When the world came to a standstill during COVID-19, Yasmin Gandham’s journalism dreams nearly did too. Graduating into uncertainty, she took a job in South Asian media—an unexpected detour that became a turning point. It helped her find her voice, connect with her community, and carve her space in Canadian journalism. A broadcast reporter at CTV News, Yasmin is making waves with bold storytelling, amplifying underrepresented voices and underserved communities.
Dr. Neeta Nagra’s journey is one of relentless passion and a deep-seated commitment to empowering others. As an author, entrepreneur, and thought leader, she has dedicated her career to advancing mental health care and leadership development. Her path began in university when she started volunteering with the Canadian Mental Health Association.
Noted as Canada’s first broadcast journalist of South Asian descent, Belle Puri’s career in journalism began with a dream that defied the norms of her time. Belle’s defining moment came when television came calling. Although content at CKNW—then regarded as one of Canada’s most prestigious news outlets—she interviewed with and was hired by BCTV in 1987, marking the beginning of her illustrious 38-year career as a television journalist.
A passionate advocate for youth mental health and well-being, Hebah Hussaina is a PhD candidate at the School of Population and Public Health at the University of British Columbia (UBC). Hebah’s research is deeply rooted in amplifying youth voices, ensuring that the next generation has access to resources that foster mental health, resilience, and growth.
Aditi Bhatt's journey to becoming the Chief Commercial Officer of the Vancouver Whitecaps is a testament to her unwavering passion for sports and her strategic business acumen. Her career is marked by a consistent drive to innovate, introducing data-driven strategies and out-of-the-box thinking across diverse industries and leadership roles.
Nira Arora’s journey into the media was driven by a passion and love of storytelling. A natural performer, she often found herself drawn to the arts: writing, producing, and hosting several cultural shows at Simon Fraser University. She went from being a television journalist to one of Vancouver’s most recognized and, wouldn’t be wrong to say, most loved radio voices.
