Meet Hasti.
We don’t choose where we’re born, but we choose where we belong!
I was born and raised in Iran, lived in Azerbaijan for a couple of years, and moved to Canada in 1998. I have lived across Canada—from Calgary to Vancouver, Brampton, Toronto, and Mississauga—and I finally found my home in Richmond Hill. When a place becomes home, we care about its future. We want to see it grow, protect what makes it special, and leave it better than we found it. Richmond Hill is not just my home; it is our home. And what we build today will shape the home we leave for future generations. Home is worth building.
The world is changing, and that gives us a chance to build it better!
My life has been defined by change. I moved across countries, changed careers more than once, and built a career in e-commerce when the industry was still emerging—helping businesses adapt, grow, and succeed in a rapidly changing world. My career also gave me early exposure to emerging technologies, including AI, long before they became part of everyday conversation. Every change taught me the same lesson: Change isn't the enemy. Standing still is. Progress begins when we are willing to think differently, adapt, and move forward.
Tomorrow is already here!
When I gave birth to my daughter in 2007, I thought her future was still far away. Today, she is 19, and I realize something: tomorrow didn't wait for us. Richmond Hill should be a city our youth choose to return to—a city where they can build their careers, find opportunities, and one day raise families of their own. Tomorrow is calling—time to pick up.
Growth is a sign of success!
As a real estate broker and business owner, I understand that growth creates jobs, attracts investment, and strengthens our local economy. But I also know that growth without proper planning creates congestion, strains infrastructure, and puts community safety and quality of life at risk. Growth without planning isn't progress.
More about Hasti…
Ward 6 residents deserve a councillor who is not only passionate about serving people, but who also brings proven business experience, strong leadership, and real-world problem-solving skills to City Hall.
For more than two decades, I have built businesses from the ground up, improved underperforming operations, managed teams, and helped both people and organizations grow. Budget forecasting, understanding profit and loss, managing cash flow, balancing budgets, and increasing revenue have all been part of my professional life.
My business background, combined with my real estate expertise, gives me a unique understanding of growth, development, infrastructure, and the decisions that shape our neighbourhoods. I know how to listen, ask the right questions, find practical solutions, and, most importantly, follow through.
As a woman and a mother, caring for others has deeply shaped the way I lead. As an immigrant, I also understand the challenges migration can place on individuals and families, and how much a welcoming, supportive community can ease the journey of building a new life.
I am solution-oriented by nature. I do not believe in simply talking about problems; I believe in understanding them, finding innovative solutions, building strong teams, and delivering results.
Outside of work, I go to the gym four to five times a week and have listened to 203 self-help, personal/organizational development audiobooks over the past ten years. I love music, good music! Recently started learning to play the piano. Movies, concerts, and live shows are some of my favourite ways to spend my free time.
I am ready to bring my experience, energy, compassion, and fresh perspective to Richmond Hill City Hall, and to work hard for the people of Ward 6.
My experiences shaped how I see the challenges ahead. Building businesses taught me that innovation creates opportunity. Raising my daughter taught me that our youth deserve a city where they can see a future for themselves. Working in real estate showed me that growth is necessary, but without the infrastructure to support it, growth can come at the cost of quality of life. And living in Richmond Hill reminded me that a city is more than roads and buildings—it is the people, businesses, cultures, and shared spaces that make it feel like home.
Let’s have a conversation.
To best serve our community within Ward 6, I want to hear about your ideas, suggestions, the pros and cons, and everything in between. I believe in open communication, and I want to create a space where we can talk together.
Can’t wait to meet you!