About Us

Farid F. Damji is the Co-Founder and Principal of Optima Living. Working with a team of qualified professionals, he oversees the operational aspects of the Independent and Assisted Living communities, as well as the residential and mental health care components, to ensure exceptional quality and resident-centred care.

He has a master’s degree in Health Administration. He previously held the position of Adjunct Clinical Professor for the Department of Health Care and Epidemiology within the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia.

Farid has more than 20 years of strategic and operational experience in complex health care environments, including both hospital and community care settings with the BC Ministry of Health, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, Fraser Health Authority, and Interior Health Authority.

Karim Kassam is the Co-Founder and Principal of Optima Living. He oversees all corporate initiatives. He has completed the Executive Development Program at Harvard Business School and the Doing Business in China Executive Program at the China European International Business School in Shanghai. He holds an MBA from Queens and is a Certified Management Accountant.

Karim has over 25 years of senior executive leadership experience leading in a variety of organizations leading commercial, sales and corporate development, including extensive experience in hospitality and seniors health care and housing. He also held senior executive officer roles at Ballard Power Systems for 10 years, was a Franchisee at Boston Pizza for over 20 years, and was recognized as one of the top agents in Canada at Colliers International where he led the creation of its multi-family investment division in Edmonton.

He is Chair of the BC Women's Health Foundation, Chair of Effective Pricing Solutions, Vice Chair of the BC Seniors Living Association, and Board Director of the Alberta Continuing Care Association.

Ali Shivji is a Principal of Optima Living. He holds a Master of Business Administration degree from INSEAD, as well as certificates in Value Based Healthcare Delivery from Harvard Business School and Best Practices In Dementia Care from Johns Hopkins University.

Ali is an expert in care, housing, design, and programming for seniors, having worked in strategy and operations in both the public and private health care sectors for over 10 years. He has worked with the National Health Service in the United Kingdom and with McKinsey & Company’s International Health Care practice, primarily focusing on international healthcare system redesign. He recently served as the Chief Operating Officer for AgeCare, a private senior care and housing company with 10 sites and over 1,800 beds across Canada.

Marjorie Bungay is the Regional Director, Operations for Optima Living's Alberta and British Columbia communities. She has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from St. Mary’s University and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Cape Breton University. She has also studied Disability Management and Complex Care, and is a Certified Occupational Health and Safety Professional.

Marjorie has more than 30 years of experience in the Seniors Complex Care and Housing sectors. With her skills in strategic planning, finance, and food services administration, she has successfully led several interdisciplinary teams. She has been a member of provincial, municipal, and private boards and committees established to provide guidance to the governance of various seniors related organizations.

Yvette Elmquist is the Regional Director, Quality Care for Optima Living's Alberta and British Columbia communities. She graduated from Misericordia Hospital’s Nursing program in 1976 with Honours. She has earned the AHS Leadership Award, an Ethics Certificate with Covenant Health from St. Boniface in Winnipeg, a Harvard Management Mentorship, and other achievements.

Yvette brings a wealth of experience to Optima Living, having served as a Registered Nurse for 44 years and as a leader in Designated Supportive Living, Long Term Care, and Acute Care. Across her decades of healthcare experience, she has AHS Manager of Cardiac ICU UAH, the Edmonton General LTC Manager, the Director of Care at Optima Living’s Century Park, and many more. She is passionate about professional care delivery and employee support.

Wei Li is the Controller at Optima Living. She has a bachelor’s degree in Engineering from Dalian University in China and a diploma in Accounting from the University of British Columbia. She has also been a Certified Public Accountant since 2006.

Wei is a financial professional with more than 15 years of experience leading a broad range of accounting and controller responsibilities. With her accounting knowledge and management skills, she has served in several industries, including both publicly-listed and private companies, and was highly recognized for her proficiency in accounting reconciliations and reviews, financial reporting and analysis, coaching, and leading high-performance teams to ensure maximum accuracy and productivity.