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 immigrated to Canada from Kenya in 1970 to pursue further education after teaching high school science for two years. Holding a Dip.Ed., BA (Hon) in psychology and pursuing MPl in planning at Queens University, he worked with the Government of Alberta as Director of Social Policy, leading a social policy research team. Recognized as an analytic and visionary leader, he championed cross-ministry coordination and was appointed policy expert to an MLA committee that developed a cross-ministerial model for supports to low-income Albertans. After thirty-one years, Vasant retired, began a private consulting business and subsequently provided leadership on numerous voluntary community boards, including Canadians for a Civil Society, Public Interest Alberta and Edmonton Social Planning Council. Awards for Vasant’s community service include the Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal for leadership, received from the Hon. Salma Lakhani, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta; the SAGE Award for social justice work from the Sage Seniors Association; and public recognition in Alberta Legislature from the Deputy Premier Hon. Thomas Lukaszuk for advice and policy work on low-income issues. His life reflects his philosophy of advocating for the vulnerable, helping those who have been left behind, supporting those who need help to move up and building a compassionate community based on human rights and social justice. Vasant and his wife, Janet, enjoy travelling in their free time and love spending time with their three grown children and families, including two beautiful grandchildren.

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.