Sangita Patel is one of Canada’s most recognizable media personalities, known for her warmth, authenticity, and ability to connect with people in any room. Her path to television was anything but predictable. She began her career as an electrical engineer before following her heart into broadcasting, where her curiosity and courage opened doors from local news to the national stage. Along the way she has built a career defined by resilience, joy, and a deep commitment to using her voice in service of others.
From Engineering to Entertainment
Her broadcasting journey began at Rogers, where she covered local stories including her first assignment at the Toronto International Film Festival. Standing in front of the cameras she felt a spark that changed everything. For five years she balanced her engineering career with late nights in television before taking a leap of faith after the birth of her first child.
At The Weather Network she discovered the thrill of live performance, learning to ad-lib for long stretches and honing her ability to connect in the moment. City TV followed, where the encouragement of a mentor gave her the confidence to continue, and soon after came an audition at ET Canada. What started as a temporary fill-in became a decade-long career interviewing some of the world’s most celebrated names. Through each chapter she leaned into authenticity. “I never tried to be anyone else. I showed up as me, and that made all the difference.”
A Life of Service
Sangita has always used her platform to give back. Service isn’t an afterthought for her. It’s what fuels her and keeps her connected to her purpose. Wherever she sees an opportunity to lift others, she steps into it wholeheartedly.
During the pandemic, she dedicated an entire broadcast to raise funds for India’s COVID-19 relief efforts, mobilizing support at a time when her community needed it most. She has carries that same commitment into every aspect of her work, using her voice to shine light on causes close to her heart.
Wellbeing as a Foundation
Her advocacy for health and wellbeing is just as central. Ten years ago, she launched “Fitness Tuesday,” a personal passion that grew into a movement. By sharing her own routines, she created a space where women could reclaim their confidence and strength. Messages poured in from those who felt encouraged to move again, reminding her of the ripple effect of openness.
That commitment deepened when Sangita faced her own cancer journey. She made the brave choice to share it publicly, sparking dialogue and solidarity, and reminding others they weren’t alone. “Sharing my journey was never about me. It was about reminding others they weren’t alone.” Today, as a strong supporter of cancer research at Princess Margaret Hospital, she continues to turn vulnerability into strength, creating hope and courage for so many facing health hardships.
Leading Through Representation
Representation and inclusion have also shaped her work. Sangita believes leadership is not about hierarchy but presence. Even a simple “I see you and I thank you” to a producer working long hours can transform someone’s day. Inclusive leadership, to her, is about humanizing systems and making sure people feel valued and supported.
Living with Joy
For Sangita, joy is more than a personal brand. It is the lens through which she leads, creates, and connects. Joy is not just happiness in fleeting moments but a steady energy that grounds her, even through challenge. She describes it as a feeling no one can touch, a source of strength that fuels her work and her relationships.
“Joy is my compass,” she explains. By centering her life on joy, Sangita shows others that true leadership begins with nurturing what cannot be shaken, the inner confidence, presence, and optimism that inspire those around us to thrive.
At HRXchange Sangita is eager to join conversations that bring more humanity into HR leadership. While rules and regulations matter, she believes the heart of HR will always be people. “At the end of the day it is about connection, about how we look at one another and treat each other with the dignity we all deserve.”
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Hear Sangita emcee at HRXchange, an event by the Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA) and Chartered Professionals in Human Resources Canada (CPHR Canada) with title sponsor EY. Join us for a powerful gathering of seasoned HR leaders from across the country as we explore the future of work, leadership, and Canada’s prosperity.