The Team

Shuvaloy Majumdar

Member of Parliament for Calgary Heritage

Shuvaloy Majumdar is a Member of Parliament for Calgary Heritage, with a background in foreign policy, national security, and public policy leadership. Drawing from his Bengali heritage, he brings a values-driven perspective on governance, human rights, and leadership in public service.

Shivani Gupta

Director at Crown Group of Hotels and Prudent Law

Shivani Gupta is Director at Crown Group of Hotels and Prudent Law, with leadership experience spanning hospitality, business, and legal services. A University of Toronto alumna and Canada India Foundation board member, she champions entrepreneurship, community engagement, and dharmic leadership.

Gauri Madhurie

Musician and Executive Director of Brampton Triveni Mandir

Gauri Dhanrajh is a Guyanese-Canadian Bharatanatyam dancer, Indian classical musician, and Executive Director of the Brampton Triveni Mandir. A Berklee College of Music alumna currently completing her master's in ethnomusicology at the University of Toronto. She weaves cultural leadership with arts education, inspiring over 200 students in music and dance.

Shawn Binda

Influencer and Educator

Shawn Binda is a prominent Trinidadian-Canadian influencer and advocate behind the influential channel TheHinduLifestyle. A radiology professional in Ontario hospitals, he leverages his platform and grassroots engagement to amplify Hindu perspectives, explore media representation, and empower youth to authentically embody dharmic values online.

Nicole Dason

Business & Community Leader · Board Member, CJPAC

Nicole Dason is a bilingual executive and civic leader with deep expertise in banking, consulting, political and educational advocacy. Currently serving as Senior Advisor at CJPAC, her background includes as a former VP at TD, alongside roles at Deloitte and CIBC. Recognized as an emerging community leader, Nicole serves on the boards of Adath Israel Synagogue, Hillcrest Progressive School, and Na'amat Canada.

Sathish Bala

CEO of Schoolio, and founder of DESIFEST

Sathish Bala is a tech entrepreneur, founder of Schoolio, and creator of Canada's largest South Asian urban music festival, DESIFEST. Through Bala Group Inc., he mentors and invests in early-stage founders while advancing innovation, education, and inclusive entrepreneurship.

Dr. Yudhishthir Dhanrajh

Spiritual Leader of the Brampton Triveni Mandir

Dr. Yudhisthir Dhanrajh, a proud Guyanese-Canadian Sanskrit scholar, serves as the Spiritual Leader of Brampton Triveni Mandir. Having earned his Ph.D. through advanced studies in Varanasi, India, he actively guides several national Hindu organizations to foster education, spiritual development, and community leadership throughout Canada.

Piragal Thiru

Public Administration Leader, City of Vaughan

A recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, Piragal Thiru is a public administration leader serving with the City of Vaughan and a faculty member at York University. With over two decades in public policy and governance, he has contributed extensively to civic life as a former OLP candidate, former CTC board member, and member of the York Regional Police Chief's Advisory Council.

Sagar Bhatnagar

Healthcare Strategy Leader at Trillium Health Partners

Sagar Bhatnagar is a healthcare strategy leader at Trillium Health Partners, driving innovation at the intersection of artificial intelligence and health system transformation. A former Canadian Armed Forces Reservist, he combines experience in consulting, entrepreneurship, and healthcare leadership while mentoring entrepreneurs and advancing innovation in the Hindu community.

Dipika Damerla

Mississauga Ward 7 Councillor and Mayoral Candidate

Dipika is Mississauga City Councillor for Ward 7 and former Ontario Cabinet Minister, having served as MPP for Mississauga East–Cooksville for seven years. With experience in government, corporate banking, and community advocacy, she brings a strong commitment to public service and grassroots leadership.

Kundan Joshi

AI Entrepreneur & Tech Leader

Kundan Joshi is the Founder and CEO of TheAppLabb and AI Labb, leading AI and digital transformation for 750+ enterprises across North America. Founder of the Canada AI Alliance and Canada India Tech Council, he is an award-winning entrepreneur and thought leader shaping the future of AI, technology, and global business.

Saurabh Patel

Higher Education & Global Mobility Professional

Saurabh is a higher education professional with over a decade of experience in international student recruitment, institutional partnerships, and global mobility, supporting students and academic institutions across Canada and internationally. A University of Toronto graduate, he is also a dedicated community volunteer with over 20 years of service through BAPS Charities and Ontario Corps, advancing youth empowerment, civic engagement, and charitable initiatives.

Vijay Sappani

Founder & CEO, Ela Capital and the Sappani Foundation

A serial entrepreneur and angel investor, Vijay is best known for co-founding a multi-billion-dollar enterprise and for leading high-impact ventures across healthcare, technology, and the life sciences. Beyond business and philanthropy, he serves as a board member of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute and writes for several think tanks and media outlets. Vijay is also a devoted student and patron of Indo-Himalayan art, antiques, and temples.

Satish Thakkar

President, Excelsior Group

Satish Thakkar, recipient of the prestigious 2012 Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, is the President of Excelsior Group and a Chartered Accountant with decades of leadership in real estate, finance, and entrepreneurship. A respected community leader, he actively advances Canada–India business relations while promoting Yoga, Ayurveda, and Hindu values across the Greater Toronto Area.

Khushi Jetley

Co-Director

MA researcher at York University studying stroke rehabilitation. Director, Hindu Students Council. VP Fundraising, Women's Commission at the Ontario Liberal Party.

Shekhar Sharma

Co-Director

University of Toronto alumnus and law graduate from the University of Windsor. Practices as a personal injury lawyer in the GTA. Director, Hindu Students Council.

Devyam Jaitly

Mentorship Coordinator

Margin Trading Analyst at OTPP. Experience spanning politics, public service, and finance. Worked on Parliament Hill and supported federal and mayoral campaigns.

Suksham Sharma

Marketing Specialist

Corporate Finance Associate at Bell Media, aspiring CPA. Regional Executive, Hindu Students Council. Founder, Lotus Social.

Vishwa Patel

Outreach Coordinator

Interdisciplinary artist, arts educator, and cultural programmer with a BFA from OCAD University. Regional Exec, Hindu Students Council.

Devansh Jetley

Outreach Coordinator

2nd Year Computer Science Student at York University. Regional Exec, Hindu Students Council. Warrant Officer 2nd Class, Royal Canadian Air Cadets.