Surrey: Rowena Rizzotti, VP of Healthcare & Innovations at the Health and Technology District, has been named winner of the 2018 Surrey Women in Business Awards in the Corporate Leadership category. The awards were hosted yesterday by the Surrey Board of Trade at the Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel in Surrey. The even recognizes the hard work of Surrey’s business women and their contributions to the community.

“We are so proud of Rowena’s achievements and it’s great to see her get the recognition she deserves,” says Kirk Fisher, Executive Vice President of Lark Group. “She is one of the hardest working, positive, tenacious and committed leaders we’ve ever had the pleasure to work with and everyone who has worked with her knows she is as innovative and forward thinking as they come.”

Rizzotti leads the team at the Health and Technology District, is the key driver in establishing collaborative partnerships with national and international organizations, and bringing them to Surrey to set up shop. She has brought entrepreneurs, researchers and the medical communities together to collaborate on unique projects to find solutions to healthcare problems.

She has nearly 35 years experience in executive-level and leadership roles across multiple business environments, including serving as Vice President for BC’s largest private seniors’ care operator and the Chief Operating Officer for BC’s Northern Health Authority. She was also Executive Director at Fraser Health, overseeing the clinical programs and operations at Surrey Memorial Hospital, as well as the building of the $500 million critical care tower. She also currently leads the planning for Legion Veterans Village, an upcoming multi-purpose centre of excellence in Surrey for veterans and first responders, focusing on PTSD and mental health.

“I’ve always been impressed with Rowena’s forward-thinking and entrepreneurial spirit,” says Elizabeth Model, CEO, Downtown Surrey Business Improvement Association. “Her passion and commitment to expand Surrey’s health-technology sector has led to the city’s health and innovation strategy, attracting several prominent international companies to Surrey to do business. We are fortunate to have Rowena as a true ambassador of the city.”

“I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition from my business peers,” says Rowena Rizzotti, VP of Healthcare & Innovations at Lark Group’s Health and Technology District. “One of my goals is to lead by example and be an inspiration to other women in the workforce to go beyond their dreams and believe in achieving their goals.”

Rizzotti holds two Masters degrees in Management and Business Administration (MBA), and an undergraduate degree in Psychology. She is clinically trained as both a nurse and a paramedic.8