2011 Nominees - Business & The Professions
LAURA BALLANCE
Laura’s entire career has been focused on her tremendous ability to tell stories that make people learn, laugh and cry. She began her work in the newsroom of BC’s top-rated TV station before moving on to the news radio station CKNW. Her true passion for business and storytelling, however, eventually led her away from the media spotlight. Laura created her own public relations business, bringing her unique approach to PR to people across Canada. Since then she has founded two companies, both of which have been ranked in the top ten PR firms in BC. Laura also volunteers her strategic skills as a Board Member of the Coast Mental Health Foundation and Media Chair for the Courage to Come Back Awards.
Connecting the Community Award quote:
“Through my volunteer work I know that every night in BC many single mothers and their children don’t have a safe home to sleep in. I am supporting the safe and affordable housing initiative because of the incredibly important work the YWCA does in dismantling the chain of poverty that is unfortunately a reality for many families in our province."
CHRISTINE DAY
Christine joined Lululemon in 2008 as Executive Vice President of Retail Operations. Within six months she was appointed to Chief Executive Officer through which she enhanced the company’s unique culture while growing its position as a global leader of yoga-inspired athletic apparel. When faced with the economic collapse in 2008, Christine made decisions that would not only preserve Lululemon’s assets and market share but also set the stage for the amazing growth that has since occurred. Under her leadership Lululemon is one of the first Canadian retail apparel brands to grow successfully in the US. Christine was recently appointed to the Rick Hansen Foundation Board and is a member of several other advisory boards.
Connecting the Community Award quote:
“I choose to support healthy choices for youth. Connecting to youth at a time when they are making so many critical decisions about how they see themselves and their world is one of the most impactful things we can do to change the world in a proactive way.”
CONNIE FENYO
In 2001 Connie moved her family from Ontario to BC to manage Dye and Durham, a provider of legal support services. In 2003 Connie became Vice President at the national level and was responsible for creating a performance-based culture that resulted in empowering employees and encouraging development that stretched industry standards. Along with the BC operations, Connie oversaw branches and employees across Canada and, with the support of her teams, subsequently grew these divisions into the top profit centres for the company. They also strongly emphasized giving back to the communities in which Dye and Durham does business. In October 2008 Connie acquired 100% of the shares of Dye and Durham Corporation and, along with the recent acquisition of Northern Registry Services, solidified Dye and Durham as an industry leader.
Connecting the Community Award quote:
“While volunteering in Nepal, I saw the devastating effects on children of not having enough to eat or clean water to drink. This experience remained with my family, and now with thanks to our employees & customers, the children in this orphanage have the basic necessities of food & clean drinking water. With your vote, you can help YWCA reduce child poverty in BC. No child should have to go hungry.”
KATHY McGARRIGLE
Kathy is both a pioneer in BC’s financial services industry and an empathetic leader in supporting multiple charities. Her accomplishments as the COO of Coast Capital Savings and her ability to inspire dialogue with staff are major pillars to her success as a leader in her field and a creator of a strong corporate culture. Last year she helped encourage staff to donate over $254,000 to Coast Capital’s United Way Campaign. In addition to all of this, Kathy holds an impressive 25-year tenure as a Salvation Army volunteer, for which she helped raise close to three million dollars.
Connecting the Community Award quote:
“Having seen firsthand the profound impact supportive programming for young people has in their social development, I choose healthy choices for youth. I share Coast Capital’s belief in the importance of building a richer future for youth in our communities, and I support YWCA programs like Welcome to My Life and Boys 4 Real that help young people develop the skills and confidence necessary to create fulfilling lives.”
JANE RUSSELL
In her role as Senior Vice President, Business Banking, Jane has demonstrated outstanding leadership and has achieved excellence at TD, leading growth by adding new business bank locations and increasing complement by 44 percent. TD has gained market share every year that she has personally managed the business. Prior to her existing role Jane managed Credit Administration Services for TD Canada Trust, where she was responsible for almost 1,000 employees nation-wide. Jane’s rise up the ranks led her to become a role model for women looking to advance their careers within the organization. As such, Jane is an active leader in the promotion of Women in Leadership.
Connecting the Community Award quote:
“As a fairly recent transplant to BC, I was particularly struck by the extent of homelessness in Metro Vancouver. Without a decent and stable place to call home, how can we expect people to reach their full potential? I choose to support safe and affordable housing because the YWCA provides viable housing solutions to families and women in crisis.”
NANCY SHEWFELT
Since 1983 Nancy has built a reputation amongst clientele as a trusted investment advisor, as well as gained the respect and leadership from her peers within the securities industry. Quickly rising amongst the ranks in the male-dominated financial industry, Nancy became Senior Vice President and member of the Board of Directors of Wellington West. Since joining the company in 2001 Nancy has guided the company through great expansion and growth while building a thriving family wealth management practice in White Rock. She also created Women to Women workshops to help women take control of their money management. In addition to achieving financial success and business acumen through her professional endeavors, she is even more proud of raising a family and the values and accomplishments of her three children—one of whom joined the Wellington West office in 2008.
Connecting the Community Award quote:
“I choose to support healthy choices for youth. My life roles as a mother, grandmother, financial advisor, confidante, friend and sibling all connect me to youth and the opportunities that an excellent role model can have in touching their lives in a meaningful way. I believe that if we all mentor one young person and take the time to listen, understand and help them see their natural gifts, we will reap the rewards both personally and in our communities.”
TAMARA VROOMAN
As the first female CEO of Canada’s largest credit union, Tamara harnesses the company’s strengths to encourage growth and prosperity in the communities where its members and employees live and work. Tamara considers her role to be a continuation of her career in the public service sector; she ensures Vancity helps facilitate positive social and environmental change in everything they do. Under Tamara’s leadership, in 2010 Vancity achieved the best financial results in the credit union’s 64-year history and its third consecutive year of increased earnings. Tamara is one of only five female CEOs among the top 100 credit unions in Canada. Her strong commitment to public service was recognized in 2003 when she received the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal for Outstanding Public Service.
Connecting the Community Award quote:
“BC’s children are our future innovators and workforce but nearly a third of them are not getting the right start due to poverty, lack of early education, and stressed, overworked parents. I support the YWCA’s early learning and child care programs; which invest in children and family now to ensure a strong and robust society in the decades to come."
