Sundas Shamshad

Sundas Shamshad is an inspiring leader whose passion for advocacy, community service, and mental health support has earned her recognition as one of Your McMurray Magazine’s Top 50 Under 50. At 36, Sundas has built a remarkable career while dedicating herself to making a tangible impact on the lives of others.

As Acting Manager of the Disability Initiative at the Government of Alberta’s Ministry of Seniors, Community, and Social Services, she channels her expertise into shaping policies that improve the lives of vulnerable communities. Yet, her true calling extends far beyond her career, as she works tirelessly to empower individuals facing life’s most challenging battles, particularly cancer.

Born in Karachi, Pakistan, and raised in both Pakistan and Toronto, Sundas moved to Fort McMurray a decade ago, bringing with her a deep commitment to creating lasting change. Her personal journey has been a profound source of strength. After facing her own battle with breast cancer, Sundas realized the lack of resources available to cancer patients in Fort McMurray. Determined to ensure that no one else would face this journey alone, she founded Sisters in Cancer YMM, a support group that offers peer-to-peer guidance, financial aid, and mental health resources to cancer patients and survivors.

Through Sisters in Cancer YMM, Sundas has been a beacon of hope for many. She collaborates with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Fort McMurray to hold mental health workshops, providing a safe space for cancer patients to share their experiences and receive support. Her commitment to uplifting women battling cancer goes beyond group meetings; she organizes events and fundraisers like the annual Walk Her Way 5K, raising funds for the Compassion House Foundation, where she also serves as a board member and ambassador. Sundas’ leadership extends to national platforms as well. In 2023, she was a patient advisor at the Canadian Cancer Research Conference, sharing crucial perspectives to guide cutting-edge research.

A passionate advocate for mental health, Sundas’ work emphasizes the importance of self-care for cancer patients, particularly the emotional toll cancer takes on individuals. Her 2023 workshop with local vendors, which focused on skincare, cosmetics, wigs, and other aspects of managing appearance-related impacts of cancer treatment, provided much-needed comfort to women navigating their cancer journeys. Sundas is also a fierce advocate for exercise and yoga as tools to enhance the well-being of cancer survivors, serving on advisory boards for both EXCEL and the Yoga Advisory Committee, two programs dedicated to the role of physical activity in recovery.

In addition to her work in cancer support, Sundas’ dedication to mental health and community engagement shines through her involvement with various organizations. As a board member of FuseSocial and NorthWord Magazine, Sundas continues to champion creativity, leadership, and mental health within her community. She has also led initiatives like the #DressedNotOppressed campaign, addressing gender-based violence and hate crimes against Muslim women in Canada. Her passion for diversity and equity drives her advocacy work, particularly in ensuring that marginalized voices are heard in discussions around mental health and healthcare.

Reflecting on her journey, Sundas credits her family, especially her grandmothers and parents, for instilling the values of resilience, sacrifice, and community service in her. She honours their legacy by continuing to fight for equity, inclusion, and mental health awareness in her community. “My parents left the comfort of their home country to build a better life in Canada,” Sundas shares, “and they’ve always taught us that a life dedicated to helping others is a life truly fulfilled.”

Looking ahead, Sundas aspires to further expand her advocacy for underserved communities, especially in rural Alberta. Professionally, she is committed to shaping policies that increase healthcare access and mental health resources for marginalized populations. Personally, she aims to find balance while continuing to inspire those around her. Whether as an advocate, a cancer survivor, or a community leader, Sundas’ impact on Fort McMurray and beyond is undeniable.

Her journey—marked by resilience, advocacy, and a relentless drive to help others—reflects her personal tagline: “Empowering communities, transforming lives—an advocate for hope, resilience, and lasting change.”

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