Born to Gujarati parents in Fiji, Ajay immigrated to East Vancouver as a young boy. After completing VCC-Langara’s Human Performance program, Ajay earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Human Kinetics from the University of British Columbia. He worked in amateur and competitive sports for 16 years, including as CEO of Badminton BC and Gymnastic BC, and as Team BC’s Chef de Mission for the Canada Winter and Summer Games.

In 2001, Ajay transitioned to academia. He started as a Kinesiology instructor at Langara College and worked his way up to Vice President, External Development before joining VCC in 2019 as the Vice President, Enterprise & International Development. He was promoted to acting President later that year, followed by President and CEO in 2020.

Ajay represents VCC nationally and internationally through roles with CBIE, CICan, UMAP, and more, advocating for access, equity, and reconciliation. As one of Canada’s few South Asian college presidents, he actively dismantles systemic barriers and builds institutional
cultures that reflect the communities they serve. He also serves on the province’s anti-racism committee and Invest Vancouver Management boards, driving equity and community engagement.

Ajay’s lifelong contributions have been widely recognized through leadership roles at Sport BC, the BC Recreation and Parks Association, and the Vancouver Sport Strategy. This year, Ajay was inducted into the Canada Games Hall of Honour ahead of the St. John’s 2025 Canada Games for his significant contributions to the Canada Games Movement and Canadian sport. He has been awarded the City of Vancouver’s Volunteer of the Year award, the Top 25 Canadian Immigrants, and the King Charles III Coronation Medal. This year, he was also named in Vancouver Magazine’s Annual Power 50 list for 2025.