About

Sanita Dhillon-Shapka, MA, SCMP®

Communications Consultant

Hi! My name is Sanita and I’m a driven communications and engagement professional living in beautiful Calgary, Alberta. I’ve been working in communications since 2010 and have a passion for projects that have a positive social impact.

I started Drive Communications and Engagement in 2021 to provide strategic communications consulting to organizations in Alberta. When needed, I rely on my trusted vendors and other driven consultants to support me in meeting the needs of a project.

Drive is working with the Alberta Association of Optometrists and previously worked with the Sherwood Park and Strathcona County Primary Care Network, and the Chartered Professional Accountants of Alberta.

In 2022, I enjoyed a part-time employment contract with Health Quality Alberta as a Senior Communications Advisor. Working with diverse communities in this role was inspiring to me. In this role, I saw that my lived experience as a second-generation Canadian Punjabi Sikh woman empowers me to work compassionately and collaboratively with diverse groups. Since that experience, I’ve dedicated the work of Drive to communication projects that support people and communities in Alberta and British Columbia.

As part of my goal to help protect the dignity of others through my work, I’m grateful to volunteer as a patient advocate with Open Arms Patient Advocacy Society. This year, I am also serving as a member of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion committee.

I have a Master’s degree in Professional Communications from Royal Roads University in beautiful Victoria, BC. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Communications Studies from the University of Calgary, with an international exchange completed at Massey University in Auckland, New Zealand. In 2024, I earned the Strategic Communication Management Professional (SCMP)® certification through IABC. In 2025, I completed the Certificate in Public Participation through the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2).

When I’m not working on communication and engagement projects, I enjoy adventures with my two little boys, Alex and Andrew, and my lovely husband, David, or cooking healthy meals and desserts with my family!

Please feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn.