ywcabc.org\/wod<\/a>, or $379 after March 31.<\/p>\nIn several categories, there are 11 Surrey-area Women of Distinction nominees for 2026 including Dr. Shelina Babul, Rachel Bahika Matembe, Sarah Bundy, Suhana Gill, Shivani Jeet, Dr. Prabhjot Kahlon, Dr. Reetinder Kaur, Sukhman Kaur Dhillon, Gurminder Kaur Malik, Sumreen Kaur Rattan and Lenya Wilks.<\/p>\n
Two Delta nominees are Meena Amlani and Monika Jandu.<\/p>\n
In the Health and Wellness category, Dr. Shelina Babul, the Director and Sports Injury Specialist with the BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit at BC Children\u2019s Hospital, developed the Concussion Awareness Training Tool.<\/p>\n
In Arts, Culture and Design, Rachel Matembe is nominated as creator of Museum of Surrey\u2019s Celebrating Our Ugandan Heritage exhibit, champions representation, cultural celebration and understanding of Canadian Black history.<\/p>\n
In Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Sarah Bundy, co-founder and CEO of Athena Collective, is recognized for addressing systemic gaps for women building businesses through mentorship, funding pathways and operational support.<\/p>\n
In Young Woman of Distinction, Suhana Gill, Social Media Deputy Director, Climate Cardinals, helped expand the global youth network to over 16,000 volunteers in 134 countries, with work being translated into 105 languages.<\/p>\n
In Young Woman of Distinction, Shivani Jeet, founder of Survivor Talks, hosts a podcast that creates a safe space to talk about sexual violence and mental health.<\/p>\n
In Business and the Professions, Dr. Prabhjot Kahlon, the City of Surrey\u2019s first Multicultural Lead, played a key role in creating the City\u2019s first Multilingual Policy and enabling the translation of critical communication materials.<\/p>\n
In Education, Training and Development, Dr. Reetinder Kaur, project director at UBC\u2019s Kidney Transplant Research Program and Punjabi instructor at SFU, strives to improve access to patient education materials for Punjabi women.<\/p>\n
In Young Woman of Distinction, Sukhman Dhillon, co-founder and lead instructor at Hands for Life Foundation, aims to increase community and newcomer access to CPR, first aid, and heart health education.<\/p>\n
In Education, Training and Development, Gurminder Kaur Malik, Director of Education, Khalsa Schools of BC and Principal of Khalsa Secondary School, expanded educational programming and student services including school-based clinical counselling.<\/p>\n
In Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Sumreen Rattan is the co-founder and COO of Moment Energy, a cleantech company transforming retired electric vehicle batteries into sustainable energy solutions.<\/p>\n
In Non-profit, Lenya Wilks, Director of Community Inclusion, Health and Equity at DIVERSEcity Community Resources, leads initiatives that strengthen newcomer integration, champion mental health and support gender-based violence survivors.<\/p>\n
In Non-profit, Delta\u2019s Meena Amlani, executive director of ASK Friendship Society, leads innovative programs supporting seniors and caregivers and advocates through provincial discussions on aging and accessibility.<\/p>\n
In Young Woman of Distinction, Monika Jandu, co-founder of Young Minds Exploring Science, has reached more than 100 youth, engaging them in in science, technology and math programs without any financial barriers.<\/p>\n
*** <\/p>\n
Here\u2019s the full list of 2026 WOD nominees:<\/p>\n
Arts, Culture & Design<\/p>\n
Kate Armstrong, Artist, Writer, Curator and Cultural Leader<\/p>\n
Rachel Bahika Matembe, Founder and Director of Celebrating our Ugandan Heritage Exhibit<\/p>\n
Neesha Hothi, Founder and CEO, Neesh Communications<\/p>\n
Marta Kasha, Founder and Artistic Director, Mriya Ukrainian Dance Ensemble<\/p>\n
Barbara Lee, Founder and President, Vancouver Asian Film Festival<\/p>\n
Steffanie Love, Co-Founder, Astro Club Artist Facility & Opal Projects Inc.<\/p>\n
Carly Steiman, Founder, Tradeswomen Exhibit<\/p>\n
Camilla Tibbs, Executive Director, Pacific Screenwriting Program<\/p>\n
Lynn Yingying Liu, Founder and President, Canada International Arts and Music Society<\/p>\n
Business & the Professions<\/p>\n
Mandy Bhullar, Director, External Advisory and Policy at Lululemon<\/p>\n
Dr. Prabhjot Kahlon, Multicultural Media Lead, City of Surrey<\/p>\n
Lilian Kan, Senior Director, Housing Strategy at Canada Lands Company<\/p>\n
Elva Kim, Chief Operating Officer, Anthem Properties Group and President, Anthem Realty<\/p>\n
Caterina Papadakos, Partner, Fort Capital<\/p>\n
Kam Raman, Regional Head, Retail Markets at RBC<\/p>\n
Shannon Salter, K.C., Deputy Minister, Office of the Premier and King\u2019s Counsel<\/p>\n
Parinaaz Udwadia, Director, HR Consulting at Seaspan ULC<\/p>\n
Selena Woo, Vice President, Private Wealth at Nicola Wealth<\/p>\n
Community Champion<\/p>\n
Jenn Dawkins, President, Fire Service Women of BC<\/p>\n
Christie Garofalo, Co-Chair, Smash Out Vancouver and Board Director, Arts Umbrella<\/p>\n
Kasondra Herrendorf Cohen, Founder and CEO, Face of Today Foundation<\/p>\n
Crystal Hung, Founder and CEO, Icon Marketing<\/p>\n
Queen Auntie Jacky, Founder and Executive Director, African Friendship Society<\/p>\n
Julia Kim, Former Chair, BC Children\u2019s Hospital Foundation\u2019s Board of Directors<\/p>\n
Candace Knoll, Founder and President, Junior Black Achievement Awards Society<\/p>\n
Danielle Main, Co-Founder, Leash of Hope Assistance Dogs<\/p>\n
Lana Marks Pulver, Board Chair, Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver<\/p>\n
Amber Moon, Youth Advisory Member, Vancouver Aboriginal Child & Family Services Society<\/p>\n
Paola Murillo, Founder and Executive Director, Latincouver Cultural and Business Society<\/p>\n
Carey T\u015bisxamia McBeth, Founder and CEO, HERO DAWGS Pet Therapy Society<\/p>\n
Liliia Ratushna, Co-organizer, UA Rally \u2013 Voice of Ukraine<\/p>\n
Friba Rezayee, Executive Director, Women Leaders of Tomorrow<\/p>\n
Vanessa Wideski, Founder, Low Entropy<\/p>\n
Education, Training & Development<\/p>\n
Sitora Azimova, Vice-President, Administration, University Canada West<\/p>\n
Dr. Kathy Denton, President and CEO, Douglas College<\/p>\n
Dr. Paris-Ann Ingledew, Executive Vice-President, Provincial Health Services Authority & Chief Medical Officer, BC Cancer<\/p>\n
Dr. Reetinder Kaur, Project Director, UBC Kidney Transplant Research Program and Instructor at SFU<\/p>\n
Gurminder Kaur Malik, Director of Education and Principal, Khalsa Secondary School<\/p>\n
Dr. Renisa Mawani, UBC Professor of Sociology and Canada Research Chair (Tier I), Colonial Legal Histories<\/p>\n
Dr. Anita Palepu, Professor and Head, UBC Department of Medicine<\/p>\n
Tamara E. Pongracz, Department Head, Trades Access, BCIT<\/p>\n
Stephanie Redivo, Employee Experience & Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Director, TransLink<\/p>\n
Dr. Tricia Tang, Associate Professor of Medicine and Director of Experimental Medicine Program, UBC<\/p>\n
Entrepreneurship & Innovation<\/p>\n
Sarah Bundy, Co-Founder and CEO, Athena Collective<\/p>\n
Marissa Grootes, CEO, STIL Classics<\/p>\n
Carla Guerrera, Founder and CEO, Purpose Driven Development<\/p>\n
Simran Kang, Founder and CEO, MyFO<\/p>\n
Sumreen Kaur Rattan, Co-Founder and COO, Moment Energy<\/p>\n
Jennifer Zhang, Founder and CEO, Concrete Cashmere<\/p>\n
Environmental Sustainability<\/p>\n
Maura Brown, Department Head, Medical Imaging, BC Cancer<\/p>\n
Angie Lamarsh, Head of Sustainability, Personal and Commercial Banking, RBC<\/p>\n
Christine Rigby, Manager, Climate Action and Air Quality, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority<\/p>\n
Marnie Wu, Director, Commercial Network Operations, HTEC<\/p>\n
Health & Wellness<\/p>\n
Dr. Shelina Babul, Director and Sports Injury Specialist, BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit<\/p>\n
Dr. Lesa Dawson, Founder and Director, Gynecologic Cancer Prevention and Survivorship Program<\/p>\n
Jessica t\u2019\u0142isala Guss, Lead, Strategic Initiatives, Indigenous Health, Health Quality BC Constance<\/p>\n
Lynn Hummel, Clinical Psychotherapist, Constance Lynn Consulting<\/p>\n
Dr. Brenda Lau, Medical Director, Changepain Clinic<\/p>\n
Sally-Anne Stelling, Co-Director, BC Brain Wellness Program and Senior Physiotherapist<\/p>\n
Non-Profit<\/p>\n
Meena Amlani, Executive Director, ASK Friendship Society<\/p>\n
Kim Bartley, President of the Board, ALANO Club of Vancouver<\/p>\n
Amanda Burrows, Executive Director, First United Church Community Ministry Society<\/p>\n
Lilian Chau, CEO, Entre Nous Femmes Housing Society<\/p>\n
Kristina Corpin-Moser, Executive Director, Filipino BC<\/p>\n
Hajar Masoud, Chief Strategy Officer, Atira Women\u2019s Resource Society<\/p>\n
Martina Meckova, Executive Director, Beedie Luminaries<\/p>\n
Denise Praill, CEO, Canuck Place Children\u2019s Hospice<\/p>\n
Andrea Seale, CEO, Canadian Cancer Society<\/p>\n
Lenya Wilks, Director, Community Inclusion, Health and Equity, DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society<\/p>\n
Outstanding Workplace<\/p>\n
BC Infrastructure Benefits Inc. Concert Properties<\/p>\n
Greater Vancouver Food Bank Illuma Law Corporation Microserve<\/p>\n
Parq Casino<\/p>\n
White Canvas Design Agency<\/p>\n
Reconciliation<\/p>\n
Winnie Rufaro Chironga, Director of Equity, Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Service Agencies of BC<\/p>\n
Jayme Gabriel-Chan, Process and Knowledge Mobilization Specialist, Law Foundation of BC<\/p>\n
Paromita (Mita) Naidu, Director of Content Strategy, BC Housing<\/p>\n
Dr. Amy Parent, Sigidmnak Noxs Ts\u2019aawit, Associate Professor, Simon Fraser University<\/p>\n
Tracy Ridler, Founder and CEO, The Centre for Native Nation Builders<\/p>\n
Dr. Krista Stelkia, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University<\/p>\n
Denise Williams, Principal, Kinship Studio<\/p>\n
Anne Zhong, Manager, Indigenous Relations and Community Engagement, TELUS<\/p>\n
Research, Sciences & Technology<\/p>\n
Dr. Mariana Brussoni, Director of the Human Early Learning Partnership and Professor at UBC\u2019s Department of Pediatrics<\/p>\n
Kathryn Hayashi, Former President and CEO of TRIUMF Innovations<\/p>\n
Dr. Honglin Luo, Professor at UBC\u2019s Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Department and Centre for Heart Lung Innovation<\/p>\n
Young Woman of Distinction<\/p>\n
Oluchi Adesuwa Flourish Aiwize, Former Acting Vice-President and Fundraising Coordinator, Junior Black Achievement Awards Youth Council<\/p>\n
Suhana Gill, Social Media Deputy Director, Climate Cardinals<\/p>\n
Chloe Goodison, Founder and Executive Director, NaloxHome Society<\/p>\n
Monika Jandu, Co-Founder, Young Minds Exploring Science<\/p>\n
Shivani Jeet, Founder, Survivor Talks<\/p>\n
Sukhman Kaur Dhillon, Co-Founder and Lead Instructor, Hands for Life Foundation<\/p>\n
Rachel Wei, Fundraising Concert Organizer, Canuck Place Children\u2019s Hospice<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Thirteen women who live or work in Surrey and Delta are among 94 nominees for the 2026 Women…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":522958,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[194299],"tags":[49,48,87674],"class_list":{"0":"post-522957","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-surrey","8":"tag-ca","9":"tag-canada","10":"tag-surrey"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/522957","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=522957"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/522957\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/522958"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=522957"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=522957"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=522957"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}