Hema Bhatt, Vice President of Natu’Oil Services Inc., has been appointed to the Board of Directors by the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation for 2021-2022.
“My family has had the good fortune of receiving excellent care and treatment at the Royal Columbian Hospital,” says Hema, who has always been passionate about the culture of caring and giving back to the community. “It is one of the busiest hospitals in BC, provides the highest level of care to the critically ill and injured and therefore is very important for the community.”
For the Malaysia-born Port-Coquitlam businesswoman, philanthropy has been as important in her life as her work. As an astute businesswoman, she worked with her husband to grow Natu’oil into one of the largest importers of Palm oil and energy supplements in North America. As a philanthropist, from helping single mothers’ find independence to her company providing meals and food hampers during the Covid-19 pandemic, Hema has juggled many hats.
Over the years, Natu’Oil has supported various charities like the Terry Fox Foundation, Miracle Connections, SHARE Family and Community Services Food Bank, the Power of Hope music program for incarcerated youth, Eagle Ridge Hospital, BC Children’s Hospital, the Gujarati Society of BC, Indian Summer Festival, Medical Camps in India, and many more. Hema was also appointed as the Chair of the South Asian Health Legacy Fund at the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation in 2020. The fund supports initiatives related to health, prevention of illness, and management of chronic diseases and charitable giving in the South Asian community.
Hema’s philanthropy as well as career successes have been recognized by awards such as the Business of the Year award in 2016 by the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce, Shakti Award of Excellence in Business and Entrepreneur in 2017 and the Iconic Woman Creating a Better World for all Award at the Women’s Economic forum in 2018. In 2020, Hema received the Community Champion Award for Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam and the Business Person of the Year Award from Drishti Magazine.
She was also the Executive Producer of a TV special, ‘In Case You Didn’t Know…’, featuring financial expert Robert Kiyosaki, and a documentary titled ‘Its Happening Right Here,‘ on child sex slavery and human trafficking, filmed in San Diego.
Hema is passionate about young women taking on leadership roles in the community and being successful in business. She leads by example.
Building on a strong tradition of caring and community support, Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation (RCHF) has been raising money to help the hospital save lives, restore health and provide comfort to seriously injured and ill patients of all ages. RCHF donors help fund major projects, priority equipment needs, facility enhancements, research, education and innovation at the Royal Columbian Hospital.
“Hema is a dynamic and business savvy professional whose qualities will support the important work of the Foundation’s board as Royal Columbian continues with its $1.49 billion redevelopment,” says Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation President and CEO Jeff Norris. “Hema is familiar with the Foundation through her work with our South Asian Health Fund, and her insights will further our efforts on behalf of the hospital.”
“I am excited to work with the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation’s Board, continue building and engaging in philanthropy, and leaving a legacy,” says Hema.
Visit www.rchfoundation.com for more information.
