Our Team
Staff – Canada
Liz Brant, MBA
Liz Brant became Seva Canada’s Executive Director in 2023.
She is a non-profit and healthcare leader with over 15 years of experience in fund development, strategy, operations, governance and people management. She is passionate about building community in the organizations she serves, which have included arts, social services, international development and healthcare.
Liz was first introduced to Seva Canada by serving as Development Director from 2012-2016, and she has remained a steadfast supporter
and advocate ever since.
Prior to rejoining Seva, Liz was Director of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre, where through her leadership she supported care for BC’s highest risk pregnancies (including during the most tumultuous days of the COVID-19 pandemic). During this time, she also earned an MBA degree from the UBC Sauder School of Business.
Liz keeps busy by chasing her two young kids around various playgrounds, libraries, beaches and campsites throughout BC. When she has time, she also makes aesthetically questionable pottery.
Ken Bassett, MD
Ken Bassett, Seva Canada’s Program Director, Research is a Professor of Medicine at the University of British Columbia and directs a research program in international and epidemiologic ophthalmology in the Department of Ophthalmology.
Ken travels extensively to and works closely with Seva program partners in Tanzania, India, Tibet and Nepal primarily helping them to build sustainable programs and to conduct ongoing monitoring and evaluation. He has helped the program partners to design and conduct research themselves and to share their findings at government and academic meetings as well as publish articles in the scientific literature. He continues to practice medicine and has a Doctorate of Medicine from University of British Columbia and PhD in Medical Anthropology from McGill University.
When Ken isn’t travelling to Seva’s programs around the world, he can be found hiking and running with his two daughters or spending time tinkering on his boat.
Deanne Berman
Deanne Berman has been the Marketing & Communications Director of Seva Canada since 2011.
Deanne has over 26 years of experience in marketing, communications and branding. Prior to her work at Seva, Deanne was a Senior Marketing Communications Manager at TELUS launching TELUS TV, Satellite TV and Optik TV. She also had the great pleasure of working on the tourism brand for Canada at the Canadian Tourism Commission just prior to the Vancouver Olympics. Deanne was also a part of the team that launched Bell in BC and Alberta.
Deanne has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Western Ontario and an Honours Diploma in Marketing Communications from the British Columbia Institute of Technology.
In her spare time Deanne enjoys travelling, listening to podcasts and keeping local takeout restaurants in business.
Ashley Holm, MA
Ashley Holm is Seva Canada’s Donor Relations and Operations Manager. She has been with the organization since 2022.
Ashley is passionate about people & processes, and has over 20 years’ experience working in the non-profit sector. Prior to joining Seva, Ashley worked in Performing Arts & Entertainment in many areas including operations, ticketing, guest services, and event management.
She completed her MA in Leadership from Royal Roads University in 2023.
In her spare time she can be found hanging out with her dog, listening to a podcast, running, or enjoying a cup of tea.
Katie Judson, MPH
Katie Judson has been Seva Canada’s Program Director, Operations since 2022.
Katie has many years of public health experience including healthcare system management, healthcare policy, and global health program development. Prior to her work at Seva Canada, she worked for MultiCare Health System, California Health Care Safety Net Institute,and Seva Foundation. During her time with the Foundation, she collaborated closely with Seva Canada staff on shared programs and research projects. She has also served as a Seva Canada board member.
Katie has a Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Management from the University of California, Berkeley. She also works as Adjunct Faculty at the University of Puget Sound teaching courses in public health and research science.
Katie lives in Washington with her husband, Brendan, and their ancient cat Fiona. She loves to backpack, bird watch, cook, and is a self-proclaimed Trekkie.
Erika Kinast, MA
Erika joined Seva Canada in 2024 and now serves as Director, Philanthropy.
Erika loves bringing people and ideas together, building partnerships that turn ideas into action and create lasting impact. With more than 15 years of non-profit experience, Erika is known as a bridge builder—someone who thrives on connecting people, organizations, and resources to spark collaboration and drive change.
Before Seva, Erika led fundraising teams at the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada’s BC/Yukon office and at Skateistan International in Berlin, Germany.
She holds a BA from Simon Fraser University and an MA from the Freie Universität, Berlin. A learner at heart, she is also currently serving at the Co-Chair of Professional Development for the Great Vancouver Chapter of the Canadian Association of Gift Planners.
Outside of working hours, she can be found caring for her “home-zoo” of rescue creatures, or happily lost in a great podcast, book, or series.
Priya Reddy, MBA
Priya Reddy has been a program consultant with Seva Canada since 2021.
Priya has an MBA and is a Hubert Humphrey Fellow and Fullbright Scholar. She is working for Seva Canada as a researcher. Priya has designed and managed projects involving eye screenings and the eradication of childhood blindness for more than 2 million children worldwide. She has also provided consulting services for eye hospitals across the globe to enhance their eye care services through training, capacity building, and resource management.
Natasha Wilson
Natasha joined the Seva Canada team in 2024 as the part-time Digital Asset Management Coordinator, before moving into the full-time position of Donor Relations, Marketing, and Research Coordinator.
Natasha is a dedicated and compassionate advocate for her community, deeply committed to promoting health and well-being. Natasha graduated from Queen’s University with a Bachelor of Science with Honours and Distinction in Life Sciences. She hopes to become a physician providing care to underserved communities and to continue working in public health.
In her spare time, Natasha enjoys travelling, hanging out with friends, and playing volleyball.
Staff – Cambodia
Seva Canada, Cambodia
Borey Rumchek,
#P2-23, Street 618,
Rumchek 4 Village,
Sangkat Ratanak,
Battambang City
Battambang Province, Cambodia
Ratana Vann, MBA
Country Director
Ratana has been with Seva since 2003 and is the Seva Cambodia country director. He has a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and a Master’s Degree in Management. From 1981-92, during the civil war after the collapse of the Khmer Rouge regime, Ratana lived in a refugee camp near the Cambodian-Thai border. Ratana spent time studying in the camp under the United Nations Border Relief Operation (UNBRO) and worked there for more than ten years as an administration clerk responsible for administrative affairs and statistics, monitoring food distribution, and warehouse control.
In early 1992, Ratana moved on to work at the Professional Technical School, providing computer courses. That same year, he became a staff member of the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) and repatriated from the refugee camp with a special convoy to Cambodia. His resume includes working for Action Nord Sud (ANS) and Agricultural Development Action (ADA/HI.ANS).
Ratana is married with three children, a daughter, and two sons. His hobbies include reading and researching various topics.
Sann Sarath
Administrative and Finance Officer
Sarath joined Seva in August 2012 as an Admin Finance Officer. Sarath was born in Battambang Province, Cambodia, and was raised by modest means. Although he had a challenging upbringing, he was supported and encouraged by his parents to complete his education. Sarath went on to pass exams becoming a primary school teacher. He commuted for six years, at Bavel district, Battambang Province about 55KM (30+miles) every day from his home. By supporting himself through teaching, he was able to obtain a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance, graduating in 2012. He is a residency of Master of Finance.
Sarath is married and a father to a daughter and two sons. He enjoys playing sports, reading, and researching, and is always thrilled when patients get their sight back.
Sophon Vin, MBA
Program Coordinator
Sophon was born into a farmer family in a rural area of Battambang province along the western border of Cambodia Thailand, during the civil war in the 1980s. She grew up with the support of her parents and two siblings. She achieved her master’s degree in Business Administration in General Management. She first started working as a primary teacher in her nearby village. She’s worked in various positions within organizations such as the Cambodia Health Education Development (CHED), Opération Enfant du Cambodge (OEC), and Save the Children.
Staff – Nepal
Nepal Eye Hospital Compound
Netra Jyoti Bhawan
Tripureswor, Kathmandu
Nepal
Binita Sharma, MD
Country Director
Dr. Binita Sharma, an ophthalmologist, has been with Seva since 2023.
Dr. Binita Sharma brings the experience of working on clinical projects in hospitals and community-based eye care programs in a variety of professional contexts during her more than ten years in the field of ophthalmology. She has contributed to Nepal’s eye health sector in different roles, including that of a clinician, surgeon, academic coordinator, and administrator. She firmly believes that people must be the priority in any program and teamwork is the key to achieving impact.
She lives in Kathmandu, Nepal, with her husband, daughter, and son. She likes to read fiction, watch movies and travel in her free time.
Shekhar Bhattarai, MEcon
Program Coordinator
Shekhar holds a bachelor’s degree with major economics and political science from Tribhuvan University and an Academic Professional Degree in Marketing Management from Zealand Institute of Business and Technology from Denmark. He also has a master’s degree with a major in economics.
Passionate about learning and community service, Shekhar has worked as a Program Coordinator at Friends of Parents of Children with Autism (FPCA) from 2019 to 2024. He has also worked as an Administration Officer at Everest College of Nursing and Kathmandu Neuro and General Hospital, as well as serving as the Principal of Smarika Samudayik Boarding School.
Beyond his professional life, Shekhar finds joy in learning, travelling, creating music, yoga, and maintaining his physical fitness. He lives in Kathmandu and cherishes his time with his wife, parents, and son.
Parami Dhakhwa, MBA
Senior Program Manager
Parami joined Seva in 2003 just before completing her MBA degree. Since she joined Seva she has worked in various capacities. As Senior Program Manager, Parami supports Seva’s partners in program implementation and capacity building. She leads the team in Kathmandu and is the deputy to the Program Director. She also oversees the financial management of Seva Nepal and works closely with the Seva offices in Canada and the US. She loves travelling and enjoys field visits.
Parami lives in Lalitpur with her husband and daughter and enjoys spending time with her family.
Praful Lal Shrestha
Program Administrator
Praful is a seasoned professional with a rich background spanning various roles in development and entrepreneurship across Nepal. Known for his unwavering dedication, strong work ethic, and proactive approach, he’s been a valuable asset to the Seva team. Praful is knowledgeable in photography and information technology, reflecting a versatile skill set.
Despite being a city boy, Praful has a deep affinity for nature and frequently embarks on treks in the Himalayas whenever the opportunity arises. This passion for exploration extends to his travels in remote parts of the country where he seeks to connect with people and delve into diverse cultures. Praful’s commitment to continual growth, coupled with his genuine interest in people and their stories, makes him a dynamic professional who brings a unique perspective to any project or endeavour.
Apsara Shrestha
Accountant and Administrative Assistant
Apsara started working with Seva Nepal in May of 2019. She is responsible for bookkeeping, generating financial statements, and supporting our partners on financial matters. She received training in accountancy and graduated in Business Studies.
Apsara is from Bhaktapur, one of the mediaeval kingdoms in Nepal, nestled in the beautiful Kathmandu Valley. She loves travelling and reading books, and has a beautiful little daughter.