Photo: Recipients of the 2025 Community Award
On May 7, 2025, the recipients of the 22nd annual Community Award were celebrated at a formal presentation ceremony held in Victoria, BC in the presence of Her Honour, the Honourable Wendy Cocchia, CM, OBC, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia.
BC Achievement board vice-chair, Christopher Gaze, OBC (program alumnus 2007) served as the Director of Ceremonies and delivered citations celebrating each of the 21 recipients present. The ceremony was a powerful and emotional testament to the strength of community throughout the province; each awardee is an outstanding representative of dedication, leadership and actions that inspire the next generation.
T,łalisam Kim van der Woerd, BC Achievement board member and 2018 alumna of the Mitchell Award of Distinction and Indigenous Business Award, introduced and presented the 2025 Mitchell Award. The recipient of the 2025 Mitchell Award of Distinction designation is Valerie Jerome, whose moving remarks given on behalf of all the recipients, underpinned the power and extraordinary impact of community service:
“My way forward in life was made possible by the likes of the people who are being honoured here today: kind-hearted, generous, loving-individuals who gave of their time, energy and enormous compassion to give me a chance to develop my abilities, to grow and to achieve my goals against all odds”.
Photo (left to right): The Honourable Wendy Cocchia, CM, OBC, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, Valerie Jerome, 2025 Mitchell Award designate, Kim van der Woerd, 2018 Mitchell Award designate and BC Achievement Board Member
The Mitchell Award designate of the Community Award is selected by the BC Achievement Foundation board in consultation with the program’s community. The award recognizes an individual who, through their work and/or volunteer activities, demonstrates a commitment to elevating and empowering others.
Christopher Gaze addressed all the recipients following their recognition: “Your individual records of service, taken together, describe the very best of our home here in British Columbia. You and your families should be proud of the work you have done. Certainly, BC Achievement is grateful to recognize you and inspire others to follow in your footsteps”.
This year’s recipients, selected by an independent jury (Mayor Suzan Hewat of Kaslo; Mayor Sarrah Storey of Fraser Lake; and program alumni: Herman Ho of Vancouver; Meeka Morgan of Ashcroft; and Upkar Tatlay of Surrey), include:
- Tli’ichilwet Heather Andrew & Yuwunat Eileen Guss, Squamish Nation
- Barbara Attig, Salmon Arm
- Robert Best, Vancouver
- Serena Caner, Canoe
- Josephine Chauhan & Neera Vohra-Singh, Vancouver
- Gwen Hansen, Quatsino
- Floyd Hill, Vancouver
- Valerie Jerome, Vancouver
- Chantelle Krish, Vancouver
- Carol Anne Lee, CM, OBC, Vancouver
- Trevor Mack, Tl’etinqox Community of the Tsilhqot’in Nation
- Glen McCall, Zeballos
- Wenonah North Peigan, Vancouver
- Robert Olson, North Vancouver
- Bob Purdy, North Vancouver
- Debra Rogers, Campbell River
- Susan Scott Gabe, Duncan
- Meste’si Llucmetkwe Colleen Seymour, Kamloops
- Dr. Sabeen Tiwana, Vancouver
- Amarjeet Singh Vabhana, Surrey
- Rik Valentine, Argenta
- Margaux Wosk, Vancouver
Watch the recording of the event
View the photos from the ceremony
BC Achievement thanks the many the nominators for their commitment in acknowledging those who make a positive impact in our communities and serve as inspiring models for others to follow.
The foundation is grateful to its inaugural Platform Partner RBC – whose generous support of the 2025 Community Award program allows us to sustain and expand this important work. Thank you for joining us in telling the stories of amazing British Columbians and, in doing so, we are building stronger and more engaged communities throughout the province.
Nominations for the 2026 program are open and accessible throughout the year until February 15, 2026 at bcachievement.com.
BC Achievement: Elevate Excellence. Share Success. Inspire Change.