Our third annual competition celebrates BC organizations taking action on the principles of social responsibility
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to create challenges for BC businesses, but it has not prevented them from raising the bar when it comes to social and environmental responsibility. Just ask the contenders for our third annual Business of Good Awards.
As in previous years, we turned to a panel of judges (see below) to select the finalists, who came from across the province and represented a wide variety of industries. We will profile the 2022 winners and runners-up in our March/April issue and online.
Until then, here are 17 finalists, listed alphabetically, in six categories: Community Involvement, Diversity and Inclusion, Environmental Sustainability, Indigenous Prosperity, Thought Leadership and Workplace Wellness. Thanks to all the organizations that applied for the 2022 awards.
18 Wheels Logistics
Alderhill planning
Arbutus Medical
Community Savings Credit Union
Peter P. Dhillon Center for Business Ethics, UBC Sauder School of Business
Ecologyst
Epicure
Great Pacific Media
Hemlock Printers
Independent Contractors and Businesses Association (ICBA)
Indigenous Tourism BC
Salt Spring Coffee
Social Print Paper
Spring Activator
SPUD.ca
United & Free Skincare Corp.
West Coast Seeds
READ MORE: The deadline for the Women of the Year awards has been extended until February 11, 2022 (and it’s free to apply!
The Business of Good Awards Judges
Vivian Chan
An acclaimed technology executive and ecosystem builder, Chan is a 2021 Globe and Mail Best Executive and a YWCA Women of Distinction nominee for her work that brings together entrepreneurs, social impact and tech communities. For the past 20-plus years, he has brought his marketing and channels expertise to high-growth companies. Part of the team that grew data analytics provider Crystal Decisions from $ 50 million to $ 1 billion, he also expanded Eyeexpo Technology Corp.’s footprint in North America and China and now leads the Global Campaigns for Operational Excellence in Service Today. Chan is a founding member of Frontier Collective, a group of global leaders of thinking in emerging technologies that are building an inclusive and sustainable ecosystem for change in BC
Darian Kovacs
Kovacs is the Native founder of Vancouver -based SEO company Jelly Digital Marketing and PR at school of digital marketing Jelly Academy. He is also the host of Marketing News Canada podcast and sat on the board of NPower Canada. Kovacs, who lives in Fort Langley with his wife and four children, loves mountain biking, watercolor and reading in his free time.
Monika Marcovici
Marcovici is a social purpose associate at the United Way Social Purpose Institute. He specializes in working with business leaders to define, articulate and implement the social purpose of their organization. A serial innovator, Marcovici began his career in high tech, with companies such as Apple. He then launched one of Canada’s first digital media and web development companies, creating Insurance Corp. of British Columbia (ICBC) and Telus Corp.’s first web presence. As Marcovici clarified his personal goal, he aligned his career with his strong environmental and social values, helping organizations like Greenpeace International develop digital campaigns. He went on to co-founder the Board of Change with the goal of harnessing the power of the business community to create a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable future. Marcovici lives in Vancouver with a wife, three children and four pets.
Matt O’Grady
The former BCBusiness editor-in-chief is an award-winning communications professional who holds leadership positions at regional and national media companies, including head of Globe and Mailof the BC bureau. Aside from freelancing for various outlets — he wrote our It’s a Good Thing column — O’Grady teaches journalism at SFU and Langara College.
Tessa Vanderkop
A social purpose strategist at the United Way Social Purpose Institute, Vanderkop is an ardent believer that business can be a force for good in society. He is also a dedicated conservationist who used his communication, collaboration and advocacy skills to lead the Ivory-Free Canada campaign.
Judges deny themselves when any conflicts arise through their personal or professional obligations.