A Maple Ridge woman who promotes South Asian entertainment and culture has been tapped to lead the Vancouver International Bhangra Celebration Society (VIBC), parent organization of 5X Fest.
Neesha Hothi, has been appointed 5X executive director. Described as a leading voice in cultural strategy, arts advocacy, and entertainment brand storytelling, she brings more than 20 years of experience advancing South Asian arts, music, and cultural representation in B.C. and across Canada.
“The work of uplifting and amplifying our arts and culture scene has always been deeply important to me, which is why 5X has meant so much to me over the years. It represents what’s possible when community leads the way,” said Hothi. “I’m excited about the future and committed to stewarding this work forward in a way that honours both its roots and its potential.”
The annual festival provides a stage for emerging Punjabi artists, and connects business and brands with Punjabis in the Metro Vancouver region.
“Neesha’s longstanding relationship with the community and this organization, combined with her strategic leadership and executional strength, make her the right leader for this next chapter,” said the 5X Fest/VIBC Society board of directors. “She understands both the cultural responsibility and the operational realities required to lead a growing organization, while remaining deeply grounded in the community it serves.”
As Founder and CEO of Neesh Communications, her work spans the entertainment, non-profit, and consumer sectors, with a particular focus on South Asian creative industries.
Her goal has been to create spaces where South Asian creatives are seen, heard, and celebrated, as an essential and enduring part of Canada’s cultural fabric. Across her career, she has worked globally to amplify South Asian voices, build platforms for creatives, and design systems that support long-term cultural sustainability, shifting how culture is valued and presented in mainstream spaces.
A YWCA Women of Distinction: Arts, Culture and Design category finalist, Hothi has been recognized for her leadership, cultural impact, and contributions to Canada’s arts and creative sectors.
She has been involved with 5X since its early days, as a communications and PR consultant, helping shape the voice and cultural impact of VIBC and 5X.
Hothi was marketing director for the 2025 JUNO host committee, where she served as the South Asian talent buyer and played a key role in programming Punjabi-Canadian artist Jazzy B to perform alongside Chani Nattan, Inderpal Moga, and Gminxr for the live JUNO Awards broadcast. The moment marked a significant milestone for South Asian representation on one of Canada’s largest national stages and reflected a broader shift toward cultural equity that has defined her career.