Options Community Services Society announces Neil Arao, Executive Director for Homelessness, Housing, Mental Health and Substance Use as the next CEO effective July 7, 2025.

The Board of Directors of Options Community Services is pleased to announce the appointment of Neil Arao as our new Chief Executive Officer, effective July 7, 2025.

Neil brings more than 19 years of leadership experience in the non-profit and public health sectors, including senior roles with Fraser Health Authority, Provincial Health Services Authority, and Vancouver Coastal Health. In his current role as Executive Director, Homelessness, Housing, Mental Health, and Substance Use at Options, Neil has led transformative initiatives—from launching home-based detox programs to integrating health services into supportive housing. His leadership is marked by innovation, empathy, and a deep commitment to equity and community well-being.

As we look to the future, we also take this moment to honour the extraordinary legacy of Christine Mohr, who is retiring after nearly 20 years of dedicated leadership as CEO. Christine’s vision, compassion, and unwavering belief in people have shaped Options into the sector leader it is today. “Christine has been the backbone and heart of Options since she joined the organization on January 3, 2006” said Kamaljit Lehal, Board Director and former Board Chair. “It takes a true leader to create the kind of accelerated growth, enhanced community profile and momentum towards financial sustainability that Options has experienced in Christine’s tenure, while nurturing a unique, compassionate and family-oriented culture. Christine has been that leader for almost two decades and will leave a solid legacy upon which the new CEO can build.”

Please join us in welcoming Neil to his new role and in expressing our heartfelt gratitude to Christine for her remarkable service.

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Options Community Services (OCS) along with its partner, Habitat Housing Society, is a highly complex community-based organization, responding to a wide range of service needs for individuals and families in the lower Fraser Valley. With over 100 community programs, 600 hundred staff, hundreds of volunteers and 35 locations, OCS has become a key source for development of community services, innovative initiatives, citizen engagement, belonging and resilience in the communities we serve.

OCS is a non-profit registered charity providing social services primarily in Surrey, Delta, White Rock and Langley. OCS was established on April 1, 2009 as a result of a merger between Surrey Community Services Society (1971) and OPTIONS: Services to Communities Society (1973).

More details as to the organization and the services we provide can be found on our website https://www.options.bc.ca.