Alumni Feature: Meet Neelam Sahota

SFU degree(s): Bachelor of Business Administration, 1995

Neelam Sahota is a senior executive with more than 20 year of experience in multidisciplinary leadership. She is the CEO of DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society, a registered charity providing a wide array of community services to newcomers to and diverse populations through government funding and one of the Lower Mainland’s most successful social enterprises.

Neelam is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CGA) and holds a Certificate in Executive Leadership. She has in-depth experience in board governance, risk assessment and strategic planning having served on numerous boards and advisory committees in various capacities.

Her work in the social and economic development of Surrey is based on creating community impact through resource connections, innovative economic drivers and values-based community partnerships. Neelam is a 2020 YWCA Women of Distinction nominee in the nonprofit category, a recipient of the 2020 Drishti Award in the Excellence in Community Engagement category as well as the past recipient of the Surrey Board of Trade Women in Business Award and the Shakti Award for Leadership Excellence.

What's your favourite memory of your time at SFU?

"One of the memories I have of my time at SFU was the construction of the West Mall Centre. There was a lot of excitement and buzz on the campus for this new addition to the Burnaby Campus. The building was everything a student in the faculty of business administration could want – modern lecture halls and classrooms, computer labs, outdoor space and student lounges. Having this space really helped create a sense of community amongst the business students." 

What is your biggest takeaway from your time at SFU?

"To make learning a 360 degree process. Immerse yourself with making connections with fellow students and faculty, [and] the myriad of initiatives and opportunities on and off the campus. Learning doesn’t just happen in the classroom and having these points of connection really make the journey of being a student that much more enriching. It’s incredible to see how some of these connections will continue to serve you positively into your future pathways and shape how you lead."

Connect with Neelam on LinkedIn.