CONGRATULATIONS to the 2007 Award Recipients!!

Aboriginal Woman of Distinction: Sponsored by Aboriginal Business Development Centre

THE NORTHERN BC TODAY'S WOMAN AWARDS is proud to recognize PATRICIA JACKSON - PRINCE GEORGE.

Patricia Jackson is a youth & family advocate for the Native Court Worker and Counselling Association of BC. Previously she worked as a home support worker for Carrier Sekani Family Services, an outreach worker for the Elizabeth Fry Society, a youth care worker for the Prince George Native Friendship Centre and other various jobs helping others. Patricia has volunteered for many years in the community of Prince George. Patricia grew up as a child in care and believes this has allowed her to become a strong advocate for the less fortunate. Working in a controversial and often complex environment, Patricia is one to stand up against racism, conflict and issues that affect the less fortunate in society.

Presenting award on behalf of the Aboriginal Business Development Centre is Audrey Sutherland, Administrative Assistant.

Innovator of the Year: Sponsored by Business Development Bank of Canada

THE NORTHERN BC TODAY'S WOMAN AWARDS is proud to recognize HELOISE DIXON-WARREN - MOOSE MEADOW FARM - QUESNEL

Heloise Dixon-Warren is a woman with many hats. She is a registered professional forester, farmer, wife, mother, and a successful entrepreneur in the Quesnel area. When locating the family to the Quesnel area in 2002, the original plan for lifestyle change was simple - have a few chickens, grow some Christmas trees, have a couple of horses and enjoy rural living.

After 5 years, the business has expanded, is a bonafide farm, and Heloise has found herself increasingly busier at home with the development of business which is diverse, environmentally viable, progressive, enjoyable and challenging. The farm is the first provincially accredited agritourism farm in the Cariboo-Chilcotin region and "farms with the seasons". The farm markets both products and experiences via the farm gate, farmers markets and through the internet.

Presenting the Award on behalf of the Business Development Bank of Canada is Adele Yakemchuk, Account Manager.

Focus on the Future: Sponsored by Rio Tinto Alcan

THE NORTHERN BC TODAY'S WOMAN AWARDS is proud to recognize SUKHI SANDHU - PRINCE GEORGE

Sukhi is an outstanding volunteer at Prince George Regional Hospital and has been a volunteer there for more than 5 years which makes her the most senior volunteer. Sukhi demonstrates daily with her actions how to be a good role model and takes a personal interest in a strong and healthy community. Sukhi became a junior volunteer supervisor and has proved to be an invaluable team member with much experience and insight as to how to be a supervisor and coach her team and mentor future junior volunteer supervisors. She is a role model for any young woman wishing to make a difference in the world today and she does it with a smile and gracious attitude.

Presenting the Award on behalf of Rio Tinto Alcan is Justus Benckhuysen, Supervisor, Environment & Corporate Affairs.

Home-Based Business of the Year: Sponsored by Community Futures Development Corporation

THE NORTHERN BC TODAY'S WOMAN AWARDS is proud to recognize ALEXI FINNEN - HAIRIFFICS SALON - PRINCE GEORGE

Alexi has been in business for 1 year. She offers a mobile service for the disabled and the senior community or to anyone who is unable to leave their home. Alexi has a fully functional salon in her basement which accommodates all her clients. Alexi said "to be successful, you do not always need to start big, you could start small and be consistent with your advertising". Alexi is donating her time to the Prince George 2nd Annual Lawn Bowling Tournament. She will be cutting hair for Locks for Love, as well, shaving her hair.

Presenting the award on behalf of Community Futures Development Corporation is Laurie Hooker, Self Employment Benefit Coordinator.

Forging our Future with Education: Sponsored by Sprott - Shaw Community College

THE NORTHERN BC TODAY'S WOMAN AWARDS is proud to recognize LAEL COLE - NORTHERN HEALTH - PRINCE GEORGE

A clinical nurse educator who uses her mentoring skills to bring out the best in all of her students, Lael took a lead role in clinical instruction and in bringing the neonatal resuscitation program to both Prince George and the north. Lael has taken the project lead in developing the new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at PGRH in her role as clinical nurse specialist in neonatal care and is a founder participant of the Preceptorship Program at PGRH. The program that Lael is currently teaching is now an accredited part of the UNBC Nursing Program and is giving these new graduate students a passion for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and is helping the north get the very best educated and trained nurses as possible.

Presenting the award on behalf of Sprott - Shaw Community College is Phillip Hannis, Associate Director Prince George Campus.

Professional Woman of Distinction: Sponsored by SHAW Cable

THE NORTHERN BC TODAY'S WOMAN AWARDS is proud to recognize RAIJA WILLIAMS - NORTHERN HEALTH - PRINCE GEORGE

Raija is a role model in nursing leadership and professional behaviour. Raija always manages to do the 'business' of nursing in a respectful and creative manner, putting people first and that is both staff and patients. Raija was instrumental in developing the family centered care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Prince George Regional Hospital. This new unit is the envy of the entire country and is a great recruiting tool for both nurses and physicians. Raija displays honesty, optimism, a kind and caring attitude with everyone she comes into contact with. Raija is highly respected around the hospital by every department. In high stress situations, Raija keeps a cool and calm attitude that makes everyone feel more confident.

Presenting the award on behalf of SHAW Cable is Owen Siddells, Programming Manager.

Health and Wellness Award: Sponsored by Northern Health

THE NORTHERN BC TODAY'S WOMAN AWARDS is proud to recognize DOREEN BOND - NORTHERN HEALTH - PRINCE RUPERT

Doreen works for Northern Health for the Health Promotions Program in Prince Rupert. Doreen is a crusader for health. Going above and beyond the expected administration duties, she has also pioneered a nicotine intervention counselling program. This program was developed by the Mayo Clinic to offer support to smokers who want to quit. When Northern Health put out the call for staff to take training to offer the service, Doreen was one of the first to sign up. She became the Program Assistant and began building the program in the northwest. Doreen has been instrumental in health initiatives in the Prince Rupert area. She provides support for her team as well as the Tobacco Reduction team. She is very integral to the northwest.

Presenting the award on behalf of Northern Health is Eryn Collins.

Women in Leadership: Sponsored by Dean Mason & Company Chartered Accountants

THE NORTHERN BC TODAY'S WOMAN AWARDS is proud to recognize STEPHANIE FORSYTH - NORTHWEST COMMUNITY COLLEGE - TERRACE

Stephanie Forsyth, President of Northwest Community College, is an outstanding leader. She demonstrates her leadership qualities daily in our local and First Nations communities, internationally and provincially in the field of education, and with colleagues and staff at NWCC. She has a style of openness, curiosity, honesty and respect, and a certain charisma that engenders trust. She has vision: the ability to see the possibilities in almost all situations - and her excitement is contagious. Nationally and provincially, Stephanie is a recognized leader in public education. She is on the Faculty of the Presidents' Academy for Canada's College Presidents, and on the Faculty of the National College Vice-Presidents Academy. As a past President of the BC College Presidents (BCCP), Stephanie represented all BC colleges provincially and participated in a number of boards and forums both nationally and internationally. As a leader in the community, she is a sought after speaker and board member.

Presenting the award on behalf of Dean Mason & Company Chartered Accountants is Miranda Paterson.

Community Enrichment: Sponsored by Prince George Motors

THE NORTHERN BC TODAY'S WOMAN AWARDS is proud to recognize JOHANNA NORE - PRINCE GEORGE

Johanna is the Program Director for Volunteer Prince George and has been able to completely turn the organization around in the nine years that she has been there. She has been able to increase the number of member agencies VPG works with from 30 to over 95 in just four short years, and is credited for making VPG viable in the community. Jo's previous career was with the Salvation Army, where she organized their volunteers and even volunteered herself. She took officer training during this part of her career. At the Volunteer Prince George office, Jo is actually the biggest volunteer, contributing over 25 hours per week herself. The office is only open from 9:am to 12:pm, but she frequently puts on her workshops for UNBC, Northwood, or Bc Rail after hours, even though she doesn't get paid for those hours, just to keep the VPG name out there. Johanna's name came forward last year as a nominee for the NBCTWA's, but she was unable to accept the nomination as she was away traveling with the cops for cancer ride from Prince George to Prince Rupert.

Presenting the award on behalf of the Ownership of Prince George Motors is Richard Antonenko, Partner.

Leader in Knowledge Advancement: Sponsored by UNBC

THE NORTHERN BC TODAY'S WOMAN AWARDS is proud to recognize SARAH HANSON - NORTHERN HEALTH - PRINCE GEORGE

Sarah has recently begun a new position with Mental Health & Addictions as the Regional Director of Program Development and Quality Control. Prior to this, she worked in the Eating Disorders Clinic from 1998 to 2007. Throughout her career, Sarah has been dedicated to providing excellent care for clients as well as advocating for increased community partnership and collaboration throughout the province to increase knowledge regarding eating disorders. Sarah has also co-authored a book, "Strength to Strength" that is a resource that many clinicians use and has become a resource on the "must read" list in Ontario.

Presenting the award on behalf of UNBC is Charles Scott, Scott Consulting.

Business of the Year: Sponsored by Pacific Western Brewing Company

THE NORTHERN BC TODAY'S WOMAN AWARDS is proud to recognize JENNIFER NELSON - SILVERBACK FISHING ADVENTURES - PRINCE RUPERT

Jennifer Nelson is Tsimdhian woman from Ketsumkaum and a member of the Raven Clan. Jennifer is the owner of a large and very successful fishing lodge based in Port Edward, BC. In 2007, only a few weeks before the season began the lodge burnt. This was a devastating event, as Jennifer had spent fourteen years building the lodge and it was filled with amazing artwork from many local northwest artists. Jennifer was able to turn this disaster into an opportunity and put her sense of purpose and drive, her unstoppable "can do" attitude to work, to the business of building and decorating a new lodge, and making things ready, so as not to disrupt the holiday plans of her clients. Jennifer's warmth and humour are evident to everyone that comes into contact with her.

Presenting the award on behalf of Pacific Western Brewing Company is Tom Leboe, Plant Manager.

Entrepreneurial Award: Sponsored by Women's Enterprise Centre

THE NORTHERN BC TODAY'S WOMAN AWARDS is proud to recognize SANDRA SHANNON - SOLUTIONS STAFFING - PRINCE GEORGE

Sandra Shannon is an outstanding leader and visionary, who started Solutions Staffing as a way to help her home hospital, meet staffing shortages. Since then, she has constructed a well respected industry leading corporation that is nearing $10,000,000.00 in yearly sales. Sandra has, through her vision, had a very positive impact on healthcare in BC and this is now expanding into other parts of Canada. Through Solutions Staffing Inc., she has allowed health care professionals the opportunity to experience travel option within Canada: keeping our trained professionals closer to home and assisting our resource to remain strong.

Presenting the award on behalf of The Women's Enterprise Centre is Shirley Higgins, Director.

Technology Leadership: Sponsored by Applied Science Technologists & Technicians of British Columbia

THE NORTHERN BC TODAY'S WOMAN AWARDS is proud to recognize KAREN ELDRIDGE - NORTHERN HEALTH - PRINCE GEORGE

Karen has a warm sense of humour that she uses to show kind and caring and support of staff. Karen works hard at achieving balance between home and work�they have to balance out. Karen is full of persistence and perseverance. Karen's style of leadership is through encouragement and positive feedback. Karen walks with the person and shows by example and leads gently. When looking for resources, she looks for the best for the team. Karen has instilled in students a love of imaging and radiology that they will continue. Karen puts patients and staff ahead of the technology and makes the technology work for them. That's what Karen's whole goal is. We have the systems, we are building the connections and now making it work for every person. This means that the diagnostic images available to the radiologists and physicians to aid better patient care are available wherever they are needed. Karen sits on the BC IT advisory council for radiography, so we can help guide the technology for students so we can in turn get staff. Karen is also on the Diagnostic Accreditation Advisory Board for the digital imaging.

Presenting the award on behalf of ASTTBC is John Leech, Executive Director & Registrar.

Rising Star Award: Sponsored by The College of New Caledonia

THE NORTHERN BC TODAY'S WOMAN AWARDS is proud to recognize SUKHI SANDHU - PRINCE GEORGE

Sukhi was on the principal's list for each year in high school and volunteered in the math peer-tutoring program for continuing education and she volunteered at the Child Development Centre as well as PGRH. Sukhi is very bright and achieves high academic standing at UNBC. In September of 2005, Sukhi became a junior volunteer supervisor at PGRH responsible for her team of 8 - 10 other junior volunteers that included orientating, training and acting as a mentor to her team and she continued in that role for two years. In July of 2007, Sukhi put forth a proposal to expand the junior volunteer program to include university students and to give them a more hands on role with patients especially for those looking for a career in the health field. Sukhi is a rising star and before long we will be addressing her as Dr. Sandhu as she is seeking a career in the medical field. She is a role model for any young woman wishing to make a difference in the world today and she does it with a smile and gracious attitude.

Presenting the award on behalf of the College Of New Caledonia is John Bowman, President.

Influence and Impact - Woman of The Year: Sponsored by Commonwealth Financial

THE NORTHERN BC TODAY'S WOMAN AWARDS is proud to recognize CO-WINNERS: DORA MCMILLAN - QUESNEL and BARBARA OLD - PRINCE GEORGE

Dora McMillan has been able to bring together very diverse groups of people to achieve consensus in a vital area of our lives - air quality control and protection and clean-up of our environment. Her years of tireless and consistent effort, thousands of hours volunteered to educate, illuminate and expand the Quesnel community's awareness of the problems in these areas have been rewarded. The Quesnel air quality round table is a testimony to the efforts of this amazing and caring member of our community. She went out and made presentations to solicit support for this from the whole community. Without that, it would not have gone ahead at all because the community needed a champion and that person was Dora. She is the spark that kept things going.

Barbara Old has a passion for community and social development and for providing opportunities for women. Barbara is a strong and effective advocate for the disenfranchised, the socially excluded, and the marginalized. Through her role in community and continuing education at the College of New Caledonia and her creative vision for reaching out to women in the north, Barbara developed and delivered (and continues to deliver) the street humanities program in Prince George. Street humanities is an outreach program for marginalized women, many of whom are or were sex trade workers, substance abusers, or homeless. This program changes lives and provides learners with options for the future. Barbara works closely with several front-line intervention and outreach services to bring education to the poor and disenfranchised. Barbara inspires faculty at CNC to volunteer their time to provide liberal education to the learners.

Presenting the Influence and Impact - Woman of The Year Award on behalf of Commonwealth Financial is Dan McLaren, President.

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