BY EMMA WHITEN
For more than 15 years, Anita Huberman has proudly served as the Surrey Board of Trade CEO. In this role, Anita and her team provide businesses and organizations with economic opportunities, connections, and more. She is also an Honorary Captain of the Royal Canadian Navy. Although she has led an impressive career history, Anita moved past many barriers to become the first South Asian woman to fill this role in Canada.
Reducing the barriers for women and providing opportunities has been at the center of much of Anita’s work. As part of the Surrey Board of Trade, Anita’s mission is to make Surrey a place where people and their families can live, learn, work and play in their community. Affordable housing is an economic foundation that many people, unfortunately, do not have access to.
For this reason, Anita was quick to take part in the Options Community Services fundraiser for affordable housing. As one of 50 women partnered with Options, Anita is raising $25,000 to support a new affordable housing build in Surrey, BC. This building will bring more women, families, and vulnerable people into a safe and secure home. She believes that Surrey needs to have housing options available to all income segments, offering quality workforce housing solutions. This building project will give individuals opportunities for productive pathways to give back to their communities and make a difference in their professional lives.
When asked about her mother, Anita speaks of determination and perseverance. When she first arrived in Canada, Anita’s mother did not speak any English. Despite the barrier, she persevered and learned the language so that she could pursue education. Anita’s mother paid her way through college and became a Chief Financial Officer for a local college. When asked what stands out most about her mothers, Anita recalls her love for her children and passion for her community.
Anita thanks her mother for always believing in and supporting her passions. As someone who now works in the community, Anita reflects her own mother’s passions and perseverance with great pride. From her work with the Surrey Board of Trade to be one of the Options 50 Women, Anita has broken through her barriers and gone on to give back in the place she calls home.
To learn more about how you can support Anita in her partnership with the 50 Women of Options, please visit the Women of Options website.
