Pegah Salari (‘08 MBA) is one of the Alumni Council’s newer members, joining the team just last year. Before that, however, she had been an active and passionate volunteer and campus community leader.

Pegah first came to the University of Alberta in 2006 to start her MBA program, arriving as an international student from Iran. She started her classes just hours after her flight arrived, a jetlagged experience she remembers well. As a student, she was active in the community, volunteering with the Iranian Students Association and CJSR to name a few. Pegah went on to finish her MBA in 2008 and began working for EMCO Corporation, running one of their large wholesale distribution centres. After her graduation, she stayed in touch with the University for a while and attended some alumni events, but eventually fell out of contact.

Pegah was drawn back to the University after the tragic events of Ukraine International Airline Flight 752 when she volunteered to emcee the large memorial service that took place. During that event, she was truly touched by the level of compassion she saw in the University staff and volunteers during an incredibly difficult time for the Iranian community. She felt that “everyone really poured their hearts and souls into the event” which also helped her grieve the tragedy. After that, she joined an Alumni Council committee as a public member her first year and was selected as a member of Alumni Council for a three-year term the year afterward.

The role of Alumni Council is to help build relationships and engage with alumni and they advise on everything from brand changes and messaging to different ways to get alumni involved on campus. “There is so much the University can offer you and that you can offer the University after you graduate….It’s not just a place to go to get a degree, it’s also a community”. It’s a message that Pegah and her fellow Council members are passionate about sharing.

Pegah’s favorite part of volunteering on council is “absolutely the people”. From her fellow Council members, staff and other U of A Community members, she feels “They are a very good mix of good hearted human beings with a lot of experience….I learn so much from hearing their thought processes and interacting with them. I really enjoy seeing how this group works to make things better”. As a former international student, Pegah says another benefit is that “You can help make the path easier for other people going through by ensuring the diversity and inclusivity is there when programs are being planned”.

Pegah’s advice to future volunteers? ““Don't be afraid…actually, it's okay to be afraid but don't let that stop you!!”

Along with her volunteer work, Pegah writes for New Trail magazine and The Circle.

Applications for Alumni Council are now open!

Alumni Council provides advice, determines programming and works closely with the University of Alberta to strengthen the relationship alumni have with their alma mater and with each other. You can find out more about volunteering with Alumni Council and submit an online application here. Applications are due by February 24th, 2023.