After first joining SCI BC in 2021 as an Administrative Assistant, Penaaz is thrilled to return to the team, this time as the Philanthropy Officer. With a strong background in the non-profit sector, she brings her experience in fundraising and stakeholder engagement to the role, aiming to support an organization whose work she is immensely passionate about and proud to be a part of once again.
Previously associated with causes around mental health and accessibility, Penaaz understands the responsibility that comes with advocating for and supporting issues that are essential to making our community more inclusive, safe, and cohesive. With the world and economy facing increasing uncertainty, fundraising presents its own challenges, and Penaaz hopes to contribute her experience in support of people living with spinal cord injuries and related disabilities.
In her personal life, she is currently completing her Masters in Liberal Studies from SFU, a step taken back during her initial time at SCI BC. Motivated by a desire to fill gaps in her education and engage more meaningfully with the world around her, the degree represents her effort to better understand her community, challenge her assumptions, and grow alongside an increasingly complex world. Outside of work and studies, you’ll usually find Penaaz absorbed in her iPad reading, or being a couch potato while binge-watching the next IT thing on TV. She also enjoys discovering new coffee shops, chasing sunsets, and listening to Hindi music.
