About Us

Nina Saini

Executive Director

Nina Saini is presently the Executive Director of StopHateAB. In her work she empowers and engages communities across the Province of Alberta to stand together and collectively raise our hearts and minds against hate. Her focus is to unite the marginalized on the periphery of acceptance and safety in our communities to prosper a core value that maintains dignity, justice, and peace. As an essential aspect to humanity and our identity as Albertans, she guides her work from an anti-oppression framework. She has extensive non-profit experience with over 15 years of progressive leadership including her previously held position as the Executive Director of an ethno-specific counselling agency.

Furthermore, she is experienced in program development, organizational change, and advisory leadership for youth, health, and counselling organizations. Additionally, she is a seasoned entrepreneur and visionary with a maintained commitment to social responsibility and building community. Her educational background is in Psychology with her M.A. in Global Leadership which lends to her intersectional lens that motivates her passion for advocacy, anti-oppression, and transformational change. Nina has extensive volunteer experience locally and internationally. In 2024, Nina was awarded with the “Prince Charles III Coronation Medal” by her Excellency, Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, alongside 100 peers for her outstanding impact in Canada through her professional and volunteer work.

Sunpreet Singh Johal

President

Sunpreet (Sunny) Singh Johal is a passionate community leader and advocate for social justice, with a strong focus on combating hate crimes and advancing anti-racism across Alberta.

Sunny holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from MacEwan University, where he also worked as a Research Assistant studying the impacts of hate crimes on marginalized communities. He is currently pursuing his Master of Business Administration (MBA) at the University of Alberta, specializing in real estate and public policy.

His leadership and dedication to equity have been recognized through several awards, including MacEwan University’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) Leaders Award, the Human Rights Award from the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights, and being named one of Alberta’s Top 30 Under 30 by the Alberta Council for Global Cooperation in 2025.

Sunny currently serves as the President of StopHateAB, where he leads initiatives aimed at documenting hate incidents, empowering communities, and promoting systemic change. He is also the Constituency Manager for the Legislative Assembly of Alberta and serves as a Council Member on the Edmonton Police Service’s Chief’s Community Council. Beyond his work in policy and advocacy, Sunny sits on the Board of the CapitalCare Foundation, serves as a Community Development Advisor with Action for Healthy Communities, and contributes to advancing inclusion in sport as a member of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee with Hockey Alberta.

Anton Joseph

EdD (Candidate), MBA, BSc

Vice President

Anton Joseph is a senior executive leader, organizational strategist, and nationally recognized consultant specializing in equity, diversity, inclusion, organizational transformation, leadership development, and high-performance sport systems. With more than 30 years of experience spanning public service, post-secondary education, nonprofit leadership, and elite athletics, he has built a reputation for advancing innovative, people-centred strategies that create meaningful and sustainable organizational change.

Anton currently serves as Executive Director of the IDEA Advocacy Group, where he provides strategic advisory services to organizations across Canada in organizational development, governance modernization, equity and inclusion strategy, leadership development, and systems transformation. His work focuses on helping organizations strengthen culture, improve organizational effectiveness, and foster environments rooted in inclusion, accountability, and community impact.

In addition to his consulting leadership, Anton serves as Chair of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee for Hockey Alberta, where he provides governance leadership and strategic guidance on Safe Sport, anti-racism, inclusion, and organizational culture initiatives impacting more than 100,000 members across the province. He has also served as a consultant and advisor to educational institutions, sports organizations, nonprofits, and public-sector agencies, supporting initiatives in community engagement, strategic planning, stakeholder collaboration, and institutional transformation.

Anton’s professional experience includes extensive work within post-secondary environments, including leading and supporting strategic equity and organizational initiatives with institutions such as Mount Royal University and the Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association. His expertise includes leadership development, employee engagement, governance reporting, change management, organizational culture, strategic communications, and systems-level transformation.

Anton’s academic background reflects his commitment to lifelong learning and systems change. He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) specializing in Innovation and Change Management from the University of Fredericton, graduating Magna Cum Laude, and is currently completing a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Equity, Diversity, and Social Justice at Western University. His doctoral work focuses on the need for inclusive design in artificial intelligence language modules.

A respected speaker, facilitator, and strategist, Anton is recognized for his ability to connect diverse groups, foster collaboration across sectors, and guide organizations through complex and evolving challenges. His leadership approach combines strategic thinking with empathy, cultural humility, and a strong commitment to public service, community impact, and social justice. Throughout his career, Anton has remained committed to creating environments where individuals, organizations, and communities can thrive through inclusion, leadership, and meaningful systemic change.

Andrew Lam

Secretary

Andrew is dedicated to fostering understanding among diverse perspectives in the community, striving to create a stronger and more inclusive Alberta. Using a background in research, policy, and community building, Andrew is passionate about creating inclusive spaces that amplify voices. His work aims to combat hate and discrimination while promoting unity and resilience across Alberta’s diverse communities.

Sharan Sandhu

Treasurer

Sharan (SHRN) Sandhu is the Secretary Treasurer at Boyle Street Education Centre, a public charter school catering to 14–19-year-old students facing educational disruptions. With a background in Industrial Relations & Personnel Management, Business Administration, Economics, and bookkeeping, Sharan brings over 30 years of experience in Human Resources, Administration, and Finance. Outside of work, Sharan has actively volunteered in various organizations, including the Mill Woods Community Patrol, Edmonton Community Adult Learning Association, Mediation and Restorative Justice Centre, and Chimo Animal Assisted Wellness & Learning Society. Currently, Sharan serves as a board member of BNT (Baba Nanak Trust Foundation), aiming to destigmatize mental health in the South Asian community and promote mental well-being through education and empowerment.

Cam Stewart

Director at Large

Cam has been active in the field diversity, inclusion and human rights for over 25 years and has received several awards for his work, including; Jewish Repairing the World Award, YMCA Peace Medal, and the Baha’i Community Racial Harmony Award.  He has been honoured with an eagle feather and gifted the Blackfoot name of Mikostahpinukum (Red Morning). In 2023, he was awarded the with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal and Rotary International acknowledged him as a “Person of Action: Champion of Inclusion”. Cam is presently the Education and Engagement Consultant for Alberta Human Rights Commission and the Rotary District 5360 Indigenous Relations Chair.

Jashan Sandhu

Director at Large

Jashan Sandhu is a CPA with 10+ years of experience in assurance, financial reporting, and financial advisory. Holding a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta, he is a Partner at Evolve CPAs. Jashan oversees quality control, business development, and client advisory. Dedicated to community development, he strives to make a positive impact in his local communities.

Mari Jo Vanidour

Director at Large

Mari Jo Vanidour is a dedicated advocate with over 30 years of experience in Human Services and Arts and Culture organizations in Red Deer. She has actively served on various federal, provincial, municipal, and local boards, focusing on youth justice, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism, and governance. Mari Jo Vanidour excels in project management, community development, strategic planning, and event marketing. Since 2016, she has played a key role in the local anti-racism initiative, Community: Power of One, considering it a catalyst for personal growth and transformation. As a Mohawk descendant, Mari Jo Vanidour passionately champions the Indigenous Community, advocating for honest and meaningful dialogue towards reconciliation.

Nazil Rahman

Director at Large

Nazil Rahman is a Construction Engineering Technology graduate with a strong foundation in residential development, operations, and community-building. He brings a solution-oriented and strategic lens to his work, informed by his professional experience in Alberta’s homebuilding industry.

Nazil currently serves on the NextGen Committee for BILD Edmonton Metro, where he helps foster leadership and engagement among the next generation of professionals in the building and development sector.