THRIVE 2025
South Asian Women’s Health Conference
Brampton, ON
May 25
Laadliyan and South Asian Women’s Collective invite you to join us for the first South Asian Women’s Health Conference: Thrive 2025 in the GTA
Empowering women and gender diverse people through knowledge, advocacy, and community. This full-day event gathers top experts, healthcare professionals, and changemakers. Together, we tackle the unique health challenges facing South Asian and gender diverse women and unlock opportunities for growth. Join us for a transformative day of skill-building, wisdom and change.
Meet the Speakers & Facilitators
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Manjula Selvarajah
National Columnist, CBC Radio
Conference MC & Host
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Zayna Khayat
Health Futurist in Residence, Deloitte Canada, Life Sciences & Healthcare Practice
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Bhawan Sekhon (She/Her)
Pelvic Health Physiotherapist and a Sexual Health Educator
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Anu Radha Verma (She/Her)
Co-Founder of QTBIPOC Sauga, Community-based Consultant and Independent Curator
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Jothi Saldhana
Embodied Coach, Leader, Facilitator, and Founder at Jothi Creative Wellness Inc.
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Manemeet Narang
Wellness & Communication Coach
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Dr. Kaajal Abrol (She/Her)
Fertility Physician
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Prabhsimran Saini (She/Her)
Registered Dietitian (RD)
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Dr. Alisha Virmani (She/Her)
Dentist
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Angie Agrawal Holstein
Founder, Clinical Director and Trauma Specialist
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Rohama Kabeer (She/Her)
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
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Rashmi Kumar (She/Her)
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
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Sukhi Dhillion
Content Creator & Teacher; RDH (inactive), B.Sc, B.Ed (Adult Education)
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Niya Bajaj
Founder, Holistic Yoga Therapy
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Dr. Sheila Wijayasinghe MD, CCFP
Family Physician, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto
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Dr. Sherin Sajan
Pharmacist
Agenda
8:00AM
9:00AM
10:30AM
11:15AM
11:45AM
12:00PM
1:15PM
2:30PM
3:40PM
4:15PM
4:45PM
Breakfast
Wellness Activities
Pathways Forward with Jothi Saldhana guides participants in honoring the past, embracing the present, and breaking intergenerational cycles of pain. Through sound healing, mindfulness, neuroscience, and culturally responsive care, this session offers tools for deep healing and transformation.
Rhythm & Rhyme with Manmeet Narang where writing becomes a powerful tool for self-healing, self-discovery, and wellness. Explore themes like body image, self-worth, and emotional expression while gaining lifelong skills to support your mental and emotional well-being.
Reimagining South Asian Women's Health: Exploring Cultural Knowledges and Approaches to Care
What does holistic health truly mean for South Asian women? This panel explores cultural strengths like intergenerational care and community resilience while challenging Western medical frameworks, offering a reimagined vision of health as a collective, empowered practice rooted in culture, connection, and care.
Panelists: Zayna Khayat, Health futurist in residence, Deloitte Canada, Life Sciences & Healthcare practice
Bhawan Sekhon (She/Her), Pelvic Health Physiotherapist and a Sexual Health Educator
Anu Radha Verma (she/her), Co-founder of QTBIPOC sauga, community-based consultant and independent curator
Moderator: Manjula Selvarajah, National Columnist, CBC Radio
Table Activity
Health & Wellness Marketplace
Lunch
Workshops
Breaking the Silence: Fertility and Infertility in the South Asian Community
Fertility is often a silent struggle in the South Asian community, shaped by stigma and cultural expectations. In this candid session, Dr. Kaajal Abrol blends medical insight with shared stories to help participants understand fertility, navigate stigma, and build community through open, empowered conversation.
Facilitated by Dr. Kaajal Abrol (she/her)
Healing Hormones Through Food: A South Asian Guide to PCOS & Blood Sugar Balance
This interactive workshop explores the root causes of hormonal imbalances—like PCOS and insulin resistance—that disproportionately impact South Asian women. Through a culturally relevant lens, participants will learn how traditional food practices can support hormonal health, while gaining practical nutrition strategies and a deeper connection to their bodies.
Facilitated by Prabhsimran Saini (she/her)
Healing from Intergenerational Trauma Workshop – The Socialization of the “Good Girl” in South Asian Women and Girls
This interactive, trauma-informed workshop explores the “good girl” conditioning in South Asian women, offering space to reflect, share, and heal intergenerational trauma. Through panel discussions, creative exercises, and a liberation circle, participants will unpack inherited messages, express their truths, and begin a collective journey toward empowerment and transformation.
Facilitated by Angie Agrawal Holstein, Rohama Kabeer (She/Her), and Rashmi Kumar (She/Her)
Mouth - Body Connection
This workshop explores the vital connection between dental health and overall wellness, emphasizing how diet plays a key role in both. Participants will learn which foods, spices, and nutrients support a healthy dental biome, along with simple, research-backed steps to improve oral and overall health at home.
Facilitated by Dr. Alisha Virmani (she/her)
Hot Flashes & High Hopes: Thriving Through Menopause
This powerful panel opens up honest dialogue around menopause, exploring how South Asian cultural expectations, gender roles, and healthcare gaps shape the experience. Through intergenerational stories and expert insight, participants will gain tools to navigate change, advocate for care, and reclaim their health, voice, and power.
Panelists: Niya Bajaj, Founder, Holistic Yoga Therapy
Dr. Sheila Wijayasinghe MD, CCFP, Family Physician, St. Michael's Hospital, Medical Director, Primary Care Outreach, Women's College Hospital, Health Expert, CTV The Social
Dr. Sherin Sajan, Pharmacist
Moderator: Sukhi Dhillion, Content Creator & Teacher; RDH (inactive), B.Sc, B.Ed (Adult Education)
Chai Break + Health & Wellness Market
Closing Remarks
Networking
Our Goal
At THRIVE 2025, we amplify the voices and experiences of South Asian women and gender diverse communities. Research (and the lack of it) rings alarm bells that our health needs are often overlooked by traditional institutions. We’re coming together to shape research, programming, and services by creating an environment of sharing resources and sparking new ideas. How? By tapping into our rich network of storytellers, visionaries, and practitioners—and inviting you to be a co-creator of change.
This isn’t just another conference—it’s an intimate community-building opportunity where over 200 co-creators unite to design our community’s agenda. Knowledge is power, and we rise together by harnessing our community’s strength. Join us to create connections that empower personal growth and professional opportunity.
What You
Can Expect
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Immerse yourself in sessions led by top healthcare professionals, trusted wellness advocates, and visionary industry leaders. Gain insights on holistic health, mental wellness, nutrition, reproductive and preventative care—opening doors to both personal and professional growth.
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Participate in interactive workshops* and dynamic panels designed to enhance your self-care and career aspirations. Discover strategies that integrate well-being with professional development, inspiring you to take charge of your authentic path.
*Workshop selection will be sent out via email closer to the conference
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Build lasting connections with like-minded individuals and industry experts. Access mentorship and resources that support your health journey and career ambitions, equipping you with practical tools for growth.
Health + Wellness Marketplace:
Connect, learn about, and support local South Asian businesses owners offering a range services and products that support South Asians with their health and wellness journeys.
