Mayor Lilia Hansen was born in Dawson Creek and raised in Fort St. John since the early 1970s.  In addition to full-time mayor duties, Lilia is a director on the Peace River Regional District (PRRD) board and a steering committee member for the Spark Women’s Leadership Conference.

After being elected Mayor in October 2022, Lilia stepped down as a provincial business advisor for northeast BC with the Export Navigator program, under Community Futures Peace Liard. Before that, Lilia enjoyed serving five years as the Executive Director of the Fort St. John & District Chamber of Commerce.  She left this position at the end of 2018 to focus full-time on council duties after being re-elected for a full 4-year term following being first elected in a by-election in 2017. She continues to proudly advocate for her community at all government levels, which motivated her to run for council.

Additional past work history includes administrative roles supporting the RCMP, and Ministry of Environment, ending her tenure as the Regional Program Admin Support (RPAS) Section Head of offices in Fort St. John, Dawson Creek, Chetwynd, and Fort Nelson – supporting Conservation Officer Service, BC Parks, Fish & Wildlife, and Environmental Protection divisions.

Her personal business background includes owning an oilfield contracting business with her husband, real estate investment, and property management. 

Her passion for community service includes being an elected board member of the North Peace Senior Housing Society (NPSHS).  She has been involved with the Sunrise Rotary Club of Fort St. John since 2010, holding director and officer positions. She has been recognized for service by being awarded Rotarian of the Year in 2012 & 2017.  She credits her achievements to strong mentors, family support, and those she has worked with.