Surrey Women in Business Awards
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On Friday, April 11, the Surrey Board of Trade and the South Surrey & White Rock Chamber of Commerce will host the 16th Annual Surrey Women in Business Awards. The event recognizes the hard work of Surrey and White Rock’s businesswomen and their contributions to the region. Some of the best and brightest women of Surrey and White Rock’s business community are celebrated and receive well-deserved recognition. The event’s purpose is to inspire, motivate and educate the audience.
This year’s event will feature renowned Canadian business maven and fierce defender of Canada’s economy, Arlene Dickinson!
Arlene Dickinson is a visionary entrepreneur and leader with a remarkable track record of success.
Dickinson is a business leader, sought-after speaker, three-time best-selling author, and philanthropist. She is widely recognized for her role as a Venture Capitalist on the hit television series, Dragons’ Den, where she currently has starred for over 15 seasons.
In 2025, she was named to the PM’s Council on Canada-US Relations, to strengthen Canada’s relationship with the U.S. and protect Canadian investment and jobs.
She is the Founder and General Partner of a venture capital fund that invests in innovative companies in the food & beverage and health & wellness sectors. Under her leadership, District Ventures Capital has become a leading force in the industry, with a portfolio of ground-breaking companies that are transforming the way we live and eat.
Dickinson’s leadership and entrepreneurial prowess have earned her numerous accolades over the years, including induction into the Southern Alberta Business Hall of Fame, the Marketing Hall of Legends, recognition as one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women Top 100 Hall of Fame, and the prestigious Queen Elizabeth Diamond and Platinum Jubilee Awards. Dickinson served as an Honorary Captain of the Royal Canadian Navy for over 10 years visiting our troops overseas numerous times.
With her unwavering commitment to excellence, her passion for innovation, and her deep dedication to her community and country, Arlene Dickinson is a true Canadian icon and a shining example of what can be achieved through hard work, determination, and vision.
On her pride in being Canadian, Arlene Dickinson shares:
“My family immigrated to this land 63 years ago, from South Africa, with nothing but our hopes and 3 small suitcases of belongings. We didn’t understand the cold weather but we did understand the enormous chance we had been given. I was raised to not squander the opportunity, to give back in thanks and to respect the chance to work and be self sufficient. I can’t express how grateful I am to live here and how emotionally connected I feel to this country. I am grateful to the Indigenous Peoples. I am grateful to be taken in. Grateful for the opportunity to live in freedom and peace.”
Past keynote speakers include:
- Sophie Grégoire Trudeau – 2024
- Chantal Kreviazuk – 2023
- Jody Wilson-Raybould – 2022
- Yael Eisenstat – 2021
- Erin Brockovich – 2020
- Betsy Meyers – 2019
- Right Honourable Kim Campbell – 2018
- Margaret Trudeau – 2017
- Christine Day – 2016
- Right Honourable Justin Trudeau – 2015
- Marcella Szel – 2014
- Rebecca Legge – 2013
- Rose Keith – 2012
- Launi Skinner – 2011
- Kathleen Casprowitz – 2010
Nominations
Nominations are closed for 2025.
Award Categories
The Surrey Board of Trade reserves the right to move a nomination into another category. Previous winners of the award may not be nominated again for a period of 3 years.
Entrepreneur (small business)
Is an owner or significant shareholder of any business with up to 20 employees
Entrepreneur (large business)
Is an owner or significant shareholder of any business with 20 or more employees
Corporate Leader
Holds a senior/executive level position in a public or private-owned business.
Professional
The nominee has a professional designation, i.e. accountant, notary, lawyer, engineer.
Not-for-Profit Leader
Nominee holds a paid position as CEO, Executive Director or senior manager.
Emerging Leader
This award identifies future leaders known for their innovative, meaningful contributions to the improvement of their profession and the efficiency of their workplace. Nominees in this category may hold entry to mid-level management positions.
Social Trailblazer
A founder or leader of an organization, initiative, or project that makes a significant social, economic, or environmental impact by building progressive and sustainable solutions to a complex issue facing our local community.
Criteria
Work in Surrey/White Rock
Leadership Skills
Proven business acumen
Community involvement
Include ONE reference letter
Must be either a Surrey/White Rock-based business or a member of the Surrey Board of Trade or South Surrey & White Rock Chamber of Commerce
Submission
Please submit your nomination to:
Rhona Doria
101-14439 104 Avenue
Surrey, BC V3R 1M1
rhona@businessinsurrey.com
T: 604.634.0344
F: 604.588.7549
Sponsors
Speaker Sponsor
Supporting Sponsor
Ice Sculpture Sponsor
Award Sponsors
Community Sponsors
Media Sponsors
2025 Finalists
Entrepreneur – Large Business
Farah Rattansi, My Empower Therapy
Jayshree Stephen, Little Footprints Academy
Shelina Mawani, Nana’s Kitchen and Hot Sauces Ltd.
Entrepreneur – Small Business
Jennifer Woodley, Dominion Lending Centres Valley Financial Specialists
LeiLani Kopp, Sweet LeiLani Cosmetics
Supneet Chawla, ACE Community College
Professional
Jasmin Dhanda, ProSport Health Centre Ltd.
Kendelle Pollitt, Pier Law and Mediation
Naiya Gill, Naiya Gill Professional Law Corporation
Not-for-Profit Leader
Harpo Mander, 5X Festival
Neesha Hothi, Better Business Bureau
Rhea Hubbard, Alex House
Corporate Leader
Andrea Roberts, RascalHR Systems Inc.
Christine Morrison, Loblaw Companies Limited
Hermina Khara, Odgers Berndtson
Emerging Leader
Arshita Saini, GluteNull
Ella Cachin, Civic Hotel
Karmin Dhindsa, Surrey Christmas Bureau
Social Trailblazer
Sandy Dosanjh, Fit Bloom
Susan Bains, Equal Access Collective
Vandana Khetarpal, Western Community College
Previous Winners
2024
Entrepreneur – Large Business
Mona Matta, Verka Food International Ltd.
Entrepreneur – Small Business
Katherine De Vita, Ocean Pointe Business Centre Ltd.
Professional
Anita Atwal, Anita Atwal Law
Not-for-Profit Leader
Mannu Sandhu, iSAFF – International South Asian Film Festival
Corporate Leader
Madhvi Ramnial, Powertech Labs Inc.
Emerging Leader
Trisha Dulku, United Way British Columbia
Social Trailblazer
Lauren Simpson, Self-Advocates of Semiahmoo
2023
Entrepreneur – Large Business
Lesley Jones, EconoWise Sunrooms & Patio Covers Ltd.
Entrepreneur – Small Business
Kamaljit Lehal, Lehal Law Corporation
Professional
Gurjit Kaur Tiwana, Invictus Law LLP
Not-for-Profit Leader
Amanda McNally, Peace Arch Hospice Society
Corporate Leadership
Lisa Skakun, Coast Capital Savings
Emerging Leader
Anamika Sangar, Surrey Schools – Community Schools Partnership
Social Trailblazer
Dr. Jennifer Marchbank, Surrey Pride Society, SFU, Youth 4 A Change
2022
Professional Category
Kathrin Matadeen, TD Bank
Emerging Leader Category
Rochelle Prasad, SPARK Foundation
Social Trailblazer Category
Florence Sufen Kao, DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society
Not-for-Profit Leader Category
Vandna Joshi, DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society
Corporate/Leadership Category
Alexandra Haukaas, PCB Freight Management Ltd.
Entrepreneur Category
Maria Santos-Greaves, Surrey Hearing Care
2021
Entrepreneur
Sandra Christian, Creative Kids Learning Centers
Professional
Dr. Ramen Saggu, Pacific ABA Academy
Not-for-Profit Leader
Devinder Chattha, Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society
Corporate Leadership
Marlyn Graziano, Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Emerging Leader
Tara Coleman, Nana’s Kitchen and Hot Sauce Ltd.
Social Trailblazer
Nerissa Allen, Black Business Association of BC
2020
Entrepreneur (Small Business)
Jean Su, GenerationsE Software Solutions Inc.
Entrepreneur (Large Business)
Joy Mauro, Turnabout Luxury Resale
Professional
Emily Kearns, Ankenman Associates Architects Inc.
Not-for-Profit Leader
Azra Hussain, Surrey Hospital Foundation
Corporate Leadership|
Stephanie Howes, Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Emerging Leader
Cherie Storms, Pacific Customs Brokers Ltd.
Social Trailblazer
Theresa Campbell, Safer Schools Together
2019
Entrepreneur Category
Santoshi Desai
Orange Oranges Technologies Ltd.
Professional Category
Rupinder Khunkhun
Grandview Law Group LLP
Not-for-Profit Leader Category
Ninu Kang
MOSAIC
Corporate/Leadership Category
Alison Fuller
Venturis Capital Corporation
Social Trailblazer Category
Sonia Andhi Bilkhu
Shakti Society
2018
Entrepreneur Category
Yvonne Hogenes
Malary’s Fashion Network
Professional Category
Shalini Das
Symbiosis Pediatric Therapy Inc.
Not-for-Profit Leader Category
Ingrid Kastens
Pacific Community Resources Society
Corporate/Leadership Category
Rowena Rizzotti
Lark Group
Social Trailblazer Category
Elly Morgan
Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Indigenous Entrepreneur Category
Roxanne Charles
2017
Entrepreneur Category
Noel Asmar
Noel Asmar Group Inc.
Professional Category
Sonia Virk
Virk Viyas & Associate Lawyers
Not-for-Profit Leader Category
Louise Tremblay
The Semiahmoo Foundation/Semiahmoo House Society
Corporate/Leadership Category
Dona Hurry
Mansonville Plastics Group of Companies
Social Trailblazer Category
Paola Ardiles
SFU/Bridge For Health
2016
Entrepreneur Category
Sara Hodson
LIVE WELL Exercise Clinic
Professional Category
Amanjit Lidder
MNP LLP
Not-for-Profit Leader Category
Melanie Houlden
Surrey Libraries
Corporate/Leadership Category
Janice Comeau
LMS Reinforcing Steel Group
Social Trailblazer Category
MaryAnne Connor
NightShift Street Ministries Society
2015
Entrepreneur Category
Angela Herd
The Family Hope Clinic
Professional Category
Dr. Jane Fee
Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Not-for-Profit Leader Category
Coreen Windbiel
Surrey Association for Community Living
Corporate/Leadership Category
Hanne Madsen
GroYourBiz
2014
Entrepreneur Category
Tracy Bell
La Belle Fleur Floral Boutique Ltd.
Professional Category
Mary Jane Wilson
Wilson Rasmussen LLP
Not-for-Profit Leader Category
Neelam Sahota
DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society
Corporate/Leadership Category
Kathy McGarrigle
Coast Capital Savings
2013
Entrepreneur Category
Jill Martyniuk
Romancing the Home
Professional Category
Christine Trischuk
Christine Trischuk Consultants
Corporate/Leadership Category
Peggy White
Guildford Town Centre
Innovator Category
Wendy Bollard
Peninsula Productions Society
Not-for-Profit Leader Category
Christiana Flessner
Canadian Wheelchair Foundation
2012
Entrepreneur Category
Kim Russell
Canadian Tourism College
Professional Category
Vivienne Wilke, CGA, MBA
City of Surrey
Leadership Category
Ellie King
Royal Canadian Theatre Company
Corporate Category
Amy Hennessy
FortisBC
Not-for-Profit Executive Category
Kathleen Kennedy Strath
Kinsmen Lodge
Community Achievement Award
Bonnie Burnside
2011
Entrepreneur Category
Lorraine Duclos
PDQ Post Group Inc.
Professional Category
Karen L. Baillie
Laurel Place
Corporate Category
Heather Bell
Nav Canada
Leadership Category
Jonquil Hallgate
Surrey Urban Mission
Not-for-Profit Category
Beth Barlow
Surrey Libraries
Community Achievement Award 2011
Karla Pearson
2010
Entrepreneur Category
Yvonne Hogenes
Malary’s Fashion Network
Professional Category
Joanne Curry
Simon Fraser University
Corporate Category
Susan Robinson
Irly Distributors Ltd.
