BC Business
Our third annual competition celebrates B.C. organizations that turn the principles of social responsibility into action
The COVID-19 pandemic keeps creating challenges for B.C. businesses, but it hasn’t stopped them from raising the bar when it comes to social and environmental responsibility. Just ask the contenders for our third annual Business of Good Awards.
As in previous years, we turned to a panel of judges (see below) to choose the finalists, which hail from throughout the province and represent a wide variety of industries. We will profile the 2022 winners and runners-up in our March/April issue and online.
Until then, here are the 17 finalists, listed alphabetically, in six categories: Community Involvement, Diversity and Inclusion, Environmental Sustainability, Indigenous Prosperity, Thought Leadership and Workplace Wellness. Thanks to all of the organizations that applied for the 2022 awards.
18 Wheels Logistics
Alderhill Planning
Arbutus Medical
Community Savings Credit Union
Peter P. Dhillon Centre for Business Ethics, UBC Sauder School of Business
Ecologyst
Epicure
Great Pacific Media
Hemlock Printers
Independent Contractors and Businesses Association (ICBA)
Indigenous Tourism BC
Salt Spring Coffee
Social Print Paper
Spring Activator
SPUD.ca
United & Free Skincare Corp.
West Coast Seeds
READ MORE: Women of the Year awards deadline extended to February 11, 2022 (and it’s free to apply!
Vivian ChanA lauded technology executive and ecosystem builder, Chan is a 2021 Globe and Mail Best Executive and a YWCA Women of Distinction nominee for her work bringing entrepreneurs, social impact and tech communities together. Over the past 20-plus years, she has brought her expertise in marketing and channels to high-growth companies. Part of the team that scaled up data analytics provider Crystal Decisions from $50 million $1 billion, she also expanded Eyexpo Technology Corp.’s footprint in North America and China and now heads Global Campaigns for Operational Excellence at ServiceNow. Chan is a founding member of Frontier Collective, a team of global thought leaders in emerging technology who are building an inclusive and sustainable ecosystem for innovation in B.C.
Darian KovacsKovacs is the Indigenous founder of Vancouver-based SEO company Jelly Digital Marketing & PR and digital marketing school Jelly Academy. He’s also the host of the Marketing News Canada podcast and sits on the board of NPower Canada. Kovacs, who lives in Fort Langley with his wife and four children, likes to mountain bike, watercolour and read in his free time.
Monika MarcoviciMarcovici is a social purpose associate with the United Way Social Purpose Institute. She specializes in working with business leaders to define, articulate and implement their organization’s social purpose. A serial innovator, Marcovici began her career in high tech, with companies such as Apple. She then launched one of Canada’s first digital media and web development companies, creating Insurance Corp. of British Columbia (ICBC) and Telus Corp.’s first web presences. As Marcovici clarified her personal purpose, she aligned her career with her strong environmental and social values, helping organizations such as Greenpeace International to develop digital campaigns. She went on to co-found the Board of Change with the goal of leveraging the power of the business community to create a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable future. Marcovici lives in Vancouver with one husband, three kids and four pets.
Matt O’GradyThe former BCBusiness editor-in-chief is an award-winning communications professional who has held senior leadership positions at regional and national media companies, including head of the Globe and Mail‘s B.C. bureau. Besides freelancing for a variety of outlets—he writes our It’s a Good Thing column—O’Grady teaches journalism at SFU and Langara College.
Tessa VanderkopA social purpose strategist with United Way Social Purpose Institute, Vanderkop is a passionate believer that business can be a force for good in society. She is also a committed conservationist who has used her communication, collaboration and advocacy skills to lead the Ivory-Free Canada campaign.
Judges recused themselves when any conflicts arose through their personal or professional obligations.