Board of Directors

The BC Achievement Foundation is governed by a dedicated volunteer board of directors. Their knowledge, enthusiasm and expertise from a wide range of backgrounds, including business, law, finance, social justice, Indigenous innovation, arts and culture, economics, and public service guides the Foundation’s strategic direction.

Walter Pela, FCPA, FCA
Chair

Biography

Walter Pela, FCPA, FCA is KPMG’s Regional Managing Partner leading BC’s largest and oldest professional services firm with over 1,650 team members in 12 offices across the Province. He also serves on KPMG’s National Clients & Markets Committee, overseeing client service and market development across Canada. With a 30-year career at KPMG, Walter enjoys leading conversations with clients, business leaders and organizations on the challenges and opportunities at the intersection of digital transformation, business model disruption, and changing environmental, social and economic dimensions affecting businesses and their broader stakeholders.  Walter has been recognized as a Fellow of the Chartered Professional Accountants (FCPA), as a Champion honouree by the Association of Women of Finance, is part of the President’s Group representing BC’s Accessible Employers, currently sits on the Executive Committees or Boards of the Business Council of British Columbia, the Greater Vancouver Area Board of Trade, the Pacific Autism Family Network, and is a past Governor of the Canadian Tax Foundation and past Finance Committee Chair of UNICEF Canada.

Why BC Achievement?

British Columbia is built by truly remarkable people doing incredible work in varied fields throughout the province. They deserve to be recognized and celebrated, and their achievements amplified, inspiring all of us in our ambitions to make an impact.

– Walter Pela

Full Bio

Christopher Gaze, OBC
Vice Chair

Biography

Christopher Gaze is best known as the Founding Artistic Director of Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival. He hosts the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s popular Tea & Trumpets series and their annual Traditional Christmas concerts.

Christopher plays a leading role in British Columbia as an advocate for the arts, and his passionate dedication to Bard on the Beach has fuelled its growth into one of the largest professional theatre companies in Canada, drawing well over two million patrons since 1990.

His many honours include Canada’s Meritorious Service Medal, Honorary Doctorates from UBC and SFU, the Mayor’s Arts Award for Theatre, the Order of British Columbia, and most recently, the King Charles III Coronation Medal. In 2007, he was also recognized with a BC Achievement Community Award for his outstanding contributions to the province.

Why BC Achievement?

BC Achievement reaches every corner of British Columbia and recognizes the excellence and the good that the people of our Province do for the betterment of all. Being honoured has a massive impact on individuals, their family and their friends. I am deeply proud to serve on the Board and to play a small role in furthering this noble mission.

– Christopher Gaze, OBC

Full Bio

Kevin Bent
Treasurer/Secretary

Biography

Kevin Bent is Founder and President of Hula Management Consulting Inc. where he provides strategic direction for digital start-up companies. He was previously Executive Vice President of Postmedia Inc. and President and Publisher of Pacific Newspaper Group Inc., publisher of The Vancouver Sun and The Province print and digital editions. Kevin has a business degree from the University of New Brunswick and has been a board member and past chair of BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, Sunnyhill Foundation, Greater Vancouver Board of Trade and New Car Dealers of British Columbia. Kevin currently serves as board chair for Streetohome.

Why BC Achievement?

As a proud British Columbian, I believe it’s important to recognize and celebrate excellence in our province. This helps strengthen and build community spirit and inspire present and future generations.

– Kevin Bent

Full Bio

Aisha Amijee

Biography

Aisha is a proud British Columbian, mother of three and an award-winning community leader and educator. Born and raised in Surrey, BC, she fills her heart up with countless initiatives in her hometown of Surrey as well the Muslim, South Asian, Fijian, Arts and Soccer communities she belongs to. She is the founder of a women’s leadership registered charity, Voices of Muslim Women Foundation. In recognition of her impactful work, Aisha received the BC Achievement Community Award in 2020. She holds a BA from UBC and a MEd in Justice, Law & Ethics in Education: Curriculum and Instruction from SFU. She is also the founder of Vancouver based brunch club and podcast: Legacy Brunch Club. Aisha loves to balance motherhood with her own passion for the art of living well, travel, growth, leadership, and legacy.

Why BC Achievement?

It is an absolute honour to serve with an organization which is dedicated to uplifting entire communities from every corner of British Columbia. From our small towns to our bustling metro cities, when we recognize individuals who serve their communities, we inspire and connect all of the communities we belong to. It is a chance to celebrate each other and our collective united spirit as British Columbians.

Full Bio

Greg D'Avignon

Biography

Greg D’Avignon is a partner at Canadian Strategy Group, a prominent public affairs firm serving global and local private sector clients, as well as Indigenous Nations across western Canada. Previously, he served as the President and CEO at the Business Council of British Columbia. During his 12-year tenure, he provided leadership to the province’s 250 largest firms and leading institutions, contributing to economic growth, innovation, reconciliation efforts, and the advancement of B.C.’s low-carbon trade to address global and domestic emissions. His diverse background includes roles in the Minister of Justice’s office and the Prime Minister of Canada’s office, and leadership positions in regulated industries within the financial, manufacturing, and agriculture sectors.

Greg currently serves as the Chair of the YMCA of B.C. and the Pacific Autism Family Network. He has previously chaired the B.C. Cancer Foundation and the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation BC/Yukon. His past involvement in community service includes various board roles, such as the Indigenous Business Investment Council, the Academic Health Sciences Network, and community youth sports organizations.

Why BC Achievement?

We are living in a complex and challenging time of change. BC Achievement’s ability to encourage excellence that brings us together and celebrate those making a difference is vital to ensuring we have thriving, healthy and inclusive communities.

 – Greg D’Avignon

Full Bio

Radha Curpen

Biography

Radha Curpen is a highly sought-after legal expert on environmental, Indigenous relations, governance, regulatory, climate change, human rights, crisis management and sustainability matters. She is Group Head of McMillan’s ESG and Sustainability practice and also serves as McMillan’s National Client Relationship Ambassador. An engaged member of Western Canada’s business community, Radha is an experienced corporate director and a member of the Business Council of British Columbia’s board of governors. Further, she is the immediate past chair of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade and a member of its Council of Governors. She has been recognized in the Vancouver magazine Power 50 List in 2024 and with the 2023 Influential Women in Business Award from Business in Vancouver and the 2023 Inspiring Women Award from Drishti Magazine.

Why BC Achievement?

I have witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of BC Achievement in celebrating the remarkable accomplishments of British Columbia’s entrepreneurs, artists, community leaders, youth, and volunteers. Through its unwavering commitment to fostering growth and paving new paths toward sustainable entrepreneurship, BC Achievement not only uplifts individuals but also amplifies the positive changes that strengthen our province.

– Radha Curpen

Full Bio

Cloy-e-iis, Judith Sayers, OC

Biography

Appointed as Vancouver Island University’s third chancellor in 2020, Dr. Judith Sayers is a member of the Hupacasath First Nation; she was elected President of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council in September 2017. Judith has worked as a Strategic Adviser to First Nations and corporations and is an adjunct professor at the Peter Gustavson School of Business and Environmental Studies at the University of Victoria. She was the elected Chief of the Hupacasath First Nation for 14 years and Chief Negotiator for 15 years. Judith’s educational background includes a business and law degree and an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Queen’s University. She has an extensive background of practicing law for 18 years in both Alberta and British Columbia, working in international forums, lobbying governments and other agencies for the promotion and protection of First Nations rights and title. A champion for sustainable development in Indigenous communities, Judith was appointed an officer to the Order of Canada in 2018.

Why BC Achievement?

I really enjoy being able to work with BC Achievement to identify people to honour in the various areas we do awards. It is such positive work setting the stage to find people we can hold up and say to the world, “this is what they have achieved.”

– Cloy-e-iis, Judith Sayers, OC

Full Bio

Kim van der Woerd

Biography

T,lalisam (Kim van der Woerd) is a proud member of the ‘Namgis First Nation from Alert Bay, BC. Kim is the founding owner of Reciprocal Consulting Inc, an Indigenous consulting firm specializing in program evaluation and research. She has close to 30 years of experience managing almost 500 projects. Kim completed her PhD in Psychology at Simon Fraser University. Her dissertation was the recipient of the Michael Scriven Dissertation Award for Outstanding Contribution to Evaluation Theory, Methodology or Practice, 2007. Kim also received the Canadian Evaluation Society Contributions to Evaluation in Canada 2014 Award for her mentorship of Indigenous students. More recently, Kim was awarded the 2018 BC Community Achievement Award, and the 2018 Mitchell Award through the BC Achievement Foundation; as well as the Indigenous Business Award 2018 for businesses with 3-10 people. Kim was recognized as a Fellow of the Canadian Evaluation Society in 2023. Kim has also been active in her community serving on many boards locally and nationally.

Why BC Achievement?

It is an enormous honour to serve on the BC Achievement Foundation Board because it provides an opportunity to celebrate and elevate excellence, creativity, and leadership. It is an absolute joy to witness the incredible talent and contributions of people in BC.

– T,lalisam (Kim van der Woerd)

Full Bio

Tamara Vrooman, OBC

Biography

Tamara Vrooman is President & CEO of Vancouver Airport Authority (YVR), Canada’s second busiest airport. Prior to this, Tamara was President & CEO of Vancity, Canada’s largest community credit union with $28 billion in assets, and served as the Deputy Minister of Finance for the Province of British Columbia; the Secretary to the Treasury Board; and CEO of the Public Sector Employers’ Council. Her expertise has been sought by organizations, leaders and governments at all levels— including national and international-whether on the economy, social change, or environmental sustainability, and often at the intersection of all three.

Tamara currently serves as a Board Director of the Airports Council International (North America) where she is appointed as Vice-Chair of the Canadian Airports Council. She is a Director of the Board for DRI Healthcare Trust; and is a member of Canada’s Disability Inclusion Business Council. Tamara is also past board chair of the Canada Infrastructure Bank. She currently serves as Simon Fraser University’s 12th Chancellor and chair of the Rick Hansen Foundation, in addition to other board roles. Tamara is the recipient of the Order of British Columbia (2019), the Peter Lougheed Award for Leadership in Public Policy (2016) and the BC CEO of the Year Award (Major Private Company) from Business in Vancouver (2015) among many other citations.

Why BC Achievement?

As a lifelong resident of BC, I am pleased to support BC Achievement in recognizing and celebrating excellence throughout our province.

– Tamara Vrooman, OBC

Full Bio

Denise Williams

Biography

Denise Williams is most recognized as the long time, celebrated CEO of the First Nations Technology Council and the architect of the country’s first Indigenous Digital Equity Strategy and Indigenous Innovation Institute. During her time with the FNTC she became a fierce community and Indigenous rights advocate, sought out advisor to government, industry and academia, and a trusted board member in numerous communities that she is committed to.

Over her years of enthusiastic contribution, Denise has received a number of acknowledgements from her community including BIV Top 40 Under 40, 500 Most Influential Leaders in 2021 and 2022, Mother Board’s Human of the Year, Women in Leadership Community Champion Award and is the 2022 recipient of Simon Fraser University’s Outstanding Alumni Award, where she earned her MBA in 2015.

Why BC Achievement?

Acknowledging and appreciating the beautiful gifts that people from across the province share to make our world a better place is an absolute honour. Achievement takes many forms and I look forward to shining the light on those doing incredible things in and out of plain sight.

– Denise Williams

Full Bio

Government Appointed Members

Hon. Brittny Anderson

Biography

Brittny Anderson was first elected as the MLA for Nelson-Creston (now called Kootenay Central) in 2020. Brittny was appointed the Minister of State for Local Governments and Rural Communities in November 2024. She previously served as the Premier’s Special Advisor on Youth, and as Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism.

She grew up in the Kootenays and lived around the world before settling back home. She started her studies at Selkirk College, has a bachelor’s degree in international relations from UBC Okanagan and a Master of Science in Environmental Science and Policy from the Central European University in Budapest. She was elected to Nelson City Council in 2018 and served on the board of Regional District of Central Kootenay.

Professionally, Brittny has worked for regional government in environmental services, focused on resource recovery and water systems. Prior to being elected to City Council, she co-founded The Cannabis Conservancy which provides environmental certification in the emerging industry. She led project management for the development of Sun and Earth Certified. The regenerative certification builds upon the principles of organic agriculture, focusing on soil health, onsite nutrient fertility, empowering workers, and fostering community engagement.

She loves spending time with her family and friends in the mountains.

Why BC Achievement

At a time when people are more likely to hear about what’s going wrong than what’s going right, it’s important to tell the stories of people who are working every day to make B.C. better. Recognizing and celebrating the ways that people show up for each other and their communities is a powerful reminder of the power that each of us has to make a difference.

Full Bio

Hon. Christine Boyle

Biography

Christine Boyle was elected as the MLA for Vancouver-Little Mountain in 2024. Christine is the Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. Christine previously served as the Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation.

Christine was elected to Vancouver City Council in 2018 and re-elected in 2022. As a councillor, Christine led the city’s work on affordable housing and climate action and co-chaired its UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People’s Task Force in partnership with the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. She was also council liaison to the Urban Indigenous Peoples’ Advisory Committee and sat on the Metro Vancouver Indigenous Relations Committee.

Before entering municipal politics, Christine spent her early career working in front-line social services and community outreach in Vancouver and multi-faith climate advocacy nationally. She has an undergraduate degree in Urban Agriculture and First Nations Studies from UBC. As a student intern, Christine worked on Amnesty International’s 2004 Stolen Sisters report.

Christine grew up on the territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) people, and loves cooking and spending time outdoors. She lives in Vancouver with her husband and two children.

Why BC Achievement

Across BC people are showing up for one another in ways that strengthen our province now and for future generations. Recognizing these efforts is powerful. It reminds us that each of us can make a difference, to lift each other and champion the beauty and vibrance of this province we call home. I’m grateful for the chance to celebrate those who give their time, energy and care to make BC better for all of us.

Full Bio

Hon. David Eby, KC

Biography

Prior to politics, Premier David Eby’s work on human rights and democratic freedoms was recognized by the United Nations Association in Canada, and the B.C. Human Rights Coalition. He was an adjunct professor of law at the University of British Columbia, president of the HIV/AIDS Legal Network, and served on the Vancouver Foundation’s Health and Social Development Committee. From 2009 to 2013, he also ran the B.C. Civil Liberties Association as executive director.

As British Columbia’s longest-serving Attorney General in the last 30 years, he got big money out of B.C.’s elections and cracked down on money laundering in casinos and real estate. He took on opioid manufacturers and delivered a first-of-its-kind settlement to hold corporations accountable for the overdose crisis. And he removed legal costs from the ICBC process to reduce car insurance rates by an average of $400 a year for drivers. Thanks to his leadership as Minister of Housing, thousands of new middle-class homes are now being built all over the province, and hundreds of people experiencing homelessness have been moved from unsafe encampments to more secure housing.

As BC’s 37th premier, he hit the ground running, taking immediate action on issues important to people. From rate freezes and credits to help British Columbians with rising prices, to a public safety and prolific offenders plan, to increasing internationally trained doctors and nurses, to protecting renters from evictions and removing barriers to help more build more housing across the province, Premier Eby is continuing to focus on tackling problems impacting British Columbians.

Full Bio

Hon. Spencer Chandra Herbert

Biography

Spencer Chandra Herbert is the Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation and previously served as the Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. Spencer was first elected as the MLA for Vancouver-Burrard (now Vancouver-West End) in 2008 and was the youngest MLA in the Legislature.

Spencer’s work in the Legislature has restored government funding to thousands of charities through gaming grants and to the BC Arts Council. His work to support tourism and the creative industries helped lead to the creation of Destination BC and Creative BC.

Spencer is best known for leading the successful fight to get transgender people protected under BC’s Human Rights Code, standing up against illegal evictions and massive rent increases, advocating for wild salmon protection, and promoting arts, culture and tourism in B.C.

Prior to becoming an MLA, Spencer was an award-winning artist and performing arts producer. You can regularly find him setting up his mobile office on street corners in the West End and Coal Harbour to take questions and suggestions from community members.

Why BC Achievement

B.C. is known world-wide as a beautiful region with dynamic businesses and people that are elevating the culture, history, and community of our vibrant province. I’m honoured to be part of recognizing and uplifting those individuals who are sharing their time, energy and talents to make B.C. such a special place to live, work, and play.

Full Bio

Past Board Members

The BC Achievement Foundation is grateful for the guidance of its founding and past board members. Their service, vision and stewardship was integral to establishing and advancing BC Achievement’s mission to honour excellence and inspire achievement in the province of British Columbia.

George M. Abbott*

Kathleen Bartels

Lisa Beare

Dr. Robert J. Belton

Pat Bell

Bill Bennett

Mike Bernier

Iain Black

Shirley B. Bond*

Ron Burnett

Gordon M. Campbell*

Ida Chong*

Christy Clark

Christopher (Chris) Derickson

Peter Y.L. Eng*

Peter Fassbender

Stephanie Forsyth

Yuri Fulmer

Sonia Furstenau

Anne Giardini

Wendy Grant John

Virginia J. Greene*

Kitty Heller*

Carol G. Henriquez

John Horgan

Marvin Hunt

Olga Ilich

* Founding Member

C.T. (Manny) Jules

Janice S. (Fanny) Kiefer*

Kevin Krueger

Carol Anne Lee

Blair Lekstrom

Jack Lohman

Robert Louie

Ron Lou-Poy

Scott McIntyre

A. Keith Mitchell*

John Montalbano

Patrick H.B. Nagle*

Coralee Oakes

Kelli Paddon

Sophie Pierre

Horst Sander*

Joseph Segal*

Rachna Singh

Dennis Skulsky

Dr. Michael Stevenson

Ben Stewart

Ian H. Stewart

Jackie Tegart

Rick S. Thrope*

Prem Singh Vinning*

Max Wyman