Executive Committee
OFIC's executive committee that drives the organization's success.
Prashant Maharshi
Member at Large
Prashant Maharshi, an MBA in Marketing, is an accomplished financial services and insurance professional with over 20 years of experience across India, the UK, and Canada. He specializes in P&L growth, organizational transformation, and customer-focused innovation. A Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO), he excels in fostering high-performing teams, delivering value-driven solutions and has exceptional communication and presentation skills. Prashant is also deeply committed to community engagement. He has volunteered with schools, hosts a community radio show, and has organized cultural events.
Rishabbh Dua
Member at large
Rishabbh holds computer science degree from the National Institute of Karnataka. He relocated to Canada in 2019. He joined Cisco Systems, where he worked on various cutting-edge technologies. Over the years, he has participated in various initiatives aimed at enhancing community well-being. Whether initiating activities through his university alumni or engaging in community events, he enjoys sharing resources and information that can benefit those around him. Rishabbh aims to help and contribute to a more inclusive and vibrant community for all.
Suraj Harish
Director Seniors Program
Suraj migrated from India to Canada in 1972. He holds a bachelor degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Ottawa. He worked for 37 years for the Regional Municipality of Ottawa Carleton, now City of Ottawa. As a Senior Project manager, he managed number of infrastructure projects from inception to the implementation. He loves to serve his community. From 1985 to 95 he served as part of Mukul Hindi School. In 2000 he served as President of the India Canada Association.
Sunil Sharma
Director Public Relations
Mr. Sharma holds a Bachelor's degree in Engineering from Visvesvaraya Technological University, Karnataka, India. He carries a rich experience of 22 years into future based telecommunication engineering and is working for Ford Motor Labs in Kanata. He has many research publications to his credit. He is very well connected through his volunteer public services like helping people for their taxes via CRA’s CVITP Tax Program and has received appreciation by Honorable Minister of National Revenue services. He added a great value to the Indian Diaspora through his volunteer works.
Shiv Bhasker
President
Chartered Professional Accountant with 33 years of experience in the private and federal government. President of a commercial real estate company and of an NGO. Proficiency in managing multiple demands in pressured and dynamic conditions. Accomplished team builder, manager and developer of staff. Accomplished investor in commercial real estate acquisitions, operation and disposal of real estate properties. Extensive experience in the delivery of the audit programs, development of business plans and strategies for setting up new functions within a government agencies.
Dr. Narinder Garg
Executive Vice President
Dr Narinder Garg has a Master of Engineering from the University of Roorkee and a PhD from IIT Delhi, both being among India’s most prestigious institutions. Having been a tenured assistant professor, he brings the academic rigour and problem-solving skills to this role. He also has decades of experience working as a quality assurance professional in well-known companies like Nortel Networks and Nav Canada. He helped in organizing workshops and seminars in Indo-Canadian Community Centre (ICCC).
His enthusiasm to serve the Indo-Canadian community is evident in organizing a large number of functions and events to further bond between India and Canada.
Amit Sethi
Secretary
Amit, not only a passionate hospitality professional, but also
hold an MBA degree that has enriched his understanding of
business management strategies. At present in a leading role at
Algonquin College in food industry he has gained valuable
experience in delivering exceptional customer service,
managing teams, and optimizing operational efficiencies. He
believes in the power of giving back to the community at large.
With his natural ability to connect with people, he is always
excited to share his journey and connect with others who share
similar aspirations.
Kul Bhushan Kapoor
Treasurer
Mr Kapoor holds a Masters in Engineering from the Carleton University in Ottawa and Bachelors in Engineering from Delhi. He retired after 29 years of service at the Institute of Aerospace Research, National Research Council (NRC) Canada where he was involved in various successful Electromechanical Instrumentation projects. He has been a long-time community activist and has served on the executive teams of various citizen associations. He is especially passionate about helping senior citizens and other vulnerable sections of the society.
Hemant M. Shah
Director Canada India Trade Relations & Marketing
Hemant Shah is a forward-thinking and community-minded business champion leader with more than 4 decades of experience in the promotion and development of international trade. He has successfully established export opportunities to countries in Asia, Europe, North America, and the Middle East. He has received several prestigious awards from the business communities and governments. His contribution made a landmark in International trade relationships between India and Canada. His unbeatable achievements could be counted as President: Cubex India Limited, Director of Cubex Canada, Director of Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, Head of the India Canada Trade Development Committee and Board of Directors of Canada-India Business Council. He will be heading our Canada India Trade Corridor.
Anil Sukhija
Director Special Advisor
Anil Sukhija is involved in volunteer work specially for seniors for more than 6 years. Besides being a member of the Management team in OFIC he is also chairperson of Indo Canadian Community Center's seniors program and also on the board of ICCC. He also served on the board of Social Planning Council of Ottawa (SPCO) for three years and is also involved in various advisory committees looking after the interest of Seniors. By qualification he is a post graduate in Marketing and Sales Management. He is 75, happily married with two daughters and four grandchildren
Board of Directors
Board of Directors, the body which takes all important decisions required for furthering the objectives of the Organization.
Dr. Ashok Kumar
Founding Member
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[email protected]
)
Dr Ashok Kumar received his PhD from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi in 1981. He received fellowships from the Institute Pasteur, Paris from 1984-1986 and later from the Brown University, Rhode Island, USA from 1989-91. He joined the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario in 1992. He rose through the ranks to become Full Professor at the University of Ottawa, ON, Canada, in 2004. His main research focus is on HIV pathogenesis. He is retiring from active teaching and research activities in October 2021.