Sonia Bilkhu

British Columbia College of Social Workers

Term ends: December 31, 2024

Please give a brief biography, including your education, licensure or certification level and employment history:

I am a Registered Social Worker committed to the recognition of social work as an essential profession. I hold a B.A., a B.S.W. with distinction, and an M.S.W., and received fellowships from the University of Pennsylvania and Caux, Switzerland, which broadened my global perspective on leadership and systemic change.

Currently, I serve as Program Manager at Family Services of Greater Vancouver and have experience as a hospital social worker and mental health liaison, supporting individuals and families navigating complex systems. Beyond frontline practice, I founded the Shakti Awards and Shakti Film Festival, initiatives that celebrate women’s contributions across various fields and highlight their role in cinema and leadership.

My advocacy also extends to the labour movement, where I was elected Justice and Equity Chair for the BC Federation of Labour (which represents over 500, 000 workers in British Columbia). I am also a broadcaster and community advocate, committed to amplifying diverse voices.

Recognized with awards including Champion of Change, Social Trailblazer, and finalist as Social Worker of the Year, I remain dedicated to promoting social work.

Give a synopsis of your regulatory and professional experience. Please emphasize your involvement with ASWB:

I have been a Social Worker since 2014, committed to advancing equity and excellence in the profession. In 2018, I was elected to the Board of British Columbia College of Social Workers, where I served in roles such as Vice-Chair and on committees including Policy, Discipline, Inquiry and Finance. During my tenure, I assisted in drafting the College’s Anti-Racism Statement and Anti-Racism Policy, helping to embed equity and inclusion into the regulatory framework. I also served on the The Canadian Council of Social Work Regulators’ Anti-Racism Working Group collaborating with colleagues nationwide to address systemic inequities in regulation.

My involvement with the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) began in 2019 through new board member training. Since then, I have served on the Finance Committee, the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) Committee and chaired the Nominating Committee. In 2024, I was elected Director of the ASWB Board and appointed Board Liaison to the DEIJ Committee, where I worked with colleagues to advance initiatives such as the Guiding Principles of Solidarity and the DEIJ ambassador program, strengthening inclusive leadership within ASWB.

Finally, make a brief statement on the major issues you see facing ASWB, and how you would address them:

ASWB faces challenges that impact both the profession and the public. A central concern is equity in licensure examinations, as data has shown disparities in pass rates across racial, ethnic and age groups. These outcomes reflect systemic inequities rather than flaws in the exams themselves. Licensure remains essential to ensuring consistent standards of knowledge and competence to protect the public and maintain integrity in the profession. At the same time, ASWB must continue to collaborate with educators, legislators, and communities to ensure rigorous standards are kept while addressing technology integration, systemic racism, mental health crises and workforce shortages.

As a board member, I would support strategies that uphold both fairness and rigour. I would continue to support exam improvements already initiated by ASWB, broaden access to affordable preparation resources and strengthen transparency by making data and decisions clear and accessible. I would also promote stronger member engagement to ensure ASWB remains accountable, innovative, and well-positioned to advance the profession.