Neelam Sahota is a senior executive in the social impact sector. With more than 25 years of leadership experience primarily in BC’s nonprofit sector, her award-winning work has been recognized for building meaningful spaces of connection, for creating a community for under-represented groups, and for inspiring a future generation of inclusive and innovative leaders. As a racialized female leader, she uses her voice and champions the advancement of women of all diverse backgrounds to ensure equitable pathways to leadership roles. Her leadership success has been built through public-private partnerships and innovative business models to maximize collective impact.
With prior experience in provincial government and the private sector, Neelam joined DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society as the Chief Executive Officer in 2013 and has enjoyed a fulfilling and rewarding career leading the organization through significant growth to become one of the largest employers in the South Fraser.
Community leadership is a critical component of Neelam’s leadership story. She currently serves as Board Governor at Simon Fraser University, co-Chair of the Surrey Local Immigration Partnership, Advisory Board Director of Roger’s Sports and Media’s OMNI TV, Treasurer of the Immigrant Employment Council of BC Benefit Corporation amongst others. Neelam also serves as an advisor to the City of Vancouver on diversity and racial equity issues.
She has been bestowed with numerous prestigious awards for her leadership including the King Charles III Coronation Medal, the BC Reconciliation Award, BC Business Nonprofit Leader of the Year amongst others including being appointed to the Fellowship of the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (FCPA, FCGA) in recognition of her outstanding work of connecting financial strategies to create social impact in BC.