people

About Town: The first annual Business of Good Awards

The first annual Business of Good Awards, presented by BCBusiness, recognizes organizations that turn the principles of social responsibility into action

By Paul Duchart /

On March 4, the inaugural Business of Good Awards filled a ballroom at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver to recognize the organizations in our province that turn the principles of social responsibility into action. For the winners and finalists in this new BCBusiness competition, a good relationship with employees, the community and the environment is embedded in their culture.

The winners, chosen by a panel of four judges, spanned five categories: Community Involvement, Indigenous Prosperity, Inclusivity, Environmental Sustainability and Workplace Wellness.

Guests mingled at the reception prior to the award ceremony. Nick Rockel, editor-in-chief of BCBusiness, emceed the event; the keynote speaker was judge Mary Ellen Schaafsma, director of the Social Purpose Institute at United Way of the Lower Mainland. 

Credit: Paul Duchart
From the Social Purpose Institute, United Way of the Lower Mainland: Monika Marcovici, strategist; and Mary Ellen Schaafsma, director and Business of Good Awards judge

Credit: Paul Duchart
From finalist Traction on Demand: Georgie Marks, community engagement and partnership manager; Kevin Murray, VP marketing; and Shirley Loi, community engagement manager

Credit: Paul Duchart
From Hatfield Consultants, winner of the Workplace Wellness category: Jason Suwala, senior partner; and Garth Taylor, president and senior partner

Credit: Paul Duchart
From finalist Salt Spring Coffee: Darren Luo, controller; and Mickey McLeod, co-founder and CEO

Credit: Paul Duchart
From finalist Salt Spring Coffee: Veronica Meas, sales and marketing co-ordinator; Brian Wright, director of sales and marketing; and Sue Conder, sales and marketing manager

Credit: Paul Duchart
Cynthia Boulter, COO, Greater Vancouver Food Bank; Chris Brumwell, VP communications, fan and community engagement; Alex Oxenham, senior director, fan and community engagement; and Terra Paredes, manager, community events and engagement, Canucks Sports & Entertainment, finalist

Credit: Paul Duchart
Sophie Bujold, communications manager, Spring Activator, finalist; Caroline von Hirschberg, COO, Spring Activator; Lidi Giroux, communications manager, East Side Games, winner of the Indigenous Prosperity category; Meghan Nichol, head of people and culture, BroadbandTV Corp., finalist; and Ashley Buck, PR and corporate communications specialist, Broadband TV

Credit: Paul Duchart
David and Andrea McFadden, owners, Okanagan Lavender + Herb Farm, finalist; and Hershy He, PR director, Reviving 5,000 Years of Civilization Society 

Credit: Paul Duchart
Mitchell Ballentine, managing director, Ballentine; and Kalen Stewart, investment manager, Vancity Capital

Credit: Paul Duchart
Laila Namur, account co-ordinator, Yulu PR; Alicia Collyear, senior account executive, Yulu PR; Mike Thiessen, director of sustainable investments, Genus Capital Management, finalist; Monica McCluskey, senior account executive, Yulu PR; and Stephanie Tsui, director of foundations and nonprofits, Genus Capital

Credit: Paul Duchart
From finalist Unbounce: Pinder Sekhon, director of finance; Ryan Engley, VP customer service; Sarah Gooding, communications and PR manager; and Laura Zubick, social impact manager

Credit: Paul Duchart
The Business of Good Awards at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

Credit: Paul Duchart

Keynote speaker Mary Ellen Schaafsma, director, Social Purpose Institute, United Way of the Lower Mainland, and Business of Good Awards judge, speaks to the crowd

Credit: Paul Duchart
Josh Nilson, CEO, East Side Games, shown with emcee Nick Rockel, editor-in-chief, BCBusiness, accepts the Indigenous Prosperity award

Credit: Paul Duchart
Elyse Crowston, director of investor relations, Rhiza Capital, shown with emcee Nick Rockel, editor-in-chief, BCBusiness, accepts the Community Involvement award

Credit: Paul Duchart
Lisa Beecroft, owner, Gabi & Jules Handmade Pies and Baked Goodness, accepts the Inclusivity award

Credit: Paul Duchart
Dave Ramslie, VP sustainability, Concert Properties, accepts the Environmental Sustainability award

Credit: Paul Duchart
Garth Taylor, president and senior partner, Hatfield Consultants, accepts the Workplace Wellness award

Credit: Paul Duchart
Elyse Crowston, director of investor relations, Rhiza Capital, with the Community Involvement award

Credit: Paul Duchart
Kate White, academic director, Peter P. Dhillon Centre for Business Ethics, Special Citation recipient; Patrick Nangle, CEO, Modo, finalist; and Christie Stephenson, executive director, Dhillon Centre for Business Ethics

Credit: Paul Duchart
Dave Ramslie, VP sustainability, Concert Properties, with the Environmental Sustainability award

Credit: Paul Duchart
Garth Taylor, president and senior partner, Hatfield Consultants, with the Workplace Wellness award

Credit: Paul Duchart
Lisa Beecroft, owner, Gabi & Jules Handmade Pies and Baked Goodness, with the Inclusivity award

Credit: Paul Duchart

The gang from finalist Odlum Brown

Credit: Paul Duchart

From BCBusiness: Nick Rockel, editor-in-chief; and Nathan Caddell, associate editor