Vasant pursued Dip. Ed, BA (Hon) in psychology and MPl (Queen’s) in policy planning, and has 29 years of experience with the Government of Alberta, Canada, as senior manager and two years with Nairobi High School, Kenya, as a science teacher.

Vasant was Director of Social Policy with the Ministry of Employment, Immigration and Industry and he led a team of research staff. His major initiatives included cross-ministry coordination on social programs and supports, and a policy advisory committee consisting of community leaders, businesses, academics and senior government officials. He was appointed policy expert to the MLA Committee to review low-income programs that developed the new model for supports to low-income Albertans, crossing program and ministerial boundaries.
He was recognized as an analytic thinker, a visionary and a leader. Since retirement, Vasant has a private consulting business. He also sits on the Boards of Directors of Canadians for a Civil Society as chair of the community engagement committee; Public Interest Alberta as chair of human services and poverty; and the Quality of Life Commission. In the past, he was President of the Edmonton Social Planning Council; and sat on the boards of the Christmas Bureau; and the Vibrant Communities Edmonton.

Vasant’s personal philosophy is: To advocate for the vulnerable; to help those who have been left behind; to support those who need to move up; and to build a compassionate community based on human rights and social justice.