Our Team
President: Vishal Bhardwaj ([email protected])
Vishal came to Canada as an immigrant from India fifteen years ago. He was determined to leave a life of poverty behind to seek a better quality of life. Canada’s international reputation of being welcoming, generous and full of opportunities appealed to him. Vishal has a degree in Mechanical Engineering and a diploma in Quality Assurance and Manufacturing Management. As a Quality Assurance Manager at Xerium Technologies Inc., a multinational firm, Vishal aims for excellence. .
Vishal is extensively involved in our community serving on the Board of the Shubenacadie Canal Commission, the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission, and many other local associations and boards.
He is passionate about volunteering and giving back to our community. He is a regular volunteer at PHERA events and the Annual School Spring Fair. Vishal is currently fundraising for the new, Dartmouth South Academy community playground which has raised more than $100,000 to date. He is a strong advocate in helping our youth reach their full potential and has served as a soccer coach in the community and member of a Special Project Group at Ellenvale Jr. High School.
Vishal responds to those in need at home and abroad; helping to raise funds for the IWK, Fort McMurray, the earthquake disasters in Haiti and Nepal. During covid-19 vishal helped raised more than $54,000 to provide groceries support for local and international students. He also, raised more than $32,000 to buy oxygen equipment to help covid criss in India in 2021.
Vishal is also a recipient of the HRM Volunteer of the Year, Provincial Volunteer Award and a Top 25 Immigrants of Atlantic Canada award.
“I strongly believe that together we can accomplish great things and always lead from the front”
Vice-President: Akash Pandey ([email protected])
Akash came to Halifax in 2015 with a vision of having a better life. He has a passion for volunteering and helping the community grow. His journey to volunteer in Nova Scotia started from being an International Student Ambassador for a year at NSCC. He enjoys working with/ for International students. In 2017 Akash was elected as a First International President of student Association NSCC setting a benchmark for future International students of Nova Scotia. He also held the position of First International Member of Board of Governors at NSCC,
He was also a major contributor in his role of Board of Director’s – Diversity and Inclusion with Fusion Halifax. His extensive involvement with multiple communities around Nova Scotia and strong advocacy in promoting youth has helped him work being active in the community. He is currently working on researching new approaches for promoting and advocating youth of Nova Scotia.
He has been an integral part of Nova Multifest where he has contributed as a board member, EMCee, graphic designing and now the vice-president of the Society.
Treasurer: Indu Sehgal ([email protected])
Indu Sehgal came to Canada with her parents in 1969, she did her schooling in Winnipeg and Halifax, Nova Scotia. Indu Sehgal obtained her Business/Accounting Diploma from NSCC and Computer Programmer Analyst Diploma through CDI
College of Business and Technology. Some of the Professional Development in the fields are Database Management, Accounting Principles, Business Law, and Marketing through Dalhousie of University. She is a team builder and creative thinker, always seeking out ways to broaden her skills and talents, as well of those of others.
At the present employed with Nova Scotia Health Authority as a Finance Officer. Her professional experiences as Finance officer/Coordinator comes from her past employment history with Canadian Brest Cancer Foundation, Nova Scotia Arts & Design, Atlantic Television System.
Always has passionate and believes in diversity to help out in the community participation by volunteering as a member with Indo-Canadian Association of India, Blue Cross, Ladies Auxiliary of India, India Fest, and Nova Multifest Society.
Her hobbies are cooking, sewing, dancing and playing badminton
Secretary: Tina Rossi ([email protected])
Tina Rossi joined the Nova Multifest Society in 2018 as the Volunteer Chair and is now serving as Secretary of the Society. She is thrilled and honoured to be a part of the Nova Multifest team and is grateful for the opportunity to serve her community in such a fun and meaningful way. She takes great pleasure in the opportunities it gives her to meet interesting people of all ages and backgrounds, and to learn new things.
Tina grew up in Quebec in a community with two dominant cultures and a sprinkling of various other cultures, which gave her an early introduction to multiculturalism. She has a background in fine arts, design, and education from studying at Concordia University, Brock University and Humber College. She currently makes her living teaching children in school and at community centres. In her spare time, she likes to read, garden, cook, eat and drink tea.
Tina is passionate about multiculturalism, community involvement and volunteering, and feels strongly about the importance of education. She believes that people are more alike than they are different, and mostly share the goal of making the world a better place. She believes that Canada benefits from multiculturalism in many ways. We all have much to learn from each other. Each of us has our own unique experience that can enrich and enlighten others.
Her experience as a volunteer for various causes has taught her that volunteering is some of the most important work that one can do. Without volunteers, many significant initiatives that benefit individuals and society would not happen. Becoming a volunteer gives everyone an opportunity to help others, to impact society, and a chance to explore and develop their own skills and strengths.
Tina is a strong believer in lifelong learning. Besides formal education, our community offers wonderful libraries, community centres, our beloved CBC radio, first-rate museums, and many other organizations that inform and educate. The Nova Multifest Society is one of those organizations and brings to you Nova Multifest, an event where you can learn about and celebrate the arts, cultures and traditions of your fellow Nova Scotians. Knowledge leads to understanding, which can only lead to a better world.
Director: Juanita Peters ([email protected])
Juanita Peters is an award winning storyteller, who is currently one of the directors of the Screen Nova Scotia Award Winning and Canadian Screen Awards nominated series STUDIO BLACK, now in Season 2. Other director credits include: I Made A Vow, Africville: Can’t Stop Now and the multi award winning Hannah’s Story.
Peters is the Associate Producer on the 2 time Gemini Award winning film Gospel According To The Blues. As a playwright she has given us The San Family, The Mother Club, I M Possible and making its world debut in October 2016, The Green Book.
Juanita Peters , the actor has appeared in more than 30 films and television series including Sex & Violence, Hobo With a Shotgun, Forgive Me, Cloudburst and including the Emmy Nominated Homeless to Harvard.
She served as a journalist and news anchor for more than 15 years in the Maritimes and hosted 4 seasons of CBC’s documentary series Doc Side.
Peters is a member of Actra, The Writers Guild of Canada, Equity, Playwrights Atlantic Resource Centre and is a founding member of Women In Film & Television Atlantic. She currently serves on the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council.
Director: Rick Cummings ([email protected])
Native Haligonian, went overseas at age 20. Worked throughout Mexico, Central and South America, and Asia Pacific. Speak five languages to varying degrees of proficiency.
Employed in International and Domestic banking, changed careers and spent 35 years in International Telecommunications.
Returned to retire, volunteered with the YMCA New Immigrant Program teaching English and at Spencer House Seniors’ Centre developing their website and database management systems.
Stay busy with cooking, baking, technologies and helping my friends in SE Asia with their website and travel agency.
Hoping to contribute to Nova Multifest in a meaningful way.
Director: Barry Moore ([email protected])
I am a transplanted Newfoundlander living in Nova Scotia for 30 plus years. I work as an Naval Architectural Engineer in the marine industry.
Outside of work, I stay busy with outdoor activities and playing in a number of percussion groups, including Samba Nova of Halifax and Djugdjug in Wolfville. I have volunteered with the Falmouth Community Hall and helped to teach kids soccer in the Annapolis Valley.
I became interested in volunteering with the Nova Multifest Society after playing with Samba Nova in Multifest 2019 and hearing the diverse number of musical artists that Multifest showcases. I have volunteered at Nova Multifest since 2020 and am hoping to contribute to Nova Multifest in a more significant way by being a member of the board.