Julie Patel was a devoted mother, beloved wife, caring sister, proud grandmother, and treasured friend. Her kindness, resilience, and quiet strength left a lasting imprint on all who had the privilege of knowing her.
At the age of 41, Julie immigrated to Canada, full of hope for a brighter future. Just two years later, she was widowed and left to raise her three teenage children—then 13, 16, and 18—on her own. Despite overwhelming hardship, she remained steadfast in her belief in education and its power to change lives.
Julie worked in a dress shop and clothing factory, and to make ends meet, she launched a small sewing and knitting business from home. As a gifted seamstress and knitter, she juggled full-time work with entrepreneurship—all to provide her children with the opportunities she never had. She understood that education could open doors to a better life, and she made countless sacrifices to ensure her children could walk through those doors.
But Julie’s impact extended far beyond her own family. She was a quiet force of generosity in her community—volunteering at the local food bank, creating handmade clothing for newborns at St. Michael’s Hospital, and giving her time to help those experiencing homelessness. Though she never attended university herself, she knew the financial burdens it placed on families, and her compassion for others knew no bounds.
It is in this spirit that we have established the Julie Patel Foundation—a tribute to her life, her values, and her vision. The foundation is dedicated to helping students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds pursue post-secondary education by easing financial barriers—just as Julie would have wanted.
Your support makes this vision possible. By contributing to the Julie Patel Foundation, you are not only honoring a remarkable woman—you are helping to create a legacy of opportunity, empowerment, and hope.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being part of this journey.
Our Team
Feisal Patel, BSc, MSc, MBA
Co-President / Founder
Feisal Patel, the eldest son of Julie Patel, has dedicated his life to honoring his mother’s legacy through meaningful impact.
After earning a Master of Business Administration from the University of Toronto, Feisal built a successful career in the corporate world, gaining deep expertise in finance, business management, and project leadership. Over the course of two decades, he transitioned into consulting, where he advised government agencies and Fortune 100 companies on strategic initiatives. Most recently, he retired after the successful sale of a company he co-founded.
Today, Feisal’s focus is on building the future of the Julie Patel Foundation, expanding its reach to support as many students as possible across Canadian post-secondary institutions. In addition to his philanthropic work, he serves on the boards of several small companies, continuing to lend his experience and insight to new ventures.
Having personally experienced the transformative power of education, Feisal is deeply committed to helping others access the same opportunities. Through the foundation, he works to ease the financial barriers that prevent many students from pursuing their academic goals—carrying forward the values his mother embodied throughout her life.
Feisal’s leadership ensures that Julie Patel’s legacy of resilience, generosity, and belief in the power of education lives on—uplifting generations to come.
Ameen Patel, MD, FRCP(C), FACP, MACP
Co-President / Founder
Dr. Ameen Patel, the middle child of Julie Patel, has dedicated his career to advancing medical education and supporting the next generation of healthcare professionals.
A graduate of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), Dr. Patel is a Professor in the Departments of Medicine and Perioperative Medicine at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. He has held several distinguished academic and leadership roles, including the William J. Walsh Endowed Chair in Medical Education and Associate Chair of Education for the Department of Medicine.
Throughout his career, Dr. Patel has made meaningful contributions both nationally and internationally. He has served on numerous committees, including those of the Canadian Society of Internal Medicine (CSIM), the American College of Physicians (ACP), the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC), and the Society for Perioperative Research and Care. His leadership and expertise have been widely recognized, earning him numerous awards from respected institutions such as McMaster University, CSIM, ACP, RCPSC, and the Canadian Association for Medical Education (CAME).
In addition to his teaching and leadership, Dr. Patel has been a prolific contributor to medical research. As a co-investigator, he has helped secure over $60 million in peer-reviewed funding and has authored 115 peer-reviewed publications.
At the heart of Dr. Patel’s work is a deep commitment to education and mentorship. He has supported countless medical students and residents, always mindful of the financial challenges many face in pursuing higher education. His own journey—marked by years of study and dedication—was made possible by the unwavering support of his mother, Julie Patel. He reflects on her sacrifices with profound gratitude and continues to be inspired by her resilience, love, and belief in the power of education.
Through the Julie Patel Foundation, Dr. Patel is helping ensure that her legacy lives on—by making education more accessible to students who, like him, dream of a brighter future.
Zarina Patel Mehiu, BMOS, CGA, CPA
Chief Financial Officer
Zarina Patel Mehiu, the eldest grandchild of Julie Patel, has built a distinguished career in finance, blending her expertise in business administration, economics, and accounting.
A graduate of Western University, Zarina holds dual bachelor’s degrees in business administration (Finance and Accounting) and Economics. She earned her CGA and CPA designations in 2015, solidifying her reputation as a skilled and knowledgeable professional in the financial sector.
Zarina currently serves as the Director of Finance at 1 Hotels in Toronto. Prior to this, she was the Director of Finance at the Hazelton Hotel and held the position of Financial Controller at Sirona Health Partners Inc., a network of health and medical companies. Her diverse experience also spans roles in both charitable and corporate accounting, having worked with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada.
As the Chief Financial Officer of the Julie Patel Foundation, Zarina plays a critical role in ensuring the Foundation’s financial integrity and long-term success. She oversees the implementation of financial procedures and controls, as well as the overall strategy and management of the Foundation’s resources. Her strong leadership and expertise are vital to the Foundation’s ability to sustain its mission and make a meaningful impact on the lives of students across Canada.
Zarina’s deep commitment to her family’s legacy and her professional acumen guide the Foundation in its mission to support the education of future generations, honoring the values instilled in her by her grandmother, Julie Patel.
Dr. Bonnie McElhinny, Ph. D
Board Member / Adviser
Dr. Bonnie McElhinny is a distinguished Professor in the Department of Anthropology and Women and Gender Studies at the University of Toronto, where she has been a faculty member since 1995.
Throughout her career, Dr. McElhinny has made significant contributions to both academia and public scholarship. She earned her Ph.D. in Linguistics from Stanford University and has since become a recognized scholar in her field, serving as a Fulbright Scholar and Mellon Post-Doctoral Fellow. Her academic work spans a wide range of topics, including water justice, anti-colonial research methods, storytelling, migration and diaspora, language politics, and unsettling settler colonialism.
Dr. McElhinny is the author of three books and more than 50 scholarly articles and chapters. She has also written extensively for wider audiences, publishing accessible works in newsletters, magazines, encyclopedias, and textbooks, which distill complex academic insights into practical knowledge for professional practitioners and the public. Her ability to connect academic research to real-world issues reflects her commitment to both scholarship and social change.
A passionate educator, Dr. McElhinny has received numerous accolades for her teaching, including the June Larkin Award for Pedagogy and the Faculty of Arts and Science Experiential Learning Fellowship. She is also a senior fellow at the Centre for Community Partnerships. Her decades of experience in higher education have allowed her to mentor countless students, offering guidance and leadership in the classroom and beyond.
Dr. McElhinny’s deep commitment to student success and her advocacy for transformative education align perfectly with the mission of the Julie Patel Foundation. Her insight and experience in academic mentorship will help further the Foundation’s goal of supporting students who face financial barriers to higher education, ensuring that Julie Patel’s legacy continues to inspire future generations.