On Saturday, March 21, 2026, DARPAN Magazine proudly hosted the fourth edition of the DARPAN Power Women of Influence (DPWOI) at the iconic Vancouver Convention Centre—a venue that once again mirrored the scale and spirit of the evening it held. Presented by RBC and powered by Cadillac and Save-on-Foods, the event stood as a powerful celebration of women’s leadership, resilience, and the evolving definition of influence across communities and industries.
Against the backdrop of Vancouver’s shimmering skyline and the coastal mountains, the evening gathered changemakers, leaders, and storytellers in a shared space of reflection, recognition, and inspiration.
As guests arrived for the red-carpet reception, the energy inside the venue was immediate and unmistakable. Over 550 attendees filled the space, with cameras capturing fashion moments and conversations reflecting anticipation for the evening ahead. The reception, supported by the BM Group of Companies, was elevated by leaders, public figures, and community voices from across British Columbia, reflecting the growing reach and relevance of the event.
The evening’s opening performance moved away from traditional form, instead offering a beautifully choreographed presentation by the Sunehri Arts Club that highlighted the different stages in a woman’s life and her story: from childhood and identity formation to ambition, struggle, resilience, and legacy. The performance set a reflective and emotional tone, reminding the audience that womanhood is not a singular narrative, but a layered and evolving journey.
The evening started with brief remarks from British Columbia Premier David Eby, who set the tone by acknowledging the importance of equity, representation, and the ongoing work required to build more inclusive systems across the province.
Following this, RBC Regional Head-Retail Markets Kam Raman took the stage and spoke about RBC’s continued commitment to advancing inclusion, leadership development, and opportunities for women in business and beyond. Her remarks reinforced the importance of long-term investment in equity-driven progress, particularly within financial leadership spaces.
The centerpiece of the evening, the DARPAN PowerTalk series, once again brought together a remarkable group of women whose experiences spanned media, academia, sport, activism, and global leadership. Each speaker offered a deeply personal lens on resilience, identity, and impact.
- Award-winning Journalist Simi Sara opened the series with her talk, “Adapting Through Change Without Losing Your Voice,” reflecting on her three-decade journey in journalism and the importance of staying grounded in authenticity amid an evolving media landscape.
- Professor Emeritus and Social Advocate Satwinder Kaur Bains followed with “Honoring Our Roots and Transforming Pain into Power,” drawing on her decades of research and community work to emphasize the importance of preserving history while transforming lived experiences into collective strength.
- Global icon, Author, and Miss World 1997 Diana Hayden delivered a compelling address titled “Owning Your Choices and Living Life on Your Own Terms,” reflecting on her journey from international pageants to authorship and public life, while challenging conventional definitions of success and identity.
- Footballer and Social Activist Farkhunda Muhtaj shared her powerful talk, “Using Your Platform to Create Opportunity for Others,” highlighting her work in refugee advocacy and her role in creating pathways for young women in crisis-affected communities.
- Physician and Health Systems Leader Ramneek Kaur Dosanjh closed the series with “Overcoming Challenges and Rising with Resilience,” emphasizing healthcare equity and the urgent need to amplify women’s voices within global medical systems.
The panel discussion, moderated by veteran journalist Robin Gill, returning to the DPWOI stage for the second time, expanded the conversation into pressing societal themes, including personal autonomy, public scrutiny, and the evolving media lens on women’s progress. The dialogue also explored leadership in healthcare equity and the importance of reframing DEI narratives to avoid positioning progress as a zero-sum equation between genders. A particularly impactful exchange examined participation gaps in sport among young girls, especially within South Asian communities, and what systemic changes are needed to foster greater inclusion and encouragement.
The evening was further elevated by a strong political presence, including Ministers Jagrup Brar, Ravi Kahlon, Jessie Sunner, MLAs Steve Kooner, Tamara Jansen, Rohini Arora, and Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke, each representing the growing engagement of leadership across municipal, provincial, and federal levels. The audience was also honored by the presence of Wally Oppal, former Attorney General and the first South Asian BC Supreme Court Judge, and Speaker of the House Raj Chouhan.
Guests were treated to a curated dinner experience after the formal program, sponsored by Gagan Foods International, featuring a diverse culinary spread that reflected the multicultural fabric of the community.
The night reached its celebratory peak with a high-energy performance by Punjabi music legend Sukshinder Shinda, whose timeless hits transformed the ballroom into a dance floor filled with joy, nostalgia, and collective celebration.
Behind the scenes, the seamless execution of the evening was made possible through the dedication of the DARPAN team and the continued support of partners who believe in the importance of platforms that elevate women’s voices and stories.
Reflecting on the evening, President Ramneek Dhillon and Founder Gurvinder Hundal shared, “Each year, DARPAN Power Women of Influence continues to grow not just in scale, but in meaning. It remains a space where stories are shared, perspectives are challenged, and women are celebrated for the impact they create every day.”
As the night came to a close, one message resonated clearly throughout the Convention Centre: progress is not a moment—it is a continuous collective effort. The DARPAN Power Women of Influence 2026 stood as a reminder that women are not waiting for change; they are actively shaping it, leading it, and redefining what influence truly means.
