


History
Established in 1999, PMAST began its mission at a high-needs high school struggling with conflict, violence, poor attendance, dropouts, and low graduation rates. The goal was to teach youth peaceful conflict management and create peer mediation teams to support one another. This initiative transformed the school’s culture into one of safety, respect, and collaboration.


Mission & Values
Core Values
Empowerment: PMAST equips individuals to manage conflicts confidently, fostering self-reliance and resilience.
Respect: PMAST fosters mutual respect, valuing every individual's dignity and worth, embracing all backgrounds.
Integrity: PMAST upholds honesty, ethics, transparency, and excellence in all programs and relationships.
Collaboration: PMAST values teamwork, recognizing collective efforts strengthen conflict management and build communities.
Community Engagement: PMAST actively involves communities in its programs, promoting shared responsibility to create peaceful, supportive environments for all
Team

Brenda Christie
President

Bob Lang
Founding Member

Tim Lipp
Vice President

Laaraib Sohail
Board of Directors - Secretary

Dr. Rose (Nasrin) Asgharzadeh
Board of Directors
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Florence (Flo) Lye
Program Director

Sania D'Silva
Board of Directors
Sania, born in Mumbai, India, has called Canada home for the past nine years and brings 17 years of experience in marketing communication design and strategy. She currently works at Immigrant Services Calgary as a creative design lead, driving impact in the non-profit sector through technology and innovative marketing. Passionate about social inclusion, Sania leverages visual design to address bullying and discrimination, fostering stronger communities. She lives in Calgary with her chef husband and two children, maintaining aquariums, house plants, and her creative spirit.

Sumit Guha
Board of Directors
Sumit Guha, originally from India, has called Calgary home for several years. With over 15 years of experience as a technology advisor, he partners with organizations to streamline complex systems and champion innovative strategies. His expertise lies in aligning technical solutions with organizational objectives, empowering teams to navigate modern challenges with agility and foresight.
Sumit thrives on curiosity and adaptability, values he applies equally in professional environments and community spaces.
He finds joy in the boundless energy of his 4.5-year-old daughter, who inspires him to approach life with fresh perspective. Outside of work, Sumit unwinds by experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen—a creative outlet that balances his analytical career—and exploring Calgary’s vibrant neighbourhoods with his family.