Women We Admire is pleased to announce The Top 50 Women Leaders of Vancouver for 2024. Known for an abundance of natural beauty and plenty of outdoor activities, it’s no wonder some of Vancouver’s top industries include forestry, natural resources, and tourism. But the diverse, affluent economy is also built around clean technology, entertainment and film, construction, finance, aviation, and even video games.
The top women executives of Vancouver include environmental leader Christine Patterson. Patterson is a VP and Director of Operations at AECOM, where she’s served for two decades, starting as an environmental engineer and working her way up to the C-suite.
We also honor Terralynn Forsyth, the Co-Founder and Head of Data for FutureFit AI. As an AI product leader interested in the future of work and workforce technology, Forsyth partners with Fortune 500s, governments, and workforce development organizations in building tools for career navigation and demand-driven workforce ecosystems.
Finally, we celebrate the career of Winnie Lam Cha, Partner of KPMG Canada. With over 20 years of experience in professional practice, Winnie has held progressively senior positions in various practices and is a respected leader in the organization's Financial Services group. She was promoted to Partner in 2014, making her one of the firm’s youngest partners admitted to the partnership that year.
Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of The Top 50 Women Leaders of Vancouver for 2024.
1). Winnie Lam Cha
Partner, KPMG Canada
Winnie Lam Cha is a Partner at KPMG, a global professional services firm with over 10,000 people in Canada. With over 20 years of experience in professional practice, Winnie has held progressively senior positions in various practice areas and is a respected leader in KPMG’s Financial Services practice. She was promoted to Partner in 2014, making her one of the firm’s youngest partners admitted to the partnership that year.
Winnie provides tax services to a wide range of financial institutions, including credit unions, banks, investment funds, fund managers and investment dealers. In addition to providing Canadian tax compliance and advisory services, Winnie advises her clients on corporate reorganizations, acquisitions, divestitures, and complex tax accounting matters. Her exceptional client service has earned her a KPMG Client Service Excellence Award, and she has built a reputation of being a trusted advisor to her clients. As a dedicated mentor, Winnie is committed to fostering mental health within her firm and the broader community.
As a former Simon Fraser University varsity swimmer, Boston marathoner, Grand Fondo cyclist, and Ironman Canada triathlete, Winnie has been actively involved in the athletic community through participating in and volunteering at races and supporting athletes through local clubs and events. She has also been a member of KPMG’s Ride to Conquer Cancer Team and mentor for SFU’s Young Women in Business Association. Her community engagement extends to various not-for-profit organizations focused on children and sports. Winnie holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from SFU and is a Chartered Professional Accountant. She resides in Vancouver with her husband and young daughter.
2). Jennifer Tokarek
VP & National Leader, TD
Jennifer Tokarek is the Vice President and National Leader of TD Wealth Private Trust, Tax Services. For over 20 years, Tokarek has focused on providing high-net-worth individuals and their families with proactive tax planning solutions and tax preparation services. Her abiding goal has always been to provide clients with the utmost personalized service, ensuring that they receive genuine “hand-held” guidance every step of the way. Tokarek joined TD in 2009 as a regional manager, leading the Western Canada tax team serving clients in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. In 2014, she became the national leader for TD Wealth Private Trust, Tax Services, overseeing a Tax Centre of Expertise comprised of a team of tax specialists. Under her strategic leadership, in both 2022 and 2023, the team was selected for a number of awards.
Before joining TD, Tokarek worked as a senior tax manager at Ernst & Young LLP, where she delivered proactive tax planning solutions and tax preparation services to high-net-worth individuals and their families. In 2008, E&Y selected Tokarek as one of ten of their top performers in North America who traveled to South America as a Corporate Responsibility Fellow to provide tax services pro bono to an emerging entrepreneur. Her international tax experience included three months in Santiago, Chile, working with a popular South American HR tech company.
In 2013, Tokarek received the Institute of Chartered Accountants of BC's Early Achievement Award, which honors CAs who have demonstrated outstanding early career success. The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) Canada presented her with their inaugural award for the highest mark achieved on a Qualified Practitioner Essay, and she earned their TEP designation in 2012. Tokarek is also a past recipient of the Junior Achievement of BC’s prestigious Volunteer of the Year award for Senior High School programs, a multiple TD Star Award recipient, a member of the Canadian Tax Foundation, and she has completed Parts I, II, and III of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA) In-Depth Tax Course.
4). Christine Patterson
VP & Director of Operations, AECOM
Christine Patterson is a Vice President and Director of Operations for AECOM’s Canada Environment business. AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle from planning, design, and engineering to program and construction management. As Director of Operations, Patterson is recognized as a dynamic, analytical, and results-oriented leader who provides operational excellence and financial discipline to the teams she manages. She is driven to develop, motivate, and mobilize team leaders and staff, maximizing their potential in parallel to driving profitable growth.
Patterson has been with AECOM for over 20 years helping to lead and grow the environment business across Canada. She initially started with the company as an environmental engineer. Since then, she has held progressive roles in all facets of site investigation and remediation management, including feasibility studies; remediation action plans; regulatory liaison and permitting; and remediation design, implementation, and optimization on complex sites across the country, including project manager to department manager.
Patterson has consistently applied innovative strategies and solutions to help provide solution-driven support to clients by integrating forward-thinking techniques and approaches.
5). Bronche Cheng
Co-Founder, Odyssey Leadership Studio
Bronche Cheng was a Partner of KPMG. Cheng specialized in taxation services and advised the firms major public and private clients in Vancouver. She had been with the firm for more than 25 years. In her previous role as the HR partner of KPMG Vancouver’s Tax practice, Cheng was involved in the career development and performance evaluation of over 300 professionals. She is a strong supporter of DEI and women in leadership.
After experiencing significant personal growth with the help of her coach a few years ago, Cheng decided to pursue further education and obtained her Certification in Organizational Coaching at the University of British Columbia. As a lifelong learner, she continues to undertake formal coaching training through Satir Global Network and devotes over 10 hours each week to exploring the psychology behind personality and mindset. Her purpose in life is to support others in their journey of personal growth and transformation into the best version of themselves.
Cheng coaches senior women leaders on overcoming challenges in careers and finding balance in life. She is a longtime mentor of UBC’s Executive Mentorship Program and serves as a Strategic Council member of Ascend Canada’s Vancouver Chapter. Born and raised in Hong Kong, Cheng is a mother of three children. She holds an undergraduate degree in commerce from UBC and a Chartered Professional Accountant designation.
6). Erin Wiley
Director, Associate General Counsel of Partnerships, Shopify
Erin acts as Director and Associate General Counsel at Shopify, the leading global commerce company that provides essential internet infrastructure for commerce, offering trusted tools to start, scale, market, and run a retail business of any size. Wiley leads and manages the Partnerships Legal team, overseeing commercial transactions with strategic third parties across the Americas, EMEA, and APAC regions, and acting as a key negotiator for strategic transactions. She brings with her significant expertise in commercial transactions involving technology integrations, data, and strategic alliances, as well as product counseling across a suite of emerging technologies and industries.
Wiley was previously in practice in top legal firms in New York and Toronto, where she had multidisciplinary exposure to a broad range of legal matters in corporate and securities practices before moving in-house. She has also held a variety of roles in the fintech and financial services sectors, with a wide range of experience involving payments, strategic transactions, emerging technologies, and industry relations.
Wiley holds a JD from Cornell Law School, a Master of Economic Law with a specialization in the law of economic globalization from Sciences Po, and a Master of Law with a focus in business law and the law of economic globalization from Sorbonne University, and she has been admitted to practice law in New York, Ontario, and British Columbia. Wiley currently works and resides in Vancouver, British Columbia with her husband and dog, where she enjoys maintaining an active lifestyle while taking full advantage of her proximity to the ocean.
7). Joan Sheehan
VP, Sales, STEMCELL Technologies
Trained as a medical technologist and with a background in blood banking and hematology, Joan Sheehan immigrated from Ireland to North America in 1989. Sheehan held positions at the New England Deaconess Hospital, the American Red Cross, and the Markham Stouffville Hospital before settling in Vancouver, Canada in 1993.
In 1993, Sheehan took a position at STEMCELL Technologies Inc., a small startup that was producing a single product line of cell culture media for growing hematopoietic cells out of a dedicated clean room at the Terry Fox Laboratories. Over the next decade, STEMCELL saw annual growth of 15-30%. Sheehan played a key role in driving this growth through various roles in technical support, education, marketing, customer service, and distribution & logistics. She later took on the title of VP of sales in 2004.
Today, Sheehan serves as the Vice President of STEMCELL. They currently employ 750 people, sell more than 2000 products globally, maintain offices in several countries, and have never seen an unprofitable year.
8). Lorna Clamp
President, Securiguard Services
Lorna Clamp is the President of Securiguard Services Limited. She embarked on her journey with the company in 1993, and her unwavering dedication has played a pivotal role in its enduring success. Securiguard has been at the forefront of the asset protection arena for almost 50 years by being a leading-edge innovative security and safety solutions provider.
Clamp was previously the senior vice president of strategy and culture of Securiguard Services, where she oversaw diverse departments, including People and Culture, Health & Safety, Quality Assurance, and Branding and Marketing, as well as Securiguard's commitment to their Triple Bottom Line: People, Planet, and Profit. Her visionary leadership has been the driving force behind Securiguard's sustainability initiatives, reinforcing the company's commitment to environmental stewardship and the ambitious goal of achieving Net Zero status by 2050. Her dedication extends beyond sustainability to include active involvement in social responsibility endeavors. Clamp is deeply committed to giving back to communities across Canada through charitable donations and volunteer opportunities.
Clamp’s industry-wide recognition stems from her steadfast dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Her transformative approach earned Securiguard recognition as a finalist in the Canadian HR Awards for Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion in both 2021 and 2023, along with consecutive Waterstones Most Admired Corporate Culture Awards in 2022 and 2023, and the prestigious Top 100 Employers Award in 2023. Clamp’s outstanding contributions continue to influence Securiguard's future, encompassing the company's growth, safety, values, and industry recognition.
View the complete list of awardees.
9). Jackie Scales
Chief Inclusion Officer, Teck Resources Limited
Jackie Scales is the Chief Inclusion Officer of Teck Resources Limited. Teck Resources Limited, known as Teck Cominco until late 2008, is a diversified natural resources company headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, that is engaged in mining and mineral development, including coal for the steelmaking industry, copper, zinc, and energy. Secondary products include lead, silver, gold, molybdenum, germanium, indium, and cadmium.
Scales has 20 years of experience. She is dedicated to ensuring that every person in an organization and in our communities feels safe, valued, and included. She believes that equity should not just be a number on a balance sheet but an aligned action.
Before joining Teck Resources Limited, Scales was a senior manager of national inclusion talent lead and human capital at Deloitte. Earlier in her career, she worked with CIBC as a program director planning the internet channel CIBC. She is the 2023 recipient of the WXN Top 100 Women in Canada. Scales graduated from Royal Roads University with a Doctor of Social Science and Gender Studies and with an MBA in Leadership.
10). Mary Lou Lauria
VP, Operations, Advisian
Mary Lou Lauria is the Vice President of Operations, Environment, and Water for Advisian, the consulting arm of the Worley Group, a more than 50,000-person-strong global corporation. Lauria also is a member of the Board of Directors for Marine Renewables Canada. For Lauria, growing up in rural farmland in Hereford, England, and the urban bustle of Queens, New York, was a privilege that gave her an appreciation of different cultures and world views, as well as a love of travel.
Lauria pursued an academic career through a marine biology and business degree, then a PhD in Oceanography before landing in environmental consulting, where she knew she had found her professional home. Working in this field allows her to combine her passions and gives her the opportunity to create meaningful change through environmental and social responsibility. She is grateful and proud to have been part of the Advisian and Worley family for over 20 years.
Based in Vancouver, the unceded and ancestral territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, Lauria leads the Advisian Environment and Water Consulting business across North America. She is energized by environmental and social governance, a movement inspired by the desire to create responsible investment and a sustainable future. She is delighted that she and her colleagues, today’s generation and the next, get to be part of a monumental effort, where we all work together on what we care most deeply about and what affects us all.
11). Hilda Ng
Director of Sales, Investment Division of iA Financial Group (Industrial Alliance)
Hilda Ng is an accomplished Sales Director in the financial industry, with extensive experience specializing in investments, particularly within the insurance and wealth sectors. She excels in cultivating relationships and assisting financial advisors in growing their business. Hilda leverages her expertise, strategic insights, and client-centric approach to help drive results. Hilda holds the prestigious Chartered Investment Manager (CIM) designation to round out her achievements.
An alumnus of the University of British Columbia with a psychology degree, Hilda has found passion in the financial industry. With an industry that fosters an entrepreneurial mindset, Hilda aspires to the belief that success requires determination, resilience, continuous learning, adaptability, and a willingness to take calculated risks.
A typical day involves finding the appropriate solution to various investment and financial challenges that investment advisors encounter. “I am driven by the pursuit of providing value in what I do—a chance to make a meaningful impact. I am immersed in a very dynamic environment where creativity and innovation thrive.”
“So far in my career, I have been fortunate to meet women who have been a figure of inspiration...partners, wives, single mothers, hard-working individuals dedicated to building a rewarding professional career. I feel humbled witnessing the success of other women with their achievements in different industries. Growing up in a family where my mother was a career woman. She instilled upon me the value of hard work and a strong work ethic. I now strive to instill the same values with my teenage boys. This drive and purpose continue to be one of the reasons I chose a career in the financial industry. I had always believed in the pursuit of a career that can help make a difference; the investment industry answers that purpose.”
12). Kristin Vekteris
Chief Brand Officer, Earls Restaurant
Kristin Vekteris is Chief Brand Officer at Earls Restaurants, overseeing 70 locations across Canada and the United States. Throughout her eight years at Earls, Kristin has overseen several major brand milestones and many first to market innovations. Additionally, she has been responsible for the revitalization of the Earls brand, leading a strategy to "unchain the chain" to create a collection of independently compelling restaurants within the Earls portfolio. Day-to-day she is intimately involved in Earls growth strategy, which includes three new flagship locations in the US to come in the next year with more locations on the horizon.
Throughout her tenure at Earls, Kristin has demonstrated a commitment to championing women and has been instrumental in creating a mentorship program at Earls. She coaches women at all stages of their careers and volunteers her time to mentor and support women across a variety of industries, with a focus on marketing and communications. It should come as no surprise then that her passion is in developing people, in addition to cultivating creativity and innovation.
Prior to Earls, Kristin spent almost 20 years in the Agency world leading client strategy for brands including Mercedes-Benz, Stella Artois, Toyota, Tangerine, Capital One (US), Intact Insurance, CIBC Run for the Cure, Maple Leaf Foods and more. She has won numerous awards for her work.
13). Arshpreet Kaur Saran
Group General Counsel, GrowthOps Ltd
Arshpreet Kaur Saran acts as the Group General Counsel of GrowthOps, a multinational digital media, human experience, and technology consulting group with local bases in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Auckland, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Hong Kong, and the Middle East. Saran leads and manages the in-house legal department for the group of companies spread across all 10 global locations, overseeing the legal and compliance matters for the group, and acting as a key negotiator for strategic transactions and strategist for dispute resolution. She brings with her significant expertise in handling a variety of corporate transactions across different industries, delivering commercial solutions, and advising on cross-border mergers and acquisitions.
Saran was previously in practice in top legal firms in Malaysia, where she has had multidisciplinary exposure to a broad range of legal matters in the corporate and dispute resolution department before joining GrowthOps, Saran was leading the Corporate and Commercial Practice of her own legal practice, M&A Law, a full-service law firm with offices in Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bharu in Malaysia.
Saran holds an LLB from Aberystwyth University, Wales, UK and she was admitted as an advocate and solicitor of the High Court of Malaya in Malaysia Following the considerable amount of work done in the tech and fintech industry, Saran obtained accreditation as a Certified Fintech Professional and is currently, a Fellow of the Global Academy of Finance and Management. She is now pursuing the ACBSP and NCMA-accredited MBA program at the University of Canada West Vancouver.
14). Diane McIntosh
Co-Founder, PsychedUp & SwitchRx
Diane McIntosh is the Co-Founder of SwitchRx, an online psychotropic switching tool. She is also the Co-Founder of PsychedUp, a continuing medical education program developed to encourage appropriate, rational prescribing. She also serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor for The University of British Columbia.
In addition to her roles with PsychedUp, SwitchRx, and The University of British Columbia, McIntosh is the chief neuroscience officer for TELUS. Her role is to ensure all mental health solutions TELUS offers are aligned with their mental health vision of providing personalized, accessible mental healthcare, backed by science, and delivered with compassion. She has published blogs in the Huffington Post and Psychology Today, focusing on mental health issues.
McIntosh graduated from Dalhousie University, where she completed an undergraduate degree in pharmacy before completing her medical school training. After two years of a pediatric residency, she transferred and completed an adult psychiatry residency. She has a community psychiatry practice and is extensively involved in continuing medical education programs for colleagues nationally and internationally, with a focus on rational pharmacology. She has a particular interest in the neurobiology of mood and anxiety disorders and ADHD.
15). Sarah Iacoe
Director, Strategic Operations, City of Vancouver
Sarah Iacoe is the Director of Strategic Operations with the Board of Parks and Recreation at the City of Vancouver with 20 years of experience in project and program management strategy and delivery. Her portfolio focuses on service and capital planning processes, operational performance, management of strategic project and program initiatives, business process improvement, compliance, and risk management functions as well as organizational development and change management initiatives.
Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver is committed to sustainability, reconciliation, equity, and outstanding quality of life for all residents. The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation stewards 250 public parks and beaches, VanDusen Botanical Garden, Bloedel Conservatory, and a large public recreation system of community centres, pools, rinks, fitness centres, golf courses, street trees, marinas, sports fields, and playgrounds with a mission to provide, preserve, and advocate for parks and recreation services to benefit all people, communities, and the environment.
Sarah began her career as a Project Assistant and worked her way through roles as Project Coordinator, Project Manager, Program Manager, and Program Director. Before joining the City of Vancouver Sarah delivered project and program management services for the commercial real estate portfolio of Public Works and Government Services of BC.
Sarah is passionate about good governance and leads a team that delivers efficient administrative infrastructure, supports critical transformational projects, and maintains a high-performing, engaged workforce. Sarah earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of Guelph, holds a Master’s in Business Administration from Royal Roads University, and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and Program Management Professional (PgMP).
Beyond her professional achievements, Sarah is a lifelong learner and continues to undertake courses in leadership, coaching, health and wellness, and personal development. She is passionate about maternal health care, closing the gender gap, building healthy inclusive teams that are sustainable and nourishing for working mothers, and raising healthy boys.
Sarah currently resides in Kitsilano with her husband and sons and in her spare time enjoys the beautiful beaches and parks her Vancouver community has to offer.
View the complete list of awardees.
16). Herneet Dhillon
VP, People & Culture (HR), University Canada West
Herneet, Vice President of People and Culture at University Canada West (UCW), is a seasoned Human Resources leader with a wealth of expertise and experience. She has been instrumental in driving the growth and success of employee development at UCW. Herneet's impact on UCW's employee development journey has been transformative. She has elevated processes and policies as she has carefully developed the culture of the institution. Under her guidance, UCW has seen remarkable growth, particularly in areas such as employee benefits, recruitment and diversity initiatives.
Herneet proactively adjusted vacation policies and other employee benefits so that UCW now offers tailored benefits that align with various roles and promote a better work-life balance. Moreover, employee engagement has flourished under her leadership with annual events and celebrations fostering a sense of community and inclusivity.
At UCW, recognizing and nurturing talent is a priority. Through internal promotions and professional development opportunities, staff and faculty are empowered to grow within the institution. This commitment to growth is evident in UCW's successful recruitment efforts, reflecting a diverse and expanding workforce. The number of staff and faculty increased from 299 in 2021 to 574 in 2022, 921 in 2023, and currently stands at 1063 (YTD). The institution's expanding workforce is a result of evolving staffing strategies with the workforce becoming more diverse. As of 2024, we have employees from 58 different nationalities, up from 43 in 2022. Our diverse team now includes members from Southeast Asia, North Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, North America, Canada, Africa, Europe and Australia.
Under Herneet’s leadership, the HR team successfully implemented key initiatives that significantly enhanced employee engagement, including HR process automation, rewards and recognition programs. This strategic focus on HR excellence played a crucial role in supporting UCW's rapid growth over the past two years. As UCW continues on its path of growth and success, Herneet's contributions remain invaluable. Her leadership has not only shaped UCW's employee development initiatives but has also fostered a culture of excellence and inclusivity. With her guidance, UCW is well-positioned to continue thriving in the years to come.
17). Laura Cornish
Director, Product, Uplight
Laura is a seasoned Director of Product spearheading one of Uplight’s flagship residential product portfolios, extending its reach to tens of millions of customers across North America. Her primary focus lies in empowering individuals to save energy, and money, and reduce carbon emissions through innovative cleantech solutions.
With over a decade of experience in the clean tech industry, Laura's expertise is deeply rooted in product development tailored for utilities, aiding in the critical task of grid decarbonization. Her career highlights include pivotal roles in Canadian startups that achieved successful acquisitions. Notably, Laura played an integral part in Uplight's historic milestone in 2021, contributing to its recognition as the first privately held B Corporation in the clean tech sector to surpass a $1 billion valuation. Prior to her tenure at Uplight, Laura made significant contributions at EnerNOC and Pulse Energy.
Driven by a deep commitment to climate advocacy since her college years, Laura has remained steadfast in her mission to combat climate change and foster a sustainable future. Her journey started with a role in the Premier’s Climate Action Secretariat, launching the carbon tax in British Columbia.
Laura's dedication extends beyond her professional accomplishments, as she actively champions gender diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Her leadership and mentorship have garnered recognition throughout her career. Laura holds a Master of Arts from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science & International Development Studies from McGill University.
18). Amara Hunt
VP, Product Strategy, Integrity Solutions
Amara Hunt is a business strategist with over a decade of experience in the training and development consulting industry. Hunt began her career in corporate social responsibility and ESG consulting. Since moving into training, she has served as a global facilitator, sales leader, product developer, DEI specialist, and senior executive. In 2023, she joined Integrity Solutions, a Selling Power and Training Industry award-winning organization.
Today, Hunt leads Integrity Solutions’ newly-created product function, collaborating closely with sales and marketing to support the continued success of the business. Leveraging best-in-class LXP technology and adult learning principles, Hunt stewards Integrity’s award-winning products, which balance mindset and skills to transform the way companies approach sales and service.
Hunt has a BA from the University of British Columbia, and a master’s degree from the University of Calgary. She lives in North Vancouver, Canada with her partner, two young children, and two dogs.
19). Terralynn Forsyth
Co-Founder & Head of Data, FutureFit AI
Terralynn Forsyth is a founder and AI product leader interested in the future of work and workforce technology. She is currently a Co-Founder and the Head of Data at FutureFit AI, a technology provider partnering with Fortune 500s, governments, and workforce development organizations in building tools for career navigation and demand-driven workforce ecosystems.
Previously, Forsyth served as FutureFit AI's head of user success running support, user experience, and reporting and analytics, and head of product, where she ran the company's early product and design processes, led a full product rebuild to support growth efforts and managed the company's first team of product managers and designers. FutureFit AI has been backed by leading investors, including JP Morgan, Techstars, and Acumen, and its work has been recognized by the World Economic Forum, Harvard Review, SHRM, World Government Summit, and a $1 million Future of Work Prize.
Forsyth has previously worked in applied predictive analytics and research design for federal employment policy and in product management for early-stage start-ups. Forsyth has led research and contributed to reporting on the future of work with global partners, including the OECD, World Economic Forum, and Canadian Council for Youth Prosperity. Her work has been featured in The Economist, Financial Times, BNN Bloomberg, and BBC.
20). Zhenya Beck
Co-Founder & Head of Marketing, Freightera
Zhenya Beck is Co-Founder and Head of Marketing at Freightera, a game-changing Canadian startup offering customers in Canada and the USA an online platform to easily access and book freight shipping at the best prices. Freightera works with hundreds of national and local trucking companies and rail carriers to make shipping easier for thousands of small businesses in Canada and the USA. Freightera specializes in domestic Canadian and Cross-Border shipments (between Canada and the USA, both ways), while rapidly expanding operations and coverage in the USA. With Beck’s leadership, the company has a solid environmental and social responsibility mission. Freightera and team won many accolades, including Canada’s Top Growing Companies and Changemaker Awards by The Globe and Mail, Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Award, Canada’s Clean 50 Award, Ready to Rocket, BC Tech Technology Impact Award, and many more.
Beck’s environmental mission started at age 12 when she was contributing to a small local newspaper, writing about Lake Baikal, the iconic freshwater lake in her native Siberia that was later protected by a special federal decree and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. She and her husband Eric Beckwitt, Freightera’s acclaimed CEO, recommitted to the environment after their newborn son experienced severe air pollution-induced asthma in Northern California and the family had to relocate to Vancouver, Canada for better air. In 2014, when Freightera was founded, the green mission was incorporated from day 1 to clean up freight shipping, one of the highest-polluting industries. Freightera’s team worked with the joint USA EPA/ Environment Canada SmartWay program to feature certified trucking companies and rail carriers in the network. Freightera’s customers can choose by price, speed, and Go Green options. Over 630 firms reduced emissions by over 20% by selecting the lowest cost and lowest emission shipping options in 2022, the most recent year analyzed, and 130 firms reduced emissions by over 50%.
Beck holds a Master’s degree in Journalism and an award of achievement in digital analytics. Before founding Freightera, Beck had a successful career as a prominent newspaper journalist, web designer, and digital marketer, and founded and ran a boutique web development company serving small businesses in the USA. Her passion for thriving small businesses, happy and successful employees, and a healthy planet inspires all of her work.
21). Anita Gill
Director, Port Security Officer, Health Safety Security, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority
Anita Gill is the Port Security Officer and Director of Health, Safety, and Security (HSS) at the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority. In this role, Gill is responsible for HSS leadership and coordination with local authorities to ensure effective HSS management and business continuity in the areas of port-wide safety and security; compliance and enforcement; emergency management; business continuity; and occupational health and safety.
Gill oversees a comprehensive portfolio of safety and security programs and initiatives to ensure the safe, secure, and efficient movement of goods and passengers through Canada’s largest port. She has represented the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority at the National Port Security Committee of the Association of Canadian Port Authorities (ACPA) and is an associate member of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP).
Gill is a recipient of the 30% Club Scholarship from Queens Smith School of Business, a global organization dedicated to accelerating the representation of women at senior levels of business. She is currently completing her final year in the Executive MBA Americas Program through the Smith School of Business at Queen’s University and the Johnson School of Management at Cornell University in New York.
22). Clea Cosmann
Director of Sales, Glowbal Restaurant Group
Clea Cosmann serves as the Director of Sales for the Vancouver-based Glowbal Restaurant Group, where she oversees a dynamic team of sales managers and spearheads sales initiatives across a diverse portfolio of renowned dining establishments. These include Glowbal, Coast, Italian Kitchen, Five Sails, Trattoria, Riley’s, The Roof, and Black+Blue Vancouver and Toronto.
With a distinguished career in the restaurant and event industry, Clea has developed a robust expertise in hospitality operations, sales strategies, and staff development. She is known for her ability to craft exceptional guest experiences and capitalize on strategic business opportunities. Her leadership has consistently driven performance improvements and elevated service standards, making her a pivotal figure in the success of Glowbal Restaurant Group.
In addition to her professional achievements, Clea is a dedicated advocate for women in the tourism and hospitality sectors. She contributes her time and expertise to WORTH Association, where she sits on the Board of Directors as the Director of Events. In this role, she plays a crucial part in organizing events that celebrate and support women in the industry, including WORTH's signature event, "Yes Shef". This annual event highlights the culinary talents of female chefs and aims to foster professional growth and gender equality within the industry.
View the complete list of awardees.
23). Muna Tayour
Senior Director of Sales, rennie
In the realm of real estate pre-construction, Muna Tayour has distinguished herself as a pioneering figure, challenging conventional practices and establishing a niche for "cool feminine women" in a predominantly male-dominated industry. She has effectively amalgamated her astute business acumen with her fervor for art, travel, and fashion, remaining steadfast to her principles without compromising her genuineness. Sales has perennially been her focal point, and she has substantiated herself as one of the preeminent figures in the field. She has now shifted her focus to inspiring and imparting her expertise to others.
Muna's distinctive approach entails integrating her discussions with the latest trends and cultural insights. She acknowledges that comprehending the market dynamics and forging profound connections with clients is imperative. She has harnessed her sales acumen to curate unforgettable client experiences, broadened her network through exploratory voyages, assimilated diverse urban concepts and design inspirations to influence market trends, and utilized her fashion sense to exude confidence, creativity, and individuality.
In addition to her thriving sales career, Muna has devised a highly coveted "art of project sales" training program at rennie, which she presently teaches to over 100 real estate agents annually. Her objective is to empower others to discover their own sales persona, embrace their unique sales style, and attain genuine success.
Muna's journey attests to the notion that one can wield considerable influence in business while remaining faithful to one's passions and identity. She has dispelled stereotypes and galvanized numerous women in the industry, demonstrating that authenticity and self-alignment are pivotal to success and contentment.
24). Anita Huberman
President & CEO, Surrey Board of Trade
Anita Huberman has been the President and CEO of the Surrey Board of Trade for 17 years one of the top 10 Boards of Trade/Chambers of Commerce in Canada and one of the largest cities in Canada. She has been with the Surrey Board of Trade in a variety of roles for 30 years. Anita and her team serve more than 6,000 member contacts.
In 2022, Huberman won SFU’s Distinguished Alumni Award. In 2021, she was announced as being 1 of 15 Outstanding Canadians for her work in the private sector and through the pandemic. She is an Honorary Captain of the Royal Canadian Navy (appointed by Canada’s Minister of National Defence, just re-appointed for her third term till 2024), holds the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, was a Business in Vancouver Top 40 Under 40 award winner, awarded the 2019 Surrey Community Builder of the Year and received a Canada 150 Community Medal.
Huberman is a highly visible advocate for Surrey businesses at all levels of government with a demonstrated history of evolving, reinvigorating, and transforming civic, business, and social organization industries.
25). Tatiane Vita
VP, Global Sales & Marketing, ChopValue
Tatiane Vita is a recognized expert in strategic leadership and global scaling, known for her firm advocacy for gender equality. Bringing over 15 years of leadership experience, she has left a significant mark on the retail and sustainability sectors. Overseeing operations across more than 200 stores and managing a workforce of over 1,500 employees, her strategic blend of market insights and operational acumen has driven sustainable growth and innovative business practices.
At ChopValue, she spearheads initiatives that harness the potential of the circular economy, turning everyday waste into valuable resources, and highlighting the sector’s capability to evolve into a $4.5 trillion industry. Her strategic insights also benefit Canadian entrepreneurs through her work with the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), where she provides guidance on entering and thriving in global markets.
A defining moment in her advocacy was captured in her TEDx talk 'My Awakening to Feminism', where she calls for critical socioeconomic changes. Commanding a significant following on LinkedIn of over 150,000, Tatiane leverages her platform to advocate for diversity and promote women's leadership, recognized as a LinkedIn Top Voice and as a Women Emerging Leader by Santander & The London School of Economics (LSE).
Tatiane Vita transcends traditional leadership; she is a visionary committed to promoting economic growth and advancing the vital role of women, particularly mothers, in global leadership positions. Her career is a testament to her dedication to business excellence intertwined with social responsibility.
26). Samantha Taylor
Sales Account Director, Cymax Group Technologies - Freight Club division
Cymax Group Technologies is a leading eCommerce technology and logistics services platform for furniture vendors and retailers. They are proud members of "Team True North", a ranking that spotlights high-performing tech firms tracking to $1 billion in annual revenue with growth rates that match the top one percent of companies in the world. Freight Club is an end-to-end freight shipping platform that effortlessly manages everything from quoting, booking, and tracking, to complete claims management and insurance protection.
Samantha is a business leader boasting an extensive 19 years of expertise in International Trade, Freight Forwarding, Supply Chain, Technology, e-Comm, and SaaS. Having held pivotal global roles, she has cultivated a profound understanding of various domains, including Consultation, Shipping & Logistics: Ground freight, Air freight, Sea freight, Import, Export, Offshore Consolidations, Freight of all Kinds (FAK), Perishables, Raw commodities, FMCG, Operations, Sales, Special Projects, Business Development, Account Management, High-end Customer Relationship building, Profit Maximization, and Contract negotiation.
She immigrated to Vancouver, Canada back in 2017 previously from Melbourne, Australia, and started her career again from scratch after relocation. Very quickly she garnered the prestigious title of "Top Sales" Performer in Canada for three consecutive years (2018-2020). She was able to learn an entirely new market and orchestrated an outstanding feat by tripling her Sales portfolio within a mere 18 months, along with achieving an exceptional growth rate of 3-4x during 2018-2020 and 8X during 2021-2024 respectively.
Samantha's purpose and passion are helping and supporting others, both client-facing and internally. She has spent her entire career consulting clients from new start-ups to enterprise/global companies, working with them to create unique optimal supply chains and tech solutions for their businesses. She also thrives in creating internal strategic initiatives for her organization, training and supporting cross-functional departments, and helping build out internal processes, improvements, cost savings, and efficiencies.
She has also been afforded the opportunity to write and collaborate in conducting professional business articles and webinars for her customers as a strategic and valued partner. Samantha takes great pride in also being a supporter and mentor and proudly has been a corporate member of the WithIt.Org community for a number of years.
27). Chantal Mackenzie
Regional VP, AB South, NWT, & YT, Canada Protection Plan
With over three decades of experience in the financial industry, Chantal Mackenzie is the Regional Vice President at Canada Protection Plan, a Foresters Financial Company for Alberta South, NWT/YT. She helps insurance advisors learn about solutions and strategies to help more families and their communities.
As VP, she focuses on transforming and coaching advisors and general managing agencies with their business growth plans. With an impressive record of success in developing winning growth strategies and building effective teams, Mackenzie has set strategic direction for brokers and distributors through the Canada Protection Plan and Foresters Financial product solutions and tools.
Over the course of her career, Mackenzie’s experience in growing organizations has ranged from traditional to simplified issue insurance providers.
28). Amanda Burrows
Executive Director, First United Church Community Ministry Society
In August 2023, Amanda Burrows was named permanent Executive Director of the First United Church Community Ministry Society. Burrows initially joined First United as director of development in the summer of 2020. She later took on the role of associate executive director before becoming the interim executive director in 2022. After less than a year, she was appointed to her current role.
Burrows has 15 years of experience building capacity in nonprofits and is focused on using her skill set to build stronger and more equitable communities. As a connector Burrows develops programs and curriculum that stimulate philanthropic behavior, and volunteers with organizations, and projects that encourage inclusion, civic engagement, and social impact. Currently, Burrows sits on the Chinatown Foundation Fundraising Committee for the Chinatown Storytelling Project and is part of the team that created DTES Response, a frontline fundraising and support network to ensure COVID-19 does not disproportionately affect their most vulnerable. She is also a board member of Pivot Legal Society and recently joined the Advisory for the Ken Lyotier Fund.
Burrows has a degree in Art History from the University of Victoria, a Master's in Museum Studies from the University of Toronto, and a certificate in Fundraising Management from Ryerson. She is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and recently earned her Public Leadership Credential (PLC) from the Harvard Kennedy School.
29). Michelle Mueller
Director, Customer Success, Autozen
Michelle Mueller is the Director of Customer Success for Autozen, an online automotive marketplace focused on connecting consumers to competitive dealers through a full-service, buying, and selling journey.
Michelle has 8+ years specializing in the world of automotive. She is a customer-centric strategist focused on solutions within the auto sector. Since 2021, she has served as Autozen’s Director of Customer Success in Canada. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing customer satisfaction, scalable business growth, and building the Autozen process to match the technical product.
Autozen is a tech company providing an elevated solution to the selling of privately owned vehicles and working towards a more satisfying way to purchase the next.
Michelle has completed a degree in International Development at MSUD in Denver, Colorado, and worked as a Project Manager in various locations globally. Following her career in International Development, she studied Business Analytics at UBC in Vancouver, Canada, while holding the position of Customer Experience Specialist for the top-performing BMW in Canada.
View the complete list of awardees.
30). Alyssaa Delmars
Managing Partner, Aim Medical Imaging
Alyssaa Delmars serves as the Managing Partner at Aim Medical Imaging, a pioneering private medical imaging facility founded in 2009 in Vancouver, BC. Harnessing the pinnacle of state-of-the-art advancements, Aim Medical has spearheaded a paradigm shift in patient care, bestowing upon the medical realm an awe-inspiring marvel: MRI imaging of unparalleled brilliance, heralding intricate diagnostic revelations, and delivering instantaneous scan results.
Throughout her distinguished career in the Canadian Private Healthcare sector, Delmars has demonstrated exceptional prowess in overcoming complex challenges, spearheading groundbreaking initiatives, and achieving remarkable milestones, earning notable contributions to various ventures, as well as pioneering the inception of one of the premier private surgical and urgent care centers in Canada. Her multifaceted responsibilities extend to managing the firm's network involvement, formulating strategic growth initiatives, and executing all aspects of client relations.
Delmars’ professional journey is deeply anchored in her passion for empowering patients, advocating for preventative care, and enhancing the quality of life for individuals across the spectrum of healthcare needs. Beyond her role at Aim, Delmars is deeply committed to empowering and advancing women in business, fostering the growth of children, and promoting education through active engagement in diverse philanthropic endeavors. Not content with stopping there, Delmars’ active pursuit of a PhD exemplifies her unyielding passion for continuous growth and lifelong learning.
31). Jana Madill
Executive Director, North Shore Girls Soccer Club
Jana is an entrepreneurial, results driven leader who is focused on customer experience to drive engagement and growth. Jana has spent the best part of her career in a leadership position, driven to make positive change for any organization she works with. She strongly believes in living her values, and bringing them into her work: Community, Efficiency, Friendship, Trust, Integrity.
Jana has a breadth of experience in working with both private and public sector companies and non-profit organizations. Her professional and volunteer experiences, have given her insights into different styles of teams and how to create strategies that bring forth the best in people’s visions and passions. One of her greatest attributes is bringing the right team of experienced people together in the development of a strong strategic plan. She takes great pleasure in aligning the many objectives & opinions in the background, and then rolling up my sleeves when implementing programs in the and seeing the benefits of thoughtful planning realized through a strengthened brand and happy stakeholders.
While Jana may not have come from a traditional sport background, her entire career has involved sport in some way or another. From working with global brands like Coca-Cola and Molson where professional and community sport partnerships were a top strategic priority; to leading a national sport-marketing agency where NSOs were her bread and butter; to being an active volunteer and parent cheerleader for her own children’s athletic endeavors. This diverse perspective has allowed her to recognize growth opportunities, align with strategic partners, navigate membership needs, as well as understand the community, provincial and national sport landscape.
32). Shannon Heth
President, Milk Creative Communications
Shannon Heth is the ultimate communications practitioner, every day challenging herself and the MILK team to reconsider better ways to integrate smart thinking with creative storytelling. Her ability to seamlessly move across disciplines – she is equally at home as creative director, PR strategist, art director, copywriter, and business marketer – sets the foundation for an agency that does not separate between strong strategy, compelling creativity, and healthy business results.
Shannon’s creative background extends across multiple communications disciplines. She began her career as a copywriter at Fjord Digital, a division of Cossette, where she scripted radio spots for Prospera Credit Union, crafted taglines for McDonald’s billboards, and developed website copy for Bell Media. Shannon’s passion for art would lead her to New York City in 2007, where she worked at Blue Medium Inc. managing PR projects for Deutsche Bank, Pulse Art Fair, Prospect 1 New Orleans, and Lehmann Maupin Gallery. Shannon returned to Vancouver in 2008 and began an independent PR consultancy that quickly grew into a fortified business under her surname, Heth PR. Early clients were in the hospitality space. In 2016, Shannon rebranded Heth PR into MILK Creative Communications with the goal of providing creative communications strategy for national and international brands. Since then she has conceived and executed campaigns, media relations, events, and stunts for the Interior Design Show Vancouver, H&M, Fjallraven, The Amazing Brentwood, Peak Performance, Pure Sunfarms, Constellation Brands Canada, Nespresso, Land Rover, The Vancouver Art Gallery, and The Vancouver Mural Festival.
33). Erica Hakonson
CEO, Maven Collective Marketing
Erica Hakonson, Founder and CEO of Maven Collective Marketing, has been a transformative force in B2B digital marketing since launching her award-winning agency. Renowned for her dynamic leadership and innovative approach, Erica's work extends beyond her multiple accolades, which include Female Entrepreneur of the Year and Editor's Choice by the Canadian SME National Business Awards. She is a passionate advocate for gender diversity, continuously working to enhance the visibility, influence, and impact of women within the tech community.
Since its inception in 2012, Maven Collective Marketing has been recognized as the B2B Agency of the Year in the US and the Top Digital Marketing Company in Canada, thanks in large part to Erica’s expertise in Microsoft Partner Marketing. Her leadership has been crucial in broadening revenue streams and fortifying longstanding relationships with a global client base that has remained loyal from the start. Her strategic prowess, backed by a Management of Technology MBA from Simon Fraser University, and a team of innovative experts, has consistently produced cutting-edge solutions that propel her clients towards remarkable success.
Outside the office, Erica embraces a life filled with daring adventures as an ultra-marathon runner. Her tenacity and resilience are evident in every aspect of her life, from professional endeavors to personal challenges—whether it's facing down mother bears or enduring swarms of hornets, Erica brings an athlete’s grit as well as problem-solving prowess and perseverance to every challenge.
Residing in Canada's outdoor recreation capital, Erica’s life is enriched by the support and inspiration of her two beloved children, her heroic husband, and their energetic bird dog. Together, they inspire her daily to pursue a vibrant lifestyle that enriches her role as a transformative business leader and dedicated mentor.
34). Britainny Hari
Founder & Principal, Dual Agency
Brit is a senior-level marketing and media mogul based out of Vancouver, BC, Canada. With a zealous passion for corporate leadership, communications, copywriting, and strategic campaigning, Brit deploys her dynamic skill set to transcend industry norms and achieve winning results for her clients.
Skilled in leadership, strategy, and corporate branding, she successfully harnessed her craft through the fast-paced and results driven agency environment as well as experience working within the public sector, sports, and real estate industries.
As an avid participant in male-dominated industries, Brit is passionate about topics such as representation, equity and diversity and is extracurricularly involved in associations and committees furthering this work in our community.
Brit continues to defy conventional norms and innovate beyond the status-quo, making her approach and unique working style stand out among the rest. Brit was previously named "Top 50 Women Leaders in Vancouver for 2023" by Women We Admire (WWA) and was the recipient of the Commercial Real Estate Women's Network (CREW) 2023 Vancouver Rising Star Leadership Award.
35). Elizabeth Fingler
HR Business Partner, Vancouver Airport Authority
Elizabeth Fingler is an HR Business Partner for Vancouver Airport Authority, a community-based, not-for-profit organization that manages Vancouver International Airport (YVR). She was previously the Human Resources Director at a local animation studio, ICON Creative Studio, where she led the studio’s efforts in recruiting and retaining top talent in Vancouver’s booming CG Industry.
Fingler has an extensive and unique educational background from SFU. She first earned a Bachelor of Business Administration specializing in operations management and international business. She then went on to earn a Post-Graduate Certificate in HR and recently became a Certified HR Professional (CPHR). She utilizes her business acumen to specialize in change and risk management, being a trusted advisor and people specialist.
Fingler has made significant contributions in multiple roles by driving organizational success through strategic initiatives and fostering inclusive work environments. With a passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I), she has consistently demonstrated her ability to enact positive change and empower individuals at all levels of an organization.
36. Rebecca Pauls
Executive Director, Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network
Rebecca Pauls is an enthusiastic leader and creative facilitator with a broad range of experiences in community development and collaboration with people who have disabilities. She is passionate about seeing the unique gifts each person has and is convinced that our communities will be stronger, safer, and more resilient when each of us is contributing and recognized for our gifts.
Pauls is the Executive Director of Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network (PLAN), a Vancouver-based social enterprise that partners with families and people facing social isolation to secure their future by mobilizing relationships and leveraging community assets. Since joining PLAN nine years ago, Pauls has led a complete re-design of planning practices to integrate principles of person-centered planning, ABCD, narrative practices, and independent facilitation. After demonstrating the strength and flexibility of this community approach, Pauls is regularly invited to consult with organizations about how it can be scaled and applied to population groups across North America.
Pauls serves as a faculty member with the Asset-Based Community Development Institute at DePaul University in Chicago.
View the complete list of awardees.
37). Sandra Riches
Executive Director - BC AdventureSmart, BC Search & Rescue Association
More than 35 years ago Sandra moved from Ontario to British Columbia and she felt like she had come home. She instantly felt that she arrived where she was supposed to be, which led her to the career choice of outdoor recreation. Since 1993, when she started her career in outdoor recreation management, opportunities were offered and strategic pathways were forged, building a colorful path that started her on and kept her in the direction where she has flourished, enjoyed, and excelled.
Much of her career has involved outdoor education, public safety, and a long list of media work, in addition to unique project management, extensive adult educator training, lengthy volunteer support, and creative program delivery. Sandra is a passionate outdoor enthusiast, spending wintery days on the ski hill and mountain biking trails all the other months of the year. She has a healthy work-life balance and takes great pride in her work. Sandra’s background expands from inspirational leadership and team building, effective project execution, and extensive volunteer management, to industry collaboration building sound partnerships, and exceptional public relations both provincially, nationally, and internationally.
She is a seasoned leader with diversified skills in project management, partnerships, community outreach (provincial and national), adult educational training, workshop facilitation, creative program delivery, provincial/federal governmental processes, securing/managing stakeholders, public relations, and marketing strategies.
In September 2023, she was the award recipient of the Emergency Management Exemplary Service Award, "Ms. Riches has been the driving force behind the success of the AdventureSmart program in British Columbia. She has grown the program from its early beginnings to a recognized educational program across the province of British Columbia with over 500 volunteers, most of which she has trained personally. In her current role as the Executive Director of BC AdventureSmart, Ms. Riches is recognized as a leader in search and rescue prevention and outdoor education not only in Canada but across North America. She has been instrumental in program development, the AdventureSmart Trip Plan App, the newly designed AdventureSmart.ca, and most recently, an online e-learning program. Her ability to build and maintain strong partnerships, as well as her willingness to adapt the curriculum and delivery in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, has ensured the continued success of this important program that helps Canadians stay safe when outdoors.”
38). Felicia Lo
Founder & Creative Director, SweetGeorgia Yarns
Felicia Lo is the Founder and Creative Director of SweetGeorgia Yarns and the School of SweetGeorgia. SweetGeorgia Yarns is a boutique artisanal yarn company that has become synonymous with exceptional quality, vibrant colors, and unparalleled craftsmanship. Founded in 2005, SweetGeorgia Yarns has been on a mission to bring joy and inspiration to the world of fiber arts, captivating knitters, weavers, and makers from all corners of the globe. Started in 2017, the School of SweetGeorgia is an online learning platform and community for the fiber arts.
As the founder of SweetGeorgia Yarns, Lo has cultivated a brand that stands for exceptional quality and creativity, inspiring knitters, weavers, and artists to create projects and pieces that reflect their individuality. Beyond her contributions to the crafting world, Lo is committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive learning community. Through her workshops, courses, and advocacy, she has become an influential educator and guide for aspiring artists and individuals, encouraging them to unleash their creative potential and embrace the joy of making.
Inside the School of SweetGeorgia, Lo has led the creation of a membership-based online fiber arts school, where members learn all the aspects of the fiber arts, including knitting, crochet, spinning, dyeing, weaving, tapestry, and design and color theory. The school helps makers with everything from the challenges of choosing colors for craft projects to juggling time and priorities to managing a creative mindset, as well as all of the techniques and skills for each craft. Lo graduated from The University of British Columbia with an undergraduate degree in pharmaceutical sciences. She was a 2013 nominee for the YWCA Metro Vancouver Women of Distinction Awards in the category of arts, culture, and design.
39). Sylvia van Rooyen
Program Director, Art & Design, LaSalle College Vancouver
Currently residing in Vancouver, Sylvia van Rooyen is a Canadian-Polish designer who was born in South Africa. She holds a BSc Int. Architecture and a Baccalaureus Honor in Int. Architecture from the University of Pretoria, as well as a Master of Arts in Design, with a specialization in interior design from the University of Johannesburg.
At this time, van Rooyen serves as the Program Director for the Art and Design programs at LaSalle College Vancouver in Canada. In this role, she is responsible for both the long-term strategic planning and daily operations of the fashion design, graphic design, and interior design departments. In this role, she is committed to creating an educational environment that nurtures and develops talent while also promoting a positive learning atmosphere. Her dedication extends to enhancing course quality through quality curriculum development and encouraging instructors to embrace an interdisciplinary teaching approach to foster inclusivity.
Before her career in education, van Rooyen dedicated nearly a decade to refining her skills in the interior design and architectural sectors of the building industry. As an educator, she has developed and delivered a variety of interior design courses at both diploma and degree levels, including Building Construction I and II, Architectural Drafting, Colour and Design, Interior Design I and II (Studio), Digital Rendering and Modelling I (SketchUp), Architectural Working Drawings, and Interior Design Portfolio. She has taught both in Africa and North America. Beyond her responsibilities as program director, she remains a member of several professional organizations, including DDA, IDC, IDEC, IIDA, NEWH, and NKBA, and regularly finds volunteering opportunities within these organizations.
40). McCauley Wanner
President / Co-Founder, ALLELES Design Studio Ltd.
McCauley co-founded the ALLELES Design Studio in the fall of 2013. Prior to founding ALLELES McCauley graduated with her Masters of Industrial Design from the University of Calgary in 2011. Her thesis project titled, “Empowering by Revealing: A Study in the Hybridity of Fashion & Prosthetics” was an examination of fashion’s role in self-identity and how it could be used to add more soul to medical products. After exploring various products and talking to users of these devices, she decided to focus on the prosthetic industry and come up with a fashion-forward way for amputees to express themselves through their prosthesis.
After graduating, McCauley worked in the fashion industry as a graphic designer as well as a user experience designer for an advertising agency. During this time, she and Ryan continued to discuss how to turn her research from an art project to a viable option for people. Growing up with family businesses taught McCauley to be extremely resourceful, and pragmatic and possess a sense of responsibility that it was up to them to bring this idea to life.
For the past decade, McCauley's role has primarily consisted of marketing, creating production efficiencies, product development, and streamlining operations.
41). Tanya Wahbe
Adjunct Professor, University of British Columbia
Tanya Wahbe belongs to the Shouf Muwahideen people from the mountains of Lebanon. Since 1994, she has lived in the ancestral and unceded Coast Salish Territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. Wahbe is an ecological and cultural resource management professional who has contributed to the conservation of species- and ecosystems-at-risk and Indigenous community-based health initiatives for over 25 years. She is an Adjunct Professor at the University of British Columbia (Applied Biology Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems), President, Co-Founder, and Senior Scientist at Four Corners Biological Consulting, and Senior Indigenous and Conservation Programs Specialist with Impact Resolutions Ltd.
Wahbe earned an MSc and PhD in Wildlife Ecology and Population Genetics from the Centre for Applied Conservation Research (UBC Faculty of Forestry). Her post-doctoral research addressed environmental health with Indigenous Peoples in the Salish Sea and BC's Central Coast. She has worked for Canadian and US universities, provincial and national nonprofit organizations, Canadian and US government organizations, Indigenous Peoples, and the private sector.
Wahbe has implemented conservation research, education, and engagement projects in Perú, Dominican Republic, New Zealand, Lebanon, and Ecuador. In BC, she collaboratively managed ecologically and culturally significant landscapes, developed co-governance frameworks, and engaged with Indigenous communities in the Salish Sea, Central Coast, West Chilcotin, Clayoquot Sound, and Haida Gwaii. Wahbe’s responsibility to and reciprocity for the people of these lands are reflected in her service, including support of Indigenous Peoples in conservation and cultural revitalization initiatives.
42). Dana Prescott
Associate Director, Technology & Innovation, Covenant House Vancouver
Dana Prescott is the Associate Director of Technology and Innovation for Covenant House Vancouver (CHV). CHV helps youth experiencing homelessness, serving them with relentless support, absolute respect, and unconditional love. Prescott oversees innovative housing projects for CHV. She was integral in the completion of a new youth-focused, 10-story facility that opened in 2022, which features a gym, art room, counseling spaces, and about 70 short-term beds for youth in need. She is currently working on the renovation of a 44-unit, 4-story building for long-term youth housing and support. Working with architects, constructors, designers, and trades, she creates first-in-class buildings that focus on the unique needs of youth experiencing homelessness, providing safety, security, and trauma-informed spaces.
Prescott’s portfolio also includes managing all technology for the organization, including cyber security, overdose prevention, and safety technology to help protect CHV youth. Prescott is meticulous, accountable, articulate, and driven, but what sets her apart is that she is calm under pressure, accommodating, and personable, even when swamped. Not only is she indispensable, but she’s a pleasure to work with.
Prescott holds a Project Management Professional designation and a master’s degree from Western University. She is also an active member of the community, volunteering her time to work with refugees, play bingo with elderly patients at Mount St Joseph Hospital, and cook meals for the community, through the ten: eighteen program at Christ City Church.
43). Shelina Dilgir
Director of Development, Dr. Peter Centre
Shelina Dilgir is the Director of Development for Dr. Peter Centre, where she is responsible for fundraising and communications strategies and tactics to ensure fundraising goals are achieved. The Dr. Peter Centre provides compassionate HIV care for people living with significant health issues including mental illness, trauma, substance use, unstable housing, and poverty.
Dilgir is committed to strengthening the nonprofit sector through education and training. She has dedicated her career to the sector for more than 20 years as a program manager, director, and consultant. In these roles, she expanded programming, strengthened infrastructure and governance, and grew fundraising revenue. Dilgir has worked with organizations of all sizes, from grassroots with no paid staff to a national and international office with upward of $10 million in annual revenue.
Dilgir holds a Certified Fundraising Executive Designation, is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professions, and she completed an introductory course on the Fundamentals of Gift Planning sponsored by the Canadian Association of Gift Planners. Dilgir is passionate about giving back and has served as an International volunteer in Africa and Asia and has devoted her time to the Ismaili- Muslim community in Canada and abroad. Other past volunteer activities include serving as a board member for the Canadian Foundation for Children with AIDS, World Partnership Walk Deputy Convener, and Red Cross Volunteer.
View the complete list of awardees.
44). Avi Gill
Business Director, Talk Shop
Avi Gill is a seasoned Business Director at Talk Shop, a prestigious national communications agency. With a rich portfolio of clients spanning diverse industries, such as technology, nonprofit, wellness, and arts, and culture, Gill showcases her exceptional skills as a strategic communicator, specializing in the art of brand storytelling, integrated marketing campaigns, and influencer marketing.
Before her role at Talk Shop Media, Gill made her mark as the director of marketing and communications at Destination Greater Victoria, where she demonstrated her expertise in destination marketing initiatives, securing global media coverage, and orchestrating highly successful campaigns. Her ability to navigate the complex worlds of hospitality, tourism, and tech has been pivotal in etching her name onto numerous triumphs and groundbreaking initiatives, propelling brands to the forefront of their markets.
Gill’s strategic thinking and a keen eye for emerging trends have enabled her to stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving landscape of communications and marketing. Leveraging her extensive experience, she has forged partnerships and leveraged influencer marketing to enhance brand reputation and reach. Gill’s media relations and communications strategy work has landed clients coverage in the Toronto Star, The Globe and Mail, CBC, Washington Post, New York Times, The Telegraph, and more. Beyond her professional achievements, Gill’s dedication to the community and her involvement in nonprofit organizations exemplify her commitment to making a positive impact.
45). Andrea McComb
Director, Professional Learning & Development, British Columbia Principals & Vice Principals Association
Andrea McComb is the Director of Professional Learning and Development for the British Columbia Principals and Vice Principals Association (BCPVPA), where she focuses on designing and delivering programming for aspiring, new-to-role, and experienced leaders. With school and district-level experience, McComb has held portfolios in mentoring, curriculum development, student services, and leadership development. She is passionate about watching leaders grow and develop.
McComb holds a Doctor of Education in Transformational Change, with coursework in curriculum development and dialogue. She is also a Professionally Certified Coach, Conversational Intelligence Core Skill Practitioner, and Adaptive Schools Agency Trainer, and she has training in conflict resolution, anger management, and negotiation. With her extensive experience and expertise in leadership development and education, McComb is dedicated to helping others grow and succeed. She has a strong sense of purpose and dedication to her work at the BCPVPA. Her focus on growth, both personal and in others, aligns well with the BCPVPA’s member promise of fostering educational leadership to promote outstanding public education.
McComb’s strengths in envisioning, creating, connecting theory to action, and facilitating are valuable assets in her role as Director of Professional Learning and Development. Her ability to listen deeply to members and understand their needs, as well as her focus on raising masterful leaders within the membership, are important contributions to the BCPVPA’s mission.
47). Vicky Zhao
Owner & Business Manager, Vancouver Debate Academy
After having emigrated to Canada, Vicky Zhao was determined to start her own business and began her education career in 2014 as the Owner and Business Manager of the Vancouver Debate Academy (VDA). She successfully grew the business into an elite private education institution. VDA is a skills-focused academy and has become very well-known worldwide within the debate community. Its students have won numerous awards, including championships in K-12 debate tournaments hosted by Stanford, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Georgetown, as well as the National Speech and Debate Association Nationals and Tournament of Champions, the most prestigious and competitive tournaments in the world for K-12 debate.
Zhao is a debate evangelist, for she has seen first-hand how kids benefit from debate in their critical thinking, communication skills, and particularly in their self-confidence. Her students spend less time alone trolling social media, and more time engaging collaboratively with their peers in research. She is adamant that debate is a crucial tool in engaging kids across all curricula and improving their academic and social-emotional aptitudes.
Finally, under Zhao’s leadership, VDA is continuing to grow. It now offers online classes/courses both synchronous and asynchronous, and will soon be franchising, so as to provide more kids access to a high-quality education.
View the complete list of awardees.