More than 400 business and community leaders gathered on Thursday for the 17th Annual Surrey & White Rock Women in Business Awards, an event recognizing the achievements and impact of women across the region’s business landscape.
Hosted by the Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade and presented by National Bank, the annual luncheon highlighted leadership, innovation, and community contributions from women entrepreneurs, executives, and changemakers in Surrey and White Rock.
The afternoon’s program was led by master of ceremonies Lien Yeung, while keynote speaker Manjit Minhas captivated the audience with insights from her journey as a female entrepreneur in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Her remarks, sponsored by DP World Canada, focused on resilience, leadership, and navigating challenges in business.
Joslyn Young, CEO of the Board of Trade, emphasized the importance of recognizing women’s contributions to the regional economy. She noted that initiatives like the awards not only celebrate achievements but also reinforce a commitment to supporting women at every stage of their business journey.
“Their leadership and entrepreneurial spirit are essential to the growth and vibrancy of our region,” Young said, adding that these leaders are shaping industries while paving the way for future generations.
The event honoured winners across seven categories, each reflecting excellence in leadership, innovation, and community impact.
In the Entrepreneur – Small Business category, Raman Dhaliwal of WR Mattress Gallery was recognized for building a community-focused retail business and championing local collaboration.
Maxime Spakowski of Ferro Building Systems Inc. took home the Entrepreneur – Large Business award, acknowledged for transforming a family-run construction company into a multimillion-dollar enterprise and advocating for industry policy improvements.
Paula Bude, founder of Love This Therapy, was awarded in the Professional category for her work in expanding accessible mental health services and introducing innovative care models.
Meghan Neufeld, Executive Director of BabyGoRound, received the Not-for-Profit Leader award for significantly growing the organization’s reach and advancing programs supporting vulnerable families.
In the Corporate Leader category, Hermina Khara of Odgers was honoured for her leadership in executive search and her efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in senior roles.
Nicole Heidari of SWR Drain Service Ltd. was named Emerging Leader, recognized for driving operational innovation and fostering mentorship initiatives within the trades sector.
The Social Trailblazer award went to Andie van der Eerden, founder of the Running on Faith Project, for her work supporting individuals in recovery through movement-based programs and community engagement.
The awards program was supported by several organizations, including Prospera Credit Union as a supporting sponsor, along with partners such as Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Langara College, and media sponsors CBC Vancouver and the Surrey Now-Leader.
Nominees were evaluated based on their business acumen, leadership, and community involvement, with a focus on their contributions within Surrey and White Rock.
As the event concluded, the energy in the room reflected a shared recognition of the growing influence of women in shaping the region’s economic and social future—leaders whose work continues to strengthen businesses, communities, and industries across British Columbia.
