The nominees for the 41st edition of the YWCA Women of Distinction Awards have been announced, with 17 of the women in the running for the award from West Vancouver, North Vancouver and Lions Bay.
The annual awards honour the individuals and organisations whose “outstanding activities and achievements” have contributed to the well-being and future of the community, said the organisation.
This year, 106 nominees have been chosen from across Metro Vancouver. Split into 12 categories, the nominees represent achievements in the likes of arts and culture, business, community commitment, education, environmental stewardship, reconciliation and health.
North Vancouver’s own Orene Askew, DJ, Squamish Nation councillor, and motivational speaker, is up for the Arts, Culture and Design award.
Nominated in the Business and the Professions category is Carol Mills, President & CEO of HUB International Greater Vancouver; Devon Thompson, Managing Director of Western Canada RBCx; Emily Kerr, the Vice President of Business Banking at BMO; and Lisa Oleson, Chief Financial Officer of Tricor Pacific Capital.
The Community Champion nominees are described by the organisation as the women who have personally identified a local community need or issue and initiated meaningful change, dedicating their own time and resources to champion their cause.
They include Irene Dorsman, CEO of Angel Forum; Joanna Jagger, founder of WORTH Association; Me-An Laceste, owner of Me-An Poppins’ Practically Perfect; and Raheil Moradi, the founder of Pay It Forward.
In the Education, Training & Development category, nominees include Julie Walchli, Executive Director of Work Integrated Education and Career Initiatives at UBC’s Faculty of Arts, and Dr. Lynne Tomlinson, Associate Dean of Professional Development and Community at UBC.
Geena Jackson (Tsetasiya), Creator, Executive Producer and Judge of TV show Bears’ Lair is up for the Entrepreneurship & Innovation award, while Heather Keith, Senior Manager of the Climate Action & Environment team at the District of West Vancouver is in the running for the Environmental Sustainability award.
For the Health and Wellness category, Dr. Cornelia Weiman, Chief Medical Officer at the First Nations Health Authority, and Dr. Maryam Zeineddin, Founder of Zili CARE are both nominees.
For the Non-Profit category, Fatima Hassam, Senior Vice President & Chief Development Officer at BC Cancer Foundation, is in the running.
Nominees will be announced at the Scotiabank-presented Women of Distinction Awards Gala, at the Westin Bayshore in Vancouver, May 13. Tickets can be bought via the YWCA website.
Mina Kerr-Lazenby is the North Shore News’ Indigenous and civic affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
