Sukhi Sandhu
Summary
A Strategic, Collaborative, and Inclusive Leader, delivering outstanding results
Experienced professional with history of impactful decision-making and strategic vision. Proven ability to drive organizational growth through collaborative leadership and adaptability to changing needs. Strong background in governance, financial oversight, and stakeholder engagement. Known for fostering teamwork and consistently delivering results.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
EDI Workshop Facilitator
05.2025 - 05.2025
- Collaboration with Okanagan United Soccer Club and Kelowna Community Resources (KCR) to provide Equity, Diversity and Inclusion workshop for executive and coaches. Funding was provided by Canadian Heritage
- Designed PowerPoint presentation, breakout topics and facilitated group discussion
- Co-designed pre-workshop survey for participants
- Modified workshop content in response to participant feedback, ensuring maximum relevance and effectiveness.
Soccer Program for Refugee Youth
06.2024 - Current
- Collaboration with Kelowna Community Resources (KCR) to provide sporting opportunities for newly arrived refugee children.
- Funding was provided by Canadian Heritage
- Designed and led summer soccer camp sessions for 50 participants to create a safe space for immigrant children. Includes all logistics, and planning of activities.
- Provided program oversight in weekly programming and staff mentoring
- Engaged UBC (O) Men’s Soccer and City of Kelowna to develop sustainable program
Advisory Member
The Inclusion Project
04.2024 - Current
- Empowering Communities in Law Enforcement Relations (Vancouver, Victoria and Surrey)
- The Advisory Group will build bridges to co-create a more equitable and inclusive framework for interactions between law enforcement agencies and equity-deserving communities through community dialogue, self-empowerment and policy reform
- The project is a blend of qualitative research, community voices, and societal need to address the distrust and impact of engagement between community and law enforcement
- The objective is to gather and map strategies that build an intersectional collaborative approach toward the goal of equity in policy and practice in community & law enforcement.
Board Member, Anti-Racism Data Legislation Committee
Government of British Columbia
08.2022 - Current
- Provide consultation and oversight on the implementation of the Anti-Racism Data Legislation
- Eight key areas to advance equitable program and service delivery in Phase 1, including sport
- Delegated to lead community outreach and engagement strategy with Indigenous Peoples and historically underrepresented communities
- Facilitated stakeholder meetings in various regions of province to understand local and regional inequities
- Provide expertise and governance model for collecting, using, and disclosing race-based data in the provincial service systems to identify systemic racism
- Co-develop baselines, surveys, and approaches to use existing data and mentor ministerial staff on best practices to eliminate systemic racism
- Co-authored “Second Year Progress Report” for the cabinet and the public in May 2024
- Co-Designed “BC Demographic Survey,” released June 2023
Project Manager
Professional Game Match Officials (PGMOL)
08.2024 - 12.2025
- Co-developed inaugural ‘EDI in Match Officiating Summit’, November 2024
- Developed trusting and collaborative relationships with UK Sport (High Performance Sport) and Sport England (Grassroots Sport)
- Outreach and engagement with over 55 National Governing Bodies (NGBs) to facilitate a platform for “EDI in Match Officiating” across all sports.
- Co-designed each of the plenary sessions and leveraged relationships with leading researchers and experts
- Over 100 participants attended representing over 45 Sporting Organizations
- Post-Summit report to be forwarded to the House of Commons Standing Committee for Culture, Media and Sport
EDI Workshop Facilitator
02.2025 - 05.2025
- Collaboration with University of British Columbia Okanagan Athletics (UBC O) and Kelowna Community Resources (KCR) to provide Equity, Diversity and Inclusion workshops for Men’s soccer team. Funding was provided by Canadian Heritage
- Designed and led two workshop sessions to create a more inclusive and safe space for student athletes
- Scheduled eight global speakers including FIFA Anti-Racism manager on key topics
- Provided educational tools and strategies for improving belonging for players and coaches
- Facilitator for Anti-Racism workshops for coaches and board members of Okanagan United Soccer Club
Board Member, Diversity, and Inclusion
Prodigy Sports
07.2022 - 05.2024
- Develop EDI strategy for leading HR Executive Search Agency
- Co-design DEI Scorecard for future Talent Acquisition, Human Resources, and Recruiting
- Co-design DEI Toolkit for Sport Industry leaders, front-office executives, and human resource professionals in sport
- Co-lead the Professional Development Committee
Senior Consultant, Sport Policy Renewal
Sport Canada, Canadian Heritage
01.2023 - 03.2024
- Conducted Environmental Scan, best practice analysis, and recommendation report on Anti-Racism in Canadian Sport.
- Analysis of EDI interventions in the governance of sport within various countries
- Led the research and development of policy objectives for advancing Racial Equity in Canadian Sport at the municipal, provincial and federal levels
- Regular communication and collaboration with Government officials
- First report submitted December 2023
Professional Game Match Officials (PGMOL)
07.2022 - 07.2023
- Advance racial equality and identify current gaps and barriers for historically underrepresented communities in Match Officiating
- Design and lead qualitative interviews with underrepresented stakeholders in English Football
- Coordinate the outreach and engagement with underrepresented communities
- Co-develop EDI Strategy, including collecting race-based data and highlighting barriers
- Improve governance, policy procedures and processes to support sustainable EDI strategy
- Provide final report and recommendations for advancing racial equality at PGMOL
Graduate Assistant
Office of the Chief Diversity Officer, Tufts University
11.2021 - 12.2022
- Support the implementation of the 180-point Action Plan across five work streams for DEI
- Key contributor assisting with the implementation of DEI goals, building collaborative relationships, and providing support to senior leadership
- Co-designed speaker series, workshops, and EDI events
- Facilitate the planning and delivery of EDI modules for staff
- Represent the CDO Office on University-Wide Committees, strengthening relationships with faculty, staff and student population
- Monitor all progress of DEI initiatives, communication with internal stakeholders, and escalate issues to Senior Administration
Founding Member
WAKE UP SURREY
06.2018 - 12.2021
- South Asian community initiative in response to the increasing gang activity and youth violence. Manage strategic planning, research, and advocacy on behalf of Wake-Up Surrey, such as liaising with local media, policing authorities, school districts, community stakeholders, and various levels of government
- Coordinated all outreach, engagement, and advocacy with various levels of government
- Led all gang prevention research, development and advocacy of future policy initiatives
- Managed extensive stakeholder engagement and outreach, participating in over 150 meetings
- Created safe spaces for At-Risk youth and parents
- Planned and organized all community forums, town hall meetings/roundtables, and official meetings
- Policy submissions to local, provincial and federal governments
Team Liaison Officer
Relevent Sports Group
05.2018 - 08.2020
- Company Overview: A sports media company and promoter of sporting events and one of the two largest soccer promoters in U.S.
- Liaison Officer for the International Champions Cup Soccer; Host City point of contact between Relevent Sports, the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), and touring teams.
- Host-City cross-functional coordination and issue resolution including venue management, training venues, hotels, airport authorities, logistics, and transportation suppliers in the coordination of all venue operations and planning logistics including Heinz Field (Pittsburgh, PA) and Red Bull Stadium (New Jersey)
- Representative for Relevent Sports at all advance site visits, inspections, and communication with local government authorities, and local stakeholders
- Compliance with all contractual agreements with reference to the training and match requirements
Head of Federations and International Events
ASPIRE ZONE FOUNDATION
09.2013 - 11.2017
- Hosted multiple International World Championships, and Training Camps
- Department Head in planning global/domestic events, meeting with international and domestic stakeholders, and adhering to host-city contractual guidelines
- Managed the events department’s annual budget, recruitment of staff, onboarding/training, event scheduling, and staff performance reviews
- Lead the organization’s global sports tourism strategy in identifying new growth opportunities and ROI
- Integrated annual business objectives in all facets of the events department: standardized best practices for event policies and procedures, improved risk management procedures and department ROI
- Developed measurable economic assessment of events and training camps
- Co-designed event registration and reporting platform for Aspire Zone Foundation
Project Manager (Secondment)
Doha GOALS Forum
03.2015 - 09.2015
- Managed the overall planning for the 2015 Doha GOALS Forum in Los Angeles. Focal point for all communication and collaborative planning with Special Olympics World Games
- Responsible for delivery of all venue, transportation, and hotel contract, plus all required local logistics
- Co-designed all plenary sessions and the recruitment of over 100 speakers
- Secured and delivered three sponsorship agreements
- Coordinated the attendance of 25 University Sports Management Programs
- Built trusting working relationships with local sports industry stakeholders, levels of government, and suppliers
Host-City Mohali: Tournament Operations Manager
Indian Premier League (IPL)
03.2013 - 06.2013
- Led the Venue Team planning and operations for all King’s XI home matches. Managed all venue preparations and cultivated sustainable relationships with the franchise (Kings XI), Punjab Cricket Association
- Head of IPL Venue Team in Mohali and Dharamsala
- Managed staff of 10 direct reports
- Responsible for ensuring IPL Host City program delivery and liaising with levels of government, policing authorities, venue owners, hotel operators, and suppliers
- Co-lead all venue meetings with Kings XI Senior Management
Host City: Competitions and Assistant Venue Manager
Spain vs. Uruguay International Friendly
02.2013 - 03.2013
- Coordinated all competition’s contractual deliverables for Khalifa Stadium and training venues.
- Appointed Competitions Coordinator for International football friendly
- Ensure all Competitions contractual requirements are delivered, including for all training sessions and match-day
- Liaise with the technical support staff of teams and build trusting relationships
- Represent Competitions Functional Area at LOC meetings and provide reports to Senior Management
Host-City, Head of Venue Operations
FIFA Beach Soccer, World Cup Qualifying (ASIA)
01.2013 - 02.2013
- Venue Manager overseeing the construction of temporary a world-class FIFA Beach Soccer stadium and successful competition delivery.
- Lead Local Organizing Committee (LOC) in consultation with FIFA Beach Soccer Officials to ensure successful delivery of contractual deliverables
- Supervise all functional areas planning and event delivery (technical, competitions, broadcasting, fan zone, media, VIP, signage, marketing, and sponsorship requirements).
- Led event operations, staff training, and volunteer deployment
- Co-chair daily venue meetings and identify gaps, issues to be addressed
Head of Venue Operations
Asian Field Hockey Tournament
11.2012 - 01.2013
- Company Overview: Prestigious Six-Nation FIH Event, featuring world-ranked international teams
- Venue Manager responsible for ensuring all Host City guidelines are delivered as per FIH requirements
- Daily meetings and briefings with FIH, Qatar Hockey Federation, Policing Authorities, and Venue owner
- Managed all direct reports and staffing schedules, including pre-event training
- Oversee all competition deliverables and technical requirements
Education
Master’s - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leadership
Tufts University
Medford, MA05.2023
Bachelor of Arts - General Studies
Athabasca University
11.2013
Bachelor of Arts - Public Administration and Sociology
The University of Ottawa
Ottawa, Ontario05.1990
Skills
- Technical: OS (Windows 9x/2000/Me/NT/XP/Vista), Applications (MS software (Office, Access, Project, Visio))
Languages
Languages: English, Punjabi, Hindi
Affiliations
- Diversity in Policing Committee by Provincial Government (appointed), BC, Canada 2021
- Carter Diversity Report, British Columbia Soccer Association. BC, Canada 2007
- BC Soccer Association Strategic Committee on Future Facilities, BC, Canada 2006
- Surrey Revolution Y League Soccer Franchise Technical Board, Surrey, BC Canada 2002-2004
- Multicultural Chair, Liberal Party of Canada, Canada 2000-2002
- Board Member, Delta Hospital Foundation, Delta, BC Canada 2001
- Delta Parks and Recreation Commission, Delta, BC Canada 2001
- Board Member, Delta Millennium Committee, Delta, BC Canada 2000
- Chair, Intercultural Inclusivity Task Force, City of Surrey, Surrey, BC Canada 1998
- Vice Chair, City of Surrey Parks and Recreation, Surrey, BC Canada 1998
- Organizational Chair, Liberal Party of Canada, BC, BC, Canada 1997
- Member, City of Surrey Master Plan, BC, Canada 1996
ADDITIONAL INTERNATIONAL SPORTING EVENT EXPERIENCE
- British Columbia Summer Games, Surrey, BC May 2012 – Sept. 2012
- Pan-Arab Games, Doha, Qatar Sept. 2011 – Jan. 2012
- 2010 Commonwealth Games, Delhi, India Aug. 2010 – Dec. 2010
- 2010 FIFA World Cup, Port Elizabeth, South Africa Nov. 2009 – July 2010
Timeline
EDI Workshop Facilitator
05.2025 - 05.2025
EDI Workshop Facilitator
02.2025 - 05.2025
Project Manager
Professional Game Match Officials (PGMOL)
08.2024 - 12.2025
Soccer Program for Refugee Youth
06.2024 - Current
Advisory Member
The Inclusion Project
04.2024 - Current
Senior Consultant, Sport Policy Renewal
Sport Canada, Canadian Heritage
01.2023 - 03.2024
Board Member, Anti-Racism Data Legislation Committee
Government of British Columbia
08.2022 - Current
Board Member, Diversity, and Inclusion
Prodigy Sports
07.2022 - 05.2024
Professional Game Match Officials (PGMOL)
07.2022 - 07.2023
Graduate Assistant
Office of the Chief Diversity Officer, Tufts University
11.2021 - 12.2022
Founding Member
WAKE UP SURREY
06.2018 - 12.2021
Team Liaison Officer
Relevent Sports Group
05.2018 - 08.2020
Project Manager (Secondment)
Doha GOALS Forum
03.2015 - 09.2015
Head of Federations and International Events
ASPIRE ZONE FOUNDATION
09.2013 - 11.2017
Host-City Mohali: Tournament Operations Manager
Indian Premier League (IPL)
03.2013 - 06.2013
Host City: Competitions and Assistant Venue Manager
Spain vs. Uruguay International Friendly
02.2013 - 03.2013
Host-City, Head of Venue Operations
FIFA Beach Soccer, World Cup Qualifying (ASIA)
01.2013 - 02.2013
Head of Venue Operations
Asian Field Hockey Tournament
11.2012 - 01.2013
Bachelor of Arts - General Studies
Athabasca University
Bachelor of Arts - Public Administration and Sociology
The University of Ottawa
Master’s - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leadership
Tufts University