Sanita Dhillon-Shapka, MA, SCMP®
Communications Consultant and Owner of Drive
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 support people and communities in Alberta and British Columbia.
I started Drive Communications and Engagement in 2021 to provide strategic communications consulting to organizations. When needed, I rely on my trusted vendors and other driven consultants to support me in meeting the needs of a project.
Highlights
Gold Quill Award: I’m a recipient of the 2026 Gold Quill Award of Excellence in Multicultural Communication and the Best of the Best Award by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC). This was for my previous work with Health Quality Alberta for a multi-year project entitled: Empowering patients in their healthcare through culturally sensitive and translated public campaigns. The Gold Quill Awards are known as the pinnacle achievement for professional communicators around the globe. I’m grateful to everyone who contributed to this important work.
Clients of Drive: Drive is working with Health Quality Alberta and the Alberta Association of Optometrists. Drive has previously worked with the Sherwood Park and Strathcona County Primary Care Network, and the Chartered Professional Accountants of Alberta.
Volunteer work: As part of my goal to help protect the dignity of others through my work, I’m grateful to have volunteered as a patient advocate with Open Arms Patient Advocacy Society over the past year. This year, I am also serving as a member of the IABC Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee.
Qualifications: I have a Master’s degree in Professional Communications from Royal Roads University in beautiful Victoria, BC. I also completed a Bachelor’s degree in Communications Studies at the University of Calgary, with an international exchange 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!
