YWCA Metro Vancouver announces 2016 Women of Distinction Awards

On Wednesday evening, YWCA Metro Vancouver held its 33rd annual Women of Distinction Awards, honouring extraordinary women leaders in the community.

Over 1,400 people attended the organization’s fundraising event at the Vancouver Convention Centre to celebrate the 12 women and one business awarded the honour, joining the more than 300 award recipients since 1984.

“This year we recognized the outstanding achievements of 12 women and one business that have gone above and beyond to create strong, resilient communities and workplaces,” Chantelle Krish, YWCA Metro Vancouver’s Associate Director of Communications and Advocacy, told Daily Hive Vancouver. “After celebrating over 1,500 nominees and 300 recipients over the last 33 years, we are thrilled when we receive such strong nominations year after year. It is truly a reflection of the impact women continue to have across Metro Vancouver and inspires hope for future generations to keep doing fantastic work.”

Image: YWCA Women of Distinction

2016 YWCA Women of Distinction Award recipients

Arts, Culture & Design: Artemis Gordon – Artistic Director, Arts Umbrella
Business & the Professions: Sue Paish – CEO, LifeLabs
Community Champion: Marcia Nozick – CEO & Founder, EMBERS Vancouver
Education, Training & Development: Penny Gurstein – Director and Professor, UBC School of Community and Regional Planning
Entrepreneurship & Innovation: Lotte Davis – Founder & CEO, AG Hair
Environmental Sustainability: Amanda Pitre-Hayes – Greenest City Action Plan Lead
Health & Wellness: Shimi Kang – Medical Lead, Child and Youth Mental Health Services, Vancouver Coastal Health
Non-Profit: Ann Alexander – Associate Executive Director, PLEA Community Services Society of BC
Public Service: Kathy Kinloch – President and CEO, BCIT
Research & the Sciences: Patricia Janssen – Professor, School of Population and Public Health, UBC
Young Woman of Distinction: Zoya Jiwa – Founder, As We Are
Outstanding Workplace: Peekaboo Beans
Connecting the Community: Traci Costa – Peekaboo Beans