Shenaz Lakhani considers herself a lifelong student of leadership, and her goal is to inspire the next generation of leaders in pharmacy. 

Lakhani, Associate Owner of three Shoppers Drug Mart locations, began her pharmacy journey as a pharmacy assistant in 2004 and since then, went on to graduate from the University of British Columbia’s pharmacy program in 2009 before working in multiple roles at her company — as a pharmacist in more than 20 locations and as an Associate-Owner of 10 locations, and even as a British Columbia/Yukon Pharmacy Operations Specialist supporting 179 stores. 

In addition to her current role, Lakhani is the B.C./Yukon lead for her company’s Women in Leadership for Associate Owners organization, a group with the goal of improving gender parity in Associate-Ownership and building the next generation of women leaders. In this role, she organized the company’s inaugural region-wide women’s leadership event for the B.C./Yukon region in 2025, plus a host of other events. She is also actively involved in fundraising for Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health, where she regularly organizes fundraising events along with her peers to support women’s health initiatives. 

“In Canada, there are more actively practicing female pharmacists than male pharmacists, but the percentage of male pharmacy leaders is higher than the percentage of female pharmacy leaders. That’s a gap,” she said. “Uncovering the root cause of that and encouraging more women to become leaders in pharmacy is something I believe strongly in.”

Formally, her leadership has been recognized by Shoppers Drug Mart’s leadership in her selection as the B.C./Yukon 2022 Associate-Owner of the Year. Her store in Thunderbird Village in Langley was selected to be part of her company’s first group of Pharmacy Care Clinics in the province in 2025. 

Shenaz Lakhani is the Associate Owner of three Shoppers Drug Mart locations in British Columbia and the B.C./Yukon lead for her company's Women in Leadership for Associate Owners organization.

— Shenaz Lakhani

Numerous pharmacists and leaders in the Shoppers Drug Mart group attribute their growth to Lakhani. Some describe her as a master of her craft, as someone who is approachable and genuine, while being a leader who inspires. Others attest that she was instrumental in helping them build the confidence to practice to their full scope. 

Many credit her teachings in their own achievements, whether becoming pharmacy managers, Associate Owners of their own stores, or winning awards. 

Her focus now, however, is to go beyond teaching the clinical and patient care skills that remain extremely important, to build a community of pharmacists who will continue to create a legacy of leadership. 

She believes her secret weapon is her drive, and her willingness to embrace the lifestyle of a pharmacist. 

“In the world of pharmacy leadership, having exact work-life balance often seems unrealistic. Developing a team doesn’t always fit into set hours. Pharmacies can be open until midnight, or even 24 hours a day,” Lakhani said. 

“It’s important to prioritize all aspects of life, but to be a successful leader in pharmacy, it’s not always going to be 50-50.”

She’s not finished. While she’s busy inspiring the next generation of pharmacists each day at work, her own learning journey hasn’t stopped. 

And she’s been inspired by some of the best, among them Shoppers Drug Mart Vice President of Operations Li Hardy, a leader who has been a constant presence in the company over the last 14 years. 

“That’s translated a lot into my current leadership style. I consider myself a perpetual student of leadership, and I try to foster that in those I lead. Building a pharmacy team that practices at full scope requires intention, trust and clarity of our expanded role,” she said. 

“My goal is to always give back and to keep growing a network of future leaders for industry.”