Gino Ferri Community Service Award Presented to Sameer Hasham

The Gino Ferri Community Service Award was presented to Sameer Hasham in recognition of his tireless dedication volunteering to support local, national and international communities. The Gino Ferri Award Community Service Award recognizes and celebrates those within RJC that are exemplary leaders in contributing to their communities.

Sameer generously contributes his time and skillset to a wide variety of RJC community and outreach events such as HeroWork, the BC Cancer Foundation, and the Cridge Centre for the Family, and never hesitates to support his colleagues in their charitable efforts. Sameer's generosity of time and knowledge extends into his personal life. He is an active volunteer within his Ismaili community and with the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). Sameer consistently devotes his mornings, evenings, weekends and vacation time to travel and meet other professional members of various AKDN organizations when called upon. 

“His passion to see those around him succeed, grow, connect, and engage makes him a leader both in his profession as well as his long list of voluntary service” says Zen Tharani, National Chair, World Partnership Walk. “I have never seen him shy away from hard work or a difficult problem to solve.  When I think of Sameer living his is purpose, I see him as a leader who has his sleeves folded and hands in whatever tasks his team members have taken on.” 

Within the social development arm of the AKDN, Sameer volunteers his time with the Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC), the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH), and the University of Central Asia (UCA). He is the former Vice-Chair of the World Partnership Walk in Victoria, serving in that role for five years, and remains involved with event planning and fundraising. “I have had the privilege of serving with Sameer with the Victoria World Partnership Walk for many years where Sameer was the Logistics lead and instrumental in helping us to execute the Walk here in Victoria, helping to raise over $150K annually” shares Ali Hemani, Chair, Victoria World Partnership Walk. “The funds raised are to help the most vulnerable communities in Africa and Asia.”This annual event brings together people from all faiths and backgrounds in a spirit of friendship and inclusion to promote awareness of global poverty. Sameer’s dedication and enthusiasm to this cause is inspiring and is reflected in the numerous RJC colleagues and industry partners who regularly participate to support him in this exceptional local community event.

Sameer's passion for community service has taken him across Canada and across the globe. He has donated innumerable hours of his “out of office” and “vacation” time to share his expertise to support the AKAH's mandate of safe and sustainable construction in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and northern Afghanistan. Sameer currently serves on the facilities Advisory Board for the Global Centre for Pluralism in Ottawa, and is the current Vice-Chair for Asset Management for the Ismaili Centres in Canada.  He was also a member of the COVID Task Force to plan for the safe reopening of Ismaili Centres in Canada.

“He has been a key member of our international team tea managing and supporting the Ismaili Centers Support Services program across Canada, USA, London, Dubai, Lisbon, Dushanbe, and the University of Central Asia facilities portfolio” Hemani says.

The Gino Ferri Community Service Award was established to recognize an individual's distinguished contribution to their community. Gino, a former RJC Principal, was a defining part of RJC for more than 50 years. His passion for people and community shone through in everything he did, generously giving his time to numerous boards and foundations, always making time for causes close to his heart.