Award Year: 2025

Valerie Jerome is an advocate for racial justice, education, and excellence in sport. A former Olympian, she continues to use her platform to inspire meaningful change, champion equity, and empower future generations. As a lifelong educator, she works to foster inclusivity and raise awareness, allowing the stories of marginalized communities to be heard and celebrated. Valerie has also been a staunch advocate for preserving the legacy of her brother, Harry Jerome, ensuring his contributions to Canadian sports and society are properly recognized. She has played a pivotal role in promoting diversity in athletics, pushing for equitable opportunities for Black athletes across Canada. 

A mentor and role model for Black youth, Valerie offers guidance and inspiration to help them overcome adversity. Through her book, Races: The Trials and Triumphs of Canada’s Fastest Family, she shares her family’s experiences and offers a powerful resource for understanding racial issues in Canada. Her breadth of work extends beyond education and athletics—she has been recognized with a Vancouver Heritage Award for preserving trees in the city, and between 1988 and 2000, she ran in six elections as a Green Party candidate at the civic, provincial, and federal levels. Her advocacy contributed to significant successes, including campaigns to address ozone depletion and limit the use of harmful pesticides. Valerie’s lifelong dedication to environmental and social justice continues to inspire and advance equity, awareness, and representation across British Columbia. 

Valerie was named the 2025 Mitchell Award recipient. Named in honour of Keith Mitchell QC, the Mitchell Award recognizes an individual who, through his or her work and volunteer activities, has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to elevating the community in which they live, and those who serve it. The recipient has a unique and selfless leadership style that encourages and inspires the full participation of those he or she leads. Keith Mitchell served as the BC Achievement Foundation’s Founding Chair and guiding light for 13 years. A leader by example and a mentor at heart, Keith brought clarity to the role of the Foundation in its mission to celebrate excellence in British Columbia.

 

Chantelle Krish is a visionary leader committed to advancing equity and fostering systemic change—particularly for women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals. As CEO of Big Sisters , she has redefined mentorship through innovative, inclusive programming, including a groundbreaking gender-based violence prevention initiative in partnership with school districts. This program equips youth with tools to navigate challenges such as cyber safety and financial literacy. 

Under her leadership, Big Sisters continues to deliver life-changing mentorship across the Lower Mainland and is preparing to launch Vancouver’s first Mentorship Hub. Chantelle has positioned the organization as a leader in empowerment, growing its revenue by 30% with support from government, donors, and partners. She ensures the voices of those most impacted are reflected in program design and decision-making, strengthening Big Sisters’ sustainability and long-term impact. 

Beyond Big Sisters, Chantelle has played a key role as a strategist and advocate for accessible childcare in BC, contributing to the success of the $10-a-day pilot programs. Her leadership on the YWCA’s Culture Shift project brought national attention to the sexualization of women in media, and her work on the Mothers Without Legal Status initiative supported important policy reform. Chantelle continues to amplify underserved voices and drive meaningful, lasting change. 

Trevor Mack, a Tsilhqot’in filmmaker and cultural advocate, has dedicated his life to empowering Indigenous youth through storytelling, cultural revitalization, and community building. His debut feature, Portraits from a Fire, highlights the lived experiences of Indigenous youth while offering a message of healing and hope. Every project he undertakes—filmed on Tsilhqot’in land with Tsilhqot’in actors—centers Indigenous voices and traditions. With his wife, Valeria Cazorla Mack, Trevor co-founded the Tletinqox International Cultural Garden Centre to engage youth in traditional building, food growing, and cultural exchange with Indigenous communities in Mexico. Together, they lead food sovereignty efforts in Tl’etinqox—growing free, organic produce and teaching food security—and founded NENQAYNI, a not-for-profit supporting cultural exchange and community healing. 
 
Trevor also led the Dasiqox Tribal Park’s Back on the Land initiative, a program where youth persevere through mountain treks and camp together to learn drumming, art, and medicine gathering. Respected for his mentorship and resilience, Trevor continues to uplift Indigenous youth, celebrate Tsilhqot’in identity, and forge new paths grounded in tradition and pride. Most recently, he was elected as the youngest Councillor in his community and one of the youngest across the Tsilhqot’in Nation—furthering his leadership and lifelong commitment to service. 

Wenonah North Peigan is an advocate for Indigenous rights, cultural preservation, and policy reform. A proud member of the Piikani Nation, Blackfoot Confederacy and Anishinaabe Odawa from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, she works to advance Indigenous governance and self-determination. As a Policy Analyst with the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs, Wenonah works to bridge Indigenous voices into decision-making processes, driving systemic change. Her leadership in repatriation efforts, particularly through the Vancouver Foundation’s LEVEL Youth Policy Program, led to the creation of a comprehensive policy framework on repatriation and cultural sovereignty, advocating for legislative changes aligned with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. 
 
Committed to mentoring and empowering Indigenous youth, Wenonah ensures they are equipped with the tools to continue advancing Indigenous rights. As an emerging leader, she has already made significant contributions to policy and community transformation, bringing a much-needed, community-driven approach to repatriation and governance. Her work continues to shape policy on Indigenous rights and governance at the provincial level, making her a trailblazer in advancing Indigenous voices and justice. 

Susan Scott Gabe’s exceptional leadership in diversity and equity and helping those impacted by disabilities and life-limiting illnesses have significantly influenced healthcare policies and efforts across British Columbia and beyond. Having served as Vice-Chair of the City of Vancouver’s Older Persons and Elders Advisory Committee (OPEAC), Susan was responsible for conducting a pan-Canadian jurisdictional scan across Canada examining best practices for seniors’ community care. This published document will advise City Council and staff on enhancing access and inclusion for older persons and elders in Vancouver. In addition, Susan sits on the national Board of Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada, advocating for those with vision loss, including the recent passing of federal Bill C-284, which will significantly impact the care of all Canadians. 

For over a decade, Susan has held numerous leadership roles within the Vancouver chapter of the Sovereign Order of St. John (SOSJ), where her work has been integral to the success of SOSJ’s mission—Making Lives Better.  Most recently, Susan’s advocacy played a pivotal role in securing appropriate palliative care for individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities, leading to the creation of the Compassionate Palliative Care for People Living with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (CPC-NDD) initiative. Her strategic efforts have also resulted in a White Paper addressing critical gaps in palliative care, influencing government policy. 

Meste’si Llucmetkwe Colleen Seymour, a member of Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, is a teacher, spiritual helper, and knowledge holder whose lifelong work uplifts Indigenous education, health, and reconciliation. Dedicated to the reclamation of traditional knowledge, Colleen guides numerous healing ceremonies, land-based wellness initiatives, and cultural teachings across generations—from newborns to Elders—nurturing belonging and cultural revitalization in her community and beyond. Colleen’s leadership is grounded in love for the people, the land, and Secwepemctsín, the language she is reclaiming through the First Peoples’ Cultural Council’s Language Revitalization program. 

As one of the founding members of the BC-Indigenous Health Nursing Research Chair Program and the Rainbow Healing Society, Colleen champions self-determination and cultural resurgence. She sits on advisory bodies including the Sewépemc Child and Family Services Agency and the Grandmothers’ Council for the BC Indigenous Health Nursing Research Chair. Her guidance shapes projects like the Indigenous Graduate Education in Nursing (I-GEN) Initiative—delivered across five BC universities (UVic, UBC-Vancouver, UBC-Okanagan, TRU, and TWU). Known for sharing her wisdom, Colleen offers immersive learning experiences grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing, doing, and being. Her lifelong dedication builds pathways toward equity, wellness, and true reconciliation. 

Glen McCall has been a dedicated community leader in Zeballos for over 30 years, contributing to the safety, well-being, and spirit of this small, remote town. As the owner of Totem Bar Contracting, he has played a vital role in maintaining and improving the 42 km gravel road connecting Zeballos—ensuring safe, reliable access for residents and the forestry industry. Glen is known for stepping up in times of need. During a seven-day power outage in 2022, he donated diesel to keep the emergency generator running, allowing essential services like the warming centre, fire hall, and internet to remain operational. 
 
His undertakings extend to numerous other acts of service, from reporting a trapped orca and aiding in her rescue, to quickly responding to a forest fire near Ehattesaht First Nation. He has also supported local events like the baseball tournament dance and helped with cleanup after disasters. Whether it’s providing equipment for the community greenhouse or organizing a Christmas parade, Glen’s quiet leadership and community spirit make him a true pillar of Zeballos. 

Dr. Sabeen Tiwana is a mentor, educator, and advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion in healthcare. Since 2017, she has provided high school students—particularly young women—with hands-on research opportunities at her dental clinic, helping close the gender gap in dentistry. Her academic publications often feature student co-authors, highlighting her commitment to uplifting emerging voices. Dr. Tiwana’s mentorship extends beyond the clinic through co-developing and delivering equity workshops at Vancouver Coastal Health and the Canadian Conference for Physician Leadership. She equips underrepresented youth with practical skills, leadership experience, and the confidence to influence healthcare’s future. At UBC’s Faculty of Dentistry, she champions academic success for minority students through inclusive teaching and advocacy. 

Her landmark book, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Healthcare: From Knowledge to Practice, offers a roadmap for rethinking leadership, training, and accountability in healthcare. Her research on systemic racism—echoed by findings from Statistics Canada and BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner—calls for urgent reform in healthcare governance and policy. Through mentorship, education, and advocacy, Dr. Tiwana transforms individual lives while driving institutional change, inspiring the next generation to create a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system. 

Rik Valentine is a pillar of the Argenta community, whose decades-long commitment to public safety, infrastructure, and emergency preparedness have made a lasting impact. As a leader with the Argenta Safety and Preparedness Society and the Argenta Cemetery Society, Rik has dedicated over 20 years to wildfire readiness—training hundreds of residents, establishing a fully equipped fire shed, and creating a mapping system for essential water sources, now adopted by several first responder agencies. These efforts were put to the test in 2024, when wildfires threatened the area. Under Rik’s leadership, the Argenta Fire Brigade successfully protected every structure in the community. 
 
Rik also played a pivotal role in designing and restoring Johnson’s Landing’s water system after a devastating landslide, leading a volunteer-driven, 7-year project that secured federal funding, passed engineering standards, and was completed under budget. Rik continues to maintain the system that ensures reliable water access for residents. In between these community projects, he found time over the years to do volunteer work on water and construction projects in Nicaragua, Guatemala and Haiti. His leadership, generosity, and technical expertise have strengthened his own community and have become a model for rural resilience throughout the region. 

Photo credit: Bill Metcalfe, Nelson Star

Margaux Wosk is an advocate, artist, designer, and entrepreneur who champions disability justice and neurodivergent inclusion. As President of BC People First, Margaux provides leadership to elevate disabled voices and advocate for meaningful change across the province. Their work breaks down barriers, fosters pride, and amplifies underrepresented perspectives through creativity, advocacy, and education. Through their business, Retrophiliac, Margaux designs bold communication tools and products by and for disabled, LGBTQIA2+, and neurodivergent individuals—empowering others to express themselves, reduce stigma, and build community. They also founded the We Belong market, which highlighted neurodivergent and disabled entrepreneurs, and were featured on AMI’s Our Community Episode for their advocacy and small business endeavours. 

An emerging leader, Margaux spoke on Parliament Hill at the Disability Without Poverty rally and has collaborated with People First of Canada, McMaster University, and Curiko on accessibility, education, and small business development.  Their artwork—featured in York University’s Mental Health Literacy Guide for Autism, to which they also contributed—reflects their commitment to advocacy through creativity. Several of their products are available in the Museum of Vancouver on their open MOV platform. Through every initiative, Margaux remains to be a strong voice for inclusion, pride and important systemic change.