2011 Nominees - Entrepreneurship and Innovation
JUDY BROOKS
Judy has over two decades of experience building successful international businesses, diverse teams and effective operating systems. In 1990 she launched and eventually sold her first business. She then started ProActive Resolutions with her brothers, a firm offering respectful workplace training and conflict management. In 2008, while growing that business internationally, Judy co-founded Blo Blow Dry Bar, a first market hair concept with 13 locations in North America. Currently, under the banner of Bravo Lima Oscar, Judy works with a variety of local businesses to create a high-performing culture that achieves results. In addition to mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs, Judy is a Director on the Boards of Forum for Women Entrepreneurs, Young Women in Business and Small Business BC as well an advisory Board member for several private companies.
Connecting the Community Award quote:
“A difficult decision—who would not want to support all…I choose to support preventing violence against women. As the mother of an adult girl and two stepsons, I want for every mother and child what I would want for my own: the ability to raise their children in a safe and respectful home.”
IRENE LEE
Irene launched Pure Nail Bar in 2004. Her vision was to create an affordable, mid-priced nail salon where women could receive manicure and pedicure treatments in a relaxed yet sophisticated setting. Pure Nail Bar’s success started a trend. Since Irene opened the first location in Yaletown, many other mid-priced nail salons began opening in Vancouver. Today, Irene and her franchises have 10 locations across the Lower Mainland and Pure Nail Bar is often touted as “favourite nail salon” by the media and the public.
Connecting the Community Award quote:
“As the founder of an organization that is 90% women, I have seen the impact of violence against women. The impact extends far beyond where the violence actually occurs, as the emotional wreckage accompanying the physical abuse becomes inescapable. Even when the violence can be stopped, the emotional toll continues. I strongly support YWCA’s efforts to address preventing violence against women.”
MICHELLE POCKEY
In addition to her role as a partner at Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, Michelle is deeply committed to creating opportunities for business and professional women to network and collaborate. In 1997 she co-founded the Professional Women’s Network (PWN), which has grown from a 100-member organization to one that has 1,000 members between its Vancouver and Calgary chapters. PWN is the only women’s networking group in the city to include male members; 45 in Vancouver are male. In 2009 she launched Leadership Lessons from Influential Women in Business, an annual conference where emerging young leaders can meet and learn from BC’s top businesswomen. Michelle has mentored countless women in achieving their goals and has supported and promoted a number of female colleagues within her profession.
Connecting the Community Award quote:
“I can't imagine the stress, despair and vulnerability a mother must feel when she is unable to provide the basic necessities for her child. I support the YWCA's safe and affordable housing program. When we empower parents to offer a secure and healthy environment, we win on a societal level: we see fewer instances of violence and crime, fewer people suffering from mental health challenges, and more youths and adults contributing positively to our community."
BEVERLEY POMEROY
Beverley is the driving force behind Global Currents (formerly Pinc Giving), an online social-giving platform. When Beverley sought help from several charities and agencies to cope and care for her daughter’s terminal illness, she discovered that these agencies lacked the resources to fundraise through their websites. She created Global Currents with the belief that web solutions for non-profits should be affordable and simple to use. The platforms—such as the Donate Now button—are affordable and work extremely well in the non-profit industry. In 2009 Beverley was one of Business in Vancouver’s Top Forty under 40. She is a sought-after speaker on topics such as online fundraising, corporate social responsibility and women in business.
Connecting the Community Award quote:
“Access to safe and affordable housing has become a key issue for children and families with disabilities. Over the last decade there has been a significant rise in homeless people in Vancouver and many of them struggle with mental illness, addiction and disability. By providing affordable housing, the YWCA creates stability for women and children in need while providing support for larger issues around addiction and abuse, helping them achieve long-term success and recovery.”
ANDREA SCOTT
Over the past ten years, co-owner Andrea Scott has helped grow skoah inc. from a small, one-spa business to an enterprise with seven retail locations across North America. A skin care product company, skoah also has a successful online store, a wholesale division and an airline and hotel amenities program. In 2005 she started The Hopeful Hand, a charity that supports parents of sick and terminally ill children. Proceeds from skoah’s Hand Love Lotion, as well as those from its annual gala, are donated to BC and Alberta Children’s Hospitals. In 2007 Andrea collaborated with a chemist to develop chiiki munki, her own make-up line to complement skoah’s skin care line.
Connecting the Community Award quote:
“As a former inner-city school teacher, I saw first-hand the benefits of quality early learning and child care and the tragedies when this was not present. Supporting parents is the key to supporting children. I have learned this again through our work with our own charity, The Hopeful Hand, which supports the parents of ill and terminally ill children.”
AMELIA UFFORD
Disturbed by the amount of waste produced by the marketing and events industry, Amelia combined her marketing background and love of the outdoors to co-found Debrand Services Inc., a successful Vancouver-based business that has redefined waste management. Debrand offers innovative solutions for the recycling or reusing of leftover materials including signage, uniforms and electronics. Consulting with companies ahead of projects to determine best practices, Amelia provides recommendations and material allocation strategies. Her client list includes marketing agencies’ national and international brands and several Olympics-related. In her spare time she is dedicated to working on philanthropic micro-loan projects in Sri Lanka, competes in endurance mountain biking events and coaches junior track and field programs in Vancouver.
Connecting the Community Award quote:
“Upon witnessing the tragedies associated with natural disasters, war and poverty, nothing proved more damaging to the human spirit than the effects of physical and sexual violence. I proudly support preventing violence against women and the YWCA’s many programs that aim to restore the confidence, trust and hope lost by many women and children affected by such violence. Greatness must start from within.”
LISA VON STURMER
Since 2009 Lisa has been Director and co-founder of Growing City, a company dedicated to reducing urban waste through organics recycling and education. While researching Toronto’s organics program, Lisa helped identify barriers that prevent businesses from composting. The result was Growing City’s unique in-office service which includes an education program for their clients’ employees. Since its inception, Growing City has diverted roughly 87,000 kilograms of organic waste from landfills and prevented 168 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide from entering our local environment. Lisa also co-founded Pinups for Pink, a breast cancer research charity that has raised $60,000 since 2010.
Connecting the Community Award quote:
“When we break the cycle of violence against women, our whole community reaps the rewards. The YWCA is changing lives by creating a safe and supportive environment where women and children can rediscover themselves and heal. This opportunity positively affects generations. I know firsthand just how dramatically lives can improve when that cycle is broken. I am very proud to support the YWCA in their quest to prevent violence against women.”
