2012 Nominees - Non-Profit and Public Service

Wendy Au

With more than 30 years as a public servant and volunteer, Wendy’s vision has been one of collaboration, innovation and inclusivity. As Assistant City Manager for the City of Vancouver, she has brought together communities and government by identifying needs, creating partnerships and leveraging funding. Her participation has been integral to programs like the Vancouver Agreement, a groundbreaking tri-level government agreement that focuses on improving conditions in the Downtown Eastside and the inner-city. When confronted with rising Vietnamese gang membership not addressed by existing programs, she helped establish the collaborative Vietnamese Integration Project to reach these high-risk youths. She has earned a reputation as a tireless advocate for diversity and inclusion, especially in the Downtown Eastside. As a volunteer to a multitude of organizations, Wendy gives back to build and enhance her community.

Connecting the Community Quote:

“Everyone deserves to have a place they call home. Providing a range of housing options that are accessible, affordable and suitable for all income levels is critical to the social and economic health of our city. The City of Vancouver is proud to partner with YWCA on innovative projects that help create safe and affordable housing choices for all."

Yael Cohen

Yael is a bold example of someone who courageously followed her passion and found success. The creator of FCancer, Yael transformed a private sentiment into a global movement. Realizing that nearly 90 percent of cancers were curable if caught in stage one, she started an early detection educational movement. At only 25, Yael has gained international attention for her campaign aimed at youth that leverages knowledge as the most effective tool for fighting cancer. Her innovative approach has captured the attention and participation of powerful influencers and celebrities. Her ambition is paralleled only by the passion that she has for her cause, which is largely why FCancer has been so successful.

Connecting the Community Quote:

“I choose to support healthy choices for youth: The youth are the ones with the time and energy to make a real difference and create a cultural shift in health. Teach them and watch the world change.”

Denise Coutts

An avid sports enthusiast, coach and volunteer, Denise has devoted her career to improving the community through her work leading non-profit organizations. Currently the Executive Director at the Pacific Parklands Foundation, Denise has always chosen to give her time to those non-profits that are in need of her energy and enthusiasm to move to the next level. She is skilled at leading significant change and renewal processes to build infrastructure, capacity and sustainability. When faced with a life threatening disease that shattered her dreams to row in the 1984 Summer Olympics, Denise was only motivated to do more and to inspire others to find their passion. Since that time, Denise has mentored countless women and motivated others to volunteer in their schools, communities and work places.

Connecting the Community Quote:

“As a new grandmother, I was reminded that it takes an entire community – family, friends and professionals – to raise a child. Many women don’t have that support system in place, especially single moms.  I support reducing child poverty and the work that the YWCA Vancouver does to break the cycle of poor health and poverty for children living in one of Canada’s poorest neighbourhoods.”

Joanne Curry

As the founding director of SFU Surrey and a committed City of Surrey champion, Joanne’s leadership and dedication shaped the development of what is recognized to be a leading example of university-community engagement in Canada, one built on mutually beneficial relationships within the community. She understands the power of collaboration and fosters an environment where all ideas are valued. Concurrently with leading SFU Surrey, Joanne supported a university-wide and community consultation that resulted in a new strategic vision for SFU. Joanne’s visionary thinking inspires others to engage with their communities, both locally and globally. An entrepreneur at heart, Joanne co-founded SFU Venture Connection, a program that supports student entrepreneurs from initial idea to business validation.

Connecting the Community Quote:

“Recently there have been tragic incidents of violence that involved an SFU student and SFU professor, both accomplished women with promising futures cut short. This has influenced me to support YWCA’s programs that increase awareness, provide education, and help women and children escape abuse and find safety and support. YWCA, and the entire community, has a role to play in preventing violence against women.”

Maninder Dhaliwal

As a social media influencer, community volunteer and non-profit leader, Maninder inspires women to take risks, grow outside their traditional comfort zones and aspire to leadership positions in their local communities. A strategic and visionary thinker, Maninder works to abolish stereotypes by using her technological savvy for storytelling from the perspective of women of colour and accent. She has shared digital content to attract and inspire thousands of followers and supporters. Her leadership and volunteer work in organizations such as Women in Leadership Foundation and Big Sisters have one main mission – to make women believe that anything is possible. She is an accomplished and sought after mentor and is currently mentoring more than a dozen future women leaders.

Connecting the Community Quote:

"Violence against women is a human rights violation. It holds us back from reaching our full potential. My dream is a world with respect and dignity for all women, everywhere. I support preventing violence against women."

Sue Griffin

As the first female CEO and President, Sue has transformed the BC Sports Hall of Fame into both a community outreach vehicle and a leader in recognition within the sport sector.  Propelled by Sue's tireless leadership, the Hall flourished during construction closures and renovations to BC Place, where it is located. She has leveraged partnerships to send athletes and artifacts to schools and community centres, inspiring countless children to set goals and pursue their dreams through BC sport heritage. Under her direction, the Hall’s official induction ceremony and signature fundraiser honouring BC’s top athletes, the Banquet of Champions, now attracts more than 1,000 guests annually. Today the Hall boasts the largest collection of 2010 Olympic and Paralympic memorabilia in the world.

Connecting the Community Quote:

“The impact of having positive, healthy role models in a young person’s life will affect them forever. Being involved in sport as a young woman taught me how to be a member of a team, understand what it means to pursue my goals with a commitment and focus that I still find on the court today.  I strongly support the YWCAs healthy choices for youth.”

Debi Hewson

For more than 26 years, Debi has exemplified vision and leadership in the investment industry, forging a path through the ranks of Odlum Brown to become the first female President and CEO. Guided by a deep commitment to philanthropy, she has significantly expanded the company’s volunteerism and corporate giving. As the United Way 2011 Campaign Co-Chair, she co-chaired a campaign that resulted in $28.5 million in funds to benefit the community. With her energy and contributions, the aging portable at Nanook House, an inner city child care and family centre in Mount Pleasant, was replaced with a new facility and the children of Bob & Kay Ackles Nanook House receive hot nutritious meals every day.

Connecting the Community Quote:

“I am a strong supporter of reducing child poverty.  Almost 30% of BC children are not ready to learn by the time they enter school due to poverty and related factors.  We need to break this cycle and make sure that all BC kids have a good start in life!”

Karin Kirkpatrick

An intrepid leader, sought-after mentor, and the current CEO and Registrar with the Private Career Training Institutions Agency, Karin possesses a diverse public service background. As a senior administrator, she inspires staff through collaboratively finding new and challenging growth opportunities and by consistently seeking partnerships to achieve optimal results. She has fuelled positive change by revitalizing organizational profiles, including playing a pivotal role in the transformation of the UBC Faculty of Commerce into the Sauder School of Business. As CEO of the Real Estate Foundation, she initiated an information-sharing event to bring funders and non-profits together and launched the BC Water Sustainability Endowment.

Connecting the Community Quote:

“All things begin with safe and affordable housing. Without a proper roof over your head, it’s hard to see a bright future. Addiction and health issues cannot properly be dealt with on the street. And single mothers, in particular, face tough challenges and often settle for sub-standard housing – which impacts their children and hurts families.”

Catherine Roome

Catherine has made the safety of all British Columbians the centerpiece of her career. As a mentor, role model and teacher, she inspires the next generation of engineers. A professional engineer and the current President and CEO of the BC Safety Authority, Catherine’s leadership has transformed the organization from an inspection-based operating model to a sophisticated and scientifically supportable risk identification and safety management system. Her core values of accountability, simplicity and authenticity have been adopted as BC Safety Authority corporate values and she strives to ensure BC safety practices are world class, without unnecessary cost or red tape. She has promoted the advancement of women in engineering through more than 20 years of volunteer service with professional societies and industry groups.

Connecting the Community Quote:

“Turning on a light switch couldn’t burn the house down - could it? Many of us take heat and light for granted.  Yet house fires continue to trap and kill children, and whole families succumb to carbon monoxide desperately trying to stay warm using unsafe appliances. I support safe and affordable housing, because families should start, not end, with infrastructure. “

Rachel Tutte

Rachel is a social justice activist who acts on her belief that we can contribute to a better world. She demonstrates her passion for public health care and social equality through her work as a public sector physiotherapist, Co-Chair of the BC Health Coalition and board member and key organizer of the annual World Peace Forum Teach-Ins. Rachel is a dedicated volunteer, mentor and educator who speaks out in support of access to quality health care for everyone so that all people in Canada have the opportunity to reach their full health potential. Rachel’s community involvement stretches wide; she is an active union member, labour council delegate and children’s sport coach.

Connecting the Community Quote:

“I have chosen to support safe and affordable housing because I am very concerned about the extreme levels of inequality and the high cost of housing in Metro Vancouver, both of which disproportionately affect disadvantaged and vulnerable families. Access to decent housing and to social and economic equality are critical for good health, something I believe we all deserve.”