MEET OUR CORE TEAM & ADVISORS
Welcome to the Apar Initiative where we foster limitless and boundless opportunities.
Meet our Core Team, Advisors, and Ambassadors
Our team at Apar Initiative consists of volunteers from many walks of life and professional backgrounds to bring a balanced approach to developing and hosting our programs.
Raman Sawhney
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
In 2018, Raman founded Apar Initiative after working as the only woman in a technical role on the largest onshore oilfield in continental Europe. Professionally, she is the Business Development Manager at FRACMOD and Acumen Manager at Young Women in Energy. She has a BASc. in Chemical Engineering from Queen's University.
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In 2018, Raman founded Apar Initiative after working as the only woman in a technical role on the largest onshore oilfield in continental Europe. Professionally, she is the Business Development Manager at FRACMOD and Acumen Manager at Young Women in Energy. She has a BASc. in Chemical Engineering from Queen's University.
Sandhya Rajogpalan
MANAGER, SPONSORSHIP & PARTNERSHIPS
Sandhya is a management consultant with PwC and a 2019 graduate of the Ivey HBA Program at Western University. Outside work, she is a Project Advisor with Flywheel pro bono consulting. Sandhya is passionate about education and female empowerment, and is looking forward to working with Apar Initiative to further these passions.
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Sandhya is a management consultant with PwC and a 2019 graduate of the Ivey HBA Program at Western University. Outside work, she is a Project Advisor with Flywheel pro bono consulting. Sandhya is passionate about education and female empowerment, and is looking forward to working with Apar Initiative to further these passions.
Lily Ahonen
MANAGER, PROGRAMS
Lily Ahonen has a diploma in Mechanical Engineering technology from SAIT. She made a career change in 2006 into the field of Nursing. She has been a Nurse and Foster Parent in the Specialized Foster Care Program, caring for medically fragile children for over a decade. She is also very involved in the community through many organizations.
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Lily Ahonen has a diploma in Mechanical Engineering technology from SAIT. She made a career change in 2006 into the field of Nursing. She has been a Nurse and Foster Parent in the Specialized Foster Care Program, caring for medically fragile children for over a decade. She is also very involved in the community through many organizations.
Saiva Sawhney
YOUTH AMBASSADOR
Saiva Sawhney is a grade 10 student. In the past, she volunteered at the Calgary-Drop-In Centre and the Sikh Society of Calgary. She is passionate about learning new things, making the best out of negative situations, and striving for academic excellence. She enjoys basketball and participating in the robotics club.
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Saiva Sawhney is a grade 10 student. In the past, she volunteered at the Calgary-Drop-In Centre and the Sikh Society of Calgary. She is passionate about learning new things, making the best out of negative situations, and striving for academic excellence. She enjoys basketball and participating in the robotics club.
Violette Sahondra
TREASURER
Violette is an advocate for children and youth. While at studying the University of Antananarivo in Madagascar, she dedicated her extra curricular time tutoring and mentoring young children in her community. She holds a bachelor's degree in business law from the University of Antananarivo and pursued further studies in Calgary, Canada, where she obtained a Bachelor of Management Degree from the University of Lethbridge.
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Violette is an advocate for children and youth. While at studying the University of Antananarivo in Madagascar, she dedicated her extra curricular time tutoring and mentoring young children in her community. She holds a bachelor's degree in business law from the University of Antananarivo and pursued further studies in Calgary, Canada, where she obtained a Bachelor of Management Degree from the University of Lethbridge.
Tess O'Hara
Communications Manager
Tess O’Hara is an engineering graduate who is specializing in the energy industry. She recently earned her Bch degree in mathematics and mechanical engineering at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, and has also earned a Business Certificate from the Smith School of Business. Tess has always been passionate about mentoring students interested in a STEM field and is always looking for new ways to learn alongside others.
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Tess O’Hara is an engineering graduate who is specializing in the energy industry. She recently earned her Bch degree in mathematics and mechanical engineering at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, and has also earned a Business Certificate from the Smith School of Business. Tess has always been passionate about mentoring students interested in a STEM field and is always looking for new ways to learn alongside others.
Zafina Zaman
YOUTH AMBASSADOR
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Avani Sawhney
YOUTH AMBASSADOR
Avani is in grade 6 and loves to volunteer. Her favorite subject is math and she enjoys to play basketball and reading her favorite book series Harry Potter. Avani is excited about making new friends and helping be a role model at the Apar Initiative events.
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Avani is in grade 6 and loves to volunteer. Her favorite subject is math and she enjoys to play basketball and reading her favorite book series Harry Potter. Avani is excited about making new friends and helping be a role model at the Apar Initiative events.
Bintu Randia
ADVISOR
Bintu is a Geologist with 7 years of experience in the oil and gas industry. He creates detailed 3D geological models utilizing leading edge industry software and passionately believes that new technology, new ideas, and new ways of thinking are essential in evolving the industry. Bintu has a BSc. from the University of Calgary with a major in Petroleum Geology.
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Bintu is a Geologist with 7 years of experience in the oil and gas industry. He creates detailed 3D geological models utilizing leading edge industry software and passionately believes that new technology, new ideas, and new ways of thinking are essential in evolving the industry. Bintu has a BSc. from the University of Calgary with a major in Petroleum Geology.
Marigold Mioc
YOUTH AMBASSADOR
Marigold Mioc is 11 years old and in the 6th grade. She is a Youth Ambassador for Apar Initiative, hundrED, and 1Girl. She regularly facilitates leadership classes for youth and has had a business called ‘Marigold’s Heart Garden and uses the proceeds for charitable work. She is the youngest member of Engineers without Borders-Calgary City Chapter, and won the 2019 Diana Award.
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Marigold Mioc is 11 years old and in the 6th grade. She is a Youth Ambassador for Apar Initiative, hundrED, and 1Girl. She regularly facilitates leadership classes for youth and has had a business called ‘Marigold’s Heart Garden and uses the proceeds for charitable work. She is the youngest member of Engineers without Borders-Calgary City Chapter, and won the 2019 Diana Award.
FAHREEN AKBAR
ADVISOR
Farheen is a leader with extensive experience in the energy sector including project management, facility design, energy audit, commissioning and operations optimization. She enjoys a great reputation for collaboration and building high performing teams regardless of the work she takes on. As a dedicated community leader and mentor, her vision of a world is where technology and innovation always include the human equation. She is an advocate for STEM education and actively involved in the community. Currently she serves as a director of the Advisory Board of Women Entrepreneurship Day event org, mentor at Alberta Council for Global Cooperation, APEGA Events committee and Advisor at Apar Initiative. In the past she lead Women in Leadership Foundation as co-chair, Board of Director of Association of Energy Engineers (AEE), and was member of Women’s Leadership council, United Way.
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Farheen is a leader with extensive experience in the energy sector including project management, facility design, energy audit, commissioning and operations optimization. She enjoys a great reputation for collaboration and building high performing teams regardless of the work she takes on. As a dedicated community leader and mentor, her vision of a world is where technology and innovation always include the human equation. She is an advocate for STEM education and actively involved in the community. Currently she serves as a director of the Advisory Board of Women Entrepreneurship Day event org, mentor at Alberta Council for Global Cooperation, APEGA Events committee and Advisor at Apar Initiative. In the past she lead Women in Leadership Foundation as co-chair, Board of Director of Association of Energy Engineers (AEE), and was member of Women’s Leadership council, United Way.
Let's Connect
Contact us for more information on our programs & events as well as potential partnership & sponsorship opportunities.
- info@aparinitiative.com