Pharmacist Preet Sidhu and technology executive Sacha Gera were recognized with leadership awards at the recent NetIP Diwali gala, which raised funds for the Ottawa Cancer Foundation.
Sidhu is a pharmacist with nearly 20 years of experience who owns two pharmacies in Ottawa, Longfields Pharmacy and Tartan Pharmacy, which she opened to address the doctor shortage. She recently launched an Instagram page to share her health knowledge.
Gera co-founded Kandy Communications and led Calian Group’s IT and cyber division. Most recently, he was CEO at JSI. Gera supports local organizations such as the Ottawa Board of Trade and CENGN.
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The gala, which attracted more than 300 attendees to the Shaw Centre, featured the ceremonial lighting of the diya lamp and a showcase of music and dance. Appetizers and dinner were created by Chef Joe Thottungal. There was also a silent auction with items from a range of donors, including the Mexican Embassy and the High Commission of Malta.
Guests were hosted by emcees Adrian Harewood and Sujata Raisinghani and presentations were made by Devinder Gill, RBC regional president; Cuckoo Kochar, president/founder of DCR/Phoenix; Devinder Chaudhary, founder of Aiana Restaurant Collective; and Sid Kumar, president of NetIP Canada.
“We are all here tonight for a good cause, to support the Ottawa Cancer Foundation. To help ensure that those living with cancer, and their families, access the care and support they need. We are also here to recognize many accomplished leaders from Ottawa’s vibrant Indo-community for their tremendous impact in their respective fields. As someone who just relocated to Ottawa, I am discovering more about this amazing region, and its amazing people every single day,” said Gill of RBC, which was the event’s presenting sponsor.
Deborah Lehmann, president and CEO of the Ottawa Cancer Foundation, spoke about the services the foundation provides to all affected by cancer. Through collaboration with more than 50 community partners, the Community Cancer Hub offers a single referral point that connects anyone impacted by cancer, including individuals diagnosed with cancer, families and caregivers, to programs and services that best suit their needs.
Also in attendance were Bill Malhotra, Anand Aggarwal, Fayez Thawer, Goldy Singh, Rahul Kochar, Helen Tang, Rakesh Goel, Harman Sekhon, John Saikaley, Tricia Ross, Trevin Stratton, Mansour Qayomi, and councillors David Hill and Wilson Lo.
The gala celebrates the spirit of Diwali (“light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance”) but also serves as a reminder of the power of community across cultures.
NetIP is a volunteer-driven, non-profit organization dedicated to the overall achievement and advancement of South Asian professionals.
