Shakya Abeywickrama is a business leader in the community, passionate about female empowerment, gender equality, and diversity in both the workplace and society. A first-generation Canadian, she immigrated from Sri Lanka with her family more than 15 years ago. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Saskatchewan and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Edith Cowan University in Australia. Shakya currently serves as VP and General Manager of Marketing Services at Vendasta, where she leads one of North America’s largest white-label digital agencies, overseeing teams across Canada, the United States, and South Asia.

Beyond her professional role, Shakya is deeply committed to community service. She has been part of the Saskatoon Open Door Society Board since 2020 and continues to support newcomer programs within the community and local organizations. A proud mother of two young children, she is inspired to help build welcoming and supportive communities for future generations.

Her lived experience as an immigrant, together with her passion for empowerment and inclusion, strongly aligns with the mission of SODS.

Fran Moran’s commitment to community is rooted in his history. Born in El Salvador, his family immigrated to Saskatchewan in 1986. His family was welcomed by Regina Open Door Society, providing a firsthand experience of the impact the community can make for newcomer families striving for a better life. Fran Holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Regina. While new to Saskatoon, having moved in here in 2024, he has spent his career in Saskatchewan. He currently serves as the Communications Manager for Saskatoon Co-op, overseeing communication and community investment strategies for the co-operative. Fran’s passion for community extends to his volunteer work with youth programs like Co-op Camp and charities like United Way.

Nikita Rathwell is a lawyer and partner at McKercher LLP in Saskatoon, practising in the areas of Indigenous and Aboriginal law and litigation. Her focus is on Aboriginal law and insurance litigation and Indigenous governance issues.

Nikita’s mother’s family immigrated to Canada from India in the 1960s, when there was almost no support system in place for New Canadians. This background has made Nikita understand the importance of an organization such as SODS and its mission to help New Canadians make Saskatoon feel like home. Nikita previously sat on the SODS Board of Directors from 2021-2023. After taking a break to welcome her first child, Nikita is eager to rejoin the Board.

Biswa Patra is a distinguished researcher, mentor, and entrepreneur with a passion for addressing global challenges. He currently serves as a Project Manager at EnviroWay Manufacturing and holds an M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan. As the founder of Algal Earth, a startup focused on combating climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, Biswa facilitated its merger with King Tide Carbon. His work has fostered international collaborations across Colombia, the United Kingdom, West Africa, and India.

Biswa plays a pivotal role as an advisory board member for King Tide Carbon, advancing oceanic CO2 sequestration, and provides his expertise to Cellular Goods PLC in the UK. His leadership extends to prominent community roles, including Board Member of the Saskatoon Open Door Society (2023–2025), President of the Rotary Riverside Club, and Board Member of TCU Place. He previously served four years on the board of the India Canada Cultural Association (ICCA), holding positions as Treasurer, General Secretary, and Vice President. Additionally, he has served as Vice President of Operations and Finance for the India Students’ Association and Director of Fundraising for Engineers Without Borders.

A committed advocate for education and community service, Biswa has volunteered as a Let’s Talk Science ambassador, inspiring high school students through science engagement. He also supports ASHA for Education, Canada, raising funds to provide educational opportunities for underprivileged students in rural India. Biswa’s dedication to driving positive change underscores his commitment to both local and global communities.

Moved to Saskatoon from Iran in 2016. He graduated from USASK College of Law in 2023, and became a lawyer in 2024. Sam has a deep appreciation for the vibrant and diverse communities in Saskatoon and he is passionate to serve them through his volunteer work, such as providing pro bono legal services. Sam is training to become a collaborative lawyer and a mediator to achieve his dream of helping people resolve their conflicts peacefully and outside of the court. In his free time, Sam likes to take a walk around the city, go to different restaurants to try new foods, and watch the new movie hits at the Cineplex. Sam is also an avid Harry Potter fan and has won any HP trivia contest he has participated in so far.

Cynthia Hernandez is a community leader and currently serves as the Manager of the Local Immigration Partnership Saskatoon. She is a multidisciplinary professional with experience in the nonprofit sector, finance, project management, strategic operations, and change management. She is internationally educated, holding bachelor’s degrees in both Accounting and Arts. Born and raised in Mexico, she has lived in three countries over the past 20 years and speaks English and Spanish fluently.

Since arriving in Saskatoon in 2008, Cynthia has deeply valued the importance of community support. The resources and connections she found through local organizations helped her feel welcomed and fostered a strong sense of belonging. Over the years, she has volunteered with several organizations in Saskatoon and enjoys engaging with people from diverse backgrounds. She is a passionate advocate for community building, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Folasade Adebawo brings 14 years of progressive Human Resources experience, currently serving as HR Director at Meewasin Valley Authority, a Saskatoon-based non-profit. My areas of expertise include organizational design and development, labour relations and collective bargaining, policy development, compensation, talent acquisition, and change management. My qualifications include a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation, a Master of Industrial and Labor Relations, a Graduate Certificate in Organization Design and Development from Royal Roads University, and a Certified Professional Coach designation from iPEC. I am also a Certified Talent Management Practitioner and hold certifications in human development assessment. Beyond technical HR expertise, I bring governance literacy developed through hands-on work developing Terms of Reference, Leadership Charters, and board-level HR reporting. I understand how organizations are built, how they change, and what it takes to sustain them.

Doris Anukwa is a Project Management Professional and Business Analyst with over 14 years of experience in strategic planning, process improvement, and organizational transformation with Shell Nigeria. She holds a BSc in Estate Management from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and is a Fellow of the Nigerian Institution of Facilities Engineering and Management. She has received recognition from Business Analysis School for excellence in Product Management and Data Analytics. Honored with the title of Eziada (Noble Daughter) by the Women’s Christian Organization for her exemplary character, commitment to service and community impact, Doris continues to contribute in Saskatoon as a volunteer Business Development Consultant with Crestwood Consultancy Corporation and Prairie Africa Partnership, contributing governance insight grounded in both corporate leadership and immigrant experience.

Roomana Tariq Aziz was born and raised in Pakistan. She went to Australia for higher education where she completed Masters degree in Information systems. She lived and worked in Australia until 2011 and moved to Canada. Roomana Aziz is a Senior Consultant with extensive experience delivering strategic advice and practical solutions to clients across diverse industries. Roomana is working with Women’s Business Hub providing training to new immigrants to start a business focusing on communication, motivation, and understanding of the Canadian culture to be successful. Roomana is a cancer survivor and passionate about bringing cancer awareness and early detection to the women in the community. She is actively advocating for mental health to become an openly discussed topic in immigrant Asian communities. She strongly believes in serving the community and promoting meaningful causes.

Sagar Chhabra is a Saskatoon-based soil scientist and agronomist with over 10 years of experience across research, advisory work, and applied decision support. He is a Professional Agrologist (PAg), registered with the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists (SIA), and a Certified Crop Science Consultant (CCSC). He holds a PhD in Environmental Microbiology from Ireland and has worked as a researcher at the University of Saskatchewan, as a research scientist in Europe, and as a professor in India. He currently serves as a Volunteer Director with the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists, contributing to governance and strategic initiatives.

Olumide Ologuntuy PMP, LEED® Green Associate, is a Project Manager with 9+ years delivering complex capital infrastructure projects across healthcare, municipal, commercial, and public sectors. With Colliers Project Leaders in Saskatoon, he serves as an Owner’s Representative (Project Manager) on capital programs valued at over $120M+ across healthcare and municipal sectors, with expertise in procurement strategy, contract management, risk management, and project governance. He holds a Master of Civil Engineering in Construction Project Management and a Bachelor of Quantity Surveying. Olumide brings both professional expertise in construction and a personal connection to the communities SODS serves, and is committed to contributing his skills in governance and capital planning to advance SODS’ mission.

Kara Somerville holds a PhD and is a professor and head of the Department of Sociology at the University of Saskatchewan. In her role as head of the department, she has experience working as part of the University’s leadership team. Her research focuses on migration, transnationalism, and integration in Canada, with particular attention to the settlement experiences and belonging of newcomers and their children. Dr. Somerville has published widely in academic journals and secured external funding for her research. She teaches courses in Ethnic Relations and the Sociology of Migration and supervises MA and PhD students whose work explores immigrant integration in Canada. Recently, she co-chaired the Metropolis Identities Conference with SODS in Saskatoon. Dr. Somerville’s work reflects a strong commitment to immigrant issues and engagement with community organizations and policymakers.