Eleven North Shore women and one workplace have been nominated in the 42nd annual YWCA Women of Distinction Awards.
Out of 105 nominees this year, five are from North Vancouver along with six and one workplace from West Vancouver.
The YWCA Women of Distinction Awards celebrate individuals and organizations whose outstanding contributions foster well-being, strength and future of the community, the organization said in a press release. Since the awards began in 1984, the event has honoured nearly 2,300 nominees for their inspiring success and meaningful impact in the community.
North Shore women are thriving in the Reconciliation in Action category this year with four nominees.
Annita McPhee, principal and owner of conference provider and community facilitator for Annita McPhee Strategies, and Yeltsilewet (Faye Halls), founder of Paddle Journey and Eslha7an Learning Centre in the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) are up for the award. Also nominated in the category is (Iy’imelwi) Joanne Stone-Campbell, associate director for ICBC, and chief operating officer for Orange Shirt Society, Seli’xwelut (Shannon Henderson).
In the Education, Training & Development category, Julie Walchi, executive director of work integrated education and career initiatives within the faculty of arts at the University of British Columbia, is nominated.
Air quality researcher Naomi Zimmerman is nominated for the Sciences and Technology category. Zimmerman is an associate professor in UBC’s mechanical engineering department and the Canada Research Chair in Real-World Air Quality Sensing at the university.
Sue Roppel, president and board chair of the Kimberley Foundation, is up for a nomination in the Environmental Sustainability category. The Kimberly Foundation is a non-profit that helps inspire youth and educators to come up with hope-based solutions to climate change.
Board chair of the Looking Glass Foundation for Eating Disorders Denise Karkkainen is nominated for the Health & Wellness category. The foundation launched a low-barrier counselling program in response to the COVID-19 pandemic mental health crisis.
North Shore women in the business and entrepreneur world have also been nominated this year.
Winnie Shi, director of major projects for Metro Vancouver, is up for the Business & the Professions category, and Rory Richards, CEO and founder of female-led and Indigenous-owned construction company NUQO Modular, is nominated in the Entrepreneurship & Innovation category.
Cindy Beedie, executive director of the Beedie Foundation, has also been nominated in the Community Champion category, recognizing women who have initiated meaningful change using their own time and resources.
National Bank Private Banking 1859 in West Vancouver has been nominated for the Outstanding Workplace category. The banking company offers employees the Work From Anywhere program, allowing employees to temporarily work from up to 40 international destinations.
They also give employees on maternity leave six additional weeks of paid leave, and those getting married an extra week of paid leave. The BC Private Banking team at the company is an all-women leadership team, helping bridge the gender gap in finance, the press release said.
Award recipients will be announced at the Women of Distinction Awards Gala at the Westin Bayshore in Vancouver on April 28.
Abby Luciano is the Indigenous and civic affairs reporter for the North Shore News. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
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