DATE: October 9, 2025
EVENT: Finding Common Ground: Collaboration, Compassion and Community in a Changing World

Bhavana Varma has been a force for good in the Kingston charitable landscape for many years. Her journey is truly inspiring, from starting fresh in Canada to making big changes at United Way, showing how passion and hard work can lead to remarkable achievements. At first a reluctant immigrant to Canada, and feeling she was working below her potential, she built on wise advice from her father: “You can’t change the world, but every day do something to help someone.” Starting out in a Temporary Service Placement job typing receipts for the United Way, at one point she said “the beauty of the United Way just struck me”.  She realized it  provided “an organized way to help people.” So she stayed and just kept working her way through the ranks. After eight years with United Way in St. Catharines, Bhavana came to join the United Way in Kingston. She spent 24 years administering and leading the organization. She helped it become one of top 100 Canadian Charities. 

Bhavana has won numerous awards for her work - including the George Hart Award from United Way Canada, as well as both the Queen Elizabeth Platinum Jubilee Award and the Diamond Jubilee Medal.  Now CEO of Varma consulting, Bhavana’s journey is a powerful example of how resilience and her clear vision for impact has led to her remarkable achievements in leadership and community service. We are sure to be inspired as we listen to her story!