Hiking in the gorgeous Rockies, travelling to explore hidden gems and local experiences, discovering the world’s best drives, trying new recipes using ingredients from my kitchen garden.

List any special training you have had (music, art, drama, dance, etc.)

Not yet but I plan to take Tae Kwon Do lessons with my boys in the upcoming fall.

In what sports, if any, have you participated?

I was on the women’s soccer, basketball and baseball teams with Calgary Corporate Challenge for 3 years.

Name one person, other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life. Why?

I look up to strong transformational female leaders and one that I admire is Leena Nair. Her values of human-centric leadership with a proven record of improved productivity and believing in second chances is what resonates with me. I learnt of her Career by Choice programme at Unilever, which helped women to rejoin the workforce after a career break (raising a family, caregivers, and more) which truly struck a chord with me.

Within my hometown of Calgary, I have been greatly inspired by Sue-Riddel Rose who is one of the very few women executives in the Energy Industry since I started my career back in the late 2000s.

What is your proudest personal accomplishment (other than participating in this pageant)?

One of my proudest personal accomplishments has been losing 40 pounds over the past two years. This journey has been about so much more than just physical transformation – it’s been a turning point for my mental and emotional well-being. I’ve gained strength, confidence, and a renewed commitment to a healthier life. What makes this journey even more meaningful is seeing the positive impact it’s had on my children. They’re learning the value of self-care and healthy habits and knowing I can inspire them – and others – through my experience is something I truly cherish.

What is the most interesting or unique thing that has ever happened to you and/or what is the most interesting thing about you?

One of the most unexpected and amusing things that’s ever happened to me was being escorted by RCMP’s Protective Detail into a Dollar Store – yes, you heard that right – on Christmas Eve! Why? Because then-Prime Minister Stephen Harper was inside doing some last-minute shopping. Apparently, even world leaders forget gift wrap and tape! We weren’t allowed to get too close, but we did catch a glimpse of his signature at the checkout. It was probably the most high-security trip to the Dollar Store I’ll ever have – and definitely the most memorable!

Most interesting about me – I am a fighter! A female professional engineer in a male dominated industry who is meticulous and procedure-oriented, an entrepreneur, a people’s person, a community contributor, a wife and a mother, someone who lost herself along the way and found her way to take back control of her life, now here at Miss Universe Canada on a journey to inspire others.

What is your career ambition and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal?

I am at the dawn of starting my next phase of life – my forties! I see this not as a midlife crisis, but a launching pad for the next chapter of my life. With a strong foundation in engineering, business ownership, and community service, I’m proud of what I’ve achieved. But now, my ambition is to make a deeper, lasting impact through service. I want my legacy to be one of meaningful change.

Over the next few years, I wish to establish a formal community or foundation focused on health, wellness and self discovery – especially for women approaching menopause and perimenopause as well as for children and youth facing self esteem or mental health dilemma. This goal is deeply personal, as I raise children in a household embracing ADHD, and understand firsthand the need for awareness, education, and support. Miss Universe Canada gives me a platform to further these causes and serve as an ambassador of Health & Wellness.

What would be your “dream job” in life?

Owning a little flower and fresh-pressed juice shop by the beach, where the coconut water is served chilled – with a tiny cocktail umbrella, of course. It’s a place where wellness meets beauty, and where joy is found in the simplest things – like fresh blooms, ocean breezes, and the laughter of happy customers. To me, that’s not just a job – it’s a life filled with peace, purpose, and connection.

Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was like.

I was born in Abu Dhabi and am the oldest of three (3) from a conservative East Indian family. I grew up learning values and principles from various cultures living in harmony as people, friends and a community. This has made me perceptive and receptive towards many aspects of life both personally and professionally.

I left home and came to Canada to study engineering at the age of 17 eager to break the norm in my family where at the time raising girls meant having them married, regardless of whether they had finished high-school or not. It was through this experience that I became a proud Canadian, learning to balance my rich cultural heritage with the values of my new home.

List any interesting or unusual jobs you may have had.

What I find most interesting is volunteering with Junior Achievement, where I deliver programs on financial literacy and entrepreneurship to students in grades 4 through 9. It’s incredibly rewarding to see these young minds light up as they learn about business and finance. One of my favorite moments is when we do a mock ‘Dragon’s Den’- watching the students pitch their ideas is both inspiring and entertaining. Their creativity and passion remind me of the power of entrepreneurship at any age.

List any volunteering you have done.

I am deeply passionate about children’s mental health and development, and I’ve had the privilege of volunteering with several organizations that align with these causes. I’ve worked with Junior Achievement delivering financial literacy programs to over 200 students across various schools in Calgary. In addition, I also volunteer with APEGA, women in science and engineering within my field of energy and engineering. I actively contribute to the Alberta Children’s Foundation, UNICEF Canada, the Canadian Red Cross and Kids Cancer Care. Each opportunity has allowed me to contribute to causes I care about while helping others build brighter futures.

What is your most unusual talent?

I can bake you a banana bread without you knowing that I have zucchini, peppers and sweet potato in it or a gluten-free version without you realizing it.

Where is the most interesting place you have been to?

As an avid traveller, one interesting place I love is Muscat, Oman. It is a heritage city in the Middle East surrounded by surreal mountains and the ocean. It is known as a geologist’s paradise due to the land rising over the ocean during a tectonic shift in plates. Many examples of the formation of rocks, fossils, structures, caves and meteorites can be found near the Gulf of Oman and along the Al-Hajar Mountain range with many fascinating stories. My favourite attraction is sinkholes, such as the Tawi Atair sinkhole as we can see the geological phases. not to mention the sheer beauty of these rocks for their contrasting beauty in the desert with a thriving ecosystem.

What do you hope to be doing in ten years?

In ten years, I hope to be a healthier version of myself and want to see both my boys in university, which will graduate me to that flower and fresh-pressed juice shop by the beach – complete with a little cocktail umbrella on top!

But before that, I have a lot to do – I see myself to have built on the experiences and connections in my fields of business, engineering, leadership and from my travels within Canada and across the world as Miss Universe Canada to champion Health and Wellness. I see myself as an ambassador for Miss Universe Canada and Canada’s values of fairness, openness, equality and inclusion by confidently celebrating women and children everywhere creating prosperity through transforming lives and being of service with no distinctions. I see myself creating lasting change while living a life rich in experiences and meaning.

Is there anything you would like to add that we haven’t asked?

Participating in Miss Universe Canada is a bold and unconventional step for me as I approach my forties. As a mother of two boys aged 7 and 11, a full-time professional and an entrepreneur, I’m stepping into a space that has traditionally been reserved for women in their earlier stages as they envision their dreams and goals. Miss Universe Canada has given women like me a chance to share my experiences while channelling it into something powerful.

I believe this is the perfect time for me to embrace this challenge – not only to continue to inspire myself but to be a beacon for women everywhere and at all stages of their life to take control of their health. Together, we can support each other find our natural healing force which would be the greatest force in getting well. For our body is the foremost tool for manifesting our mind.