YWCA Women of Distinction Awards Winners 2018
bySince 1984, YWCA Metro Vancouver has paid tribute to more than 300 award recipients and more than 1,800 nominees, and on June 7th they celebrated their 35th annual Women of Distinction Awards at the JW Parq Marriott Vancouver. More than 1,300 guests and volunteers gathered to honour inspiring women and organizations for their achievements.
YWCA Women of Distinction Awards Winners 2018
And as the evening came to a close, the winners graced the stage together. What a fabulous event! Proud to have been part of it. @VanYWCAWODA @YWCAVAN #YWCAWODA pic.twitter.com/wFpSmImcBD
— Cathy Browne (@CathyBrowne) June 8, 2018
Arts, Culture & Design
Mary-Jo Dionne – Principal, Mary-Jo Dionne Productions
Mary-Jo Dionne, an award-winning writer, performer, podcaster and Principal of Mary-Jo Dionne Productions, has done everything from copywriting to keynote speaking, while giving generously to the community.
Business & the Professions
Kirsten Sutton – Vice President and Managing Director, SAP Labs Canada
As Vice President and Managing Director of SAP Labs Canada, Kirsten Sutton facilitated SAP’s adoption of the Autism@Work initiative and advocates for girls in tech by supporting initiatives like Templeton STEM and GIRLsmart4tech.
Community Champion
Andrea Thomas Hill – Founder and Board Chair, Cause We Care Foundation
Andrea Thomas Hill founded Cause We Care Foundation to realize her vision of supporting single mothers and their children to lead more fulfilling, empowered and independent lives through opportunities for positive change.
Education, Training & Development
Leila Rahemtulla – Instructor, SFU and BCIT, Consultant and Author
Instructor, SFU and BCIT, Consultant, and Author, Leila Rahemtulla has championed accessible education through online learning at both schools and excellence in workplace and community training through her consulting and volunteering.
Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Bonnie Foley-Wong – Chief Investment Innovator, Pique Ventures
Bonnie Foley-Wong founded Pique Ventures, an impact investment and management firm, to challenge the status quo and create an investment environment that promotes gender equality, diversity and inclusion.
Congratulations Bonnie Foley Wong for winning the @VanYWCAWODA for entrepreneurship and innovation. Thank you for your leadership @piqueventures @BonnieOWong #thecitywelove pic.twitter.com/k8uRhfjAnJ
— Shauna Sylvester (@ShaunaSylvester) June 8, 2018
Environmental Sustainability
Vanessa Timmer – Executive Director, One Earth
Co-Founder and Executive Director of One Earth, Vanessa Timmer co-developed “Disruptive Imaginings,” a global learning community of futurists, designers and storytellers who create powerful images of life in sustainable futures.
Health & Wellness
Christine Loock – Developmental Pediatrician, Children’s and Women’s Health Centre of BC
Christine Loock is a Developmental Pediatrician at Children’s and Women’s Health Centre of BC and am internationally recognized clinician and researcher in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.
Non-Profit
Teri Nicholas – President and CEO, BC Children’s Hospital Foundation
President and CEO of BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, Teri Nicholas successfully completed a $200M campaign and while at Family Services of Greater Vancouver, established the first safe house for homeless youth.
Public Service
Zulie Sachedina – Vice President, Human Resources and General Counsel, Providence Health Care
As Vice President, Human Resources and General Counsel for Providence Health Care, Zulie Sachedina advanced a constitutional challenge for the right to prescribe medical-grade heroin to drug users, thus supporting patients.
Research & the Sciences
Gina Ogilvie – Senior Advisor, Research, BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre
As Senior Advisor of Research at BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre, Gina’s research has focused on how to use HPV screening and the HPV vaccine, the two biggest breakthroughs in preventing cervical cancer since the pap smear, to eliminate cervical cancer. The WHO adopted her recommended protocol.
"When woman thrive communities thrive" Gina Ogilvie.#congratulations #YWCAWODA pic.twitter.com/kQwaE2XbjL
— Sandy Reimer (@sandy_reimer) June 8, 2018
Young Woman of Distinction
Miranda Andersen – Founder, Enufsaid
Miranda Andersen is a filmmaker, speaker and blogger whose educational website, Enufsaid.ca, features her own films and lesson plans to inspire youth to engage and connect with the natural world.
Outstanding Workplace
BCAA
BCAA is committed to promoting work/life balance with flexible working arrangements, Employee and Family Assistance and in-house executive coaching. Its Best Doctors program gives employees access to expert medical advice from 53,000 physicians worldwide. BCAA was recognized as a 2018 Aon Best Employer.
Connecting the Community
Mary-Jo Dionne – Principal, Mary-Jo Dionne Productions
Mary-Jo Dionne, an award-winning writer, performer, podcaster and Principal of Mary-Jo Dionne Productions, has done everything from copywriting to keynote speaking, while giving generously to the community.
In addition, the YWCA Metro Vancouver Women of Distinction Awards recognized The Right Honourable Kim Campbell as recipient of the Icon Award. Selected internally by the YWCA, the Icon Award recognizes an extraordinary woman for her achievements throughout her lifetime.
The YWCA Women of Distinction Awards honours individuals and organizations whose outstanding activities and achievements contribute to the well-being and future of our community.
Follow the YWCA of Vancouver on Facebook and Twitter for more information.
YWCA Metro Vancouver is a registered charity, providing a range of integrated services for women and their families, and those seeking to improve the quality of their lives. From early learning and child care to housing, health and fitness, employment services and leadership, the YWCA touches lives in our communities.
