The Centre is governed by a Board of Directors, elected at our annual AGM. The Board meets monthly and is composed of individuals who are committed to the values reflected in the Centre’s objectives and who want to help create a society which respects the richness of human diversity. Although the Board members come from a variety of faiths, they serve as individuals and not as official representatives of their faith communities.
Executive
Dr. Gail Allan – President
Gary Simpson – Secretary
Nasim Kherani – Treasurer
Guy Blood – Past-President
Board Members
Paul Bergen
Rev. Audrey Brooks
Rev. Helen Chan Bennett
David Crewe
Avau Fast
Dr. Michael Frishkopf
Kehinde Olabimtan
Kathie Reith
Jorge Robleto
Manish Shah
Virginia Sharek
Rebecca Wright
Boyko Zlatev
Honorary Board Members
Jagjeet Bhardwaj
Karen Gall
Rev. Dr. Rob Hankinson
Shiraz Kanji
Rev. Dr. Don Mayne
Executive Director
Netta Phillet
Gail Allan is a member of the United Church of Canada who has worked for many years on issues of global and social justice; she lived in Edmonton until 1996, and has recently returned for “semiretirement.” From 2004-2020 she was Coordinator for Ecumenical, Interchurch and Interfaith Relations in The United Church of Canada, representing the church in national and international ecumenical and interfaith groups, and supporting people engaged in dialogue and action in their local communities. She is an active participant in the North American Interfaith Network and Canadian Interfaith Conversation. From 2014-2020 she was co-chair of the National Muslim Christian Liaison Committee. She has a doctorate in Ethics from Emmanuel College of the Toronto School of Theology, with a focus on feminist theological and social ethics. At present she is an associate faculty member at St. Stephen’s College and a member of the Garneau and McDougall United Church congregation.
Paul Bergen has recently retired from a 25-year career as a chaplain (Spiritual Health Practitioner) at University of Alberta Hospital and continue to provide shift coverage there and at the Grey Nuns Hospital. My work in Spiritual Care has been a rich source of learning for me as it continually connected me to people of different faith practices and traditions. During a recent shift, I was privileged to support families who were Sikh, Hindu and Muslim as they faced the health crisis of a loved one. Indigenous Cultural Helpers were a part of the Spiritual Care team when I began, giving me daily opportunities to learn from and work with elders and families. In terms of connections to the Interfaith Centre, I have been an off-and-on attender of Monday Lunch and Learns over the years and was invited to present to this gathering at least once. I was privileged to be a part of the planning of two Interfaith-sponsored conference events – our pre-Parliament (of the Worlds Religions) event and NAIN Connect. I am still feeling my way into retirement so have only one regular retirement “gig” at this point – a weekly appointment with our 2 1/2 year old grandson. I look forward to adding work on the board to my list.
Jagjeet Bhardwaj is a retired scientist who now devotes her life to full-time volunteer work. For almost 40 years she has volunteered for many organizations including the Girl Guides of Canada, Red Cross Society, the Marian Centre and the Millwoods Welcome Centre for Newcomers. Mrs. Bhardwaj was also a member of the Provincial Court Nominating Committee of Alberta. She is a recipient of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal as well as the Centennial Medal, both from the Province of Alberta
in recognition of her multifaceted volunteer work. She has also been honoured by the Indo-Canadian Women’s Association, with whom she has served as president and is currently treasurer for a third term. She also edited several publications for them. She has been nominated for the YWCA Tribute to Women of Distinction Award and is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal.
Guy W. Blood M.Sc., P.Eng. has been a member of the Baha’i Faith since 1979, after an extensive search of all possibilities of committing to a spiritual path within a religious community. He created and produced a half hour weekly television show entitled Unity in Religion. People from all faiths were interviewed using questions that focused on similarities rather than differences; it ran for three years. Realizing that the other major force in the world is politics he also became an active member of the United Nations Association in Canada, Edmonton Branch, serving as President and as Prairies Vice President to the National Office. In Ottawa he became acquainted with a few Ambassadors to the UN and was instrumental in having the UN Secretary General invited to the Parliament of the World’s Religions in 2015.
With the Edmonton Interfaith Centre he has served as Vice President, President and is an active Past President. From celebrating World Interfaith Harmony Week to creating a video promoting interfaith harmony, he supports the work of the Centre in many ways.
Rev. Audrey Brooks M. ED.; M. Div. is a retired chaplain with the Unitarian Church of Edmonton.
For many years she facilitated the Interfaith Centre’s annual concert as well as our UN International Day of Peace celebrations, the UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination commemorations and the Genocide Memorial Services. She also serves on the board of the Edmonton Interfaith Housing Society which works to end homelessness. Audrey is involved with the Missing and Murdered Women and Girls marches; served on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission as part of the University of Alberta Interfaith Chaplain’s Association; is a founding member of the U of Alberta Pride Alumni Association and is a Raging Granny. She has received three awards for her social justice work in the larger community, and most recently the King Charles III Coronation Medal.
Rev. Helen Chan Bennett is a Anglican Priest, a CPE teaching Chaplain, and Psychospiritual Integrative Counselor. Helen is employed as a Spiritual Health Specialist at the University of Alberta Hospital, Alberta Health Services. She is also a Chaplain with the Canadian Armed Forces medical
unit. She integrates the trauma and resilience-informed care model, along with her spiritual direction training and Buddhist cultural tradition, into her personhood and practice.
David Crewe was born and raised on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia and has lived and worked in East Africa, Nunavut, Israel as well as Toronto and Alberta mostly in the telecommunication and IT fields. David has been a member of the Baháʼí Faith since 1981. He was attracted and inspired by the Bahá’í teachings on the unity of humankind and the oneness of the great world religions.
David believes the society building power of the Bahá’í Faith is a potent instrument to move humanity forward on its journey of an ever-advancing civilization.
David’s key areas of interest include:
- Appreciating the diversity and points of unity of cultures and religions.
- Recognizing the profound importance of marriage and families.
- Recognizing the need to stimulate and support children, junior youth and youth in taking their place as key building blocks for society.
Avau Fast was born in Baluchistan, a beautiful region north west of India, during the British colonial period. She grew up in an area replete with different ethnicities. Later in India no matter where she lived there were churches, temples, synagogues and mosques around the railway colony where she lived. Before attending boarding school she lived with her aunt, and every morning as they walked to pick up fresh vegetables from the market, at each place of worship on the way, they would stop to pray. She recalls that she really did not mind as this gave her a few seconds to rest her weary feet. Avau looks upon India as an old multicultural country and Canada as a new one. As a born Zoroastrian she is proud to be a part of the Canadian mosaic; studying and working among different faiths and cultures has always been her interest in life.
Michael Frishkopf, PhD (frishkopf.org) is Professor of Music and Director of the Canadian Centre for Ethnomusicology at the University of Alberta. Centering on the Middle East and Africa, his research includes Music and Islam, Immigration, Development, Global Health, Architecture, Aesthetics, Sound and Wellbeing, Virtual Reality, AI and Machine Learning, and Social Network Analysis. Recent publications include “The Sonorous Audible Mosque”, in Mosque: Approaches to Art and Architecture (2024); “Localized Timbres and Tonalities of Qur’ānic Recitation: From Africa to Indonesia”, Journal of Islamic and Muslim Studies 8:1 (2023); and “Music for Global Human Development: Participatory Action Research for Health and Wellbeing”, MUSICultures 49 (2022). He is co-editor of Music, Sound, and Architecture in Islam (2018) and two forthcoming books, Resisting the Dehumanization of Refugees (2024), and Ṭarab: Music, Ecstasy, Emotion, and Performance (2025). He is currently focused on an AI soundscape project for student mental health, supported by United Way. He is also a performer and composer and has led the U of A’s Middle Eastern and North African Music Ensemble since 2004.
Karen Gall has served on the Edmonton Interfaith Centre board since 2009. For many years she was President of the Canadian Multicultural Education Foundation (CMEF) where, for over a decade, she chaired the annual CMEF Harmony Brunch commemorating the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Karen was also a founding member of the St. Albert Interfaith Connections, an organization dedicated to providing an interfaith presence in that community. At her synagogue, Temple Beth Ora, Karen served as a lay leader for Shabbat and festival services, a member of the Ritual Committee, a founding member of the Chavurat HaShir choir and as a cantorial soloist. She worked with the LGBTQ community to support and help organize both the annual Edmonton Interfaith Pride service as well as the Pride Shabbat service at her synagogue. Karen focuses her time on successfully building bridges, using her appreciation and awareness of the value of multiculturalism and interfaith connections while welcoming opportunities to share her Jewish values and traditions with students of all ages and members of the broader community. She has received recognition for her dedication and work advocating for interfaith, multicultural and human rights issues including a St. Albert International Women’s Day Award, a Daughter of the Year Award and the Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal in recognition of her valuable contribution to the province.
Rev. Dr. Rob Hankinson has been associated with the EIC since witnessing the signatures of the Centre’s
founding board members to the Alberta Societies Act application, December 1995. Since then he has held
a number of positions on the Centre’s board and is now happy to be an honorary member. In December 2012 Rob retired from 40 years ministry with the United Church of Canada. He serves on the council of the North American Interfaith Network (NAIN). In August 2019 Rob relocated to Nova Scotia and is a member of the executive of the Wolfville Area Interchurch Council which is still working towards hosting the annual NAIN conference although it has been postponed for now.
Shiraz Kanji has retired from three different careers – professional engineer, Information Technology and most recently as financial planning consultant. He has worked in three countries and speaks five languages. Shiraz is passionate about public speaking and has spoken to a wide variety and sizes of audiences on different subjects including religion and Islam. He has been an active Toastmaster for over 30 years and has conducted many training seminars locally and overseas. He enjoys learning about different faith communities and participating in interfaith dialogue. Shiraz is an active volunteer, having served his Toastmasters district, his professional organizations, church and community organizations. He has also volunteered for the Provincial Government sponsored Board Development Program. His other interests include music, cinema and reading.
Nasim Kherani is a long-time volunteer having served extensively both within and outside the Muslim Ummah over the past 40 years. While serving as treasurer of the Edmonton Chapter of the Canadian Council of Muslim Women (CCMW), Nasim helped restore and find a new home for Edmonton’s first mosque at Fort Edmonton Park, Al Rashid Mosque. Following her service as president of the Edmonton chapter of CCMW and treasurer of the Western Canada Group of Soroptomist International, she returned to serve the Ummah by becoming director of the Edmonton Council of Muslim Communities chairing the Interfaith Portfolio. As the resource development coordinator for the Aga Khan University, she has
coordinated more than five major fundraising drives aiding in the creation of an international-standard medical school, nursing school and sports centre in Karachi, Pakistan, and Nairobi, Kenya. Most recently, Nasim served as president of CCMW, Edmonton Chapter and also has been elected to be part of the CCMW National Board. In her professional life, Nasim completed accounting designations (FCCA, CGA, CPA) in both England and Canada. After working in a public practice in London, England, and then for
more than a decade as Senior Financial and Management Auditor with the Alberta Social Services, Nasim switched focus to the health sector, managing and performing the accounting for a large dental office for over three decades. Using this experience, Nasim has spent the last several years consulting for the Aga Khan University Nairobi on dental practice management and expansion as part of a larger public–private partnership. Nasim has completed further training to become a certified financial planner (CFP) and now operates a group of companies focused on investment and real estate development. She is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal.
Rev. Dr. Don Mayne was born in Edmonton but took his schooling, university, and theological training
in Saskatchewan and his master’s degree at Boston University School of Theology. His doctorate is an
honorary degree from St. Stephen’s College. He was the founding President of the Interfaith Centre, serving for five years, then continued on the Board until he was appointed an honorary member in 2011. He served on the Board of the North American Interfaith Network and was President from 2000 to 2004. He also was a founding member of the No Room in the Inn Committee of the Edmonton and District Council of Churches. They have encouraged the congregations of the Council to donate to a different community agency each year and they have raised well over $1 million.
Kehinde Olabimtan is a Nigerian, trained as an architect at the University of Lagos (1980-1986) and as a Christian minister at the Nigerian campus of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky, USA (1988-1991). He holds a PhD in mission theology from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa (2010). He taught at Bowen University in Nigeria before coming to Canada in 2017 to study for the Doctor of Ministry in eco-theology at St. Stephen’s College, at the University of Alberta. After the course in 2023, he was appointed the Community Chaplain and Director of Spiritual Wellness at the College. Kehinde is married and is the father of two boys and a girl.
Kathie Reith says that at a young age she was taught the value of being actively involved in the betterment of her community. She has served on many committees and boards, including the Soroptimist International Group which empowers women to make an impact on others’ lives by financing their dreams. Other projects are an awareness campaign on the effect of human trafficking and “Welcome Home” which befriends newly housed participants who were previously homeless. She works for EPSB as an Educational Assistant.
Jorge Robleto is a storyteller, student of Theology, and future hospital chaplain shaped by dislocation, grace, and tamales. Born in Costa Rica to Nicaraguan and Guatemalan parents and raised in Canada within a Spanish-speaking church community, Jorge writes from the in-between spaces: between countries, between faith and doubt, between loss and resurrection. He has worked as a youth pastor and communication coach and volunteers in the palliative care unit at Capital Care Norwood, where he offers presence in rooms thick with grief and glory. His stories, often rooted in the ordinary sacred, blend Latin American warmth, poetic theology, and the tender ache of transformation.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Theology and is completing a Master’s in Spiritual Care at St. Stephen’s College. Jorge is passionate about fostering spaces of belonging where questions are welcome, culture is honoured, and faith walks humbly with action. As a board member, Jorge brings a deep commitment to interfaith dialogue, storytelling as a healing practice, and the sacred work of listening.
Manish Shah was born and raised in India and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Laboratory Technology. His academic background is complemented by his spiritual studies, having delved deeply into the Fundamentals and Science of Jainism. His work elucidates the principles of Jainism from a
scientific perspective, making complex concepts accessible and understandable. Additionally, Manish has explored Vedic Hindu philosophy and Buddhism, focusing on the technical differences between these three major religions prevalent in South East Asia, particularly in India, Burma, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Sri Lanka. Manish’s engagement with Jain philosophy emphasizes its profound connection to nature and the environment, highlighting its impact on all forms of life, including humans, animals, plants, and even nonliving matter. His volunteer efforts include fundraising for earthquake relief, organizing blood donation camps, and coordinating annual Republic Day functions in India. He has also demonstrated leadership as the captain of Gujarat University’s intercollege cricket team for several years. In his professional and personal life, Manish is committed to mental health improvement,
advocating for healthy food habits, and delivering public and motivational speeches. He actively promotes naturopathy, nonviolence, and the Jain lifestyle, alongside vegetarian food ideology, to foster a healthier human society and ensure environmental sustainability for future generations. Manish is also an avid motorcyclist, passionate about exploring Alberta’s natural beauty and learning about religious diversity and different cultures. Additionally, he is working as a residential realtor in Alberta, focusing on
Edmonton and surrounding areas. His dedication to multiculturalism and universal kinship aligns with the Vedic concept of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” embodying the belief that all of humanity is one undivided
family. Key Activities and Interests: Spiritual Studies: Fundamentals and Science of Jainism, Vedic Hindu philosophy, Buddhism. Volunteer Work: Earthquake relief fundraising, blood donation camps, Republic Day event organization. Leadership: Captain of Gujarat University’s intercollege cricket team. Public Speaking: Mental health improvement, food habits, and motivational talks. Advocacy: Naturopathy, nonviolence, Jain lifestyle, vegetarian food ideology. Real Estate: Residential realtor in Alberta,
specializing in Edmonton and surrounding areas. Personal Interests: Motorcycle riding, exploring natural beauty, learning about religious and cultural diversity. Objective: To contribute to a multicultural social organization by promoting spiritual and philosophical understanding, environmental sustainability, and healthy living practices, while fostering a sense of universal family and community. Manish is dedicated to achieving the ideal of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” striving to create a world where everyone is recognized as part of a universal undivided family.
Virginia Sharek is an Albertan who attended the U of A, completing a Bachelor of Education in 1967 and a Bachelor of Arts in 1990. After her first degree she spent a year in London, England. Upon her return to Canada she taught in Calgary for a year then two more years in Edmonton. She was married in 1973 and chose to stay home to raise her two sons. In 1993 Virginia took the opportunity to serve as the ecumenical and interfaith officer for the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton until her retirement in June 2013. During those years she held a number of positions in the Edmonton & District Council of Churches as well as in the Western Diocesan Eparchial Coordinators of Ecumenism. She was the representative for the Ukrainian Catholic Church of Canada on the Canadian Council of Churches for six years. Being a member of the “No Room in the Inn” committee since 2001 has provided the opportunity to get to know so many dedicated individuals in many organizations that are engaged in providing safe and affordable housing for people experiencing difficulties and hard times. In 2014, Virginia became a Life Member of the Interfaith Centre and joined the executive in 2019 as secretary. With appreciation and enthusiasm she continues to be part of the activities, educational opportunities, experiences, projects and workshops provided by the staff and members of the Centre. For Virginia, membership in the EICEA provides opportunities to work toward a kinder gentler and more just world with like minded people of faith which helps each of us to have hope.
Gary Simpson is a semi-retired teacher-counsellor. He has a seminary degree in Religious Education and recently completed an M.Div. at a multi-faith seminary. Gary, an ordained Universalist Christian clergy, attends McDougall United Church, where he is a Co-Chair of the Affirm Ministry. For a few years, Gary was on the executive of the Spirituality in Counselling Chapter of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. He has presented at conferences on topics related to spirituality and counseling, the counseling needs of sexual and gender minority youth, and how to respond to Biblical bullying. Gary has a passion for interpreting Scriptures in ways that do not wound, marginalize, and other people. He volunteers with a group that aims to reduce prejudice, discrimination, and hate.
Rebecca Wright has been involved in interfaith work since 2012 and has been to multiple NAIN “Connects” including helping to plan the one held in Edmonton in 2018 and designing its logo.
Boyko Zlatev was born in Bulgaria and completed a Master of Science degree in Astronomy in 1999 and another Master of Science degree in Applied Mathematics in 2004. Since 2007 he lives in Edmonton where he worked in various teaching and consulting positions at University of Alberta and other educational institutions. Currently he is a sessional instructor in Mathematics and Statistics at Concordia University of Edmonton. For many years Boyko has been active in the international movement for affirmation of April 15th as Universal Day of Culture under the Banner of Peace. He organized several exhibitions, movie screenings and presentations, related to this topic, in Edmonton and other Canadian cities. He is the author of three poetry books in Bulgarian language and a laureate of the prize of Bulgarian PEN-Center, and the founder of the Bulgarian Heritage Library in Edmonton. Boyko is an active member of the Eastern Orthodox Christian community in Edmonton. He is interested in religious philosophy of history (Augustine, Bossuet, Berdyaev, etc.) and in the astronomical and metaphysical meaning of numbers mentioned in the sacred books of different religions
Netta Phillet – Executive Director, was born in Edmonton and has a degree in Religious Studies from
the U of A. She has been the coordinator of the Edmonton Interfaith Centre since 2006 after being on the executive for 6 years. She is a member of both Beth Shalom Synagogue and Temple Beth Ora (ask her the joke about one Jew, two synagogues.) Netta was a founding member of the Phoenix Multifaith Society for Harmony, is the treasurer of the Jewish Archives & Historical Society of Edmonton & Northern Alberta and of the local chapter of the M. Gandhi Foundation for World Peace. For over 30 years she has been a sister in the Arab/Jewish Women’s Peace Coalition. Much of the focus of her volunteer life is inter/intra faith dialogue and the place of women in religious ritual and observance.
Past Presidents
| Farah Jamil | Muslim | 2022-2023 |
| Guy Blood | Baha’i | 2020-2022 |
| Elder Pauline Paulson | Indigenous | 2018-2020 |
| Shiraz Kanji | Muslim | 2016-2018 |
| Rev. Dr. David Fekete | Christian | 2014-2016 |
| Nasim Kherani | Muslim | 2012-2014 |
| Rabbi David Kunin | Jewish | 2010-2012 |
| Len Gierach | Eckankar | 2008-2010 |
| Dr. Bikkar Singh Randhawa | Sikh | 2005-2008 |
| Jim Logan | Unitarian | 2002-2005 |
| Neil Loomer | Jewish | 2000-2002 |
| Rev. Dr. Don Mayne | Christian | 1996-2000 |