As a community socio-cultural advocate and educator for over 25 years, Mahenaz has extensive experience with the systemic barriers newcomers face due to lack of adequate language skills and recognition of their foreign qualifications.  As a business development consultant, Mahenaz has also helped minority women actualise their talents into home-based businesses and many of those businesses are still flourishing. Mahenaz has extensive and varied experience in the public and private sectors and has contributed to the Edmonton community through advocacy, policy and program development.