Speakers

Devinder Maan, affectionately known as Mama Maan, is the Co-CEO of Maan Farms, a family-owned agritourism destination and estate winery in Abbotsford, BC. She has played an integral role in growing the farm while staying deeply connected to the food, hospitality and family values at the heart of the business. Known for her warmth, work ethic and hands-on leadership, Devinder brings a practical and personal perspective on entrepreneurship, family business and building something that lasts for generations.

Dean, her husband Rhino and their 3 children emigrated to Canada from South Africa 32 years ago.  Dean grew up in Zambia and after marrying Rhino lived in Malawi, Namibia and South Africa.  Dean was born into a Rotary family and when Rhino joined Rotary in 1986 became an active Rotary Ann until she joined Rotary in 1989.  On arriving in Vancouver both Dean and Rhino joined the Rotary Club of West Vancouver and at present are members of the Rotary Club of Langley Central in District 5050.

Dean has had a varied career from the early days of being an Operating Room Nurse on Professor Christiaan Barnard’s first heart transplant team to running a Nursery School in Malawi.  Together with Rhino they now owner manage a company that is involved in soil stabilization during road construction.

Dean has served on District and Zone committees; which include:

Regional Rotary Coordinator and Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator, Pacific Northwest PETS Chair, District Governor in 2007/2008, Rotary International Director 2016-2018, Rotary International Vice- President 2017-2018, President of the Rotary Foundation Canada 2021, and Trustee of the Rotary Foundation 2020-2023.

However, her best experience is leading teams of Rotarians, Rotaractors and Interactors to Africa and seeing how this volunteer experience changes their lives.

Paula Sharpe
Director of Housing and Programs, SARA for Women

Paula Sharpe is the Director of Housing and Programs at SARA for Women, a non-profit organization supporting women and children fleeing violence in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley. She oversees a diverse range of services, including emergency shelter, second-stage housing, outreach, and public education, as well as trauma-informed STV (Stopping the Violence) and PEACE (Prevention, Education, Advocacy, Counselling and Empowerment) counselling programs. With a strong background in program development and frontline service delivery, Paula is committed to advancing client-centered, culturally responsive approaches in the gender-based violence sector.

Megan Chalifoux
Community Resource Coordinator, SARA for Women

Megan Chalifoux is the Community Resource Coordinator at SARA for Women, where she identifies unmet needs in the community and actively works to find supports and resources to address them. She is also deeply involved in fundraising initiatives and fostering connections with local businesses to strengthen community support for SARA’s programs and services.

Al has been with Rotary for over 22 years. He is an active member of the Port Moody Rotary Club.

He has served in many Club roles including President (2012).
District roles include – AG, District Membership committee, District training, PELS facilitator.
Has been recognised by the district with 2 awards.
Finch Award as most valuable Rotarian, and the Dan Gallant International service award. 

 

Presentation Topic:

Inter country committees have been active in Rotary since 1946. They foster communication, peace and good will between countries. The ICC with D4250 (founded Fall 2026) is large in scope. It covers Canada/USA/Belize/Honduras/Guatemala. This presentation will review objectives and outcomes of this committee.

 

Foundry Abbotsford offers free and confidential mental health and wellness services for youth ages 12-24.

Jade Randhawa has been with Foundry for the past two years and her role includes community outreach, volunteer supervision, liasoning between Foundry and the Abbotsford School District and managing social media.