Ashlie Corcoran

Artistic Director, Arts Club of Vancouver Theatre Society

Ashlie is the Artistic Director of the Arts Club Theatre Company and oversees the programming and direction of up to 18 productions each year. Ashlie champions accessibility in the Theatre’s productions and has introduced relaxed performances for neurodivergent audience members and for those with sight or hearing challenges. She has also employed disability experts and cultural consultants to guide Arts Club productions and introduced several artistic programs to support BC’s theatre industry. Ashlie is a mentor through the Loran Scholars’ Foundation, which empowers youth to uplift their communities, and nurtures emerging talent through the Canadian Guild of Stage Directors and Choreographers. In 2020, she received the Jessie Award for Outstanding Production and in 2024, the Sterling Award for Outstanding Direction.

Diane Espiritu

Designer and Founder, Espiritu Design Studio

Diane is the Founder of Espiritu Design Studio, an interdisciplinary design consultancy agency that specializes in soft products and ceramics. She is a founding member of the Potters Guild Community Gas Kiln Project, which provides affordable and accessible resources to more than 120 artists. She has served on the BC Potters Guild Board for six years, mentoring emerging artists. Diane has also supported young artists through numerous school programs like Artists for Kids, where she facilitated ceramics workshops for more than 500 elementary and high school students. Diane’s artistic works are committed to cultural representation and explore themes of home, family, resilience and belonging. She received the John C. Kerr Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Design from Emily Carr University.

Harpo Mander

Executive Director, 5X 

Harpo is Executive Director of 5X, an arts organization that showcases South Asian music and art. Under her leadership, she led the creation of the Artist in Residence program, the first and only initiative dedicated to serving South Asian artists. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Harpo headed initiatives that distributed relief funds to South Asian music industry professionals. She also mentors youth through Simon Fraser University’s Young Women in Business Club and facilitates grant writing workshops for those in the public arts. Harpo is the first Panjabi woman to serve on the BC Pavilion Corporation Board. In 2021, Harpo received the Surrey Board of Trade’s Top 25 Under 25 Award. In 2024, she was invited to speak to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Cabinet during Vaisakhi.

Heather Lippold

Executive Board Member of Potters Guild of BC

Heather is a ceramic artist and Executive Board Member for the Potters Guild of BC, where she’s acted as Secretary since 2016. In her role, Heather has increased member volunteer opportunities by creating an Exhibition Committee. She’s a former volunteer with Fraser Valley Potters Guild and a founding member of the Dusty Babes Collective, a community of like-minded artists supporting each other by sharing space, tools and knowledge. Heather mentors young artists through the United Way’s Schools Out Program, introducing and engaging students in self-expression using clay. She’s passionate about using unconventional materials, like food waste and ash, and encourages other artists to reduce their own waste. In 2024, she was awarded the Maureen Wright Bursary from the North West Ceramics Foundation. 

Nancy Bendtsen

Owner of Inform Interiors

Nancy has been an owner of Inform Interiors, a furniture and home accessories store, since 1994. Her ability to curate innovative designs reflects her strong aesthetic sensibility and dedication to excellence. The store is an inclusive hub for artists and designers, hosting more than 200 events over the last decade, including a speaker series featuring guest artists, designers and architects from around the world. Nancy has donated hundreds of thousands worth of furniture and design services to organizations like Arts Umbrella, Ballet BC, the YWCA, Polygon Gallery and the Vancouver Art Gallery. Nancy has been a volunteer director on numerous boards including Vancouver Opera, the Contemporary Art Gallery and Polygon Gallery. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she helped the design community stay connected by coordinating a subscription-based livestream. 

Preeti Dhillon

Owner and Manager of Neighbourhood Art Studios

Preeti is the Owner and Manager of Neighbourhood Art Studios, which offers art classes directly into local schools and community spaces, ensuring accessibility for everyone. Preeti volunteers at elementary schools in Surrey, Burnaby and Vancouver, hosting art workshops for kids. She also leads Paint Nite events in the community, raising funds for various charities while teaching about the therapeutic benefits of art. As an artist herself, Preeti donates work to hospital fundraisers and was recognized at the Night of Miracles Gala for those contributions. In 2024, Preeti received the Innovation in Art award from Drishti Magazine. She’s also been recognized by Aaj Magazine for her contributions to the local arts community and was selected twice to display her art at the Vancouver Art Show. 

Serena Chu

Owner of Chu Chu

Serena is Owner of Chu Chu, an art supply thrift store in Chinatown that takes gently used supplies and redistributes them for community workshops, teacher craft boxes or for sale at heavily discounted rates. She also offers inclusive art classes for all skill levels and a properly heated/cooled space for local artists to work and sell art. Serena is a former Board Member for the West End Seniors’ Network and currently partners with WESN and youth clubs like Girl Guides to facilitate intergenerational art workshops. Additionally, she mentors young women artists through Minerva BC and provides programming to elementary schools. Serena has also worked with companies and non-profits to create participatory, colour-in murals for community events, where attendees can contribute to a piece of public art.  

This category is sponsored by

Andrea McLean

Senior Vice President of Infrastructure Asset Management at Fengate

Andrea is Senior Vice President of Infrastructure Asset Management at Fengate, an investment firm specializing in real assets like infrastructure and real estate. She oversees Fengate’s full portfolio of public-private partnership (P3) projects, worth more than $6.8 billion dollars. She also managed the Evergreen Line Skytrain expansion, and the implementation of the BC Cancer Agency Centre in Prince George. Andrea is part of Fengate’s Equity, Belonging and Diversity Think Tank. In addition to her work, she has extensive community involvement, volunteering for more than a decade with YWCA’s High School Mentorship Program and chairing Women’s Infrastructure Network’s (WIN) Mentorship Program. In 2024, Andrea was given the Emerging Leadership Award at the WIN Awards and was nominated for Business in Vancouver’s Forty Under 40 Award in 2020. 

Christine Bergeron

President and CEO of Concert Properties

Christine is the President and CEO of Concert Properties and former President and CEO of Vancity. Under her leadership, Vancity hired its first Chief Equity and People Officer, launched a Retrofit Program for non-profit affordable housing and reset its Indigenous banking strategy. Christine currently sits on UBC Sauder School of Business’s Faculty Advisory Board. Previously, she served as the only North American representative on the United Nations Environment Finance Initiative Principles for Responsible Banking Board for two years and she was a member of Canada’s Sustainable Finance Action Council. In 2023, Vancouver Magazine named Christine in its Vancouver Power 50 list for her commitment to a cleaner and more equitable future. She also received Business in Vancouver’s Influential Women in Business Award in 2022.  

Jindy Bains

Vice President, Member Operations & Enablement for Vancity Credit Union

Jindy is the Vice President, Member Operations and Enablement for Vancity Credit Union, where she’s been recognized for using finance as a tool for social change. She’s worked with multiple community partners to create access to financing for underserved populations and challenge the traditional rules of lending. She also helped revise account offerings at Vancity to provide better access to credit. Jindy has supported small business owners by launching a business mentorship program, which allows new businesses to connect with seasoned ones for advice and guidance. Jindy introduced a formal diversity, equity, inclusion and respect matrix for all large-scale changes, projects and technology implementations at Vancity. She’s also served on the Vancity Community Foundation Board of Directors for more than two years. 

Kristine Simpson

Partner, Assurance Services, BDO Canada LLP

Kristine is a Partner, Assurance Services, BDO Canada LLP, where she contributed to the development of BDO’s national Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council. She promotes innovation by collaborating with organizations like the Government Finance Officer Association of BC. Kristine also led accounting and auditing services for significant public sector entities, supporting major projects such as Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre, Surrey Memorial Emergency and Critical Care Tower, Canada Line, and Golden Ears Bridge. Kristine dedicated hundreds of hours to the local Chamber network, including being Board Chair for the BC Chamber Board during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, she was awarded the honor of a Fellowship with the Chartered Professional Accountants of BC, which recognizes those who have made a significant impact in the community.

Leena Yousefi

Founder and CEO of YLaw

Leena is the Founder and CEO of YLaw, the largest female-led family law firm in Canada. Under her leadership, YLaw introduced a four-day workweek and first trimester leave for pregnant employees. She created the world’s first family law app that calculates marital rights at separation at no cost. Leena was one of the youngest lawyers in Canada to be named as a Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers. She’s an elected Executive Member of the Canadian Bar Association’s Provincial Council and was named in Business of Vancouver’s Top Forty Under 40 in 2020. In 2022, she was named one of the Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada by Women’s Executive Network and, in 2023, received the University of Victoria’s President’s Distinguished Alumni Award. 

Megan Buckley

Chief Operating Officer of Hy’s of Canada

Megan is the Chief Operating Officer of Hy’s of Canada and been a hospitality professional for almost four decades. She helped launch numerous restaurants in Vancouver and, in 2011, was inducted into the BC Restaurant Hall of Fame. While it may seem normal for operations today, Megan trail-blazed technology advancements including online reservations, iPad menus, scheduling apps, private dining software and back-of-house software. She also champions sustainable practices in the restaurant industry and expanded traditional steakhouse menus to include non-beef options. Megan has been recognized as the driving force behind Hy’s largest charitable effort, the John Aisenstat Memorial Fund for students pursuing careers in culinary arts and hospitality. In 2017, she received the Trailblazer Award from the BC Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier. 

Natali Altshuler

Chief Operating Officer of EA SPORTS Studios

Natali is Chief Operating Officer of EA SPORTS Studios, overseeing development for the company’s multi-billion-dollar portfolio of sports and racing game franchises. She created the EA SPORTS Academy, which helps aspiring gaming professionals from diverse backgrounds enter the industry. Natali initiated EA SPORTS diversity, equity and inclusion council and spearheaded EA’s investment in Canada Learning Code ultimately reaching 12,000+ learners. She’s a passionate advocate for women in business and STEM and formerly chaired the Canadian chapter of EA’s employee resource group for women and allies. Natali is a Board Director for DigiBC and former Board Director for the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade. In 2022 and 2023 she was recognized by Business in Vancouver as one of the most influential business leaders in the province.  

Opreet Kang

Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder of Core Firm

Opreet is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Core Firm, a women-owned consultancy that guides organizations in emphasizing equity, inclusivity and sustainability in their work. She is also the Managing Director of Urban Land Institute BC, a Board Member for Vancity and Vice Chair on the Board of Directors for the Fraser Health Authority, where she’s played a crucial role in strategic planning and governance. In her previous work as Manager of Global Connections at the Immigrant Employment Council of BC, Opreet developed strategies to connect skilled immigrants with local employers. She’s also recognized for her work championing cultural projects, including serving on the Board of Directors for the Vancouver International Bhangra Celebration Society and as Chair for the Diwali Celebration Society. 

Radha Curpen

Partner, Client Relationship Ambassador and Group Head, ESG and Sustainability for McMillan

Radha is Partner and the first ever National Client Relationship Ambassador for McMillan, a business law firm serving public, private and non-profit clients. Championing environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues since the 1990’s, she’s McMillan’s Group Head for ESG and Sustainability and a member of the ESG Advisory Council to the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation. She is on the Board of Governors of the Business Council of BC and a member of the Council of Governors of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade.. In 2021 she made Business in Vancouver’s BC500 list of Most Influential Business Leaders and, in 2023, received the Influential Women in Business Award. In 2024 she was named an “environmental legal eagle” on Vancouver Magazine’s Power 50 List. 

Ramandeep Randhawa    

Community Branch Manager, Khalsa Credit Union 

Ramandeep is the Community Branch Manager for Khalsa Credit Union. A champion for workplace equity, she introduced mentorship programs and flexible work arrangements to improve retention of women staff. She’s also organized annual food drives for the past five years, with 1,531 pounds of food donated to Khalsa Aid and to the Surrey Food Bank. In 2023, Ramandeep started the Adopt-A-Street monthly cleanup program with the City of Surrey, which has seen 65 bags of garbage collected. She also volunteers at local schools, teaching financial literacy to students. In 2024, she was recognized by Drishti Magazine as one of 15 Women of Influence Breaking Barriers. Ramandeep has also received numerous internal awards from Khalsa Credit Union, including top loan growth and top member survey results. 

Rena Dhir   

Director of Radar Immigration Inc.

Rena, Director of Radar Immigration Inc., an immigration consultancy, is a Chartered Professional Accountant, a certified Immigration Consultant and former adjudicator of refugee claims and appeals. She has elevated industry practices, inspiring a new generation of ethical professionals in immigration consulting. Rena is one of the youngest women and South Asian members appointed to the Immigration and Refugee Board. Her exceptional expertise in immigration law led to her selection for the newly developed Refugee Appeal Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. She was also provincially appointed to the Mental Health Review Board. Rena volunteered with BC Children’s Hospital Foundation and helped plan the first-ever South Asian black-tie gala, A Night of Miracles. She was recognized by Drishti Magazine with an Inspiring Women Award.

Shannon MacDougall 

Senior HR Business Partner, BC Region for RBC

Shannon is the Senior HR Business Partner, BC Region, for RBC. She oversaw the integration of more than 800 HSBC employees and helped merge two distinct employee cultures. Shannon is former Co-Chair of NextGen, an internal employee resource group that helps RBC employees in their 20s and 30s build connections with their peers and leaders. She also led the steering committee for iCare, which connects RBC employees who have caregiving responsibilities with resources and experts. Shannon takes many opportunities to mentor employees and students, including through RBC’s Career Launch Program and UBC’s Blossom Mentor Program. She volunteered with Arts Connection’s Reach to Teach program. In 2017, she received the RBC Gold Award for her leadership and was named one of RBC’s Convention Recipients in 2024. 

Winnie Shi

Director of Major Projects, Metro Vancouver

Winnie is Director of Major Projects for Metro Vancouver and a founding member of BC’s Women’s Infrastructure Network (WIN), which facilitates collaboration among women working in infrastructure. Winnie is also the former CFO and Co-President of InTransit BC, where she led the modernization of the contractual framework for Canada Line’s outsourced operations, which led to increased train frequency. Winnie successfully delivered more than 30 infrastructure projects around the world and is currently leading one of the most complex engineering and construction projects in BC, the $10 billion Iona Wastewater Treatment Plant where she is managing an integrated team of more than 60 professionals. In 2021 Winnie was the recipient of Women’s Executive Network’s Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 award in the C-suite category. 

This category is sponsored by

Cindy Beedie

Executive Director of Beedie Foundation

Cindy is the Executive Director of the Beedie Foundation and a passionate philanthropic leader who supports housing projects, women’s education and health-care facilities. She is the naming donor for YWCA Cindy Beedie Place, providing 56 safe, affordable homes for low-income single mothers and their children. Cindy also co-founded Beedie Rocks, a music festival that has raised more than $2 million for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank and close to $1 million for YWCA Metro Vancouver. Additionally, she’s chaired projects and raised considerable funds for the VPD Foundation and Powell Place, Vancouver’s first women-only shelter on the downtown eastside. She’s been recognized for her philanthropy with an invitation to ONE’s Global Leadership Circle, founded by Bono, and with a Top 50 Power Award from BC Business.  

Cindy Morrison

Giving Manager at Big Sisters BC Lower Mainland

A Non-Profit Champion for more than 35 years, Cindy is currently a Giving Manager at Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland. She has volunteered thousands of hours with local non-profits, including 12 years with the Odd Squad Society, who offer drug and gang prevention education for youth. In her previous role at UPS Canada, Cindy coordinated UPS BC’s Global Volunteer Month for 14 years. She also helped organize UPS Canada’s annual participation in Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s Walk to Cure Diabetes. She’s been recognized twice by the company for her community service and, in 2018, was given Odd Squad Production Society’s Volunteer of the Year Award. Cindy was part of the 100 Women Who Care Group in Vancouver, which brought together women to support local non-profits.   

Colleen O’Neil

Community Health Coordinator for Bowen Island Community Health Centre

Colleen is the Community Health Coordinator for Bowen Island Community Health Centre. More than 30 years ago she founded Family Place, which has served hundreds of families by offering drop-in programs that promote strong community connections. She was also the Founder of the Caring Circle, Bowen Island’s first health service organization. Colleen served as Vice-President of the Bowen Island Community Health Foundation for seven years, working towards the goal of opening the Community Health Centre. Under her leadership, the Health Centre opened its doors in 2024. In 2011, Colleen received the Citation of Merit Award from the Canadian Cancer Society, recognizing her significant contributions to the organization. In 2024, she received Bowen Island’s Citizen of the Year Award for her work on the Health Centre. 

Gail Sparrow

Former Chief of Musqueam Indian Band

Gail is the former Chief of Musqueam Indian Band and Indigenous Advisor to the President at Langara College and has a lifelong commitment to advancing Indigenous rights, fostering community resilience and preserving cultural heritage. In her role at Langara College, she ensures cultural knowledge is incorporated into academic programs. She is a Board Director for Musqueam Capital Corporation, where she supports initiatives that drive sustainable economic growth while integrating Musqueam cultural values. Gail also founded and led LIFT Institute, providing cutting-edge computer software training for Indigenous students. She has been formally recognized by the Musqueam community for her decades-long advocacy for housing rights, youth mentorship and cultural preservation. She’s also been acknowledged for her tireless advocacy on behalf of Elders, including bringing attention to their inadequate housing conditions. 

Dr. Jillianne Code

Co-Founder and President of HeartLife Foundation

Jillianne is the Co-Founder and President of HeartLife Foundation, a patient-driven charity aiming to improve quality of life for people living with cardiovascular disease. She is a Knowledge Holder with Mitewaken and has played a significant role in bridging Indigenous knowledge and Western medicine in cardiovascular care. Jillianne is leading Canada’s first patient-led heart failure research initiative through the Canadian Heart Function Alliance. She also played a critical role in the development of Bill S-284, which seeks to establish a National Framework on Heart Failure in Canada and improve heart failure care and outcomes across the country. In 2019, Jillianne and her HeartLife Foundation colleagues received the Dr. Harold N. Segall Award of Merit and, in 2022, she received the Killam Teaching Prize from UBC. 

Dr. Joy Masuhara

Regional Medical Director for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Vancouver Coastal Health 

Joy is the first-ever Regional Medical Director for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion for Vancouver Coastal Health. She was a litigant in Canada’s landmark equal marriage legal challenge in the early 2000s, which resulted in change to Canada’s marriage laws. Joy successfully advocated for a Sexual Orientation Gender Identity Group in the General Assembly of Partners, a civil society advisory body to UN Habitat. She also led the creation of dedicated lactation spaces at Metro Vancouver health-care facilities, including the use of portable lactation pods. Joy served on the Board of Directors for success and Women Transforming Cities. In 2023, she received the Equity in Medicine Dr. Pauline Alakija Trailblazer Award and, in 2024, she was recognized as an Honorary Lifelong Member of Women Transforming Cities. 

Koyali Burman

Manager of the Vancouver Local Immigration Partnership

Koyali is the Manager of the Vancouver Local Immigration Partnership (VLIP), which convenes diverse partners to advocate for the well-being of immigrants, refugees and newcomers to Canada. In her role she drove Francophone engagement with VLIP, bridging Francophone and Anglophone communities in Metro Vancouver. Koyali also launched the Global Migration Working Group with the World Council on Intercultural and Global Competence and serves as Chair. Additionally, she created the Vancouver Small Business Hub in South East Vancouver, which supports local entrepreneurs. In 2014, Koyali was awarded the Provincial Nesika Award from the Government of British Columbia for her work bringing diverse cultures together. In 2018, she received the PAN Asian Recognition Award by the BC Asian Heritage Association for her contributions to the Asian community. 

Kristy Watson

Founder of You Only Live Once (YOLO) Baseball

Kristy is the Founder of You Only Live Once (YOLO) Baseball, a high-performance girls’ baseball travel program staffed by women coaches. In 2019, she launched the first-ever Vancouver Little League Girls Instructional Baseball Series, which has grown from 15 to 70 players. In 2024, Kristy advocated to Little League presidents for girls’ baseball leagues within the District 1 Little Leagues. Work is now underway to ensure girls’ teams play against other girls’ teams. Kristy has also represented Baseball BC as the Vancouver Regional Coordinator for girls’ baseball and as a member of the Girls’ Baseball Committee for five years. In 2021, she received the Baseball Canada Grassroots Coaching Award for her efforts to establish the league and for her other volunteer work with Baseball BC.

Mariat Imade Jibril 

CEO of MIJ Consulting & ForbesBLK Canada Lead

Mariat is the CEO of MIJ Consulting, and a dedicated advocate for intersectionality, striving for a just and equitable society. She founded the sold-out Better Not Bitter Summit, which aims to empower individuals by focusing on mental health support, resilience and creating inclusive environments. Mariat also served as Board Chair for Black Girl Collective, where she led initiatives to address gender-based violence. She is a Forbes speaker and Cabinet Co-Chair at Qmunity, where she works to enhance supports for queer, transgender and Two-Spirit communities. In 2022 and 2023, Mariat was nominated for the Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce Business Advocate of the Year Award. In 2023, she was invited to be a speaker at Forbes Interplay Summit, showcasing her expertise in community engagement and social impact.

Mo Korchinski

Executive Director of Unlocking the Gates Non-Profit Society

Mo is Executive Director of Unlocking the Gates Non-Profit Society, which provides support services to people leaving prison. She developed the society’s warrant resolution support and probation resolution support programs in 2021 in order to prevent clients’ return to prison. For women leaving correctional centres, she aids mothers who want to reconnect with their children. In 2024, Mo was part of BC’s police reform project and led workshops across the province asking community members for input on how current systems can be reformed within the Police Act. She also established partnerships with two hepatitis C-related projects to provide care for those leaving incarceration. In 2014, Mo received the R. Paul Kerston Community Educator Award from UBC Health and in 2019, she received the Soroptimist Ruby Award. 

Monica Gärtner

Founder of the Canadian Assistive Travel Society

Monica is the Founder of the Canadian Assistive Travel Society, a non-profit that provides financial aid to adults with disabilities who need a care attendant while travelling. Born with osteogenesis imperfecta, Monica has endured more than 500 bone breaks and fractures. She is a prominent role model within the disability community and wrote about her experiences in her memoir, “Overcoming the Impossible: A Life of Trials and Triumphs.” Monica volunteers with Technology for Living, where she revitalized a community writing workshop and is leading the publication of a book. She also provides guidance and advocates for Choices for Independent Living participants. In 2019, Monica received the 17th Annual Shakti Resilience Award of Excellence. In 2024, she received the Coastal Mental Health Courage to Come Back Award. 

Vicky Ryan

Founder and Executive Director of inGIRLS CLUB Association

Vicky is the Founder and Executive Director of inGIRLS CLUB Association, which celebrates and connects girls with neuro-developmental differences. Under her leadership, the association, the first of its kind, has grown to thousands of members, offers on average 50 free events across BC, and doesn’t require proof-of-diagnosis, specific ages or member fees for participation. In addition to her extensive work with GIRLS CLUB, Vicky volunteers with Vancouver Leisure Fair and the Richmond Autism Resources Fair. Recognized for her expertise on creating inclusive leisure activities for youth with disabilities, Vicky has been invited to speak at numerous community events. In 2019, she received the #SimpleGenerosity Award for Leadership and Community Spirit from First West Credit Union. In 2020, she received the Volunteer of the Year Award from AutismBC. 

Zahra Hashemi

Community Support Worker at MOSAIC

Zahra is a Community Support Worker at MOSAIC, recognized for championing women’s rights, the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and mental health support for Afghan newcomer women in Vancouver. Through her work, she’s led workshops that educate Afghan women on navigating Canadian legal and health-care systems, empowering them to advocate for themselves. Zahra also developed culturally sensitive videos on gender-based violence for Afghan newcomer women. She coordinated a cultural exchange program that brought together Afghan women and local services provides to help create stronger support networks. Zahra also volunteered with the Canadian Centre for Women’s Economic Empowerment, advocating for Afghan women’s economic inclusion and facilitating discussions on access to employment. In 2024, she was recognized in the Breaking Barriers category at the BC Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Awards. 

Dr. Elicia Maine

Associate Vice President, Knowledge Mobilization and Innovation at SFU

Elicia is Associate Vice President, Knowledge Mobilization and Innovation at SFU and founder of Invention to Innovation (i2I), where she ensures highly skilled Canadian inventors are set up for success. She led the team that created SFU’s Clean Hydrogen Hub, which aims to accelerate adoption of Canadian clean energy innovation. Elicia’s passion for innovation helped SFU be ranked as the number one university in Canada for innovation for the past three years and 15th in the world in 2024. She serves on the boards of Innovate BC and Foresight Cleantech Accelerator and the Canadian Science Technology and Innovation Expert Panel. In 2021, Elicia was named Top Cleantech Educator by BC Cleantech Awards. In 2022, she was awarded Innovation Policy Trailblazer at the Canadian Science Policy Conference.

Julie Walchli

Executive Director of Work Integrated Education and Career Initiatives at UBC Faculty of Arts

Julie is the Executive Director, Work Integrated Education and Career Initiatives at UBC’s Faculty of Arts. She’s recognized as a transformative leader in education, having created the UBC Arts Co-operative Education Program 25 years ago, which was innovative for its time and has connected students to more than 9,400 jobs to date. In 2021, Julie developed the Arts Career Design Studio, inspired by Stanford’s Designing Your Life initiative. She was elected to be President of Co-operative Education and Work Integrated Learning (CEWIL) Canada. Julie was also the Founding Chair of the BC Work Integrated Learning Council and is Co-Director of the Canada Japan Co-op Program.  Additionally, she has received the UBC President’s Award for Staff Excellence and the CEWIL Canada Service Award.

Kim van der Woerd

Founder and Lead for Strategy and Relations at Reciprocal Consulting Inc. 

Kim is the Founder and Lead for Strategy and Relations at Reciprocal Consulting Inc., which aims to contribute to the ongoing well-being, self-determination and Nation-building of Indigenous communities. She is a leader in educating others on how to enact reconciliation through evaluation. Through her efforts, more than 1,200 researchers, evaluators, funders and professionals have been trained in understanding the ongoing impacts of colonization. She’s been a key leader in advancing reconciliation within the Canadian Evaluation Society and pivotal in advancing Indigenous evaluation and research at SFU, leading to structural change at the university. Kim has received the BC Community Achievement Award and the Canadian Evaluation Society Award for Contributions to Evaluation in Canada. In 2023, Kim was recognized as a Fellow of the Canadian Evaluation Society. 

Natalia Bussard

Program Manager, Science, Environment and Health Sciences Co-operative Education at SFU

Natalia is the Program Manager for Science, Environment and Health Sciences Co-operative Education at SFU. She led the department through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, initiated staff development opportunities and improved procedures for the base of 7,000 students. Natalia served as President of the BC Career Development Association, collaborating with leaders across Canada to champion a National Certification program, elevating professional standards nationwide. Natalia established the training and career pillar at UBC’s Stewart Quantum Matter Institute, is a Board Member at Vancouver Premier College, is on the Editorial Board of UBC Critical Voices journal and participates in the Co-operative Education and Work Integrated Learning Accreditation Council. She volunteers for the SFU Beedie Mentorship Program and was recognized by Drishti Magazine as an Influential Woman of Distinction. 

Prachi Jatania

Co-Founder and Chief Impact Officer of Immigrant Women Initiative

Prachi is the Co-Founder and Chief Impact Officer of Immigrant Women Initiative, which aims to empower immigrants in Canada by providing resources, mentorship and networking. The initiative is BC’s first immigrant women-led grassroots social enterprise and addresses challenges immigrant women face in their careers. Prachi is the first South Asian leader overseeing Communications and Media Relations at UBC’s Sauder School of Business. She sits on Vancouver Community College’s Program Advisory Committee and volunteers as a mentor for the Canadian Association for Global Health’s MentorNet program. Recently, Prachi co-facilitated a session at the Women’s Economic Council’s Solidarity Conference about using business for community good. In 2025, she will be featured in 50 Stories of Women by Times of Canada, highlighting her commitment to gender equity. 

Rohene Bouajram

Associate Director, Strategic IBPOC Initiatives at UBC

Rohene is the Associate Director, Strategic IBPOC Initiatives at UBC, where she provides leadership on equity and inclusion for students. After George Floyd’s murder in 2020, Rohene stepped up to serve on UBC’s new Black Caucus, which advocated for funding and systemic changes at the university. In 2023, she launched UBC Black Student Space, creating a safe place for Black students to celebrate their personal growth and diversity. Rohene is a sought-after Canadian immigration expert and has served on high-impact initiatives including the BC Ministry of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology international student compliance reporting working group. In 2021, Rohene received the UBC President’s Service Award for Excellence. In 2022, she was given the Canadian Bureau for International Education’s Excellence in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. 

Sydney Goodfellow

Director, Digital Learning Lab

Sydney is the Director of Digital Learning Lab, which aims to ensure people facing systemic barriers have equitable access to opportunities in technology-based organizations. She’s been a key architect and advocate for several Digital Learning Lab projects, including the Digital Innovation and Leadership Initiative, which engaged with more than 140 organizations and saw more than 600 professionals and leaders develop the mindset and toolset to succeed with digital innovation. Sydney also worked on the Raising Voices Project, which supports Indigenous Canadians as they enter digital careers. She played a significant role in development of The Rapid Skilling System Framework, which addresses Canada’s fragmented workforce training system, offering practical solutions to help Canadians acquire new skills for evolving workplaces. Sydney is a Board Member of Food Banks BC. 

Tina Strehlke

CEO of Minerva BC

Tina is CEO of Minerva BC, a provincial charity dedicated to advancing economic and leadership opportunities for self-identified women and girls. In her role, Tina challenges traditional, masculine models of leadership and focuses on developing leadership skills of women and girls. In 2021, she designed a leadership training program for women and secured in-house training partnerships that have supported more than 250 women to date. Tina was selected as a Visionary and Advisory Group Member for the Prosperity Project’s Rosie Initiative, which offers career-focused mentorship to women and girls across Canada. She was also selected as an Advisory Group member for Essential Impact. In 2022 and 2023, Tina was included in Business in Vancouver’s BC500 list of the most influential business leaders in the province. 

This category is sponsored by:

Aisha Yang

Co-Founder and Director, Herbaland Naturals Inc.

Aisha is the Co-Founder and Director of Herbaland Naturals Inc., a plant-based nutritional gummies manufacturer. Under her leadership, Herbaland made significant innovations in the nutraceutical market, meeting a need for vegan-friendly supplements. Aisha led the introduction of 100% compostable packaging and helped Herbaland grow from a local company to an international brand exporting to 45 countries. She also led Herbaland to be the first B Corp certified gummy manufacturer in the world. Along with supporting local charities like Richmond Cares Richmond Gives and Mamas for Mamas, Aisha mentors women entrepreneurs. She also fosters an inclusive and multicultural workplace. In 2023 she was awarded Ernst and Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year award and the RBC Women of Influence Entrepreneur of the Year award. 

Brianne Gardner

Senior Wealth Manager, Velocity Investment Partners of Raymond James

Brianne is Co-Founder and Senior Wealth Manager for Velocity Investment Partners of Raymond James. She’s the youngest member of the Raymond James Advisor Board of Canada and was top advisor at Raymond James for business growth. Brianne expanded her customers’ experience by launching a VIP concierge model, which integrates non-financial services like seniors’ care and real estate support. She also mentors financial advisors through Women in Capital Markets and Young Women in Business. Her community involvement includes launching Stockings for Seniors, which sees 300 stockings assembled and donated for nursing home residents each year. In 2021, she received the Rising Star award from Women in Capital Markets and, in 2022, she won the Women of Inspiration Award from the Universal Women’s Network. 

Diane Johnson

Founder, Descriptive Video Works

Diane is the Founder and Senior Advisor of Descriptive Video Works (DVW), which provides audio description services for blind and low-vision audience members. After years of experience in the broadcast industry, Diane launched DVW in 2003, when the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission mandated broadcasters to include descriptive video their programming. By engaging blind and low-vision community members in all stages of research, development and quality control, Diane led DVW to international recognition. DVW was the first to provide live description coverage of the Olympics, Paralympics and awards shows like the Oscars and the Junos. Diane has also been recognized for her mentorship of women in the broadcast industry, and served as chair of Canadian Women in Communications for nine years. 

Leigh Joseph/Styawat

Founder, Sḵwálwen Botanical

Leigh is the Founder of Sḵwálwen Botanicals, an Indigenous skincare brand. She is also a professor at Simon Fraser University, holding a PhD in ethnobotany from the University of Victoria. Having innovated skincare formulas that use unique botanical ingredients, Leigh has been recognized by clean beauty leaders for her sustainability and cultural sensitivity. She prioritizes employing Indigenous women and works with Indigenous plant growers and vendors. Leigh has published two books about plants native to Squamish and worked on the film Walking with Plants, which won Best Short Documentary at the 2023 Ceres Film Festival. In 2020 she was awarded the BC Achievement Indigenous Entrepreneurship Award. In 2023, Sḵwálwen won the Indigenous Business of the Year by the Squamish Chamber of Commerce.

Liza D

Founder and Dean, The Cut Design Academy

Liza is the Founder and Dean at The Cut Design Academy, a fashion and design career school in Vancouver. Under her leadership and with the school’s immersive learning approach, students have achieved a 98% job placement rate. Along with hands-on mentoring, Liza also supports students through a self-funded scholarship, granting $250,000 over three years to aspiring design students. Passionate about reducing fashion’s environmental footprint, Liza developed Waste Up, which transforms scraps and excess clothing into reusable, zero-impact fabric. Her team also launched a program that repurposes surplus fabric into fleece and wool blankets, distributing more than 2,000 blankets on the Downtown Eastside. Liza is committed to breaking barriers in the fashion industry by employing women and minorities in an otherwise male-dominated field. 

Rory Richards

CEO of NUQO Modular

Rory is CEO and Founder of NUQO Modular, a female-led, Indigenous-owned construction company. Through her vision in an otherwise male-dominated industry, NUQO prioritizes sustainable culturally grounded modular design and construction, addressing needs of underserved communities in BC. Rory is dedicated to improving child care design standards and increasing affordable access. Under her leadership, NUQO won the 2024 Built Environment Award at the Land Awards alongside Squamish Nation, recognizing the impact of two housing projects, including one with units dedicated to women and children at risk of homelessness. Rory was awarded the Medal of Good Citizenship from the Province of BC as well as the Queen's Jubilee Medal, celebrating her dedication to advancing Indigenous-led development and decades of community service. 

Sandra Phillips

Founder of movmi and CEO of Modo

Sandra is the CEO of Modo and Founder of movmi Shared Transportation Services Inc., an agency specializing in shared mobility architecture. She also led the launch of car2go, the first free-floating carshare service in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal. Sandra worked with carshare companies and TransLink to launch the Shared Mobility Compass Card, which integrates transit, bikeshare and carshare services on one fare card. In 2024, she expanded on that project, launching the RideLink app for transit and transportation sharing users. Sandra has built a network of 60 women-led companies and launched the global Empowerism award to support women-led mobility ventures. In 2017, Sandra won the Next Visionaries competition and in 2021 she won BC Business Woman of the Year in the Changemaker category. 

Trish Kelly Chornyj

Managing Director, Untapped Accessibility

Trish is Managing Director of Untapped Accessibility, a certified social enterprise and leading accessibility consulting agency in BC. Trish has built a profitable enterprise supporting more than 150 public and private sector customers as they improve accessibility. Her business model centres the voice of professionals with disabilities, fostering a more inclusive and equitable future. In its first two years of operations, Untapped Accessibility generated $79,000 in profit for Open Door Social Services Society, and saw 8,700 hours completed by professionals with disabilities. Trish also helped create an Accessibility and Equity Guide for Food Banks BC and Food Banks Canada, making food bank environments more welcoming to people with disabilities. Trish’s long-standing commitment to systems change was recognized through an Oxfam Female Food Hero Award.

Trixie Ling

Founder of Flavours of Hope

Trixie is the Founder of Flavours of Hope, a non-profit social enterprise dedicated to advancing newcomer women’s entrepreneurship through cooking and storytelling. Her vision is to foster belonging and community for newcomer women through the shared experience of food and culture. Trixie built many community partnerships to create a food business incubator, which helped launch 15 newcomer women-owned businesses. She is on the Board of Directors for the BC Association of Farmers Markets and a member of the Vancouver Food Justice Coalition. In 2023 Trixie received the Emerging Leaders Award from the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association and the Elevate Award for Gender Equity from the WORTH Association. She was also recognized for her leadership by Successful Women Canada in 2024. 

This category is sponsored by:

Chantal Martin

Director of Education and Research, Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association

Chantal is Director of Education and Research for Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association, which aims to engage people in the importance of biodiversity. Her work has led to a 400% increase in participation and improved diversity in programming at VanDusen Botanical Garden and Bloedel Conservatory. She’s championed adopting United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as the framework for both sites. Chantal is an advocate for Indigenous inclusion in environmental education and created a Truth and Reconciliation Committee for the association. Now, more than 1,000 children receive Indigenous land-based programming each summer. Chantal also led creation of the Learning Garden in 2024, a new educational space at VanDusen that educates participants on food sustainability. In 2023, Chantal was nominated for the American Public Gardens Association Personal Citation Award.

Kerry Gibson

Founder of N-EAT at SFU’s Faculty of the Environment

Kerry is Founder of Nutrition through Engagement and Agricultural Technologies (N-EAT), which operates out of SFU’s Faculty of the Environment. She’s renowned for her advocacy for policies supporting sustainable development and environmental protection, having spoken at the United Nations. Kerry is also the Vice-President of Strategic Partnerships and Engagement at Ziphycare, a health-care delivery company that bridges remote and in-person exams. Kerry led efforts to commercialize clean technologies that reduce environmental impact through her role as President of EcoCentury Technologies. She serves on the Diversity Advisory Council for the Joint Task Force of the Canadian Armed Forces. Kerry’s been recognized as a UN Women Planet 5050 Champion. She also received a King Charles III Coronation Medal and a Times of Canada Award for Excellence in Innovation. 

Sonia Strobel

CEO and Co-Founder, Skipper Otto Community Supported Fishery

Sonia is CEO and Co-Founder of Skipper Otto Community Supported Fishery, a certified B Corporation which connects fishing families to seafood-loving home cooks. The company, which was founded in 2008, supports 40 independent small-scale fishers and feeds more than 7,800 member families across five provinces. Sonia built trust with BC fishers by visiting their communities and paying fair wages. She’s recognized by parliamentarians as a leading expert in community-based fisheries and is often asked to speak in the House of Commons. In 2015, Sonia was awarded the Coralus Radical Generosity Award and, in 2019, she received the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs’ Pitch for the Purse. She was a finalist in the BC Food and Beverage Women Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2023.

Sophia Yang

Founder and Executive Director, Threading Change

Sophia is Founder and Executive Director of Threading Change, a youth-led ethical fashion and circular economy organization. Under her leadership, Threading Change has grown its revenue 500% compared to its launch in 2020. Sophia has also led the organization in hosting events for thousands of participants and diverting more than 700 pounds of textile waste through global clothing swaps in 2024. Through the Clothing Changemaker Program, Sophia engaged 122 young leaders from 18 countries, showcasing their creativity and commitment to systemic change. She’s attended the United Nations Climate Change Conference twice as a BC Youth Delegate. In 2021, she was recognized on Corporate Knights’ 30 Under 30 Sustainability Leaders in Canada list and, in 2022, she received the City of Vancouver’s Greenest City Leadership Award. 

Sue Roppel

President and Board Chair, Kimberley Foundation

Sue is President and Board Chair of the Kimberley Foundation, a non-profit that focuses on youth and educators to inspire hope-based solutions to climate change. She’s worked closely with educators to create Mercury Rising, a day-long seminar for high school students addressing pressing environmental issues, that has been delivered to more than 800 students. Sue created the nationwide Student Climate Change Video Contest, which is open to secondary students interested in telling climate change stories through film. With partners, she also created Climate Collaborators for Educators, an in-person lab where secondary teachers share what they’re doing for climate change education. Previously, Sue was the Chief Operating Officer of IC-IMPACTS, where she led programs focused on international technology transfer in water management, sustainable infrastructure and food security. 

Denise Karkkainen

Board Chair, Looking Glass Foundation for Eating Disorders

Denise is Board Chair of Looking Glass Foundation for Eating Disorders and a passionate advocate for community well-being. Under her Board leadership at Looking Glass, they launched a low-barrier counselling program in response to the pandemic-driven mental-health crisis. The initiative grew to support 250 clients per year at no or low-cost. As Community Living BC’s Board Chair, Denise partnered with the CEO to restore trust with self-advocates and families. Denise also joined Musqueam Capital Corporation as one of the first non-Indigenous Director and Finance Chair. She helped the corporation achieve transformative growth, funding cultural and wellness programs for the Musqueam community. While serving as Chair of Provincial Health Services Authority’s Research Committee, Denise led a shift to translational research, resulting in tangible patient care improvements. 

Dr. Jana-Lea Davidson

Chief Medical Officer, BC Children’s Hospital and BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre

Jana-Lea is the inaugural Chief Medical Officer for BC Children’s Hospital and BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre. She led the hospitals’ response during the COVID-19 pandemic and led work to unite strategic goals across the organizations. Jana-Lea’s contributions have transformed child and youth mental health care in BC, having co-founded the National Institute of Families for Child and Youth Mental Health and now serving as Founding Board Director. The institute encourages collaboration between caregivers and professionals and jurisdictions worldwide have emulated its model. Jana-Lea championed the creation of the Institute of Global Health at Children’s and Women’s Health Centre, the first of its kind in North America. She was also appointed Division Head of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in the Department of Psychiatry at UBC. 

Dr. Sarah Finlayson

Co-Division Head, Dr. Chew Wei Memorial Chair in Gynaecologic Oncology and Clinical Professor Division of Gynaecologic Oncology at UBC

Sarah is Co-Division Head, Dr. Chew Wei Memorial Chair in Gynaecologic Oncology and Clinical Professor in the Division of Gynaecologic Oncology at UBC. She’s recognized for shattering barriers that denied accessible care to thousands of gynecologic cancer patients and her advocacy led to a near doubling of specialists available in BC. Sarah also helped establish Canada’s first evidence-based comprehensive national standards to support the delivery of consistent, high-quality care to all those requiring gynecologic oncology care.  Sarah is a member of OVCARE, one of the top ovarian cancer research teams worldwide, which discovered ovarian cancer has multiple distinct subtypes, revolutionizing the field. She was the spokesperson for the Opportunistic Salpingectomy campaign, which recommends removal of fallopian tubes during hysterectomies to prevent ovarian cancer.

Dr. Shahana Alibhai

Medical Director, Foundry Abbotsford

Shahana is Medical Director of Foundry Abbotsford, which provides integrated services to youth and their families. She created the Think Like a Doc program, enabling students to play the role of a doctor, learn basic anatomy and build a genuine interest in taking care of their own health. Shahana authored a best-selling book, “Feel Better: How Understanding Your Emotional Palette Can Keep You From Getting Swept Away,” which discusses the importance of emotional health as a preventative tool in mental health. She’s a prominent speaker on mental and emotional health, appearing on more than 70 podcasts and a Tedx talk on how the education and medical systems can work more closely together. Shahana was awarded the College of Family Physician Canada Family Practice Residency Award. 

This category is sponsored by:

Bridgitte Anderson

President and CEO, Greater Vancouver Board of Trade

Bridgitte is the first woman President and CEO of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade and creator of one of the inaugural Equity and Diversity Councils in the Canadian Chamber network. She also serves as chair of the Canadian Global Cities Council, which is a voice for Canada’s major economic centres in public policy advocacy. Under Bridgitte’s leadership, the GVBOT adopted a Commitment to Reconciliation and the Community Spotlight Series to support Vancouver-based non-profits. She was the Chair of Women’s Leadership Council for GVBOT and moderated an event with Michelle Obama. She’s been a part of numerous local boards, including Canuck Place Children’s Hospice, Dress for Success and Invest Vancouver. In 2024, she received a King Charles III Coronation Medal and Vancouver Power 50 Recognition.  

Chantelle Krish 

CEO, Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland 

CEO of Big Sisters, Chantelle led the organization through a time of transition and transformation following the pandemic, which included reopening and launching new programming while growing revenue by 30%. Amid rising racism during the pandemic, Chantelle launched the Different Together Campaign, the first of its kind for the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of BC, reaching more than 250,000 people. She has more than 15 years of experience advocating for universal child care in BC and helped create campaigns to showcase its economic and social benefits. Chantelle also led YWCA Metro Vancouver's award-winning Culture Shift project to combat sexualization of women in media. She received a King Charles III Coronation Medal in 2024 and was recognized in Business in Vancouver’s Forty Under 40 in 2019.  

Dalya Israel    

Executive Director, Salal Sexual Violence Centre 

Dalya is the Executive Director of Salal Sexual Violence Centre. She began her involvement with Salal as a crisis line volunteer, was employed by the organization in 2005 and worked up to becoming Executive Director in 2019. Dalya played a pivotal role in expanding the organization’s mandate to provide services to all marginalized genders, including transgender and cisgender women, Two-Spirit, non-binary people and transgender men. She oversaw Salal nearly doubling in size and becoming the province’s official gender-based violence 24-hour crisis line. Under her leadership, Salal will open Vancouver’s first integrated clinic to provide trauma-informed, low-barrier care for sexual assault survivors. Dalya serves on BC’s Gender-Based Violence Action Plan Advisory Committee and on BC’s first external advocate case review team with the RCMP.

Doreen Macfarlane 

Director, Indigenous Early Years 

Doreen is the Director of Indigenous Early Years at Vancouver Aboriginal Health Society a non-profit that supports families with Indigenous children by fostering a safe connection to community services. The program started as the Vancouver Aboriginal Early Childhood Support Program and was recognized by the community as the lead agency for Indigenous children and family services in Vancouver. For more than two decades, Doreen’s grown with the organization, first starting as a Building Blocks Worker, then as a Family Support Worker, before becoming a Team Leader and, in 2022, Director. She is credited with increasing Indigenous Early Years’ community outreach. Doreen’s recognized as a mentor in the community who tirelessly supports staff and urban Indigenous families in Vancouver. She’s known for leading with compassion, dedication and kindness. 

Feezah Jaffer 

Executive Director, Sanford Housing Society 

Feezah is the Executive Director of Sanford Housing Society, which focuses on the development of housing for people managing mental illness or substance use issues. She introduced a new leadership and capacity building initiative to support staff at the society, bringing new skills, growth and development to the workplace. In her previous role as Executive Director of the Surrey Food Bank and during the COVID-19 pandemic, Feezah coordinated moving the food bank’s operations to a new space nearly three times the size, which led to program expansion. She worked with interfaith leaders in Surrey to establish alternative food bank distribution locations to service the city’s vast geographic area. She volunteers with the Ismaili Community and in 2021, Feezah was named a Paul Harris Fellow from Rotary International.  

Katie Maslechko  

CEO, Rental Protection Fund 

Katie is the inaugural CEO of the Rental Protection Fund, which provides capital contributions to community housing organizations to help them purchase buildings and retain their affordability in BC. Her leadership has inspired organizations and governments across Canada to launch similar initiatives and paved the way for the $1.5 billion Canada Rental Protection Fund. Katie co-founded the Urban Land Institute Young Leaders Group Americas, representing more than 10,000 members under 35 across 54 cities. She also served as a Board Director for Catalyst Community Development Society, helping advance innovative affordable housing models that created hundreds of affordable rental homes across BC. Katie is recognized as a leading authority in non-profit housing acquisition and will serve as Co-Chair for the 2025 Western Canada Apartment Investment Conference.  

Kristy James 

President and CEO, Burnaby Hospital Foundation 

Kristy is President and CEO of the Burnaby Hospital Foundation. She led a $2.3 million campaign to acquire Western Canada’s first Mako Robotic System, which revolutionized orthopedic surgery at the hospital by increasing precision and reducing recovery time. Kristy launched a pilot program to raise essential funds for vulnerable patients being discharged from the hospital, addressing immediate needs like food insecurity and inadequate clothing that has become a vital part of the hospital’s social services. Kristy also launched Fraser Health’s first COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund securing lifesaving equipment like ventilators and a pathogen-killing robot. She is a Board Member of the Association of Healthcare Philanthropy (Canada) and served on numerous other boards including being Vice-Chair for both Pacific Assistance Dog Society and St. Michael’s Centre.  

Loveena Chera-Tsaparas

CEO, InspireHealth Supportive Cancer Care

Loveena is the CEO of InspireHealth Supportive Cancer Care, the only organization in BC that supports patients and their caregivers through any type and stage of cancer all free of charge. Under her leadership, InspireHealth extended its reach beyond major centres and now serves patients in 200 communities. She helped enhance patient experience by ensuring they can receive support how and where they want, whether in-person, virtually or over the phone, and created a centralized patient care coordination system. Loveena also participated in a space assessment for the Centre for Cancer Prevention and Support and navigated InspireHealth as its anchor tenant. At the 2024 Drishti Awards, she received the Canada India Network Society Award, specifically for impact in integrative cancer care.  

Mita Naidu  

Director of Content Strategy, BC Housing 

Mita is the Director of Content Strategy for BC Housing and is recognized for breaking barriers in the non-profit sector. She’s embedded antiracism, equity, diversity and inclusion principles at BC Women’s Health Foundation, Vantage Point and BC Housing, educating employees and sharing resources with each team. Mita was selected for a Royal BC Museum and Heritage Canada committee to designate historical South Asian Canadian sites in the province, restoring recognition for generations of immigrant settlers. When serving as Board Director of Vancouver International Jazz Festival, Mita was the only woman and racialized member, and she advocated for inclusivity and diversity in performances. She also served as a Board Member for Women Transforming Cities, Vancouver International Children’s Festival and is on Global BC’s Editorial Board.  

Sarah Helene Beley Conteh  

Executive Director, Working Gear Clothing Society 

Sarah is Executive Director of Working Gear Clothing Society, which combines social impact with sustainability, creating pathways out of poverty through employment and clothing recirculation. Under her leadership, Working Gear transformed from just a free workforce clothing and gear provider into a comprehensive employment support hub reaching more than 2,000 individuals annually. Sarah established the first on-site barbershop program on the Downtown Eastside. She also expanded Working Gear to include women’s trade equipment and PPE, specifically addressing employment barriers for women entering the trades. Sarah partnered with UBC to develop an environmental tracking system for clothing recirculation, which diverts two tonnes of clothing waste from landfills each year. In 2019, Sarah received the City of Vancouver’s Award of Excellence for creating a positive community impact. 

Trina Plamondon 

Executive Director, Home Sharing Support Society BC  

Trina is Executive Director of Home Sharing Support Society BC, which collaborates with families and community partners to enhance housing options for adults with developmental disabilities. She identified barriers to accessing respite care for children with disabilities and her groundbreaking business case for an overhaul in services led to a 100% increase in usage. Trina identified a gap in training and regulation for workers in the disability sector, leading to inconsistencies in care. She developed a comprehensive learning and development strategy, creating a certification pathway that brought standardization to the workforce She was selected as a mentor in the Commonwealth Women’s Mentorship Scheme and also volunteered with 100 Women Who Care. and was awarded the Paul Harris Award in recognition of her contributions as Rotary President.  

This category is sponsored by:

Annita McPhee 

Principal and Owner, Annita McPhee Strategies 

Annita is Principal and Owner of Annita McPhee Strategies and an Indigenous Facilitator from the Tahltan/Tlingit Nations. After launching in 2015, Annita McPhee Strategies quickly became a leading conference provider and community facilitator for First Nations, Indigenous women, industry and government bodies. Through her tireless advocacy, Annita is recognized as being instrumental in saving Tahltan Territory’s Sacred Headwaters, leading to an agreement with the provincial government to stop coal exploration work in an area that’s of profound cultural, spiritual and ecological significance to the Nation. She is also the Founder of Protect Our Indigenous Sisters, which addresses violence, abuse and intergenerational trauma while raising awareness about missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. In 2024, Annita received the Indigenous Leadership Award from Ecotrust Foundation. 

Faye Halls - Yeltsilewet  

Founder of Paddle Journey and Eslha7an Learning Centre

Yeltsilewet is the Founder of Paddle Journey and Eslha7an Learning Centre as well as a Squamish Nation matriarch and Elder. When she established Eslha7an Learning Centre, she used cultural-based and holistic approaches to facilitate a learning experience that instills pride in Indigenous traditions. Yeltsilewet served one four-year term on Squamish Nation Council and helped initiate its Human Resources Department. She was also Manager of Special Projects for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, training key personnel about the history, beliefs, culture and contributions of Host Nations and creating opportunities for more than 1,000 Indigenous people. Through her Paddle Journey workshops, Yeltsilewet educates organizations, schools and families about Coast Salish truths while promoting reconciliation. In 2023, she received an Eagle Feather for her commitment to Indigenous education. 

Shoyshqwelwhet Dr. Gwendolyn Point   

Indigenous Education Consultant

Shoyshqwelwhet Gwendolyn is an Indigenous education consultant, having made significant contributions to education, cultural preservation and community development. She created a longhouse program for Grade 4 students in partnership with the local school district, enabling students and teachers to learn first-hand about the local Stó:lō First Nation. Shoyshqwelwhet Gwendolyn continues to offer the experience to university faculty and students and has expanded the program to include local residential schools that were in Chilliwack and Mission. Appointed by Stó:lō leaders, she led the creation of a Child and Family Governance Model to restore delegation from the Ministry of Children and Families and later chaired the Xyolhemeylh Children and Family Board. She was inducted as an Honorary Witness for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 2012.  

Elder Jean Wasegijig 

Elder Counsellor, Family Medicine Indigenous Co-Director, Instructor and Elder in Residence 

Elder Jean is a Resident Elder Counsellor at UBC’s Faculty of Medicine and was appointed by the University’s Counselling and Peer Support Office to provide Indigenous support and cultural teachings to medical residents. She is also a VCC Elder in Residence and was one of the first Aboriginal Correctional Program Facilitators at Correctional Services Canada, pioneering Indigenous healing programs for inmates. She supported more than 2,000 inmates, providing consistent, culturally appropriate services and was named Employee of the Year by Langley Times for her contributions to the prison system. Elder Jean was also the first Indigenous Addictions Counsellor at the Chrysalis Society, offering Healing Circles to women in the shelter. In 2024, she was awarded a prestigious 20-year medallion by Vancouver Community College.   

Joanne Stone-Campbell, Iy’imelwit 

Associate Director, ICBC 

Joanne is an Associate Director at ICBC, where she’s led the establishment of the Indigenous Relations Department and implemented the company’s Reconciliation Action Plan. She has spent a lifetime lifting Indigenous voices and driving cultural change towards reconciliation in the financial, educational and public sectors in BC. She also educates employees on the historical and contemporary challenges Indigenous People face in getting their driver’s license and accessing employment. Joanne has been involved in developing, leading and supporting Indigenous Advisory councils to provide strategic guidance and create a more inclusive environment. She co-developed ICBC’s Indigenous Awareness and Cultural Safety Training for all 6,000 employees. Joanne also played a significant role in growing an Indigenous Employee Group, facilitating meaningful discussions on systemic change among Indigenous employees.

Melanie Mark, Hli Haykwhl Ẃii Xsgaak

Founder and CEO of Hli Haykwhl Ẃii Xsgaak Consulting Ltd.

Melanie is Founder and CEO of Hli Haykwhl Ẃii Xsgaak Consulting Ltd. and was the inaugural First Nations woman to be elected to the BC Legislature. As MLA, she represented 55,000 constituents in one of the most diverse ridings in the province, which includes the Downtown Eastside, Chinatown, Gastown and Commercial Drive. While in office, Melanie was appointed to be Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, and prior to that, she was Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training. She was also a Member of the Executive Council and on three Cabinet Committees. Melanie was President on Urban Native Youth Association’s Board of Directors and was a Chair Advisor for Native Youth Centre. In 2018, she received the Be the Change Award from Stenberg College. 

Seli’xwelut Shannon Henderson

Chief Operating Officer, Orange Shirt Society 

Seli’xwelut Shannon is Chief Operating Officer of Orange Shirt Society, which was formed to create awareness of the intergenerational impacts of Indian Residential Schools. She first joined the organization as a Board Member in 2019, and she helped the organization grow its presence and increase public awareness of residential schools across Canada. Previously, she worked at Vancity as Talent Coordinator and Reconciliation Program Manager, where she designed and delivered experiential learning opportunities for employees. She also co-facilitates the Kairos Blanket Exercise, helping both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people learn about the history and impact of colonization. She works with Squamish Nation to build a bridge between generations, including through Youth and Veteran’s Pow Wows. She was Co-Chair of Indian Residential Schools Survivors Society.  

This category is sponsored by

Dr. Cheryl Ho

Medical Oncologist at BC Cancer and Clinical Associate Professor at UBC 

Cheryl, a Medical Oncologist at BC Cancer and the Director of the Medical Oncology Fellowship Program and Clinical Associate Professor in UBC’s Faculty of Medicine, has dedicated her academic career to researching advancements in cancer treatments. Cheryl partnered with Johns Hopkins University as the Canadian Chair co-leading a clinical trial that studied the use of “liquid biopsies” as early markers of lung cancer response to immuno-chemotherapy. She also co-created Precision Oncology Evidence Development in Cancer Treatment, an $8-million project with Roche that was instrumental in broadening access to molecular testing and targeted cancer therapies in BC to generate evidence for sustainable health care. She is regularly invited to speak nationally and internationally, and she’s published more than 130 peer-reviewed articles in leading journals. 

Dr. Honglin Luo 

Professor at UBC’s Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Department and Centre for Heart Lung Innovation  

Honglin is a Professor at UBC’s Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Department and one of the first female scientists at UBC’s Centre for Heart Lung Innovation located at St. Paul’s Hospital. She is an internationally recognized expert in the field of viral pathogenesis and virotherapy and has published more than 125 peer-reviewed articles in top-tier journals. Her research focuses on the development of therapies for viral myocarditis, neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS and cancer. Honglin’s laboratory’s pioneering work in oncolytic viral treatment, harnessing engineered or naturally occurring viruses to target and destroy tumour cells, for lung and breast cancer has led to two successful patents. Honglin was recognized as the leading expert in enterovirus research in Canada by Expertscape and in the top 0.21% of 25,997 experts worldwide.  

Dr. Jessica McAlpine

Surgeon-Scientist at BC Cancer, Professor and Dr. Chew Wei Chair in Gynaecologic Oncology at UBC  

Jessica is a Surgeon-Scientist at BC Cancer and a Professor and Dr. Chew Wei Chair in Gynaecologic Oncology at UBC’s Faculty of Medicine. She has transformed how endometrial cancer is diagnosed and treated worldwide. She led the Vancouver team that developed a new classification system for endometrial cancer that is in the World Health Organization’s Classification of Female Genital Tumours. Jessica developed ProMisE (Proactive Molecular Risk Classifier for Endometrial Cancer) which can identify persons at high or low risk of relapse. In 2023, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics incorporated Jessica’s work in its guidelines for staging endometrial cancer. Jessica is a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair at UBC and recipient of a Canadian Institutes of Health Research New Investigator Award.  

Kathryn Hayashi 

President and CEO of TRIUMF Innovations   

Kathryn is the President and CEO of TRIUMF Innovations, which connects Canada's national particle accelerator laboratory with the business world. As Co-Lead of the Canadian Medical Isotope Ecosystem, Kathryn helped TRIUMF deliver new production capacity to BC for rare cancer-fighting isotopes like actinium-225. She serves as Executive Committee Member of the Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council and is Co-founder of BioConnect, with 3,000 members today. Kathryn serves on the boards of the Michael Smith Health Foundation, C3i Centre for Cancer Immunotherapy and Discovery Parks/Nimbus Synergies Fund. In 2022, Kathryn and TRIUMF received the Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council Not-For-Profit Advocacy Award. Under her leadership, TRIUMF also won the Excellence in Industry Award at the 2024 BC Tech Awards for its record of turning experimental technologies into real-world solutions. 

Dr. Mariana Brussoni

Director of the Human Early Learning Partnership and Professor at UBC’s Department of Pediatrics 

Mariana is Director of the Human Early Learning Partnership (HELP) and Professor at UBC’s Department of Pediatrics. Her research on the benefits of unstructured play for children formed the foundation for the Canadian Paediatric Society’s 2024 Position Statement on Outdoor Risky Play, which advocates for equitable access and challenges society’s focus on injury prevention. The research has informed the perspectives of Canada’s Council of Chief Medical Officers of Health and the Canadian Public Health Association. Mariana collaborates with municipalities to redesign outdoor play spaces and advises global bodies like the World Health Organization. In 2023, she won the Outdoor Play Canada Research Award. In 2024, she received the Joe L. Frost Award from the US Play Coalition and the UBC Faculty of Medicine Distinguished Achievement Award. 

Dr. Naomi Zimmerman 

Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering, and Canada Research Chair in Real-World Air Quality Sensing at UBC  

Naomi is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Canada Research Chair in Real-World Air Quality Sensing at UBC and a recognized global leader in low-cost sensing research. Her approach to air quality research breaks down traditional disciplinary boundaries, integrating perspectives across engineering, chemistry and public health. Her work on how wildfire smoke affects indoor environments for sensitive populations has informed health authorities in designing interventions. Her research has also shown that low-cost sensors are a promising tool for estimating real-time, real-world air pollutant emissions from the transportation sector. Naomi was invited to serve as a lead author on a joint World Meteorological Organization – UN Environment Programme report on using low-cost sensors for air quality. She helped develop and launch the Canadian Association for Aerosol Research. 

This category is sponsored by

Anmol Sandhu 

Co-Founder and Co-President, The Red Badge Foundation 

Anmol is Co-Founder and Co-President of The Red Badge Foundation, an organization dedicated to advancing menstrual health equity for individuals across Canada. Through her leadership, she leads interactive menstrual health workshops, addressing cultural stigmas and providing education to underserved groups. The workshops are now nationally recognized and have reached more than 1,000 people. Anmol also partnered with Options Community Services to establish Period Pantries, a service that provides free menstrual products. Additionally, she designs adaptive training programs to support athletes with disabilities. She also has extensive additional community involvement, including being a volunteer basketball wheelchair coach. Anmol was recognized in Surrey’s Top 25 Under 25 for her work with The Red Badge Foundation. She also received the J. Lynn Watson Club Award for Community Service.  

Daria Dueck

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leader 

Daria is a leader in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), speaking to government, school districts, classrooms and business associations. She organized and recruited global experts for a youth-led DEI forum, empowering underrepresented youth to share their experiences and develop strategies to combat systemic inequities. Daria also created and delivered DEI workshops for elementary schools and established a lesson plan for a Grade 7 classroom, equipping them with tools to build inclusive communities and foster acceptance. She presented to BC’s Minister of Education and school district representatives at an anti-racism educator summit, advocating for the inclusion of anti-racism in school curricula to promote safer schools. Daria was also invited to speak at Vancouver Board of Trade events, addressing workplace DEI strategies to industry leaders.  

Glisha

Performing and Recording Artist

Glisha is an independent performing and recording artist, representing the Filipino-Canadian community. She was the first Filipino artist to sing the national anthem at the annual Surrey Fusion Festival, the largest free multicultural festival in BC, which drew 110,000 people in 2024. She also performed original music on the Fusion Fest Celebration Stage. Glisha funded, produced, co-directed and starred in her first music video and has reached international success on streaming platforms, bringing global representation to Filipino-Canadian musicians. Her discography has amassed eight million streams worldwide. In 2020, Glisha won Best Female Artist at the Fraser Valley Music Awards and, in 2023, she received Best RnB Artist and first place in the Fan Vote. She was awarded Surrey’s Top 25 Under 25 in 2023.

Janaye Majer 

Founder of Black Indigenous Coalition Club at Queen Elizabeth Secondary

Janaye is the Founder of the Black Indigenous Coalition Club at Queen Elizabeth Secondary and a leader in racial equity. Through the coalition, she advocated for her school to celebrate a variety of cultural holidays reflecting the diverse demographic of the student body, including Black History Month and Lunar New Year. Janaye also sparked the Surrey School District’s racial equity initiative and she facilitated focus groups where racialized students shared their stories as part of the consultation process. This resulted in the Racial Equity Environmental Assessment, which led to district staff being provided culturally responsive professional development. Janaye has used her own lived experience with racial violence to advocate for Black students, speaking on several media platforms and participating in CBC’s Black in Canada documentary.  

Ogechi Anumba 

Co-Founder of UBC’s Black Mental Health Club, Intern with First Nations Health Authority  

Ogechi is a Co-Founder of UBC’s Black Mental Health Club and an Intern with First Nations Health Authority’s (FNHA). She’s recognized for making significant strides in advancing equity and inclusivity at FNHA, where she contributes to the Indigenous Climate Health Action Program by evaluating reviews of environmental contaminants and traditional harvesting. She also sat on the Environmental Contaminants Program’s funding decision committee. Ogechi created illustrations for Michael Smith Laboratories’ project on Indigenous health disparities, making complex health issues easier to understand. She also co-founded and is Vice-President Internal of UBC’s Black Mental Health Club, which addresses mental health challenges in underrepresented communities. Ogechi will be the first in her family, on both her Indigenous and Nigerian sides, to graduate from university, breaking generational barriers to higher education.  

Pari Goyal  

Rhythmic Gymnast on Canada’s National Team 

Pari is the first South Asian rhythmic gymnast on Canada’s National Team and a two-time national bronze medalist and gold medalist. She’s competed nationally since the age of 11 and represented Canada at the World Challenge Cup in Romania and World Championships in Bulgaria. Pari developed a proactive training program for elite-level rhythmic gymnasts to help athletes with injury prevention and enhance their overall performance. Under the guidance of the Team Canada Athletic Therapist, she’s conducting this research with national team athletes and hopes to share her findings with the gymnastics community internationally. Pari is a first-year representative on UBC Science’s student council. In 2023, Pari was awarded the Outstanding Athlete Award from Drishti Magazine, becoming the youngest recipient in the award’s history.  

Sophie Hansen

Student Journalist at BCIT and Co-Founder of Safety, Education Advocacy and Support

Sophie is a student journalist at BCIT and Co-Founder of Safety, Education, Advocacy and Support (SEAS), which aimed to address gender-based violence at her high school. Through her leadership, SEAS grew from eight students to 60, and empowered students to advocate for safer learning environments and systemic changes. Sophie also organized a 300-person walkout at her high school to address gender-based violence in direct response to students’ safety concerns. While working at Justice for Girls, Sophie launched the Preserve the Evidence initiative, a social media campaign against the RCMP’s destruction of 3,000 exhibits in the Robert Pickton case. A passionate and award-winning journalist, Sophie’s investigative radio story on Canada’s disability benefit exposed the challenges faced by individuals navigating the complex application process.  

Stephanie Slen

Co-Founder of Nurtured Youth Community 

Stephanie works at Pathways to Education and is a Co-Founder of Nurtured Youth Community, a non-profit that provides therapy and mental health resources to youth across Canada. The organization was established to improve accessibility for at-risk youth and was a winner of the Oxy Canada grant, allowing for free therapy workshops. While President of Britannia Secondary Student Council, Stephanie was instrumental in implementing Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) and Indigenous representatives on council, resulting in more inclusive representation across the school district. Stephanie was a Youth Staff Leader at Writers’ Exchange, where she supported under-resourced youth in building enthusiasm for reading and writing. Stephanie is also recognized for championing sustainability projects across Metro Vancouver with Strathcona Interact Club, Youth to Sea and Environmental Youth Alliance.  

Suhana Gill 

Women’s Representative, Kwantlen Student Association 

Suhana is the Women’s Representative of the Kwantlen Student Association, a platform she’s used to create inclusive spaces for more than 22,000 students. She’s led initiatives addressing gender inequality, hosted events promoting women’s leadership and oversaw the implementation of policies supporting women students. In 2023, Suhana was crowned Miss Southern British Columbia and she raised significant funds for Make a Wish Canada. She also founded the Bluer and Greener Initiative, a youth-led advocacy program addressing climate justice including tree-planting drives, environmental workshops and sustainability campaigns. Suhana represented Canadian youth at the United Nations Canada Association. She is the youngest honoree of Drishti Magazine’s Top 15 Women of Influence Breaking Barriers Award and was named one of Surrey Board of Trade’s Top 25 Under 25. 

Tabreek Somani

Founder of ClassSync

Tabreek is the Founder of ClassSync, an educational technology platform under the C.O.D.E. Initiative that transformed programming education for more than 1,500 neurodiverse students. She led a 14-member team to streamline learning and registration, significantly reducing administrative tasks. Tabreek was also the Executive Lead for First Step to Success, a two-year initiative empowering more than 30 middle school girls in Kenya through workshops to build self-esteem, skills and English proficiency. A Master’s graduate from UBC’s Sauder School of Business, Tabreek led a research team at UBC Design Lab focusing on improving protections for gig economy workers. She developed a machine learning model to monitor ocean biodiversity at OnDeck Fisheries AI, a local startup, and received UBC’s 2023 Science Co-Op Student of the Year Award for that work. 

Vedanshi Vala

Co-Founder and Executive Director, BOLT Safety Society 

Vedanshi is Co-Founder and Executive Director of BOLT Safety Society, a youth-led team addressing sexual violence, domestic abuse and harassment through its digital platform, safe networks and workshops. She drove the creation of BOLT’s digital platform, offering survivor-centric resources. Under Vedanshi’s leadership, BOLT’s Safe Hubs network has grown to 48 locations across 16 Canadian cities. The digital map shows places of sanctuary for anyone feeling unsafe and has been accessed more than 6,600 times. Vedanshi was the youngest and only Indian person to win a 2022 L’Oréal Paris Woman of Worth Award. She was also recognized as a BC Business Woman of the Year, a Surrey Board of Trade Top 25 Under 25 and one of four national Heroes on the Frontlines of the Pandemic.   

This category is sponsored by 

Blake, Cassels and Graydon LLP 

Blake, Cassels and Graydon LLP is committed to building a more inclusive legal profession through progressive firm-wide policies. This includes a new parents’ room, a quiet/prayer room and varied workspaces. Employees are offered Maturn Motherhood Leadership Coaching Program, which supports women lawyers balancing parenting and career growth. The firm also covers the cost of drugs and treatment for infertility, up to a maximum of $30,000. Women leadership is supported through initiatives like the Women General Counsel Roundtable, which fosters connections and collaboration among women legal executives. The firm participates in AVENUE: Black and Indigenous Undergraduate Law Internship Program, providing Black and/or Indigenous undergraduate students in Canada with internship opportunities in a legal setting. The firm has one of the largest pro bono programs in Canada.  

Concert Properties 

Concert Properties’ vision is to build resilient, inclusive and sustainable communities across Canada. The company supports employees through hybrid and flexible work arrangements, while also offering reimbursement of 50% of transit costs, up to $1,000 annually, to encourage sustainable commuting. Following up on feedback from employee surveys, two new annual spending accounts were introduced this year: a Lifestyle Spending Account and a Health Care Spending Account. For staff who are preparing for or are new to motherhood, Concert Properties offers leadership coaching, peer support and expert guidance to empower mothers to maintain career growth while navigating motherhood through Maturn. In 2024, they partnered with Charla Huber to begin creating a Canada-wide Indigenous Mapping document for their property portfolio and developing a Reconciliation Action Plan. 

Herbaland Naturals Inc.  

Herbaland Naturals is a plant-based nutritional gummies manufacturer dedicated to inclusivity and environmental responsibility. The company supports diverse communities, with cultural celebrations and open forums. One of its benefits is Herbaland Family Days, which provides employees with five additional paid days off each year exclusively for family time and emphasizing the importance of work-life balance. Employees are also offered funding for certifications and advanced education, including Masters and PhD programs. A scholarship program for employees’ children is designed to ease financial barriers and inspire academic success. Herbaland hosts expert-led workshops specifically for women in leadership and the company’s established a clear, transparent promotion pathway that prioritizes internal candidates for leadership roles. Herbaland supports local non-profits, such as giving rent-free space to Mamas for Mamas.  

Microserve 

Microserve is a market leader in IT solutions and is a 100% Canadian-owned family business. The company is one of only 26 Canadian employers that offers paid leave to employees who become living organ donors, making it part of the Living Donor Circle of Excellence. Microserve offers flexible schedules and hybrid or fully remote work arrangements, along with allowances to work outside of Canada. A recently launched maternity and parental leave top-up policy will support new birth and adoptive parents. Employees volunteer annually with local Indigenous organizations like Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society and Victoria Native Friendship Centre in celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day. Through its Charity Champions program, Microserve tracks and strategizes how it can enhance its community impact through employee volunteer hours.  

National Bank Private Banking 1859 

National Bank Private Banking 1859 prides itself on lasting client relationships built on trust and flexible options for employees. The bank’s Work from Anywhere program allows employees to temporarily work from up to 40 international destinations. Six additional weeks of paid leave are offered for employees on maternity leave and those who are getting married receive an extra week of paid leave. Their Women Trusted Team is dedicated to celebrating women leaders and addressing key topics impacting women in the workforce. The BC Private Banking team is led by an all-women leadership team, reflecting National Bank’s commitment to bridging the gender gap in finance. Additionally, the Women’s Leadership Network, with more than 1,900 members, focuses on connecting women across various sectors and advancing women’s leadership within the bank.  

Open Door Group 

Open Door Group is a non-profit offering employment services, dedicated to building genuine and collaborative relationships that support meaningful work for everyone. In 2023, the organization was certified as a Great Place to Work, with 85% of employees agreeing it’s an excellent workplace. Three quarters of the organization’s leadership roles are held by women and more than 60% of leadership roles were filled by internal promotions. Open Door Group actively promotes diversity, equity and inclusion through its Pledge to Measure program. Indigenous employees are given leave for ceremonial, cultural and spiritual events and all staff complete Four Seasons of Reconciliation training within their first year. The organization also offers mental health, wellness, vocational and community programs in Vancouver and Kamloops, supporting more than 8,000 individuals annually.  

Pacific Blue Cross 

Pacific Blue Cross, is the province’s leading health benefits provider. As an employer, Pacific Blue Cross offers staff enhanced paid leave for gender-affirming care and those experiencing domestic violence. Employees also have access to a free onsite gym, annual scholarships for their children and an annual $1,000 tuition reimbursement. They offer a multipurpose serenity room for nursing, meditation, reflection or prayer. Women’s development is supported through initiatives like the Learning as Leaders program, a year-long development opportunity for emerging leaders. Pacific Blue Cross is committed to truth and reconciliation through its partnership with the First Nations Health Authority and by signing a Declaration of Commitment to Cultural Safety and Humility. Their leadership and all staff servicing First Nations members have completed San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety training. 

Petcurean Pet Nutrition 

Petcurean Pet Nutrition, a manufacturer of premium pet food brands, prioritizes work-life balance for employees through its flexible work environment. Employees are encouraged to make sure time spent in office is for purpose, connection, celebration, collaboration or ideation and boundaries are implemented for after-hours work emails. Growth within the company is encouraged through the Foundational Leadership Program and 67% of the company’s senior leadership are women. They offer eligible employees a maternity leave top-up of 17 weeks. Petcurean encourages giving back to the community by donating pet food to animals in need and participating in local events, like the Hope Slough Clean Up in partnership with the Skwah First Nation. Team members are granted up to 20 working hours per year to volunteer in their community. 

Scotiabank 

Scotiabank has 4,000 employees in the BC and Yukon region and aims to create a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture. The company offers many programs designed to improve workplace diversity and inclusivity for women, people with disabilities, Indigenous people and others facing systemic barriers. Through the Scotiabank Women Initiative Program, the company is committed to helping women grow their businesses and advance their careers. In 2019, Scotiabank became the first Canadian bank to adopt the United Nations Global LGBTI Standards of Conduct for Business and it’s also a signatory of the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles. In 2024, Scotiabank was awarded Best Workplace in Canada from Great Place to Work Institute and Canada’s Best Diversity Employers from Mediacorp Canada Inc.  

SkilledTradesBC 

SkilledTradesBC works together with employers and industry partners to advance BC’s trades training and apprenticeship system. The organization strives to build a diverse and sustainable workforce by supporting equitable access to skilled trades. Employees are offered an opportunity to deepen their understanding of equity through SkillUp development sessions, where employees can discuss experienced or observed discrimination. The organization is also piloting a Cross-Crown Mentorship Project, that provides seasoned leaders the opportunity to connect with emerging talent in other Crown Corporations. All employees at SkilledTradesBC are required to complete Words Matter Training and Indigenous Cultural Competency Training. In 2024, the organization collaborated with BC Aboriginal Training Employment Alliance Members’ inaugural Indigenous Apprenticeship Forum in an effort to increase opportunities for Indigenous people in skilled trades.  

Vancouver Fraser Port Authority 

Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is an arm’s-length federal agency responsible for the shared stewardship of land and water that make up Canada’s largest port. Last year, the organization introduced the Strengths Deployment Inventory, investing in professional development and well-being. The port authority is committed to neuro inclusivity in the workplace, including through its sensory space called “The Den.” Nearly half of the organization’s leadership roles are filled by women, which is higher than the industry’s norms of 38-40%. The port authority’s maternity leave top up is offered for up to 50 weeks and flexible work options are available to accommodate families and those with elder care responsibilities. Since 2021, the organization has been recognized as one of BC’s Top Employers by Canada’s Top 100 Employers.  

This category is sponsored by: