Founder

Distinguished Professor Emeritus and currently Director of the Centre for Dialogue & Spirituality in the World Religions at Renison University College/University of Waterloo, he was educated at Concordia College (BA Philosophy & Political Science), Harvard Divinity School (STB, Theology), and the Institute of Christian Thought, St. Michael’s University College (PhD, Special Religious Studies). He taught at Waterloo Lutheran University (now Wilfrid Laurier) 1967-69 and Renison College, University of Waterloo (1973-2007).

Renu Talwar received her undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from University of Waterloo and her MBA from Wilfrid Laurier University, both of which are in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. During her career, she has worked as a software developer, design engineer in the construction industry and as a management consultant.

Mary Step is currently completing her Ph.D. in communication studies from Kent State University in Ohio.

Dr. Vijay R. Solanki is a 1976 graduate of dentistry from the University of Toronto. He has been in private practice in Kitchener, Ontario for 22 years. Born to devout Hindu parents in Johannesburg, South Africa, he was sent to India at the age of 11 years to escape the oppressive system of apartheid. Eight years in India formed a basis for his interest in the universal message found in Indian scriptures. Married to Brenda L. Hutton in 1971, the couple have four lovely children...Jay, Raj, Ram and Jyoti.

Jignesh Shah recieved his undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering from Victoria Jubilee Technical Institute(VJTI) & an MBA from Institute of Technology and Management, Mumbai, India. He immigrated to Canada in 1996 and upgraded his skills through some courses at University of Waterloo, Canada and also obtained the Microsoft Certification for Systems Engineer NT with specialization in internet technology. At present he works for one of the major banks in Canada as Technical Analyst, Operations & Technology.

Dr. Venkat B. Rao received his medical degree from South India and obtained speciality training in All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi . He received fellowship from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and from the University of Ottawa. He has been in practice in Kitchener, Waterloo area in Ontario since 1970.

Venkat is interested in spirituality, in general, and karma yoga and kriya yoga in particular. He has been involved as a board member in the management of Brahmarishi Mission and Yogashram. It is a natural for him to be part of SHEN.

Richard Payette received his Honours B.A. in English at the University of Toronto, Victoria College and shortly after earned his Bachelor of Education degree at Nipissing University. He began his teaching career working with emotionally disturbed children, then moved to Waterloo County where he taught juvenile delinquents for several years then accepted a position teaching English and Media Studies at the high school level. He has been teaching for 18 years and continues to do so. In his spare time he writes fiction and has completed 5 novels, numerous short stories and a screenplay.

Graduated in Agricultural Engineering from Agra, UP, India and migrated to Canada in 1960. Over the years, furthered professional education in Electronic Engineering, and Business Administration respectively from Ryerson Polytechnic and Wilfred Laurier University and working experience in sonar, space and consumer products in various industries.

Member of the Theology Society in Bombay and exposed to the spiritual environment in Vrindavan (near Mathura), Christian Ashram in Shivajinagar, Pune and subsequently asociated with like minded spiritual colleagues in Canada.

Dr. Josephine Cecilia Naidoo completed her undergraduate degrees in the Republic of South Africa. She received her M.A. and Ph.D. in Social Psychology from the University of Illinois. Her academic career has been primarily spent at Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. At the point of her retirement in July 1997, she was Full Professor of Psychology. Dr. Naidoo has been engaged in research on South Asian women in Canada, multiculticultural issues, race relations and Asian/African indigenous psychology. In the late 80's and early 90's, Dr.

Gita Morar immigrated to Canada in 1985. Her undergraduate degree, B.A.(Arts), and gradaute degrees, B.A.Hns.S.W. and M.A.Clin.Psych. were received from the University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa. She has since specialized in Brief Interactive Therapy at the renouned Mental Research Institute in Palo Alto, California, and Midfulness Based Stress Reduction in New York, U.S.A.