Sneha Kankariya holds an MBA in finance and brings over a decade of global experience in banking and financial services, including extensive work in Canada. She is currently a Manager, Issues Management, Governance and Control in TD Wealth. Sneha’s expertise lies in optimizing processes, driving automation, and promoting operational excellence through thoughtful leadership. She is also certified as a PEGA System Architect (CSA) and a PEGA Decisioning Consultant (CPDC).
But beyond her credentials, her foundation lies in people-first leadership – shaped by her role as a Certified Yoga Practitioner and Prenatal Wellness Instructor, a foundation that helps cultivate emotional resilience and mindfulness. Sneha leads with both structure and soul, which is grounded in process, guided by purpose.
A mentee turned mentor in the TRIEC Mentoring Partnership (TMP), Sneha shares why she decided to give back as a mentor.
What challenges did you face when you first arrived in Canada, and how did mentorship help you overcome them?
I arrived in Canada in January 2020, with my three-year old daughter and ambitious dreams, just before the world shut down. My spouse returned to India soon after, and I found myself navigating an unfamiliar country, understanding the job market, building a network without local connections, and parenting landscape- all during a pandemic, alone. The silence of unanswered job applications was deafening. The isolation was real. But TRIEC Mentoring Partnership became my lifeline, my guiding light. It offered direction, confidence, and clarity during uncertain times. The perspective I gained through mentorship helped me stay grounded, resilient, and focused on success. Together, mentorship and mindfulness helped me emerge from uncertainty with strength, strategy, and hope.
Why did you become a mentor?
Because someone once walked beside me when I felt invisible and now, I walk beside others. Mentorship gave me far more than I expected. It transformed me. Beyond professional benefits, it offered emotional resilience and personal growth.
Becoming a mentor wasn’t a checkbox. It was a calling. It was my way of giving back. I mentor to help others see the value in their own stories, especially when the world hasn’t yet reflected it back to them. I don’t mentor to lead from the front. I mentor to amplify, to empower, to co-navigate. It’s about holding up a mirror when someone can’t yet see their worth.
How did mentoring help you land your first job in Canada?
Mentorship helped me refine my elevator pitch, navigate strategic networking opportunities, and better understand the Canadian job market with clarity and purpose. Through consistent guidance and support, it helped me shift my mindset from “starting over” to “building forward.” I gained the confidence to pursue roles aligned with my international experience. As a result, I secured my first role at TD, where I continue to thrive and contribute meaningfully.
Can you give an example of how you’ve applied your learnings from the TMP program?
The biggest gift from TMP was this: Presence matters more than perfection. I apply this every time I mentor. Listening deeply, offering guidance with care, and remembering that sometimes what people need most isn’t direction, but encouragement.
Professionally, TMP taught me to frame my communication in a way that blends empathy with clarity. A skill I now use in cross-functional collaboration, risk presentations, and stakeholder relationships at TD.
At TMP, one of the most powerful lessons I learned was the importance of storytelling – articulating one’s journey in a way that resonates. This approach has enhanced how I lead teams and foster inclusive conversations at work by using empathy and shared experiences. I’ve been able to bridge cultural gaps and create a more supportive workplace environment.
TMP also inspired me to reconnect with my roots in teaching, from Yoga to Prenatal Wellness, where emotional intelligence is the true differentiator.
What advice would you give to a new mentee?
Let go of the pressure to be “perfect.” Be curious, be committed, and be kind to yourself through the process. Your mentor is there to guide, not to judge. Show up with your questions, your fears, your hopes, all of it. This journey is not linear, and every step counts.
Nurture your mindset, whether it’s through mindfulness, journaling, or reflection. The strongest resumes are backed by a strong sense of self.
Your mentor isn’t there to hand you all the answers but to help you discover your strengths and navigate your path. Believe in your potential even when the journey feels steep because that belief is the foundation of progress.
What does being a mentor now mean to you?
It means everything. Being a mentor is a reminder of how far I’ve come and how many others are still on that first uncertain step. Every conversation is an opportunity to pass forward the light that was once given to me.
Mentorship isn’t just professional. It’s deeply human. It’s about transforming dreams into a reality, one conversation at a time. Every mentee’s success feels like a shared triumph. It’s about presence. Patience. Power shared, not held.
What would you say to someone who’s unsure if they’re ready to become a mentor?
You don’t need to be at the top of the mountain to guide someone up the trail. You are more ready than you realize. Mentorship isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about being willing to share, listen, and support.
If you’ve faced uncertainty and found your way through, that’s enough. If you’ve ever felt stuck and found movement again, that’s enough. If you care, that’s more than enough.
Your story doesn’t need polish, it needs purpose. And mentorship is one of the most profound ways to share that purpose. Mentoring is a two-way experience: as you guide others, you’ll continue to grow yourself. Your story could be the spark that lights someone else’s path.
Want to make a meaningful impact in the lives of immigrant professionals? Become a mentor with the TRIEC Mentoring Partnership (TMP) and help newcomers thrive in their careers. Learn more at: https://www.mentoringpartnership.ca/join-us/become-a-mentor/