Exceptional Women of East Village 2025
East Village draws much of its bold creative energy and its confident, boundary-pushing character from the people who live and work here. In honour of International Women’s Day, we are shining a light on the incredible women who make East Village what it is – bold, creative, ever-evolving. From frontline care to hands-on healing, from making math exciting to redefining what a library can be -- meet four women who make East Village extraordinary.
The 2025 Exceptional Women of East Village photographed at The Bounce Games Park. Pictured left to right: Pranavi Thampi, Sarah Meilleur, Vishranti Pandya and Lauren DeDieu.
VISHRANTI “VISH” PANDYA - PHARMACIST & ASSOCIATE OWNER, EAST VILLAGE SHOPPERS DRUG MART
If you live in East Village, chances are you’ve met Vish Pandya. Whether it’s filling a prescription, answering a health question, or offering life-saving advice, she’s always looking out for the community. As the pharmacist and associate owner of East Village’s Shoppers Drug Mart, she’s become an essential part of the neighbourhood, making healthcare feel more personal – and more accessible – since opening her doors in 2023.
“Healthcare is more than prescriptions—it’s about education, accessibility, and reducing barriers.”
Originally from India, Vish immigrated to Canada in 2012 and worked her way up to owning her first pharmacy in the small town of Vermillion. In 2023, she moved to Calgary to be closer to family and open her business in East Village and has been creating close relationships with the residents of the neighbourhood ever since.
Opening a pharmacy in a big city is a daunting task, especially compared to the day-to-day interactions that come with small-town life. That’s why a community like East Village was the perfect place for Vish to open up shop – she says despite being a downtown neighbourhood, the area emanates a “small town vibe” that feels familiar.
“We are in a big city, but everybody here is very much connected with each other.”
Her impact on East Village goes beyond pharmacy walls. She has been instrumental in health education initiatives, teaching community members about managing chronic conditions and providing life-saving care, from naloxone training to a recent quick catch that saved a life.
Always the first point of contact, Vish describes assessing a patient who’d come into the pharmacy – immediately recognizing the symptoms of a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), she sent the patient to the ER. The patient returned to her pharmacy and thanked her for saving her life – doctors told her that if she hadn’t gone to the ER at that very moment, she wouldn’t have survived.
Vish is passionate about empowering her team, supporting community health programs, and making healthcare more accessible. “Our role has changed a lot in the last 10 years – it’s more than just dispensing the medication and checking prescriptions, a lot of pharmacists now have the license to prescribe, which saves patients time in the ER and reduces the load on our health care system.”
But what led her past the life of a pharmacist – the path that pushed her to open her own store in a big city? Vish’s story isn’t just about medicine, it’s about resilience. An avid mountaineer, she took on the challenge of summiting Kilimanjaro, one of the most dangerous peaks in the world. Facing extreme weather and low oxygen she persevered. She offers this resilience as what fuels her career.
“That climb was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but it taught me that we’re capable of far more than we think. I would rather fail at something than just quit.”
Whether she’s prescribing antibiotics, offering counseling on lifestyle changes, intervening in a medical crisis, or conquering mountains, Vish’s impact in the community is immeasurable.
SARAH MEILLEUR - CEO, CALGARY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Those who’ve met Sarah Meilleur have probably all heard a similar introduction, “Hi, I’m Sarah from the library, and I’m a librarian.”
When she’s not off meeting with mayors, leading teams of people and making the library more accessible to everyone, Sarah is chatting with patrons, library staff and community.
For many, it’s an interaction that leads to sharing feelings and feedback about the library – for Sarah it’s an opportunity to improve – something she’s made her mission since becoming CEO of the Calgary Public Library in 2021.
Sarah has dedicated her life to building a library system that serves everyone. Starting as a library page over 20 years ago, she has worked her way up to CEO, where she leads initiatives that make mental health, career development, and library programming more accessible.
“Libraries are places where everyone belongs, where potential is realized, and where communities come together.”
Under her leadership, the Calgary Public Library has grown to over 818,000 members – nearly 60% of Calgarians – which is something she is very proud of. Last year, they averaged 425 new library members and over 20,000 visitors every day at libraries throughout the city, including 3000 - 4,000 daily visitors at the Central Library in East Village.
Sarah’s roots in the library system run deep. From getting her first library card at Memorial Park downtown as a child to spearheading groundbreaking initiatives, she has always believed in the power of libraries to transform lives. She is particularly proud of the library’s role in welcoming newcomers, providing essential services, and fostering lifelong learning.
“Libraries are more than books—they’re a bridge to opportunity.”
Working in one of East Village’s defining architectural landmarks, the Central Library, has deepened Sarah’s connection with the community. As the Calgary Public Library representative on the project, Sarah played a key role in shaping the vision for the Central Library – an award-winning building that brought international recognition to Calgary – now she leads the organization from inside the architectural marvel.
The Central Library isn’t just central to the City of Calgary, or Sarah’s life and career. It’s a beacon that catalyzed the development and community spirit of East Village. Her favourite spot in the Central Library? The TD Great Reading Room up on the fourth floor.
“I think it echoes the tradition and history of libraries as a place where silence is a service, as a place for contemplation, for information, for people to be together but alone at the same time.”
Whether she’s grabbing a coffee by the river or welcoming thousands of visitors daily, she sees the library as a vital part of the neighbourhood’s fabric.
“East Village is a hub of energy, creativity, and connection. It’s a privilege to be part of it.”
LAUREN DEDIEU - ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR (TEACHING), DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS, UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY
Not everyone grows up loving math, especially when a passion for numbers means being the only girl in the room – Lauren DeDieu is working to change that.
As an associate professor at the University of Calgary, she teaches and coordinates courses for future math teachers while also leading outreach programs that encourage young girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
“A lot of students might not have great feelings about math – and I want my students, who are future teachers, to feel excited about math so that they can pass on those positive feelings to their students.”
In 2019, Lauren started Girls Excel in Math – a Saturday morning program where teachers recruit students interested in math. She noticed early on that many young girls shy away from math due to a lack of representation and encouragement, so she took action by designing inclusive, engaging programs that break down barriers and challenge stereotypes, creating supportive spaces for young girls to engage with math in a way that’s fun, empowering, and confidence-building.
“I want to show girls how fun math can be, encourage them to see themselves as mathematicians and then go on to take more STEM courses as they move on to high school and the beginning of their careers.”
That Saturday morning program evolved into the Math Attack Summer Camp in 2022 with 21 students from across Alberta coming to the University of Calgary for eight days of math and friendship building. The demand for the camp was so overwhelming – with over 150 students applying - that Lauren created a second camp to accommodate the demand.
Originally from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Lauren moved to Calgary in 2018 for her position at the University of Calgary, choosing an apartment on the 17th floor in East Village for its views of the river. An animal and nature lover, the neighbourhood was the perfect place to balance a busy life teaching with quiet space for reflection just steps away.
“I like being able to get to the river without having to cross any busy streets, go for a walk every evening and just see the wildlife along the way.”
Beyond teaching, Lauren is a dedicated community member. She volunteers with the East Village Neighborhood Association (EVNA) when she can and loves to tend to her garden plot in the community garden.
“East Village is such a unique place—it’s a blend of nature, community, and city life all in one.”
PRANAVI “PAI” THAMPI - DOCTOR OF ACUPUNCTURE, TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE & SPORTS MASSAGE THERAPIST, CLINIC SPORT AND HEALTH
It’s hard to live up to others’ expectations – and even harder to defy them, create your own path, and succeed so much you surpass even your own goals.
Some people find their calling early in life; for Pai it was a journey of trusting her instincts and following the signs. Growing up in India, she always felt drawn to helping others, but it wasn’t until she heard the phrase “you have the hands of a healer” that she truly understood her path. Today, as a Doctor of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, as well as a sports massage therapist, she helps people move pain-free and regain their independence.
“When people feel better, they show up stronger for their families, their work, and their passions. And that creates a healthier, happier community.”
Pai’s journey into holistic healing wasn’t the traditional path expected of her. But she followed her instincts, trusting the "cosmic nudges" that led her toward a career in acupuncture and massage therapy.
“I was told I had the hands of a healer. At first, I didn’t understand what that meant, but I do now. The look, the smile, the relief when people feel better – I’m humbled that I can take people’s pain away.”
Her work goes beyond physical healing. With a deep connection to her elderly patients, Pai finds joy in helping them maintain their independence and mobility. “It’s not just about treating pain,” she says. “It’s about ensuring they can keep doing the things they love.”
Pai’s resilience extends beyond her professional life. Living far from home, in vibrant East Village, she has built her life independently, overcoming personal challenges with unwavering strength.
“I’ve had many valid reasons to take an easier road, but I chose to trust myself and work hard. I’m proud of choosing light over darkness, of standing strong when I had no other option.”
She hopes to continue growing her career by becoming an educator and using her decade-plus of experience to train future practitioners. For now, she remains dedicated to her patients and to East Village—the neighbourhood she loves for its energy, design, and people.
“There’s something special about East Village. The people, the community—it’s a happy place to be.”
East Village draws much of its bold creative energy and its confident, boundary-pushing character from the people who live and work here. The four women profiled in this feature are among the difference-makers leaving and indelible mark on our neighbourhood and city.