Born and raised in Edmonton, Shazia has a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Manitoba. She is a Registered Social Worker (RSW) with the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW) in good standing. Throughout her career, she has worked in various non-profits agencies, such as E4C, Boyle McCauley Health Centre, and Boyle Street Community Services as well as with the Edmonton Police Service working collaboratively with members on the Heavy Users of Service (HUoS) project. She has worked for the Government of Alberta since 2015 within the Ministry of Community and Social Services for the AISH program and Disability Services (PDD & FSCD) and currently, for the Ministry of Children’s Services. Within Children’s Services, she has held various positions including working with high risk youth, completing community assessments, as well as completing investigations for children in care. Through her personal journey and professional practice, she has gained knowledge in several areas such as racism, gender equity, poverty, homelessness, marginalization, addictions, mental health, trauma, justice/law enforcement and working with vulnerable populations, including Indigenous and refugee communities.
