Judges

 Meet the Successful You Awards judging panel, a diverse group of local business professionals.

Michael McCarthy, TELUS
Michael McCarthy leads the TELUS Small and Medium Business Team in British Columbia, focused on enabling clients' success through comprehensive, integrated information, communications and technology solutions. Prior to joining TELUS in 2003, Michael provided leadership at Silicon Graphics, delivering professional services focused on advanced computing, and data visualization, and held various roles at IBM within the telecommunications, media and entertainment industry verticals. His Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree is in mathmetics and computer science from McMaster University, in Hamilton Ontario, and he is an active supporter of the BC Children's Hospital Foundation.

John Folka, KPMG Enterprise
John is a senior manager with KPMG Enterprise, devoted exclusively to helping private companies. As a KPMG Enterprise business advisor, John is dedicated to understanding what private company owners and entrepreneurs face every day. He has spent the past 9 years adding value to his private enterprise clients, a diverse portfolio ranging from start-ups to large corporations. Giving back in the community is something very important to John, which is why he serves as a director on the MS Society of Canada, BC & Yukon divisional board.

Mark Tempest,  Deepnet Media Inc.
  Mark Tempest has spent over a decade planning, developing and promoting consumer websites and online products. He has a range of experience; from setting up an internet hosting infrastructure, through to delivering a HD video platform, that now streams millions of videos per month. Mark has expert knowledge of Search Engine Optimization, Social Media, Online Video Streaming and Video SEO and has experience of performing digital due diligence for online acquisitions. In 2010, Mark relocated to beautiful Vancouver and set up Deepnet Media Inc; a company that offers online consultancy to clients in the Canada and the UK.

Brendan Cooper, Canadian Youth Business Foundation
Brendan was originally hired by the Canadian Youth Business Foundation as the Facilitator for British Columbia; with a focus on reaching young entrepreneurs in rural communities via video-conferencing.  The pilot project was such a hit the Brock University Honours Graduate stayed on staff as the Business Manager for British Columbia where he continues his presentations and gets to work with young entrepreneurs and Community Partners across the province.  Helping these young business owners become the success they strive to be is Brendan’s motivation for being a supportive and diligent asset for promising entrepreneurs that really just need an opportunity.

Bridget Field, Small Business BC
Bridget is a graduate of the UBC Sales and Marketing Management Executives Program and has many years experience in Retail Management, Sales and Marketing. She is involved in all aspects of business start-up and business plan consulting. Bridget shares her expertise with clients at Small Business BC as well as teaching business courses for local community colleges.

Gill Tempest, Small Business BC
Gill has over 10 years experience in marketing and communications across a diverse spectrum of companies both in the UK and in Canada. In addition to her responsibilities at Small Business BC for the ongoing content creation and development of their website, she uses her experience to help run a portfolio of commercial websites from travel to fashion as a part of Deepnet Media.

Nathan Waters, Small Business BC
Nathan is the Director of Operations at Small Business BC and has been with the organization since 2005. Judging the Best Employer Award is a great opportunity to meet BC’s innovators in what he considers to be one of the most challenging and important aspects of running a business; human resources. Nathan understands that maintaining a safe, healthy and engaging work environment is an endless and resource consuming enterprise. Kudos to all of these businesses who are going above and beyond in consideration of their employees’ well being. In addition to managing the operations and human resources at Small Business BC, Nathan delivers services directly to clients. His position in the organization presents constant challenges and opportunity to learn new things. These include seminar presentations, one-on-one business consultations, the development of Customer Relationship Management solutions, restructuring service delivery channels and human resources, collective bargaining, and the delivery of both Provincial and Federal Government contracted programs and services. Nathan acquired his BSc in Computer Science at UBC and subsequently studied International Business Management at Langara College. He is currently working towards his certification as a CMA.

 Nathan is the Director of Operations at Small Business BC and has been with the society since 2005. Judging the Best Employer Award is a great opportunity to meet BC’s innovators in what he considers to be one of the most challenging and important aspects of running a business; human resources. Nathan understands that maintaining a safe, healthy and engaging work environment is and endless and resource consuming enterprise. Kudos to all of these businesses who are going above and beyond in consideration of their employees’ well being. In addition to managing the operations and human resources at Small Business BC, Nathan delivers services directly to clients. His position in the organization presents constant challenges and opportunity to learn new things. These include seminar presentations, one-on-one business consultations, the development of Customer Relationship Management solutions, restructuring service delivery channels and human resources, collective bargaining, and the delivery of both Provincial and Federal Government contracted programs and services. Nathan acquired his BSc in Computer Science at UBC and subsequently studied International Business Management at Langara College. He is currently working towards his certification as a CMA.          

Guy Steeves, Constant Contact
Guy is located in the Vancouver Metro area and is a local marketing expert for small business in BC. He runs frequent seminars on email marketing, social media marketing, interactive training workshops, and industry specific programs. Guy also speaks at BC Chamber and Small Business BC events.With over 25 years of marketing, sales and business development experience in the small business space, and a deep expertise around Online Marketing and Customer Relationship Management (CRM), he is now British Columbia's Regional Development Director with Constant Contact. 

Paula Askew, Miles Employment Group
Paula Askew is enthusiastic about providing professional search services to Miles Professional clients and specializes in the areas of Accounting & Finance. Paula has over 11 years of Finance experience specifically in senior roles in Financial Services and Mortgage Financing with TD Bank. Paula has volunteered countless hours of time for various community organizations and is a big supporter of developing Youth Volleyball and Soccer Programs on the North Shore. She has been involved with the Home of Hopes Foundation in San Diego and together with a team of volunteers, donated funds and energy in building a home for an impoverished family in Tijuana, Mexico. Paula is excited to be a representing Miles Professional Search as a Judge for this year’s Successful You Awards for Small Business BC. She is a dynamic leader with a passion for building strong relationships with people.

Judy Brooks, Co-Founder; Blo Blow Dry Bar Inc; ProActiveReSolutionsinc; BodyLogic Health Management
Over the last 20 years, Judy Brooks has founded, built and successfully sold 3 companies, in both business to business and in consumer service categories. In the role of CEO Judy has led these companies through start-up, survival, turnaround and growth modes. She has a reputation for strategically building international businesses, fiscally responsible companies, dynamic teams, systems, bottom lines and relationships. Judy is a calculated risk taker with an ability to drive and inspire individuals from blue collar to C-suite, creating cultures that produce impressive results. Her belief is that sound vision and leadership are what engage others to support a strategic direction — these conditions then pave the way for innovation and efficient execution. As an expert in business, brand and culture, Judy is asked to contribute advice and insight to media, as a keynote speaker and panelist. A strong contributor in the community, Judy mentors small business owners and sits on several non-profit committees. In addition to being a FWE Board Member and supporter, Judy sits on the Business Advisory Board for the Smart Cookies, and Young Women in Business and is a member of the Women’s President Organization. 

Rose McDonald, Worksafe BC
Rose works to promote workplace health and safety in her position as Industry Specialist, Occupational Health and Safety Project Management at WorkSafeBC (the Workers’ Compensation Board of BC). Her educational background includes chemistry, business administration, technical writing and environmental engineering, but her passion has always been focused on keeping people safe at work. Over the last 25 years with WorkSafeBC, she has partnered with various industries to develop initiatives, programs and information to help employers and workers to keep each other safe at work. Everyone deserve to return home from work safe and healthy.

Winnie Hwo, Campaigner for the David Suzuki Foundation
Winnie emerged as a force in B.C. journalism as news director of Fairchild TV, the Lower Mainland's pre-eminent Chinese-language broadcaster, from 1993 to 2009. She's an award-winning reporter who brings to the job a deep background in history, journalism and communications.  Hwo holds a BA in history from Simon Fraser University, a Bachelor of Applied Arts degree from Ryerson University's School of Journalism in Toronto and worked as a daily news and features reporter for CBC Vancouver. She joined Fairchild in 1993 to run its current affairs department and after seven years had the news department added to her portfolio of duties.  There's no overstating her impact. Hwo has won four Jack Webster Awards for reporting, including three straight wins between 2007 and 2009.  Away from the studio, she has been extremely active in the Chinese community, advocating for recognition in media and language issues.

Rab Kooner, Small Business BC
Rab has been advising small business owners for fourteen years and has helped many hundreds of start-up businesses survive the critical first three years. As a previous small business owner, he understands the particular challenges and issues entrepreneurs encounter and actively works with them to help formulate strategic business plans. Since 2005, he has served as Small Business BC’s representative with Canadian Youth Business Foundation and in 2007, he won the CYBF National Outstanding Community Partner Award.

Morgan Beall, VanCity
Morgan is part of the Community Investment team at Vancity Credit Union working as one of two microfinance program managers.  In this role, he  provides high quality and hands-on advice and support for micro-entrepreneurs, with a focus on micro-business that have high social, environmental and community impact. Morgan has been with Vancity for six years, formerly in a frontline role working with members and community partners in the branch system.  There, Morgan developed and adapted financial literacy/community capacity building products and supports to serve member needs and to generate community investment opportunities. He's met folks from all walks of life and he believes in the importance of building strong communities through focused investments.

Belinda Mui, Small Business BC
Belinda has successfully launched several businesses ranging from selling online to trading internationally. Through the years of working on her corporation, her company has shipped to every continent in the world with the exception of Antarctica. Having worked in strategic analysis, marketing, and international trade, she has utilized her experience in assisting clients through the process of starting and growing their business. Belinda has been a judge for the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) Young Entrepreneur Awards as well as Small Business BC Successful You Awards in previous years. Belinda was accepted into Harvard University during her MBA studies with the University of British Columbia to specialize in International Business.

Cybele Negris, Webnames.ca
Cybele is the co-Founder of Webnames, a multi-million dollar Internet solutions company and Canada’s original .ca domain name registrar. She sits on the board of Small Business BC, the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs (FWE), and serves as Chair of the FWE E-series Program. She’s also on the board of the Vancouver Economic Development Commission and a member of the Innovasion Conference and 2010 Taskforces.  Cybele has been recognized for her outstanding achievement with numerous awards, including PROFIT W100 Canada's Top Women Entrepreneurs (2004 to 2009), Finalist, YWCA Women of Distinction (2006), Finalist, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Pacific (2005), and Business in Vancouver’s Top 40 Under 40 (2003). She also speaks at over a dozen entrepreneurship and technology events each year.

Richard Sagan, Client Services, Small Business BC
Richard has a broad range of experience in Operations, Sales & Logistics in Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and Italy. A graduate of the Business Administration and Communications program at SFU, Richard personifies a strategic macro approach to everyday accountabilities and deliverables. After several years in the tourism industry his path has bought him to the world of entrepreneurship and he now coordinates the Client Services team with SBBC. Richard speaks English, French & Italian and is involved in all aspects of business start-up and the business planning process.

Sara Couper, Small Business BC
Sara Couper is the Communications Coordinator for Small Business BC. After completing a Bachelor of Journalism Honours at Carleton University, she launched a freelance travel writing business in order to see the world and share her experiences with others. She took that experience forward to become a Public Relations & Youth Entrepreneurship Coordinator at Community Futures of the Central Okanagan. Before joining the Small Business BC team, Sara handled communications and managed a BC wide mentoring program for entrepreneurs at Women’s Enterprise Centre.

Jeff Chiu  BC Hydro 
Jeff  is a Product Marketing Manager of Power Smart at BC Hydro.  He has a diverse background and experience.  Joining BC Hydro from Retail Management he moved in to Power Smart in 1989 as it was in its early stages.  Jeff has worked over 20 years in Energy Conservation including the Residential segment, Key Account Management (working with large business consumers), Manager of Power Smart Youth Education and currently in Business Development and Partnerships for Power Smart.  Jeff’s key goal over the next several years is to collaborate with partners and associations throughout the province to educate and promote solutions to their members on how to use our energy more wisely in order to reduce costs, rethink long-held business practices, and open doors to new opportunities.

 Bruce Hurst FCGA, CFP Reid, Hurst, Nagy Inc., CGAs
 Bruce has served as a Certified General Accountant (CGA) since 1983, obtained his Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation in 1999, is a graduate of the Canadian Credit Institute and has completed a CGA in-depth tax program. With his extensive experience in managing and directing many of RHN's accounting and tax advisory functions, Bruce has served on a number of committees for CGA-BC. He is currently the 2nd Vice-President of the CGA-BC board of governors, CGA-BC appointed representative of the technical advisory group and the aboriginal financial officers association of BC. He also played a lead role in the development of a comprehensive audit program for First Nations and served as a representative on the Technical Advisory Group on First Nations Financial Reporting. Outside the office, Bruce has been an active volunteer for the First Aid Ski Patrol for over 25 years and was presented with the Howard Clarke Award from CGA B.C. in 2005 for his continued volunteer efforts and contributions to the community.

Cecilia Mkondiwa, Womens Enterprise Centre
Cecilia is the Manager, Loans & Operations for Women’s Enterprise Centre; a provincial non-profit society which is the leading business resource in BC for women who are starting, purchasing or growing their business. Women’s Enterprise Centre provides business loans, training, mentoring programs and business advisory services to women business owners across BC.  Cecilia manages the organization’s $5 Million loan fund as well as its team of business advisors and loan administrators across three offices. Cecilia’s passion about empowering women to their business success started in Malawi when she worked for a non-governmental micro credit organization.   She then moved to Canada to pursue further studies and received a BBA from Mount Saint Vincent University in 1995 and an MBA from the Simon Fraser University in 1998. In 1999, Cecilia joined the Women’s Enterprise Centre as a Business Advisor and later became the Senior Business Analyst.  Her work involved providing clients with business analysis, counselling, coaching and information path finding.  In addition, she assisted clients with business plan development, assessing the plans for viability and financing. A proud parent of four young children, her interests include shopping, cooking, travelling and dancing.

Rita Kim, HSBC
Rita is committed to helping  passionate, inspiring entrepreneurs by giving back the knowledge and experience that she has acquired throughout the past18 years of service as both an Entrepreneur and Banker. She began her business career in retail sales in 1992 and throughout the next decade, mastered: HR, training, sales and service and became a highly successful Area Manager. She then branched out into a consulting practice and completed with a significant Sales & Service Training contract in Beijing, China. She used both fun & interactive learning tools to provide the necessary motivational coaching and training which moved the companies forward to success.She moved into the banking industry in 2003 starting with a Credit Union, moved to a Chartered Bank and then to a Federal Bank. Throughout this time, she continued to achieve extraordinary recognition and awards, including written letters from both the CEO of the Credit Union as well as the Regional President of the Chartered Bank and achieved the cover profile with the Federal Bank. The awards came out for her strong focus on client experience and education.Her main role is one of a resource and advisor. Partnering with true professionals has been one of her biggest successes in banking, allowing her to not only deliver on the basic need, but truly reach out and make a difference in all other areas so important to entrepreneurs. She is now using her skills, passion and creativity at HSBC, a leading Global Bank. Over the past couple of years, many Entrepreneurs set up strategic plans for global growth and now require a strategic Global Partner. HSBC is an extraordinary, committed Financial Partner that can help clients move their business to over 87 countries around the world with key connections on the ground.Rita works with HSBC's Commercial Clients looking for a long term strategic partnership.She is very passionate about the Small Business community and has given back with: Small Business BC; CME; CYBF, ISS and SBOT.

Candace Nancke, CGA, Lorne, Nancke & Co. 
Candace Nancke is a Certified General Accountant and a partner with Loren, Nancke & Company. Candace earned her designation in 1999. Much of her experience was gained while working with Gabrielle Loren, but she also spent three years in the financial planning industry. This experience continues to benefit the firm and its clients and staff. Candace also has an extensive knowledge of computers and software. Loren, Nancke & Company is continually using this knowledge to keep pace with the latest technology to keep the firm efficient and automated. In addition, clients often draw on this knowledge and expertise to enhance their own businesses. Candace volunteers extensively with the CGA Association. She was Chair of her local chapter for several years and more recently has served as the Chapter Advisory Chair. In January 2009 Candace started her first term as an elected member of the Board of Governors of the Certified General Accountants Association of British Columbia. Candace was the treasurer for Step-by-Step Child Development Society for several years and continues to be a resource for them. 

Lyle Perry, Climate Smart
Lyle graduated with his MBA in Sustainable Business from Bainbridge Graduate Institute in Washington in June 2010. Lyle works with SMEs to help quantify their carbon emissions and provide viable reduction strategies. Prior to coming to Climate smart, Lyle worked in the residential construction industry, and has experience working within SMEs. He holds a BSc from the University of Victoria and has special interests in construction waste management and sustainability as a business strategy. 

Gary Webb, Small Business BC
Gary has been a part of Small Business BC for over ten years.  Currently, as a Business Service Officer, he advises clients on all aspects of business start up.  During the past six years, Gary started, operated and recently sold his own business.