On Thursday, March 5, the Surrey Board of Trade (SBOT) hosted the sixth annual Surrey Women in Business Awards lunch, with presenting sponsor Vancity credit union. The sold-out event recognized the hard work of Surrey’s business women and their contributions to Surrey.
“Women are contributing more than ever to B.C.’s economy, but many still face barriers,” said Tamara Vrooman, president and CEO of Vancity. “These awards, which recognize the hard work of Surrey’s business women and their contributions to the community, can help inspire women and men of all ages to make meaningful changes when it comes to supporting women in business and leadership.”
Keynote speaker Justin Trudeau, leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and MP for Papineau, Quebec, spoke about the value of supporting female entrepreneurship and leadership as significant economic contributors to Surrey and to the nation. The audience heard that there are 821,000 self-employed women, contributing $18 billion to Canada’s economy.
For the Surrey Women in Business Awards, nominations were submitted in four categories and judged on the nominee’s work in Surrey, business acumen, leadership, balanced lifestyle and community involvement and service.
The winners are:
• Entrepreneur
Angela Herd – The Family Hope Clinic
Herd founded The Family Hope Clinic in February 2011 and she is currently the owner and principal director. Throughout her personal and career experiences, she has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to support people of all ages and abilities in hospitals, schools, the non-profit sector, private practice and public service. Herd’s passion to contribute to the well-being of others in the community began as a volunteer at the age of 12 and has since included multiple agencies and volunteer roles that are active today.
• Professional
Dr. Jane Fee – Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Fee currently serves as the Vice Provost Students and Deputy Provost at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. She has been a leader in the post-secondary education sector for over three decades. Her expertise is in the administration of post-secondary learner-focused programs and services and student success. Fee’s areas of focus include student affairs, new student transition to first year, student support and program development. She has served on university and community-based boards at many operational and academic levels.
• Not-for-Profit Leader
Coreen Windbiel – Surrey Association for Community Living
Windbiel is the executive director of the Surrey Association for Community Living, an organization that has been providing services in the community such as residential/home-share living arrangements, social activities, day programs, and employment skills and training, for 57 years. Windbiel leads by example and empowers people to feel confident in their abilities – she strives to break down barriers and search for new opportunities.
• Corporate/Leadership
Hanne Madsen – GroYourBiz
Madson is the Chair and Facilitator for GroYourBiz, a peer-to-peer advisory board for women business owners, senior managers and entrepreneurs. With more than 20 years of experience in financial analysis, strategic planning, operational and HR management, and having co-owned and operated a successful business for 24 years, Madsen assists these women in overcoming their challenges, leading them to develop innovative action plans and providing them with support, training, and expert advice.
