Emma joined Open Arms in 2023 as Treasurer and later transitioned into the Board Chair role. She completed her BSc thesis on the effects of preeclampsia (a serious pregnancy complication) on women’s vascular health and preventative strategies.

She is deeply passionate about women’s cardiovascular health after advocating for her mom during her pericarditis diagnosis and mistreatment. Through Open Arms, Emma aims to improve healthcare access and treatment, recognizing the disparities that some individuals face in our province. She is a fierce advocate for precision health and treating patients with a framework that focuses on individual needs and circumstances.

In her free time, Emma writes poetry and enjoys live music, often travelling to attend shows in new cities.

Tiago Montenegro-Saroyan has extensive background in pre-hospital care and paramedicine, including his expertise as a Paramedical Instructor and experience working in EMS, strongly positions him as a champion for patient advocacy. His work has provided him with firsthand insight into the barriers individuals face in accessing care, fueling his dedication to advocating for patients. He joined Open Arms in September 2024 as a Patient Advocate before moving to the Board of Directors in June 2025.

He has experience as the Co-Founder/Director of Programs at a non-profit organization, where his work focuses on providing rapid response pre-hospital care and paramedical training to underserved populations in rural and remote areas globally, particularly those areas facing high poverty and mortality rates. Through that position, he actively collaborates with medical professionals to ensure that he remains up to date with the latest guidelines and best practices.

Jot joined Open Arms in 2023 and quickly ascended to the role of Advocate Chair after demonstrating exceptional dedication and skill as an advocate. Currently, she is pursuing her graduate degree in Cardiovascular and Respiratory Sciences at the University of Calgary.

In her leadership position at Open Arms, Jot oversees a team of over 15 advocates, guiding them with her passion and expertise. Jot’s advocacy journey was sparked by her early experiences learning about the significant challenges immigrants face in navigating the Canadian healthcare system. This realization fueled her commitment to making a difference in the lives of newcomers and those seeking support within the healthcare system.

Outside of her volunteering and academic pursuits, Jot enjoys capturing the beauty of nature through photography, and spending cherished moments with her family. She also loves hiking and exploring the great outdoors.

Jen became an advocate with Open Arms in 2021 and was appointed to the Board of Directors in 2024. As Advocate Co-Chair, she collaborates with Jot to lead the advocacy team, assisting volunteers in supporting patients, reviewing cases, and ensuring each case is matched with the appropriate advocate.

In addition to her work with Open Arms, Jen is a student at the University of Calgary and serves as president of her school club. She also co-founded an educational service business that provides learning aids to students across Alberta. In her free time, Jen enjoys painting and hiking.

Sahar joined Open Arms in November 2023 and was appointed as Advocate Co-Chair in May 2025 after consistently demonstrating compassion, professionalism, and a deep understanding of the healthcare system. She originally sought out Open Arms because of its unique, client-centered mission and its alignment with her aspirations in medicine. Drawing from personal experience advocating for a family member, Sahar recognized how complex and overwhelming healthcare navigation can be—especially for those without medical knowledge or support. Her ability to simplify difficult medical concepts and guide clients through complicated processes quickly became a strength.

In her role as Advocate Co-Chair, Sahar helps lead and organize the advocacy team, supports volunteers through case guidance and mentorship, and ensures both client satisfaction and volunteer growth. She finds meaning in helping others find their voice—especially family caregivers—and remains driven by moments of shared humanity with the clients she supports.

Sahar is currently pursuing a Master of Science degree in Cardiovascular and Respiratory Sciences at the University of Calgary. Outside of Open Arms, she also serves as a volunteer trainer with Alberta Health Services in the Emergency and ICU departments, a Team Lead at Mental Health Copilots, and a Medical First Responder with St. John’s Ambulance.

Janardhun joined Open Arms in 2025 as an Outreach Director with a strategic approach to advocacy. He is pursuing a BSc (Honours) in Neuroscience at the University of Alberta and holds Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) certification.

Actively involved in university governance and student leadership, he has served on committees addressing academic policy, student affairs, advocacy, and institutional accountability. He also engages in organizations that raise awareness of stigmatized issues as well as drive community impact.

His advocacy is grounded in fairness, accountability, and equitable access to care. Drawing on governance and non-profit experience, he works to navigate complex systems to ensure every patient’s voice is heard, respected, and empowered. Beyond his volunteering and academic pursuits, he enjoys boxing, swimming, hiking, and reading.

Homa is a multilingual, mission-driven professional with a diverse background spanning healthcare, innovation, and community engagement. She has worked across nonprofits, startups, and community partners, always driven by a commitment to equity, collaboration, and meaningful impact.

With academic training in science, business, and sociology, Homa brings a grounded, practical approach to translating complex ideas into action. She is passionate about supporting newcomers as they navigate the healthcare system, helping to bridge gaps in access, understanding, and trust. She has seen firsthand the barriers many face when trying to access care, and she is known for building strong relationships, listening deeply, and creating space for diverse voices to be heard.

Alongside her role at Open Arms, Homa serves as Co-Chair of a local nonprofit that supports early-career professionals in building connections and growing as leaders in the health sector. Outside of advocacy, you’ll often find her exploring Calgary’s local food scene or walking the city’s beautiful trails.

Walid joined the Board of Directors for Open Arms Advocacy in 2024. As Director of Finance, he brings over 20 years of extensive experience in Corporate Finance, Full Cycle Accounting, Internal and External Reporting, Treasury, and Budgeting. Walid aims to leverage his expertise to enhance the organization’s financial operations and support its mission.

In addition to his role at Open Arms, Walid has led significant projects such as the implementation of ERP systems and the development of automated reporting tools, driving business process improvements and financial efficiencies. His passion for finance, mentorship, and financial literacy initiatives makes him a valuable asset to the board and the broader community. Through his work with Open Arms Advocacy, Walid is dedicated to contributing to the organization’s growth and addressing the financial challenges faced by non-profit organizations.

Emma joined the Board of Directors as Marketing Co-chair in 2024, bringing with her a diverse background in marketing and communications across the oil and gas, non-profit, and healthcare sectors. With a degree in Information Design from Mount Royal University, she excels in digital marketing, web design, and strategic communications.

Emma’s personal experience as a patient who benefited from Open Arms Advocacy inspired her to become a volunteer supporting the Open Arms mission. Her passion for patient advocacy and communication makes her an invaluable asset, as she works to enhance the organization’s outreach and strengthen its patient support services.

Through her role, Emma is dedicated to helping others navigate the healthcare system and contributing to the continued growth of Open Arms. In her free time, Emma enjoys spending quality time with her friends and family, reading, and watching movies. On weekends, she and her husband often escape to Canmore, where they enjoy the peacefulness and stunning beauty of our mountain landscapes.

Olivia brings a unique perspective to Open Arms, shaped by her lived experiences as both a cancer survivor and advocate for vulnerable women. After being diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2015, she not only beat the disease but also recently celebrated a decade cancer-free. Her journey through illness and recovery, compounded by surviving domestic violence, fuels her passion for women’s health, especially in marginalized communities, and for youth mental health advocacy.

She holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and is currently completing her Master’s in Marketing through the Australian Institute of Business. Olivia is particularly focused on the link between chronic stress, trauma, and hormone-driven health issues such as perimenopause and menopause. She has supported other survivors through informal support groups and now channels her expertise into promoting more equitable, trauma-informed care.

Outside of advocacy, Olivia is a creative at heart – an entrepreneur, writer, and experiential strategist with a deep commitment to amplifying unheard voices.

Anita Yadav is an accomplished talent acquisition specialist based in Calgary, AB, with over three years of experience in the Indian, African, and Canadian markets. She excels in overseeing the full recruitment and onboarding lifecycle, from talent sourcing and resume screening to conducting interviews and negotiating offer letters.

Currently serving as a Volunteer Coordinator and Board Member for Open Arms Patient Advocacy Society, Anita demonstrates a commitment to impactful volunteer work. She holds a BCom (Computer) and an MBA in HR and Marketing from Jiwaji University, India. Known for her positive energy, strong communication skills, and adept relationship-building, Anita is a dedicated professional in her field.

Hooman Zabihi joined the Open Arms Patient Advocacy Society as a Board Member to leverage his extensive IT leadership experience and passion for community service.

His goal is to support innovative initiatives that empower patients and improve access to healthcare, combining his technical expertise with a commitment to driving impactful change. Hooman is a dynamic IT leader with over a decade of expertise in delivering tailored technology solutions across various sectors.

He currently serves as the Information Technology Manager and as Founder and CTO of Cyan Cipher Technologies, he has empowered businesses with cost-effective IT services for 10 years.

Marc joined Open Arms in 2024 as Co-IT Director, bringing over 15 years of expertise in the IT sector. With a strong focus on security and operational efficiency, Marc is committed to implementing innovative solutions that enhance both productivity and protection.

His broad technical knowledge, coupled with a reputation for positive energy and effective communication, enables him to consistently drive solutions aligned with organizational objectives.

Outside of his professional pursuits, Marc is an avid animal enthusiast. He also enjoys cooking, exploring new cuisines, and traveling whenever possible.

Benjamin Sasges is a Member-at-Large on the Open Arms Board of Directors. Benjamin holds a BA and JD from the University of Calgary and is Legal Counsel at a mid-size construction materials company.

Since 2019, Benjamin has sat on the board of several private companies in the construction and facilities services industries, and previously served on the board of a not-for-profit news media organization. Working with Open Arms, Benjamin leverages his experience and academic work in the public health space to improve and expand the organization’s governance.

Benjamin looks forward to learning more about the patient experience in Alberta and supporting the excellent work our advocates are doing across the province.

Tracey is a long-time litigation lawyer with experience in medical malpractice, personal injury and administrative law. She currently works as a Family Mediator and Parenting Coordinator, is a legal advocate for a non-profit organization, a restorative justice facilitator and a birth, menopause and end of life doula. Tracey is passionate about all aspects of health care advocacy and looks forward to supporting Open Arms as a board member.

Anne is a health sciences graduate pursuing a master’s in veterinary medical sciences, where her research focuses on avian respiratory viral infections and zoonotic disease transmission. She has a strong interest in public health, aging, and community well-being, with experience supporting older adults and promoting inclusive healthcare. Outside of her studies, Anne is involved in program coordination and outreach at the Southern Alberta Brain Injury Society, and she volunteers with the UCalgary Recovery Community. In her free time, she loves to spend time exploring new cafes, hiking with her 2 dogs and baking.

Heather began her healthcare career in 2008 as a Licensed Practical Nurse in long-term care and hospice. She then received her master’s in leadership and ministry. Prior to her career in nursing, she worked in seniors’ lodges and her desire to work with seniors grew.

She has also worked for the Alzheimer Society of Calgary in their Club 36 program. Heather is currently the Advocate Training and Education Coordinator at Open Arms Patient Advocacy and is a presenter and member of the planning committee of Dying with Dignity Calgary. In all her roles, ensuring the resident or patient is treated with dignity and respect is extremely important.