Emma joined Open Arms in 2023 as Treasurer and soon after was appointed Board Chair. She is a medical student at the University of Calgary and aims to use her expertise in patient advocacy to improve patient care as a physician. Her passion for this work began at age 17, when she advocated for her mom during a challenging pericarditis diagnosis and subsequent mistreatment – an experience that revealed the gaps and inequities that many patients face in Alberta. Because of this, Emma has become a fierce advocate for precision health and using a treatment framework that honours individual needs, circumstances, and lived experiences.

As Board Chair, Emma bridges the advocacy team and Board of Directors, ensuring that programming and initiatives are aligned with the current needs of Albertans. She actively builds partnerships with health agencies across the country to inspire collective action towards more accessible, patient-centred care.

Additionally, Emma analyzes patient data and presents at national conferences to inform policy makers through a patient-focused lens – a perspective that has been historically underrepresented in health policy and system structuring. Outside of her academic commitments, Emma serves as a mentor for future medical students and hopes to inspire a new generation of compassionate healthcare providers. In her free time, she 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.

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.

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.

Devanshi Patel joined Open Arms Patient Advocacy Society in 2026 as Treasurer, where she oversees statutory filings, AGLC compliance, and audit-ready financial recordkeeping to support the organization’s capacity to serve patients across Alberta. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance at the University of Alberta’s Alberta School of Business.

Through her role at Open Arms, Devanshi manages the organization’s financial operations, bringing structure and accountability to how it tracks and reports its resources. Her interest in finance is rooted in a belief that strong financial stewardship is what allows mission-driven organizations to operate with integrity and stay focused on the people they serve.

Beyond Open Arms, Devanshi holds leadership roles in student organizations where she communicates across teams and stakeholders, coordinates events, and keeps budgets and vendor logistics running smoothly behind the scenes. Outside of Open Arms, she enjoys binge watching shows and spending time with family and friends.

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.

Larissa joined Open Arms in 2025 as an advocate and later transitioned to the Board of Directors. Before joining Open Arms, she worked as a healthcare aide and enjoyed caring for clients. In that role, Larissa witnessed the many challenges families and patients experienced while trying to achieve the best possible outcomes in various healthcare settings. That experience deepened her empathy for patients and families, and working with Open Arms has allowed her to continue supporting them in a meaningful way. She is honoured to be part of this group of colleagues who are deeply committed to helping patients and families alike.

Priya is a Registered Nurse currently working in addiction and mental health with Recovery AB and is completing her Master of Nursing at the University of Calgary. Through both her nursing career and her own experience, she has seen how difficult and overwhelming it can be to navigate the healthcare system.

Having experienced the healthcare system from both sides has given Priya a deeper appreciation for the challenges patients and families face. It has also strengthened her interest in patient and family advocacy and in helping others feel more supported and confident when navigating their care. A quote from Paul Kalanithi’s When Breath Becomes Air that resonates with her is: “Any major illness transforms a patient’s—really, an entire family’s—life.”

Outside of work, school, and volunteering, Priya enjoys hiking, reading, travelling, and spending time with her partner and their two corgis, Loki and Lemon.

Harini joined Open Arms Patient Advocacy Society in 2023 as a Volunteer Coordinator, where she plays a role in supporting volunteer engagement and strengthening the organization’s capacity to serve patients across Alberta. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science Honours in Physiology at the University of Alberta, with a strong interest in public health and patient-centred care.

Through her role at Open Arms, Harini coordinates volunteer recruitment and onboarding. Her passion for advocacy is rooted in a desire to address gaps in healthcare accessibility and empower individuals to navigate systems that can often feel overwhelming. By combining her academic background in physiology with her hands-on experience in community engagement and mentorship, Harini brings both a scientific perspective and a compassionate approach to her work.

Beyond Open Arms, Harini is actively involved in tutoring and student leadership, where she continues to build skills in mentorship, organization, and community outreach. She is committed to pursuing a future in public health, with the goal of contributing to more equitable and patient-focused healthcare systems. Outside of her academic and volunteer work, Harini enjoys going on hikes with her dog, skiing, and spending time outdoors

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.