Born and raised in Edmonton, Shazia holds a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Manitoba and is a Registered Social Worker with the Alberta College of Social Workers. She brings extensive non-profit experience through her work with E4C, the Boyle McCauley Health Centre and Boyle Street Community Services, as well as her collaboration with the Edmonton Police Service on the Heavy Users of Service project. She has worked across several Government of Alberta ministries, including Community and Social Services, Children and Family Services and Public Safety and Emergency Services. Her roles have included case management for high-risk youth, community assessments, placement investigations, leading an intervention team and managing staff wellness within Correctional Services. She now works in Youth Addiction and Forensic Mental Health at Alberta Health Services, serving both inpatient and outpatient care. Shazia’s expertise includes addressing racism, gender equity, poverty, homelessness, addictions, mental health, trauma, justice and supporting vulnerable populations such as Indigenous and refugee communities.
In police governance, Shazia serves as a Commissioner and current Vice Chair of the Edmonton Police Commission, as well as Chair of the Governance Committee. She previously served on the Board of the Alberta Association of Police Governance and currently serves on the Board of the Canadian Association of Police Governance.