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.

Dacia was born and raised in Calgary and has 17 years experience working in a variety of different roles from administration to data analysis.  Dacia earned her diploma in Business Administration from SAIT. She also attended SIAST in Regina to complete a certificate in Administration. Having worked mostly in the areas of Oil and Gas, Asset Integrity and Safety, Health and Environment for Imperial Oil Resources and ConocoPhillips Canada, she is very familiar with data management, analysis, and business administration. Dacia lives in Calgary with her husband and their 2 young children.  When Dacia is not working, she volunteers on the Board of Directors for her children’s former daycare and loves to hike in the mountains and run the odd 5-10K marathon. She looks forward to her position as AIMGA Program Administrator and to getting to know the members.