Our Board
Multi Generational Housing & Community Centre Board
“One of the great questions facing humanity today is how we can honour what is distinctive about our separate identities – and, at the same time, welcome a diversity of identities as positive elements in our lives.”
Excerpt of speech delivered by His Highness the Aga Khan at the Inauguration of the Aga Khan Garden, Edmonton on October 16, 2018.
Rooted in community values, Generations Calgary is symbolic of the ongoing transfer of knowledge and tradition. Our hope is that our residents will also continue to pass on their wisdom to future Generations, and that our youth will engage with our residents to share the precious gift of time. This inter-generational model truly represents a community centric model for care where diverse Generations will be able to interact and learn from each other to build a strong society.
Karim Manji
Chairman
Karim is an established entrepreneur specializing in financial and operating efficiency, and comanages a private family wealth office investing in various sectors across Canada.
His extensive experience in the financial section, including his tenure at Goldman Sachs, has provided him with valuable knowledge and skills in investment management. Prior to this role, Karim was a Senior Engineer at Amoco Canada Petroleum.
Karim has served as city chair of the Aga Khan Foundation Canada. He has also served in senior capacity in various Jamati Institutions, including Chair of the National Education Board for Canada, Mukhi Sahib of the Calgary NW JK, Convener of the National Diamond Jubilee Fund Canada, Campaign Chair Canada for the Aga Khan Museum, Lead for the Canada Covid Economic Response Task force and recently appointed as Global Lead for the Economic Recovery Task Force. His involvement reflects his commitment to giving back to the community and supporting important social causes.
His participation in various private company boards and advisory roles in industry sectors of Technology, Oil & Gas, and Medical Services, demonstrates his versatility and ability to adapt to different businesses.
Narmin Vasanji
Vice Chairperson
Narmin is a Chartered Accountant and Partner in KPMG’s Management Consulting practice and geographic Management Consulting leader for the Prairies at KPMG. Narmin focuses on helping organizations transform and assists her clients with defining their future vision and objectives, developing go forward roadmaps and implementation of new service delivery models, processes and technology to drive more organizational value. She is an experienced program leader with over 20 years of professional services experience. Born and raised in Calgary, Narmin is passionate about giving back to the community and has served in various roles including as a Member of the Ismaili Council for the Prairies where she supported an initiative to alleviate poverty in the community and Chairman of the Ismaili Grants and Review Board for the Prairies.
Farid Damji
Focus: Leadership and Strategy
Farid has over 20 years of strategic and operational experience in complex healthcare environments, including hospital and community care settings within British Columbia and Alberta. Prior to co-founding Optima Living, he held key positions at the Ministry of Health in BC and the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority. He currently manages the operations of Optima Living, a company that operates 39 communities specializing in Independent Living, Assisted Living, Supportive Living, Long-Term Care, and Memory Care across Alberta and British Columbia. He has previously held the position of Adjunct Clinical Professor for the Department of Health Care and Epidemiology within the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia.
Farid has served as the city convenor of the World Partnership Walk, the Aga Khan Council for Canada (CFC), and the National Ismaili Tariqa and Religious Education Board for Canada (ITREB). He was a founding board member of Effective Pricing Solutions (EPS), a premier national purchasing group representing over 12,000 beds across Canada.
Riyaz Mulji
Focus: Finance and Governance
Riyaz is a CPA (CMA) with over 25 years of experience working with start-ups, early-stage companies, and established public and private entities in technology, medicine, capital markets, international taxes, energy, and supply chain industries.
He is adept at customizing financial information for internal decision-making, non-financial audiences, risk management, and external and regulatory reporting. A strong communicator with expertise in working with senior executives, regulators, government agencies and across cultural and linguistic barriers. He is a passionate leader who believes in mentoring and building strong teams to help organizations reach their maximum potential. Riyaz has served as Chair of the Education Board for Ontario and as a Finance and Funding member of the National Education Board. He has also volunteered with the Friends of Edgemont Society, Inn from the Cold, and the Calgary Drop-In Centre.
Zahra Shajani
Board Member
Dr. Zahra Shajani is the President of the Aga Khan Council for the Prairies, where she plays a pivotal role in shaping community initiatives that improve quality of life for the community andthose amongst whom it lives.
Professionally, she is the Associate Dean Undergraduate Practice Education with the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Calgary where she is also serving as an Associate Professor. She is a dedicated advocate for health promotion and is committed to creating supportive environments and building relationships to foster overall health.
Dr. Shajani is the Co-Chair for the Global Network of Public Health Nursing, and collaborates on an international level to address public health challenges. Her involvement as a board
member for Generations Calgary, a multi-generational complex, reflects her dedication to supporting diverse age groups.
Dr. Shajani has made contributions through her research and publications. She has co-authored textbooks and written chapters on community and family nursing, showcasing her expertise and dedication to advancing nursing knowledge. Her multifaceted contributions underscore her passion for creating positive change in health, education, and quality of life.
Feisal Keshavjee
Board Member - Strategy and Partnerships
Feisal is the Senior Vice President, Health Partnerships & Transformation, Home Health Services for CBI Health. CBI Health is one of Canada’s largest home health and physical rehabilitation companies. He is an accomplished healthcare leader who has worked in senior leadership positions in all facets of the healthcare system – policy, public, private, corporate, and early stage. He was also a Principal at Ernst & Young in the Asia Pacific region, carrying out numerous post-merger integration and strategic planning efforts in New Zealand, Australia and Malaysia. He is currently a lecturer in the University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine’s Precision Health program.
Feisal is the current Chair of the Alberta Continuing Care Association and sits on the Board of Healthcare Excellence Canada – a federally funded pan-Canadian Health Organization that works with partners to spread innovations, build capability and catalyze policy changes for safe and high-quality healthcare. He is the past Chair of the Canadian College of Health Leaders, the professional association for Canada’s 4,000+ health leaders and industry executives.
Fatima Shariff
Board Member - Legal and Governance
Fatima has been practicing as legal counsel with the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) since 2012 prior to which she was an associate lawyer with the Canadian law firm of Borden Ladner Gervais LLP.
As a Legal Manager with the AESO, Fatima has appeared before the Alberta Utilities Commission and leads her team in providing proactive strategic and legal advice on a diversity of regulatory, corporate, and commercial matters. She also serves as chair of the AESO’s Health and Safety Committee and chairs an employee resource group that focuses on developing an open and inclusive environment for women to amplify their careers through connection and network. Fatima also serves as treasurer of the southern Alberta branch of the Canadian Corporate Counsel Association (CCCA), a division of the Canadian Bar Association.
In a volunteer capacity, Fatima was a trained instructor with Alberta’s Board governance program providing training to not for profit boards on governance related matters. She has also served as Chair of the Aga Khan Youth and Sports Board and was the Diamond Jubilee Programs and Activities Convener in the Prairies. Fatima is a recipient of the Alberta Centennial Medal, a medal awarded for significant contributions to fellow Alberta citizens, their community and to Alberta.