BURLINGTON, ON – Conservation Halton announces the resignation of President and Chief Executive Officer, Hassaan Basit, effective April 18, 2024. Hassaan will be stepping down from his leadership role to assume the position of City Manager with the City of Burlington.
Gerry Smallegange, Chair of the Conservation Halton Board, expressed gratitude and extended congratulations to Mr. Basit:
“On behalf of the Conservation Halton Board, I want to congratulate Hassaan Basit on his new position with the City of Burlington. Hassaan has been an invaluable leader during his eight-year tenure as President and CEO of Conservation Halton, and nearly two decades of dedicated service with the organization. His departure is a significant loss — Hassaan is widely respected as an engaging and transformative leader, guiding Conservation Halton through challenging times, as evidenced during the complexities of the pandemic and an ever-changing regulatory landscape.
His visionary approach has left an indelible mark. He redefined Conservation Halton’s business model, shaping two ground-breaking strategic plans that have not only elevated our business outcomes — providing financial stability and growth — but also fostered a positive organizational culture, instilling a growth and innovation mindset, collaborative problem-solving, and continuous learning.
Hassaan leaves Conservation Halton in a position of strength, and we are grateful for his substantial contributions to the organization. The process of finding a suitable replacement will commence shortly. We extend our best wishes to Hassaan as he embarks on his new role as Burlington’s City Manager.”
Under Hassaan’s leadership, the Metamorphosis strategic plan, launched in 2017, introduced new service standards, financial sustainability strategy, and digital transformation. He leaves behind a legacy of environmental stewardship. Hassaan’s strategic focus and commitment to sustainability have positioned Conservation Halton for a resilient future, exemplified by the launch of the Momentum plan in 2021.
Hassaan Basit expressed gratitude for his time at Conservation Halton:
“It has been a privilege of a lifetime working at Conservation Halton for close to 20 years. It has been an honour to lead such a dedicated and passionate team for eight years. The work has been deeply rewarding but the most enriching experience has come from working alongside all the bright and dedicated people at Conversation Halton and all the Board members, as we served the communities we love and call home. While it is with a heavy heart that I bid farewell, I am excited about all the learning opportunities and new challenges awaiting me in the role of City Manager for the City of Burlington.”
Conservation Halton extends its sincere appreciation to Hassaan Basit for his exceptional contributions and wishes him continued success in his future endeavours.