Sunny holds a PhD in Sociology and an MA in International Politics and Human Rights. She teaches sociology and criminology, with research focused on sexual violence against women and girls in India, particularly caste-based violence and the intersections of family, community, and the state. Her expertise spans gender studies, gender-based violence, intersectionality, casteism, racialization, ethnicity, and post-colonial India. Alongside her academic work, Sunny has years of experience in the non-profit sector, raising awareness of gender-based violence within the South Asian community. She is also a dedicated wife and mother to her son, Dillon.

Tara Lyons, PhD (she/they), is a faculty member in KPU’s Department of Criminology. She is currently leading a study investigating the experiences of 2SLGBTQIA+ post-secondary students, and a community-based research project with the Surrey Union of Drug Users.

Harjot Rai is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors and has worked as an educator in the Surrey School District since 2012. She currently divides her time between her role as a school counsellor in the district and her private practice in South Surrey/White Rock. In her counselling work, Harjot draws on a variety of therapeutic modalities, including EMDR, to support individuals navigating anxiety, stress, trauma, and PTSD. She is deeply passionate about mental health and emphasizes the importance of social and emotional learning, particularly with youth. Outside of her professional life, Harjot enjoys spending quality time with her family, staying active through workouts, and exploring new culinary experiences.

Dr. Asma Sayed is the Canada Research Chair in South Asian Literary and Cultural Studies and Vice President, Equity and Inclusive Communities at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Her research focuses on postcolonial and diasporic literatures, particularly narratives of exile, displacement, and violence against women in South Asia and East Africa, as well as representations of gender and race in literature, film (especially Bollywood), and media. She draws on Critical Equity Studies, Critical Race Theory, and Postcolonial and Decolonial Studies to examine issues of marginalization, solidarity, and cultural identity. The author and editor of six books and numerous articles, Dr. Sayed’s current projects explore Indian Ocean studies, postcolonial feminist fiction, and South Asian food cultures. Her work has been recognized with multiple grants and awards, including election to the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists (2020) and being named KPU’s Distinguished Scholar (2023). She also served as president of the Canadian Association for Postcolonial Studies from 2019–2022.

Dr. Sophia Sandhu is a Registered Psychologist, working in private practice in Surrey, BC. Dr. Sandhu works closely with families and specializes in psychodiagnostics evaluations of children and youth. Dr. Sandhu has also conducted research in diagnosis and treatment barriers for South Asian families whose children have autism spectrum disorder. Dr. Sandhu is passionate about supporting members of her community at large and specifically supporting vulnerable populations, such as South Asian women and children.

Jasmine was born and raised in Surrey, BC, and obtained her law degree from Thompson Rivers University before being called to the BC Bar in 2021. She articled at an administrative law firm, assisting clients with WorkSafeBC and Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefit claims. During law school, Jasmine was actively involved as an executive member of both the South Asian Law Students Association and the Black Law Students Association. She is deeply committed to improving access to justice for marginalized communities, having provided low-barrier legal services through the TRU Community Legal Clinic and the Law Students Legal Advice Program. In addition, she led a drop-in wellness program supporting the well-being of her peers in law school.

Meena Dhillon (she/her/hers), is a lawyer and social worker with extensive experience in both public and private sector. Meena is a settler on the lands of the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation and a Canadian born Punjabi Sikh child of immigrants. Meena is a co-founder and former chair of SALCBC and she is now the Managing Lawyer of the clinic, overseeing clinic operations and legal practice. Meena’s legal practice is focused on dispute resolution, children’s law, family law, child welfare, personal injury and wills/estates. Meena is a Sessional Instructor with the University of the Fraser Valley, where she has taught a number of social work courses since 2010. She has a Bachelor of Arts from Simon Fraser University, as well as a Bachelor of Social Work and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of British Columbia. She is passionate about social justice, equity, diversity and inclusion.

Anita Lal is the Co-Founder and Director of the Poetic Justice Foundation, a social organization that develops content, workshops, and events to address social inequalities and biases. Anita’s role will include advising, reviewing material pre, during and post-event.

Joshna (She/Her), a Kenyan-born woman of Gujarati descent, is a passionate advocate for positive change. She is the manager of community engagement for Sher Vancouver LGBTQ Friends Society which is a registered charity supporting queer South Asian folk, friends, families and allies. Her role includes outreach, facilitation of support groups, participation in discussion groups among other roles. She uses her lived experience to help others as best as she can.

Dr Sonya Jensen is a Naturopathic Doctor and Author that specializes in women's health, particularly the impact that trauma and generational trauma has on the physical body. This research is an important step towards understanding the impact of cultural and social structures on women and their ability to seek care and support. Having her own unique story of being a first generation eldest daughter of a family that immigrated here in the 70s she knows first hand the challenges young women face straddling two different cultures white navigating your own identity, stressors, and expectations.

Danae Goosen is a Psychology major with a Criminology minor at Kwantlen Polytechnic University and has over nine years of professional experience as an Early Childhood Educator. Her academic pursuits and lived experiences fuel her commitment to advocating for children and women, particularly those from vulnerable populations. Danae aspires to become a child psychologist specializing in transracial adoptions, combining her expertise, personal insights, and advocacy work. She aims to collaborate with community organizations and international networks to raise awareness of systemic challenges faced by women and children worldwide and to amplify marginalized voices through research, clinical practice, and public engagement.

Tavreen is a dedicated health science student at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, and she has a strong passion for community well-being and inclusivity. She believes that our health is deeply connected with all aspects of our lives, and she is committed to addressing gaps in healthcare through research and advocacy. She wants to pursue a master’s in women’s reproductive health and genetics, and she also has a strong passion for teaching, hoping to inspire and empower others through education. Tavreen immigrated to Canada at a young age and draws her personal experiences to engage with South Asian communities and emphasizes the importance of voices in addressing social issues. She is deeply committed to giving back to the community through volunteering, advocacy and research.