Optima Living
Karim Kassam is a seasoned executive with extensive experience in leadership and business development across various industries. As Co-Founder and Principal at Optima Living since 2006, Karim has played a pivotal role in shaping the company's direction. Previously, Karim served as a Franchisee at Boston Pizza International Inc from 1998 to June 2017 and held the position of Vice President Commercial at Ballard Power Systems from 2008 to 2017, overseeing global commercial activities including sales, marketing, and strategic business development. Additional roles include Director of Strategic Partnerships at Vancouver Coastal Health and multiple positions at Colliers International. Karim's educational background includes an MBA from Queen's University, a degree in International Business from the University of Alberta, and participation in the High Potentials Leadership Program at Harvard Business School.
Optima Living
Optima Living—founded in 2007—owns and operates innovative seniors’ living communities throughout Alberta and BC, taking an unprecedented approach to senior life. Their unique company culture is one where both residents and team members are family. Optima Living’s North Star, Let us welcome you home, speaks to their underlying principles and the experience seniors discover in their communities. When residents are home, they feel safe, respected, and welcome. Home is where one’s voice is heard, their views matter, and they have freedom of choice. Optima Living’s mission, vision, and values—respect, dignity, teamwork, and doing the right thing—support and build upon their North Star. Optima Living operates over 2,200 beds providing congregate living options for seniors. These options range from subsidized to luxury, Independent to Assisted Living, Long-term Care to Memory Care, and Residential Mental Health. For more information, visit optimaliving.ca. Optima Living is also an approved service provider with both the interior Health Authority (IHA) and the Fraser Health Authority (FHA), is a licensed care provider under the BC Community Care and Assisted Living Act, and is registered as an approved Assisted Living (AL) Operator with the AL Registrar of BC.