OUR MISSION

To cultivate leadership through dialogue, engagement, and mentorship.

OUR VISION

A generation of inspired and informed leaders.

OUR VALUES

Energetic

Welcoming

Thought-Provoking

Empowering

Innovative

How do the matches happen?

It is a process that starts with the program launch! Participants meet at the mentorship program launch, which takes place at a central location in Edmonton or over Zoom on a weeknight. Protégés and mentors have the opportunity to meet with all the participants at the launch, discuss what their goals are, and then choose who the best match would be for them in a speed-rotation format. At the end of the evening, mentors and protégés rank their choices, and interVivos makes the final matches in the weeks following. The match information is then emailed out to the participants.
How often do you meet with your match?

Mentors and protégés are welcome to meet as often as they would like, but we require at least three in-person or virtual meetings during the 6-month program. interVivos performs check-ins throughout the 6-month program and provides resources to assist. Some participants continue to meet and stay in touch, but that is not an expectation of interVivos.
Do we collaborate with other organizations?

Yes! We have worked with the Edmonton Heritage Council and Volunteer Alberta's Youth @ the Table initative. Send us an email if you’d like to work together.
How can I learn more about the terminology your mentorship program uses?

If you come across a word on our website that you are not familiar with, refer to our handy mentorship glossary.
How can I find out about the next launch?

You can sign up for our mailing list, and/or follow us on social media. We are always looking for mentors. Email us to find out more.
Have some questions about the Winter 2024 Mentorship Program?

Check out some of the FAQs here!

Read our Strategic Plan 2020-2023

MEET THE TEAM

BOARD MEMBERS

Meet the interVivos Team! The board members diligently manage day-to-day operations, ensuring our strategic success.

Supported by our valuable advisors, we are propelled towards new heights with their guidance whenever we seek it.

United as volunteers, we are resolute in making a positive impact on our community.

Secretary

FEA GELVEZON

Fea Gelvezon (she/her) is the board secretary and has served on the board since the spring of 2023. She currently works as an Investigator with the Alberta Ombudsman.

Fea is inspired by interVivos' commitment to build strong communities by creating positive and nurturing networks. She values the way interVivos understands this gap and provides opportunities to connect people through mentorship and community events.

“Community engagement provides the opportunity to learn from one another, create meaningful connections, and celebrate our diversity that shapes our city. ”

Favourite Local Business: Garden Bakery South Common

Board Member

JAY MARAGUA

Jay Maragua (he/him) has been on the board since summer 2024. He currently is a student at MacEwan University in Sociology and Psychology.

Jay is inspired by interVivos’ dedication to fostering leadership and mentorship within the community. The organization’s commitment to empowering emerging leaders and creating meaningful connections aligns with his values of inclusivity and continuous learning.

“Community engagement is essential to me because it allows me to connect with various cultures, fostering understanding and inclusivity. It also provides opportunities to learn and broaden my perspective.”

Favourite Local Business: Remedy

Board Member

KAREEMA BATAL

Kareema Batal (she/her) has been on the board since spring 2024. She is a local entrepreneur who owns Neo Juicery and works as a food scientist advising fellow local food businesses.

Kareema is inspired by interVivos' ability to bring together a diverse collective for mutual support, networking, and engagement, centering its work on uplifting individuals and fostering meaningful connections.

“I see community engagement as a function of social development for both people and society at large. Community engagement is the heartbeat of thriving societies, weaving together individuals into a vibrant tapestry of belonging and support.”

Favourite Local Business: Zocalo

Board Intern

KATHRYN SHORT

Kathryn Short (she/her) is the board’s current University of Alberta Non-Profit Board Student Intern. She is a graduate student in public health at the University of Alberta.

Kathryn is inspired by interVivos’ mentorship program. Mentorship is one of the most powerful forms of networking for young people, in particular, offering invaluable guidance and connections that significantly impact personal and professional growth.

“Community engagement involves bringing together local residents, organizations, and government bodies to brainstorm and collaborate, which leads to solutions that genuinely address what the community needs and wants.”

Favourite Local Business: Yelo’d

Board Member

NAVNEET CHAND

Navneet Chand (he/him) has been on the board since spring 2024. He was also the board’s University of Alberta Non-Profit Board Student Intern from fall 2022 to spring 2023. He currently works on public policy on ethics and legislation development for the provincial government.

Navneet views interVivos as a connection-driven organization that fosters opportunities for the community's best aspirations, ideas, and dialogues. He has been continually inspired through his experiences as a young community event participant, mentorship program protégé, student intern, and now as a board member.

“Community engagement is the primary connective process between the non-profit sector and the communities that they aim to meaningfully sustain. It is also a process of accountability and relationship-building that best informs the direction that the non-profit sector and the organizations within it need to pursue.”

Favourite Local Business: Padmanadi

Treasurer

NIKKI CHAU

Nikki Chau (she/her) is the board treasurer and has served on the board since the spring of 2023. She is a CPA and also holds an MBA. She currently works as a Manager in Audit & Assurance and Consulting at Kingston Ross Pasnak LLP.

Nikki believes that leadership can be learned from anyone regardless of their gender, age, ethnicity or prior work experience. She appreciates that interVivos is able to build the bridge towards connecting people from various backgrounds with one another.

“Community engagement creates valuable connections and opportunities to share knowledge towards making the community a better place for everyone. It also helps to form better leaders who then inspire positive growth to their own network.”

Favourite Local Business: La Bosco Bakery & Cafe

Board Member

SUPARNA GUPTA

Suparna Gupta (she/her) has been on the board since spring 2023. She currently works as a Marketing Specialist with Alberta Milk and BC Dairy.

Suparna is inspired by interVivos’ commitment to fostering leadership along with the organization’s positive community impact. She is impressed how the organization has united diverse volunteers and created a platform for shared growth and collaboration.

“Community engagement empowers collective growth and harnesses local wisdom for solutions on shared concerns. Through collaboration, we co-create vibrant spaces where each voice is heard, leading to enriched lives and sustainable progress.”

Favourite Local Business: Taco Delhi for food and Cat Cafe on Whyte for kitten snuggles

President

ZOHREH SAHER

Zohreh Saher (she/her) is the president of interVivos and one of the organization’s co-founders. She currently serves as a Senior Intergovernmental Officer in International Relations for the provincial government, focusing on the Indo-Pacific and the Middle East regions.

Zohreh co-founded interVivos to fulfill the need for safe spaces that foster dialogue, engagement, and mentorship. She is constantly impressed by the interVivos team. Their passion for elevating diverse voices and commitment to grassroots organizing is what keeps her engaged.

“Over the years, I’ve seen my network grow. But, the thing that keeps me here is the ability to connect people: emerging leader to emerging leader, emerging leader to mentor.”

Favourite Local Business: Old Strathcona Antique Mall

ADVISORY COUNCIL

ERIN MCDONALD

Advisor

Erin McDonald (they/them) is the Director of Investments, Services & Partnerships of the Edmonton Arts Council which strives to support, inspire and promote the profile of Edmonton arts and culture.

Their first involvement with interVivos was as a mentor in the Fall 2023 Mentorship Program which focused on women, trans, and gender-diverse mentors. This memorable volunteer opportunity encouraged them to become more involved in the organization. interVivos inspires Erin because it embodies mentorship, community engagement, and leadership development—values that they deeply cherish.

“By engaging with the community, we can all contribute to Alberta's vibrant cultural landscape, support emerging talents, and respond to the varying needs of our society. Individual involvement is crucial in these initiatives. I believe it is through these connections that we can create lasting positive change.”

Favorite Local Business: The Edmonton Arts Council Shop & Services

JACKIE FOORD

Advisor

Jackie Foord (she/her) is the Executive Director of Compassion House Foundation which strives to ease the distress of the cancer journey for women.

Her first experience with interVivos was as a mentor in the Summer 2022 Mentorship Program focused on 2SLGBTQ+ volunteer mentors. interVivos inspires Jackie through its efforts to make a positive change in Edmonton. Every mentorship program and community event influences and impacts the community.

“I love it when I am able to connect people with other people or organizations that can lead to mutually beneficial relationships. Connections build strong communities, better cities and healthy, prosperous citizens and for me those are the goals of community engagement.”

Favourite Local Businesses: Sherlock Holmes Pub Downtown, Rick & Alice's Grill, Floc Boutique

KATHERINE SWAMPY

Advisor

Katherine Swampy (she/her) has been an advisor since early 2022. She is an elected councillor with Samson Cree Nation. She has also run provincially and federally. Being involved with many community issues to create impactful changes gives Katherine a meaningful sense of work.

Katherine’s first experience with interVivos was as a mentor in our Fall 2020 BIPOC mentorship program. She enjoyed the opportunity to share her own experiences with her protégé and grow a relationship with them.

“interVivos has a hands-on approach to encourage and motivate individuals to pursue a career or make necessary changes for improving their jobs. I am inspired by interVivos to want to give back and share.”

Favourite Local Business: 49DzineEdmonton

SHANI GWIN

Advisor

Shani (she/her) is the Founder and Managing Partner at pipikwan pêhtâkwan, an Indigenous-owned, led, and majority staffed public relations agency. She became an advisor in early 2021. Find out more about Shani on our blog.

Her first experience with interVivos was as a mentor in 2019 for the all-women mentorship program. interVivos inspires her because of our efforts to build bridges and reciprocal relationships across various backgrounds.

“The interVivos board is always willing to learn and build out the opportunities to bring in more diverse voices. Actions like this provide opportunities for oppressed communities to have their voices heard and to ensure their perspectives are reflected in decision making at all levels.”

Favourite Local Business: Tee Pee Treats

We look to our volunteer Advisory Council for sage wisdom and steady, supportive leadership to help guide our organization's decision-making in the right direction.