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veza Leaders To Watch: Meet Mani Gill

veza Leaders To Watch: Meet Mani Gill

At veza, we honour the work of inspiring leaders every single day. Not just the known and notable but rather, every day women who are drawing upon and celebrating their culture while making a lasting difference in their community using their gifts. From authors and teachers, CEOs to entrepreneurs, not-for-profit directors, artists, and more, these women are changing the face of leadership.

These are truly women to watch and veza community is so pleased to share their brilliance.

May their stories inspire YOU to rise.

Meet Mani Gill.

Mani Gill was born in Ludhiana, India but grew up in England and now lives in Surrey, BC. She has a BBA in Human Resources but found being self-employed a lot more interesting. Mani has over 11 years of experience working in the family business as a Mortgage Broker but has since pursued a career as a Real Estate Agent. The satisfaction of putting a client in the home of their dreams is an extraordinary feeling, and Mani loves to make the process easy and stress-free for her clients.

Working in the family business was great, but over time she felt like she wasn’t being challenged enough for her own growth. Working as a Real Estate Agent gave her the freedom to work hard and be challenged without the security of her family. It was a big step, but one that she’s glad she took. She currently works around Surrey, Langley & White rock areas.

Mani has always been passionate about real estate and is dedicated to helping others through the process of buying or selling a home. She takes time to continually upgrade her knowledge, training, and professional expertise and is up to date on current market trends. More importantly, she takes the time to listen carefully to her clients and to fully understand their wants and requirements.

In addition, she can call on the resources of her entire company and other professionals to assist in any situation that may be presented to her. Mani is dedicated to her clients, loves to work, and is willing to put in the time and effort to get her listings sold. She is committed to her clients’ success!

She has been a volunteer with the Canadian Cancer Society for 10 years, and will be starting “Laughter Yoga” in April: she feels that with the daily stress that everyone goes through, this would be a great place to release tension and have a good time.

So tell us, Mani:  What inspires you most? What motivates you to get up every morning?

For a few years, I got lost with life because at that time nothing was going the way I wanted it to. But now I realize that there was a reason behind that, which I just couldn’t see at that time. Knowing I have a few close friends and family members who believe in me even when I don’t believe in myself. I am blessed to have some really incredible people in my life who have taught me to live my life on my own terms. My dreams are my biggest motivator because I honestly believe that everyone has the capability to make their dreams come true.

How do you feel that your actions teach or inspire others?

I try to inspire others by showing them inner strength: by doing things that are out of their comfort zone. I didn’t do this myself for the longest time, but I eventually realized there is no growth in your comfort zone. The only way to grow is when you are uncomfortable.

What is one change you’d like to see in the world?

There are so many changes that I would like to see, but one that stands out the most to me is facing your fear instead of running away from it. Fear does not have to be a bad thing—it can be a driving force with which you can move forward.

Have faith in the path you have chosen, and believe in God. There is a bigger purpose for us all here, and it’s up to us to make it happen.

Which of your contributions to date have given you the greatest sense of pride?

My most proud moment up until now is not just one moment: it’s that every moment that I have made a decision for myself to empower myself. Those decisions have made me feel good about myself—inside and out.

Anything else you would like to add?

Please join me when I start up my Laughter Yoga sessions. I am so looking forward to it.

We hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know Mani! Learn more about her work and stay connected via Facebook under Mani Gill – Realtor

These everyday heroes embody the fact that we ALL do amazing things that other people may not know about, simply because these stories aren’t shared publicly.

At veza, our biggest mission is the change that…starting with our weekly #leadersofveza showcase!

If you know a leader we should feature please invite her to share her story with us here.  

28 Leaders To Watch: Meet Manpreet Dhillon

28 Leaders To Watch: Meet Manpreet Dhillon

This February, all month long, we’re honouring the work of 28 inspiring leaders. Women who are drawing upon and celebrating their culture while making a lasting difference in their community using their gifts. From authors and teachers, CEOs to entrepreneurs, not-for-profit directors, artists, and more, these women are changing the face of leadership.

These are truly women to watch and veza community is so pleased to share their brilliance.

May their stories inspire YOU to rise.

Meet Manpreet Dhillon.

Manpreet is a Certified Personal and Business Coach, and a Certified Human Resources Professional with a Masters in Organizational Management. She brings over 15 years of leadership and community development expertise to the table and her experience spans program development and strategy implementation, Governance and Organizational Management, Small & Medium Business Consulting, and much more.

As sought-after consultant, coach and workshop facilitator, Manpreet has provided leadership, HR and diversity training and strategy for clients like the UN affiliate: Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, City of Vancouver, University of British Columbia, Blenz Coffee, 7-Eleven, and Terramera, as well as a host of tech and biotech companies, Canadian political parties, and non-profit organizations.

Founded to address the diversity gap and to foster inclusion around the boardroom table, Veza Community offers enriching personal and professional development opportunities. These opportunities train and mentor female leaders of various cultural backgrounds to speak up with confidence and contribute their unique vantage point and expertise to create positive change in the entrepreneurial, not-for-profit, government, and corporate sectors they serve.

So tell us, Manpreet:  What inspires you most? What motivates you to get up every morning?

Knowing the people I meet or connect with are doing their best, and that I can contribute to the lives of others by making them feel just a little more empowered. I choose to leave this world a better place than what it is now. A world where there is more love and connection than ever before. A world where people lift each other up and support each other to be better.

I have the opportunity to play a role in that.

How do you feel that your actions teach or inspire others?

I teach others to move through the mindset crap to realize we have a bigger purpose here. The gifts that we have are not for ourselves, but to share with the world. It is important to act as a leader, regardless of who you are and what your title is, as the brighter you shine as a leader, you give permission to others to shine as well.

What is one change you’d like to see in the world?

I would like child sexual abuse ended. There are individuals and families impacted by someone’s need to have power over another being. Through the work I do, I would like to empower individuals so they can empower others, therefore eliminating the need to take power from someone else.

Which of your contributions to date have given you the greatest sense of pride?

Having my story “Thriving while Grieving” published in the Chicken Soup for Soul: Time to Thrive edition. I know many people found solace in their grieving journey through that story.  

We hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know Manpreet! Learn more about her work and stay connected via her social media presence @vezacommunity

Ready to RISE as a leader in your own right?

Get your copy of veza community’s NEW Feminine Leadership Guide. It’s our gift to YOU.

Inside the Feminine Leadership Guide you’ll receive a series of activating journal prompts and action exercises to inspire your next steps on the journey to greater impact.

28 Leaders To Watch: Meet Safia Abji

28 Leaders To Watch: Meet Safia Abji

This February, all month long, we’re honouring the work of 28 inspiring leaders. Women who are drawing upon and celebrating their culture while making a lasting difference in their community using their gifts. From authors and teachers, CEOs to entrepreneurs, not-for-profit directors, artists, and more, these women are changing the face of leadership.

These are truly women to watch and veza community is so pleased to share their brilliance.

May their stories inspire YOU to rise.

Meet Safia Abji.

Safia is currently the Start-Up Advisor for Aga Khan Development Network’s East Africa Civil Society Initiative. Previous to this role she worked with Aga Khan Foundation’s Yetu Initiative, building program strategies and tools to support the community fundraising efforts of Kenyan civil society organisations. Safia started her career in Canada, working for almost a decade in both relationship and program management for multiple multinational companies including KPMG, Deloitte and Rogers Communications, often in areas of organisational restructuring and redesign. She is also very active in the community, and was the recipient of KPMG’s National CEO Community Excellence Award, HSBC’s Financial Literacy Award and the All-Around Graduate academic award for her contributions. Safia holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia, and is a trained Coach through the Coaches Training Institute. Outside of work she mentors aspiring entrepreneurs, and provides personal and professional coaching to individuals and through community workshops and speaking engagements.

When asked to define herself, Safia said that she always finds this question tricky.

“How do I define myself, when I’m constantly changing? In this case, I’ll stick to what keeps me consistent. I’m a fearless woman, who still gets scared. I’m a loving nurturer, who is still learning how to love. I’m an inquisitive child, who will never grow up. And an authentic storyteller, who can’t always find the words.”

So tell us, Safia:  What inspires you most? What motivates you to get up every morning?

The fact that there’s another morning. I think about all the things I have and haven’t done, and realize those are the only things that will define my time here. Not what I own. Not what I settle for. Not playing safe instead of playing Safia. But me, how I want and choose to do it. Remembering that I’m the author of my own story keeps me as grateful and grounded as possible, even on the days it seems impossible. The stories we want to write are also the ones we want to live. My advice to anyone looking for daily inspiration? Put down the pen, and keep writing.

How do you feel that your actions teach or inspire others?

I feel that I teach others to be authentic, and own it. I don’t often say or do what is typically acceptable, but I always know someone resonates with it. I notice that the more I show up as human first, the more I’m treated like one. When I learn about who you (actually) are, our connection goes deeper than you’re used to, and there’s something liberating and empowering about knowing you can simply be yourself.

What is one change you’d like to see in the world?

Less fear.

Fear of doing the wrong thing, saying the wrong words, making the wrong move. Fear of life, instead of the freedom to choose one. Everyone I speak to is problem solving around the ways of the world, but what if there were no more problems, and simply solutions? To anyone looking for freedom, my time in Kenya has taught me that true liberation doesn’t only come through meditation retreats in Bali, but through confronting and finding the calm in the chaos. Keep calm and carry on.

Which of your contributions to date have given you the greatest sense of pride?

Choosing my life instead of settling for one. In 2014, I gave up my fancy job and apartment for an uncertain life sabbatical in Nairobi, Kenya. I didn’t have a plan at the time, but followed my gut and trusted the journey. Today, my experiences, career, relationships and most importantly, my self are richer for taking the less certain and obvious path. You never know how big the ocean is until you start swimming in it.

We hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know Safia! Learn more about her work and stay connected via social media @misssafiaabji

Ready to RISE as a leader in your own right?

Get your copy of veza community’s NEW Feminine Leadership Guide. It’s our gift to YOU.

Inside the Feminine Leadership Guide you’ll receive a series of activating journal prompts and action exercises to inspire your next steps on the journey to greater impact.

28 Leaders To Watch: Meet Aliya Amershi

28 Leaders To Watch: Meet Aliya Amershi

This February, all month long, we’re honouring the work of 28 inspiring leaders. Women who are drawing upon and celebrating their culture while making a lasting difference in their community using their gifts. From authors and teachers, CEOs to entrepreneurs, not-for-profit directors, artists, and more, these women are changing the face of leadership.

These are truly women to watch and veza community is so pleased to share their brilliance.

May their stories inspire YOU to rise.

Meet Aliya Amershi.

Aliya is the Founder and CEO of the startup AskaTechie.com, where they are developing an AI-Based, On-Demand Knowledge Workforce Platform. They are solving the outsourcing challenges that Startups face by matching them with highly skilled technical talent best suited for their urgent project needs so that they can grow faster.

She is a true visionary and a fearless hustler with 20 years of technology experience. Aliya earned her degree in Computer Science from UBC and has been working with top players in tech and media, including Electronic Arts in Vancouver and Viacom Networks in New York. Her roles have included Software Engineer, Tech Lead, and IT Manager. One of her many notable accomplishments includes winning an Emmy for the Nick App at Viacom. She’s also currently involved with a number of global organizations, such as The Founder Institute, Women 2.0, and Youngry.com.

Aliya is a powerful force of nature, inspirational thought leader, and a creative innovator who is set to disrupt the tech startup world. She was just accepted into Canadian Technology Accelerator in Silicon Valley, and will be one to watch in the coming months!

So tell us, Aliya: What inspires you most? What motivates you to get up every morning?

My passion to disrupt the tech startups world with my ideas, empower business owners with their technology needs, and to break the stereotype of what a successful tech startup founder looks like.

How do you feel that your actions teach or inspire others?

Through persistence, passion, positivity, confidence, and fearlessness. I maintain this state of high vibration by practicing both morning and evening rituals every day without fail.

What is one change you’d like to see in the world?

Female Founders who are already doing it get REAL support—i.e. funding, connections, sales, etc.

Which of your contributions to date have given you the greatest sense of pride?

My time, advice, presentations, and support I have provided through various organizations to new startup founders and female entrepreneurs, to help them with their technology needs or build their business.

We hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know Aliya! Learn more about her work and stay connected through her various social media platforms:

Website: AskaTechie.com

LinkedIn: aliyaaamershi

Twitter: @aliyaaskatechie

Company Facebook: AskaTechieOnline

Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/askatechie

Twitter: @AskaTechie_

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/askatechie

Ready to RISE as a leader in your own right?

Get your copy of veza community’s NEW Feminine Leadership Guide. It’s our gift to YOU.

Inside the Feminine Leadership Guide you’ll receive a series of activating journal prompts and action exercises to inspire your next steps on the journey to greater impact.

28 Leaders To Watch: Meet Jasmine Garcha

28 Leaders To Watch: Meet Jasmine Garcha

This February, all month long, we’re honouring the work of 28 inspiring leaders. Women who are drawing upon and celebrating their culture while making a lasting difference in their community using their gifts. From authors and teachers, CEOs to entrepreneurs, not-for-profit directors, artists, and more, these women are changing the face of leadership.

These are truly women to watch and veza community is so pleased to share their brilliance.

May their stories inspire YOU to rise.

Meet Jasmine Garcha.

Jasmine Garcha is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist, a Health and Lifestyle Blogger, and the founder of Holistic Jazz—a platform dedicated to creating awareness about chronic health conditions, mental illness, food intolerances and holistic wellness. Basically, “All that Holistic Jazz”! She is passionate about creating awareness and educating others on thriving through a holistic lifestyle. Jasmine is an intuitive and expressive storyteller who utilizes her true, raw and authentic story of overcoming mental and invisible illnesses to empower others. She is also a holistic health enthusiast, smoothie bowl addict, sports fanatic, adventure seeker, and aspiring traveler!

Jasmine describes herself as being a woman who has seen the light through the darkness: a woman who is motivated by life experiences of being dubbed a medical mystery. Through her trials and tribulations with chronic illness and pain, she has found healing through holistic wellness. Jasmine is an intuitive storyteller who uses her true, raw, authentic voice to share a glimpse into the highs and lows of her ongoing life journey. She is a woman who is finding her way to wellness: a woman who is empowered and dedicated to breaking the stigma against invisible illnesses, and creating a world where it is okay to not be okay. Jasmine is a beautiful soul who is going against the grain and following her soul’s true calling.

So tell us, Jasmine: What inspires you most? What motivates you to get up every morning?

Embracing the unknown and trusting my soul journey inspires me to get up each morning and connect with my inner self. By doing so, I am able to be present and aware of what is going on within and around me. I am able to be true to myself and live to my fullest potential.

How do you feel that your actions teach or inspire others?

By being my true, raw, and authentic self, I am able to utilize my voice to empower others. I am very vocal about all of the real stuff that encompasses mental and invisible illnesses, and I utilize my voice to show the world the reality of living with these conditions in hopes of creating awareness and empowering others. I feel that by being my true self, I am able to show others that it’s okay to not be okay, and it’s absolutely okay to embrace your shadow side.

What is one change you’d like to see in the world?

Breaking the stigma against mental illness.

Which of your contributions to date have given you the greatest sense of pride?

Above all, I am most proud of finding the strength to be able to speak my authentic truth. I am proud of finding my voice and publicly sharing my personal mental and invisible health journey on my blog to empower others.

I believe that the work that we do on ourselves, for ourselves, to better ourselves, is the contribution that we should be most proud of. I am also very proud of many of my contributions within the community, such as the volunteer work that I have done with various arts and non-profit cancer organizations, as well as the funds that I have raised for various organizations. I am also really happy with my work as a youth worker, and working with inner city kids.

We hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know Jasmine! Learn more about her work and stay connected via social media: @holisticjazz, or her website: https://holisticjazz.ca/

Ready to RISE as a leader in your own right?

Get your copy of veza community’s NEW Feminine Leadership Guide. It’s our gift to YOU.

Inside the Feminine Leadership Guide you’ll receive a series of activating journal prompts and action exercises to inspire your next steps on the journey to greater impact.

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