Founder & CEO
Mrs. Indrani Nagenthiram
Business with a heart of Gold
Indrani Nagenthiram of Scarborough, Ontario, always had a soft spot in
her heart for elders in the community. Her heart was touched by the hardships
that the elders encounter. She was determined to help the needy elders with her
limited resources and tried to make this effort as a career as well. She had
the firsthand knowledge of understanding what difficulties one faces while
looking after a parent. And, how being a working mother makes it still more
difficult; frustrations one faces when they have to get personal leave from
work to attend to a loved one’s well being; how the unexpected delays at
medical centers makes good intentions turn into deeper frustrations, and
sometimes even anger about the lack of facilities to deal with our beloved
elders. Having experienced all of the above made Indrani realize the value of
care-giving services.
She recognized the lack of elder care services in our communities and was
determined to do something about it. After much struggle to fill this void in
the community, and in order to help the most respected but vulnerable people in
our society, she established her own seniors’ service to take care of elders in
need. Thus, VILLA KARUNA Senior Care was born.
Indrani gained valuable experience while working for Canadian Institute for the
blind. Her total commitment to the job at hand plus her personal experiences
had allowed her to understand the hardships people undergo while looking after
a loved one in the family. The training programs and the combination of
business and office knowledge she already has acquired was a great asset to
her.
Background:
She was educated at St. Bridgette’s Convent, Colombo, in Sri Lanka. After her
studies, she helped her father’s jewellery business. After some time, she
became personal secretary to the Director of Irrigation in Colombo. Three years
later, she joined the Bank of Ceylon (York Street Branch) as a stenographer and
served for 10 years until she came to Canada. After working 10 years for
Canadian Institute for the Blind (CNIB), in April 2001, due to restructuring of
that organization, Indrani's position was abolished and she had to look for a
career change in her life. The uncertain future was a big challenge. Unwavering
in her determination to do something worthwhile, and with the help of the
employment insurance entrepreneur program, she diverted her attention to home
care, something which was always very dear to her heart. After her layoff from
CNIB, she studied at Seneca College to become a personal support worker. She
later graduated as an entrepreneur from the Centennial College. Indrani’s final
goal was to establish a seniors’ home. With her determination, hard work and
God’s blessings she has opened VILLA KARUNA Seniors’ home for the Sri Lankan
Community.
President
Mahendra S Minhas
Mahendra S Minhas is a Mechanical Engineer with a wide experience in Quality Assurance /ISO, related to the Aerospace Industry. He has worked as a project specialist with a number of companies such as Honeywell Canada, Interfast Inc. Toronto, Avon technologies Inc. and Goodrich landing gear services, Burlington.
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Mahendra and his wife Renu are associated with a number of Social work
organisations and support Non Profit agencies such as Villa Karuna home for
seniors. Mahendr’s interest in the welfare of seniors attracted him to be
associated with Villa karuna. He was appointed as the President of Villa Karuna
in 2010.
Director
ESA PARA ESANANDA
Mr. Esananda was born in SriLanka and completed his School and College in
India. He was employed in the Middle East for almost eleven years with a
leading construction company where he held various positions. Since migrating
permanantely to Canada in 1990 he has been active in community service. He was
employed with Bell Canada for almost 10 years in both Clerical and Managerial
positions. He is currently a Real Estate Broker with Homelife/Superstars R.E.
Ltd in Toronto.
Esa continues to work with various organisations to help battle poverty,
hunger, illiteracy and other social ills.
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Some of the Positions he has held and continues to hold are as follows:
President / Director – India Rainbow Community Services of Peel – 2001-2007
Director – Hospice of Peel – 2004-2010
Director –Rotrary Club of Mississauga City Centre – 2003-2004
Director – Canadian Tamils Chamber of Commerce – 1998-2000
Team Leader – Bell Canada Community Development Team – Brampton & Mississauga –
2000-2002 s
Esa has been a Chair and Member of many sub-committees in the organisations
mentioned above. Esa has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to
the community by many organisations some of which includes the following:
Toronto Real Estate Board Civic Service Award – 2007
Ontario Int’l Development Agency Civic Service Award – 2007
India Rainbow Community Services Appreciation Award – 2007
Homelife Int’l Community Service Award – 2005
Bell Canada Community Service Appreciation – 2001
Esa is confident that his daughter will continue the family tradition of
serving those in need of help.
Esa believes in the saying “ Love All, Serve All”
Director
Aakilah Ade RN, CHPCN
Aakilah is a Registered Nurse with over 25 years of experience. Currently Aakilah works as a community visiting nurse through the provincial home care program. She is also a certified palliative care consultant and an advanced foot care nurse.
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Aakilah is a Board member of the Black Coalition for AIDS Prevention, is
President of Palliative Care Canada (a palliative care consulting company), an
ostomy consultant and maintains her credentials by accessing educational
seminars and workshops.
Aakilah brings to Villa Karuna, experience, compassion, energy and a
willingness to give back to all communities.
Director
Vasa Nathan
Vasa Nathan has been working in accounting since 1982. She has many years of valuable experience in accounting, and runs three successful franchise businesses as an administration manager.
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She has been an active member in many community initiatives such as the Durham
Tamil Association and more recently the Tamil Cultural and Academic Society of
Durham (TCASD), where she is currently serving as the vice-treasurer. As A
founding member of the Society, Vasa seeks to develop and promote the Tamil
Community in the Durham Region. Through TCASD Vasa has organized many community
based projects such as an Annual Youth Show, a Summer Camp for children,
various volunteering initiatives, and many more ventures that have furthered
the involvement of the Tamil community in the Durham Region.
Vasa recognized the need to care specifically for seniors, as they are the
pillars of our society. She took an active role in helping to commence Villa
Karuna in its initial stages. She has devoted many hours of her time to make
Villa Karuna the successful Home it is today.
Director
Floyd Joseph
Mr.Floyd Joseph’s career in the hospitality industry started with Hibiscus Hotel in Sri Lanka in 1992. He later joined Sheraton/Starwood hotels, Meridian Hotels, Corinthia International Hotel, Radisson SAS Hotel, Ramada, Wyndham Hotels and worked in various positions in Kuwait, Bahrain, Libya and Dubai. In early 2009 he joined Schulich School of Business at York University as a financial controller.
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He also has an extensive background as a director of finance, financial
controller, and management accountant, with over eighteen years experience in
the hospitality industry, which includes participating in two hotel openings.
Mr. Floyd Joseph brings in his proficiency in financial management to oversee
achievement of Villa Karuna’s overall goals and objectives.
Past President
Vic Gupta
Vic Gupta is the Principal of Prime Strategies. He is responsible for setting the company’s direction and managing client relationships. Vic has served in senior positions at both Queen’s Park and Toronto City Hall. Vic has built an extensive network of relationships among Toronto City Councilors, their staff and city officials.
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Vic has an honours degree in Political Science. He is involved in a variety of
community and cultural activities. Understanding the care needed for the
seniors, he has dedicated his time, experience and abilities to organize the
initial ground work for creating the Board of Villa Karuna. He held the
position as the President of the Board for the last one year.