Russ Hammond

Russ Hammond has been a citizen of the Comox Valley for over 40 years. He has spent the majority of his life working tirelessly to benefit his fellow citizens. He has especially focused on helping seniors. Some of the groups that Russ has been involved with include the Marsland Seniors Housing Society, the Island Peer Counsellors, the D’Esterre Seniors Centre, and the Glacier View Lodge, an intermediate care facility. Russ is known as a constant source of information and knowledge who is available at all times as a resource for the community’s seniors and those who work with them.

Noreen Rustad

A resident of Prince George for almost 60 years, Noreen Rustad is a proud advocate for her community and its issues. Among her many achievements, Noreen is a founding director of the Prince George Community Foundation, an organization which fosters philanthropy to build permanent endowment funds to support community projects. An original supporter of UNBC, Noreen also played an integral role in helping to establish the University and providing students in the North better access to education. Through her generous, community minded citizen, Noreen puts endless energy, enthusiasm and organization into projects and turns them into brilliant successes that improve opportunities for Prince George and the North.

John Brink

John Brink, President and CEO of Brink Forest Products, has been in the business of secondary or value added wood manufacturing and remanufacturing for more than 30 years in the Prince George region. He brings to this industry the kind of optimism and leadership that is inspiring. He has contributed significantly to the economic development in the area. John has supported a diverse array of community, arts, social and athletic projects. However, it is his belief and in a skilled workforce and his financial support of the College of New Caledonia’s leading-edge wood technology program that will be his legacy for a lasting diversified wood industry in northern BC.

Harry Hardy

Harry Hardy’s range of accomplishments portray him as a renaissance man. He was an RCAF hero in the Second World War and continued on a path of courage, creativity and determination in every project he has tackled. Harry has been deeply involved in Tetra, an organization that builds assistive devices for the disabled. He has developed and built more than 175 devices, which have increased independence and self-sufficiency for disabled people throughout the world. The Mayor of Burnaby describes Harry by saying “Mr. Hardy has quietly made a real difference in the world each and every day of his life.”

John Ryan

As a business leader in his community, John Ryan’s strong vision has led to the revitalization of the Terrace economy and has provided a significant boost to its citizens. After a four-year mill closure in Terrace, morale in the community and employment were very low. Through his vision and belief in Terrace, John was able to inspire a plan to purchase the sawmill. John was successful in uniting former employees and business investors, developing a working relationship with First Nations neighbours, and rejuvenating an entire economy. He is today recognized for his tenacity, vision and sincere desire to see the citizens of the Northern communities proper and grow.

Stephanie Carlson

Stephanie Carlson is a community leader who embraces community service wholeheartedly. She brings her energy and time, her care and imagination to organizations serving the needs of children, women and families. Stephanie has a long and active association with the BC Children’s Hospital and its Foundation serving on committees and in leadership roles. She has also been actively involved in the Pacific Riding for the Disabled and the Avalon Women’s Centres. She currently serves as Co- Chair of the 2006 United Way of Lower Mainland Community Campaign. For Stephanie, active participation in the priorities of her community are both a responsibility and a privilege.

Esther Ho

As a new immigrant, Esther Ho realized the need to integrate with her adopted community and face the challenges that entailed. To that end, in 2002, she worked tirelessly to found The Integration Youth Services Society. Esther’s dedication and creativity have been instrumental in the success of this non-profit organization, which has now served 2,000 people in the areas of education, personal growth, community outreach and cultural and recreational activities. Esther, together with her passion and dedication in working with children and their parents, epitomizes the spirit of volunteerism and is a role model for Chinese immigrants.

Geordie Salle

Geordie Salle serves her community in creative and caring ways. Geordie provided volunteer medical support for the region of Barriere for 23 years – treating everything from pneumonia to infections, delivering babies and buying a station wagon which she and her husband used as a local ambulance service. As a charter member of the North Thompson Fall Fair and Rodeo Association, Geordie has dedicated thousands of hours over the past 56 years to ensuring its success. She has helped to build homes for people in the area, has organized and fundraised at the Chinook Cove Hall, volunteered for the Barriere Curling Club and tutored in a Children’s Literacy Program. She is a role model for future generations of her community.

Jan Christilaw

Dr. Christilaw has made a significant contribution as a highly regarded obstetrician-gynaecologist not only to the community of White Rock, but to the women of British Columbia and Canada. She is a caring physician, a skilled surgeon, superb mentor and strong social activist and a leader in her medical community. Her efforts to raise awareness of fundamental human rights, her active interest and support for preventative health care and her involvement in reaching out to the underprivileged and disadvantaged are examples of her passion and focus for helping others not only in her community but across Canada and internationally.

Yvonne Hopkins

Yvonne Hopkins is an inspirational teacher of Aboriginal history, culture and traditional healing practices. For twenty one years, through her role as a volunteer teacher with many First Nations programs in the City of Vancouver, Yvonne has patiently and respectfully influenced thousands of Aboriginal people to pursue their educational and spiritual dreams. She is dedicated to the betterment of Aboriginal Nations in Canada and is described as a treasured cultural resource on traditional and contemporary Aboriginal healing practices. She has a gentle, loving way of helping her students feel proud of their cultural and historical heritage.