one of a kind.

United Conservatory of Music

This brand-new, eight-person choir recently assembled for this event under the conduction of Mrs. Luba (Lyobov Holynska). Its members include Daniella Daprocida, Wael Omar, April Reyes, RJ Reyes, Meiler Varquez, Muriel Varquez, Alexa Vitone and Shirley Zhen. April Reyes is the piano accompanist.

If you were in the VIP Reception earlier this evening, you would have been enjoying the classical guitar playing of Nickolas Szollos.

Valorine Melani and Company

Exclusively for tonight, this act features five groups coming together as one: Valorine Melani, Sangeeta, Sandeep, Ek Jhalak Band, and Soul Feet Dance Productions.

Valorine was born in Belleville, Ontario, with art in her heart. She’s a multi-lingual singer, songwriter, performing artist and speaker creating an internationally recognized Canadian singing and dancing team. She’s also the owner of Calgary’s Sensational Power Entertainment & Fitness Club.

Sangeeta was born in London, England, with a name that means “Music/Melody.” Since her childhood she has been passionate about performing at events and in competitions. Sangeeta enjoys singing and dancing to English, Hindi, Punjabi and Arabic music.

Sandeep has his roots in Punjab, India. He grew up listening to Qawwali Sufi Devotional Music. Singing has always been Sandeep’s biggest passion. He understood the technicalities of singing from an early age. Since he moved to Canada, he honed his voice, started a band in Lethbridge and started performing at events. He feels that he is sharing his talent in the right way.


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Entertainment

Ek Jhalak is a dynamic, Calgary-based band comprised of members from Kenya, Tanzania, Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, and Canada. The group blends rhythms of hip hop, sufi, semi-classical, African, rock, Latin, dance, and Bollywood fusion genres to connect music and soul. They have performed at various events in Western Canada for large audiences. Regularly working with vocalists, they are frequently invited to collaborate with artists across the country.

Soul Feet Dance Productions, Calgary’s successful Bollywood fusion dance school, is taking Calgary by storm. Soul Feet Dance offers classes to adults, youth with special needs, and children as young as three years old. These professional Bollywood dancers have performed at many events and even appeared in the High River Toyota commercial for Bollywood pop artist Sonu Nigam’s “Close to My Heart” concert in 2012.

Midnight Taiko Kai

Midnight Taiko Kai is a group of Taiko drummers that loves sharing the art of Japanese drumming. The group was founded in 2006 by three members who brought with them 15 years of combined experience from various Taiko groups in Japan and the United States. Today, the group has 11 members with 50 years of combined drumming experience. Together they have performed at over 100 events throughout Calgary and Alberta.

Many of their songs have roots in the traditional Taiko groups of Hokkaido, Japan, but Midnight Taiko Kai’s continued inspiration comes from the rich and diverse styles of Taiko ensembles from Japan and throughout the world. The members are committed to challenging themselves to improve individually while performing together strongly as a team. They offer workshops once a year to give anyone who is interested a chance to play Taiko. Their goal is to share their passion for drumming and perpetuate the art by creating powerful rhythms, heart-stopping beats, and eye-catching performances for their audiences.

Thank you to all our amazing performers!


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Win an unforgettable trip to Toronto!

Be sure to enter our raffle for a chance to win an incredible trip for two to Toronto valued at $2,500. You’ll fly to Ontario’s capital with WestJet, stay in luxurious accomodations at the Westin Hotel, and attend the 2014 I Can Do It! Conference from March 15 to 16, 2014.

Purchase your raffle tickets with one of our many volunteers during intermission.

$20 for 1 ticket$75 for 5 ticketsThe more you buy, the better your chances! All proceeds benefit Immigrant Services Calgary’s programs and services for newcomers.

Here’s what’s in store for you at this two-day retreat. You’ll:

• Discover who you are and your true purpose• Develop the tools to have better relationships• Learn to embrace challenges as opportunities• Heal your past for a better today• Develop lasting changes to your life practices

You’ll also hear from some amazing keynote speakers like:

Robert Holden, PhD Cheryl Richardson Gabrielle Bernstein


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