Tell us about your journey since graduating from LSE
I initially worked as a social worker with the Ministry of Children and Family Development in British Columbia with Adults with Developmental Disabilities.
In 2008, I founded Sher Vancouver which is now a unique dual-purpose arts and cultural and social service registered charity for LGBTQ+ South Asians and their friends and families. We want to provide opportunities for LGBTQ+ people in our communities to have the support and assistance they need to grow, flourish, and reach their potential.
In 2013, I graduated with my second Master’s at Dalhousie University in social work, working as a Youth Counsellor to help pay my way through school. After graduation, I worked as a social worker, mental health clinician, and team leader for one of the largest health authorities in British Columbia. I went onto complete my Registered Clinical Social Worker designation and opened my own private counselling practice
The combination of my public administration, public policy, and social work training was the perfect fit to navigate the work I did as the head of a registered charity in Sher Vancouver, a social worker and team leader with the health authority, and as a private counsellor.
In 2019, I received the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) from Her Excellency The Right Honourable Julie Payette for founding Sher Vancouver.
What did you learn whilst studying in the Department of Government and how has this helped you in your career?
I learned how to apply essential public administration and public policy skills to my work with the government, business, and the volunteer sector. My education in the Department of Government enhanced my social work interests and knowledge.
LSE taught me that you can have a direct input on the development of new programmes and services and even initiate legislative changes internally as a staff member through participation in workplace committees, your professional association, your union, and by providing feedback directly to the leadership team and your supervisor.
Most importantly, my degree gave me the credibility and self-confidence I needed to put forward my ideas and recommendations to senior management and be taken seriously. LSE taught me how to have my own small impact and ripple effect on the work I do everyday.
What is your greatest achievement to date?
My greatest achievement stems from my greatest tragedy. I became a documentary film producer because I wanted to honour and create a legacy for my friend. Sher Vancouver's late social coordinator, January Marie Lapuz, was tragically murdered in 2012. The film focuses on January's strengths and struggles and provides a platform for other trans women of colour to have a voice. My Name Was January won 15 awards and garnered 66 official selections at film festivals around the world.
In 2015, I created the January Marie Lapuz Youth Leadership Award which is an international award open to youth anywhere who are demonstrating involvement, commitment, and leadership in the LGBTQ+ community.
In 2018, I was selected by the New West Record as one of the Top 10 people who had an impact in the arts in New Westminster.
My debut feature documentary film entitled, Emergence: Out of the Shadows, is about gay and lesbian South Asian people and their coming out journey. The film had its World Premiere at Cinema Diverse in Palm Springs where it picked up a Festival Favourite award, it also won Best Documentary at the Vancouver International South Asian Film Festival.
What advice would you give to someone hoping to go into film making or the creative arts?
My advice is to follow your passion and create films and art that matter to you and that resonate and have an impact for people. Nothing beats a great story!
My creative path has led me to produce social justice films. I consider sharing social justice stories a part of my social activism and social advocacy. I wish to shine a light and give voice to the alienated, isolated, marginalized, and vulnerable people of the world, many of whom are suffering in silence. The skills I learned at LSE helped me become a documentary film producer.
My motto in life is “Everything is possible if we work together,” and “If you just help and mentor one person in your life, then then the entire world will be empowered.”