DR. DESH MITTRA, PRESIDENT

Desh came to Canada in 1977 after finishing his education in India. He has a Master’s degree in Physics (Crystallography) and a Ph. D in Geology. He worked as an instructor of Geology / Physics at Grande Prairie Regional College from 1981 to 2011. 

He was a founder member of four different societies in Grande Prairie and served in these societies as president and other positions for many years. He was a part of Dinosaur Dig in the Pipestone Creek, AB. He was a helping source for the rocks and mineral collections at Grande Prairie Museum. 

He loves working in the community to provide education, social help, and promote cultural activities. Even after retirement, he continued to serve the community of Grande Prairie. 

In 2014, he moved to Edmonton with his wife Meera. He has three daughters and seven grandchildren.  He works as a volunteer at the front desk of MWSA. In 2019, he has started a chapter of Ekal, which is a non-profit organization for tribal and remote villages in India. His passion is education and travelling. 

SUSHILA SAMY, VICE-PRESIDENT

Sushila was formerly employed in Education Programs at the Canadian and later the Alberta Human Rights Commission.  She started and managed Samy Consulting, a human resource consulting business, specializing in human rights, diversity, and equity. She holds a Certified Human Resources Professional designation, as well as a degree in political science and economics. 

Her areas of interest include seniors, newcomer seniors and isolation, and overcoming systemic barriers faced by seniors.   

Sushila currently volunteers with the Seniors United Now (SUN) Steering Committee in the  South Edmonton Chapter, and as a board member with Edmonton Seniors’ Coordinating Council (ESCC). She has also served on several provincial and municipal committees and boards. 

PATRICIA HINDS, Treasurer

Patricia Hinds is a federal government accountant who enjoys volunteering in the community. She is knowledgeable in the world of finance. Patricia is a familiar face around MWSA. She was the past-treasurer of MWSA, often hosted presentations on board governance and financial literacy under the auspices of the Government of Alberta and CPA Canada. Outside of volunteering, Patricia is a sports enthusiast. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, especially her 90 year old mother, Mary Marks, who is a founding member of the Mill Woods Seniors Association.

STACEY BELLER, SECRETARY

Stacey has lived in Mill Woods since 1988, raising 3 daughters.  She retired from the federal government in 2016, and promptly registered as a member at MWSA.  

Stacey has been actively volunteering with MWSA since 2017 with roles in the MWSA office doing admin work, the Knitting Club, MWSA Market, and during the annual Craft and Rummage Sales. 
 
Stacey has a passion for MWSA.  "I'd like to see MWSA having a big reputation in the city, by meeting the MWSA Vision of being a welcoming centre that meets the recreational, educational, and social needs of seniors in our community."

RATNA BASAPPA

Ratna holds a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Economics, Political Science, and Public Administration. She also holds an Accounting Diploma and certified as a Systems analyst from NAIT. Her work experience of 35 years includes 27 years with the Legal Aid Society of Alberta in their Information Technology department as a Manager-system Analyst. 

Ratna has been volunteering since she was 12 years old. Currently, Ratna is Vice-Chair of the Edmonton Seniors Coordinate counsel board (ESCC), Board of director of the South East Edmonton Seniors Association (SEESA – completing the term end of March 2021). The Age-Friendly Edmonton (AFE) – a member of the Diversity and Inclusion hub and, is the board of director of the Alberta Arbitration and Mediation Society (AAMS).  

More recently she served on the Board of the ICWA as Director and as two-term President, Ambassador for Age of Wisdom Project.  4 years on Mill Woods Seniors Association (MWSA), two years of which as the Board Secretary also served on the Council of India Societies of Edmonton for 8 years.  

She dedicates her time and enjoys working with seniors, and with women who are experiencing domestic violence, especially with newcomers. Awareness is critical and must work on reaching as many seniors as possible and always looking for gaps in the system so that we can provide better services to make seniors' life comfortable in every area. She is a project-oriented person, not just a planner but a doer to make sure the job gets done.  

 ARUN BAKSHI

Arun is a Mechanical Engineer by education, who graduated from Bangalore University in India in 1987. Thereafter, he started a manufacturing business called Offset Printing Machines in Faridabad, an industrial suburb of New Delhi.

His family migrated with him to Canada in 2005, and they have been residents of Edmonton since 2007.

Currently, Arun is employed as the Post Press Manager with Great-West Newspapers LP in St. Albert.

Furthermore, he has completed the Occupational Health & Safety Course from the University of Alberta. He also has the additional responsibility of coordinating the Health & Safety program. He is adept at building successful teams and work by building goal-oriented consensus between team members.

In addition, He is a Level 1 certified official for Speed Skating and has officiated at a Canadian Junior National meet.

He enjoys making new friends and sharing experiences and thoughts. Smiling and having fun is what he is about.

As an MWSA board member, he hopes to work towards making the center more accessible to seniors belonging to different cultures and to motivate the existing members to contribute their vast experience in improving the programs available.

BRIAN SIOUI

DEBBIE STEADWARD

Debbie Steadward has always been passionate about volunteering. She has been secretary and president of the Paralympics Sports Association, board chair and president of the Mill Woods Society of Community Living, a non-profit organization that supports and advocates for individuals with multiple disabilities in their home and their community; and secretary of Friends of Rosecrest. Debbie has 45+ years working in and advocating for individuals in acute and long term care facilities. Shei s looking forward to bringing her expertise to the MWSA board, as well as assisting with enhancing programs and services for seniors.