DEFEATED Surrey mayoral candidate Barinder Rasode has received a pretty good consolation prize: she has been appointed to the Fraser Health board of directors.

Although that news was circulating in the South Asian community for some days, an official announcement was only made when The VOICE – after an email and a phone call to Rasode had gone unanswered for days – contacted the government’s media office for verification on Tuesday.

The official release stated: “Ms.  Rasode was previously a City of Surrey Councillor for six years. Prior to her elected position, Rasode was an Account Executive with Pattison Sign Group and Staff Officer with the Professional Employees Association. Over the years, she has taken an active role in her community through her volunteer activities with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. She studied Conflict Resolution at the Justice Institute of British Columbia and Political Science at Simon Fraser University.”

“Barinder has been an active member of the Surrey community and her dedication to community issues and her wealth of professional and volunteer experience will be an asset as she transitions to her new role and supports the board in its focus of improving care for patients in this region,” said Health Minister Terry Lake.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am pleased to welcome Barinder to Fraser Health,” said Karen Matty, Chair of the Board. “Her public service and philosophy of engaging with people in a meaningful way, aligns ideally with Fraser Health’s vision of putting patients first. We are confident that she will add valuable insight as we work to implement new strategies and initiatives that benefit patients and families.”

Well, congratulations and good luck anyway, I guess, Barinder.

Enjoy!

Her bio reads:

Barinder Rasode is the Director of Social Responsibility for Resource Works, a non-profit society that conducts research and provides information about the economic impacts of BC’s natural resource sector.

The organization, which is comprised of some of BC’s top policy-makers and business influencers, aims to create an informed dialogue with citizens and decision-makers about how responsible resource development creates employment, economic security and a sustainable environment.

She works with senior levels of government, stakeholders and the private sector to find common ground on the issues facing the resource industry, in order to tackle the emerging challenges that threaten BC’s economic future.

Rasode is also on the Board of Directors for Fraser Health, providing governance and vision for the largest health authority in British Columbia.  In her appointed role, she works with senior management to establish overall strategic direction, review long-term plans, and ensure appropriate community consultation.

She is also the Advisory Committee Chair for the inaugural SheTalksYVR conference, a unique event featuring 15 inspirational speakers who will share stories of leadership, transformation, innovation and how to succeed in today’s rapidly changing world.

Previously, Rasode served two terms as an elected City Councillor for the City of Surrey and ran for Mayor of Surrey in 2014.