Terri Hanen is a passionate advocate for the arts. By volunteering for The South Peace Art Society and the Community Arts Council, along with her position as Executive Director of the Kiwanis Performing Arts Centre (KPAC), she has helped establish a thriving arts and cultural scene in her community. Instrumental in building a home for the KPAC, Terri has created a hub for musicians, dancers and artists and the public who appreciate them. Through her work with Community Futures Peace Liard, Terri has also helped hundreds of entrepreneurs in the region work towards successfully launching their own businesses.
Award Year: 2018
Pete Wise
An active search and rescue volunteer with Vernon Search & Rescue for over 50 years, Pete Wise has played a key role in establishing the unit into one of the premier search and rescue organizations in the province. Whether he is dedicating his time to training others, advocacy or leading challenging rescues, Pete is known for his positive spirit, and depth of experience. A founding member of the British Columbia Search & Rescue Association, Pete has also served many years as Director of the British Columbia SAR Association.
Yucwmenlécwu (Caretakers of the Land) LLP
Shirley Henry
Recognized as a local hero, Shirley Henry’s decades of service to Pemberton are widely acknowledged and appreciated. Shirley served on Council as Alderman and Mayor for a total of 19 years, during which time she also contributed to local youth, working as a teacher and Brownie/Cub leader. Her contributions to her community are vast and varied: from chairing the Canada Week Committee for 25 years, to chairing the Airport and Forestry Committee, and acting as Vice Chair to the Sea-to- Sky Economic Development Commission, Shirley truly does it all. Today, Shirley serves as Secretary and Treasurer for Tourism Pemberton, the Pemberton Community Endowment Fund, and the Spirit of BC Committee.
Andy Yu
Andy Yu served as President and Chair of the Board of Directors of the Cerebral Palsy Association of British Columbia for seven years, and he has worked tirelessly for the inclusion of people living with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. Through his vision and leadership, Andy transformed the association, significantly developing the programs and services available, increasing the organizations revenue by 100 percent and earning the City of Vancouver’s Accessibility and Inclusion Award in 2013. As a person living with cerebral palsy, Andy serves as an inspiration and role model to many.
Van - Isle Auto Brokers
At age 17, Mathew Morfitt bought a used Mercedes-Benz with an $8000 loan and sold it a month later for $2000 more. An entrepreneur was born! Thirteen years later, knowing his niche, Mathew opened Van-Isle Auto Brokers, a high-end used car dealership with 25 vehicles. Today, three years later, the business has 60 cars in inventory, employs four staff and generates up to 5 m. in annual sales.
Geraldine Hinton
Geraldine Hinton is a longtime advocate for the lives and welfare of older people. As Director of the BC Government’s Office for Seniors, she helped develop a national framework on aging and a strategic plan for later life policy. Geraldine has also upheld a long-term association with Beacon Community Services Society, Veterans’ Memorial Lodge at Broadmead and the Alzheimer Society of BC. Recently, she was honoured to receive the Alzheimer Society of BC Clyde and Lanny Slade Memorial Leadership Award in recognition of her important hands-on work with the society over the past 20 years. Geraldine has also held numerous volunteer roles with St. John Ambulance and acted as Vice Chancellor of Community Services for the Priory of Canada.
Afshin Mehin
Afshin Mehin is a leader in designing smart products. Growing up in BC he was always connected to the outdoors, whether it was weekend mountain bike rides on the North Shore, summer hikes up Black Tusk, or winter ski adventures in the interior. That’s why, when he began to pursue his passion for design and technology, he naturally gravitated towards designing products that use technology that help people live more active and healthy lives. Now with his studio WOKE based in Vancouver, almost every project that the team works on is focused on making technology products that are philosophically intended to help people improve their overall well being by living more active, healthy and sustainable lives. Whether it’s designing wearable tech to help improve mindfulness or a 3d printer that recycles children’s plastic toys, he’s constantly looking at ways to use technology to help people lead healthier and happy lives.
Second Pass Forestry Ltd.
Second Pass Forestry is a Natural Resources Consulting company, owned and operated by Darcy and Tanner Le Bourdais specializing in quality, multi-phase timber development. Starting small in 2015 with minimal funding, subsequent demand for their services grew so quickly that they were able to expand their business model. They have taken their business beyond an environmentally responsible forestry company while providing greater stewardship over an important natural resource.
Doug Hopwood
In 2012, Doug Hopwood had a goal: to reduce the carbon footprint and minimize pollution of one of the biggest fossil energy users on Lasqueti Island – the school. Through his tireless fundraising, community engagement, and successful grant applications, Doug coordinated the installation of a large array of solar panels at False Bay School, greatly reducing dependence on the diesel generator. Doug’s dedication to the False Bay Energy Project has resulted not only in huge financial savings, but also in a reduction in fossil fuel use and the consequent GHG emissions from Lasqueti Island. His achievements are testament to his dogged determination and clear vision.
