Vancouver, British Columbia – October 28, 2024 – Co-Chairs of the Business Laureates of British Columbia (BLBC) Hall of Fame, Abi Coman-Walker and Shelina Esmail, alongside JA British Columbia (JABC), are proud to announce the 2025 Laureate Inductees into the BLBC Hall of Fame. The 2025 Laureate Inductees are:
- Ryan Beedie, President, Beedie and Keith Reginald Beedie (1926-2017) Founder and Former Chair, Beedie
- Stan Fuller, Cofounder and CEO, Earls Restaurants and Board Member, Fuller Family Restaurant Group and Bus Fuller (1928-2019), Cofounder, Earls Restaurants and Chairman, Fuller Family Restaurant Group
- John Nicola, Chairman, CEO and Co-Chief Investment Officer, Nicola Wealth
- Bob Stewart (1916-2003), Founding Partner and President, Sinclar Group Forest Products Ltd. and Ivan Andersen (1916-2011), Founding Partner and Secretary-Treasurer, Sinclar Group Forest Products Ltd.
Each year, Laureates are formally welcomed into the BLBC Hall of Fame at the Gala Dinner and Induction Ceremonies. This year’s event will take place on May 5, 2025, and is proudly presented by Fasken and RBC. For the fourth year, it will be held at the Vancouver Convention Centre West, home of the BLBC Hall of Fame.
Co-Chair Abi Coman-Walker stated, “Each of our inductees has made a significant positive impact on the province, contributing to the growth and betterment of communities across British Columbia and beyond.” Co-Chair Shelina Esmail added, “We are incredibly proud of the lasting legacy our inductees have created and the exemplary role models they continue to be for young people.”
Laureate nominations are open to the public, ensuring that B.C.’s diverse business community is fully represented. The nomination process, overseen by Laureate Selection Sponsor PFM Executive Search, considers candidates with outstanding business achievements and enduring contributions to the province and country. A diverse group of past Hall of Fame Inductees and business leaders, including Peter Dhillon, John Anderson, Kathy Butler, Debra Doucette, Dr. Allen Eaves, Peter Gustavson, and Nancy Stibbard, guided the selection process.
The BLBC Hall of Fame Gala will welcome more than 900 guests and feature a reception, dinner, Laureate tribute videos, special guest speakers, and presentations by JABC students. All net proceeds from the BLBC Hall of Fame Gala will support the efforts of JABC in delivering work readiness, financial health and entrepreneurship programs to youth in urban, rural and Indigenous communities across the province.
About the Business Laureates of British Columbia Hall of Fame
The Business Laureates of British Columbia Hall of Fame (BLBC) was created by JABC in 2005 to honour the lifetime achievements of outstanding B.C. business leaders whose efforts have shaped our province and country. Nominations are open to the public to ensure B.C.’s diverse business community is represented and the broadest group of nominees is put forward. Laureates have demonstrated vision, leadership, integrity and legacy throughout their lifetime, and the Hall of Fame stands as a testament to the positive legacy they leave behind for future generations of business leaders. Learn more at businesslaureatesbc.jabc.ca
About JA British Columbia
JA British Columbia (JABC) is a not-for-profit impact organization that delivers free hands-on, immersive education in work readiness, financial health, and entrepreneurship. Reaching thousands of young people each year through partnerships with educators, volunteers, and donors, JABC is one of the few organizations with the experience and passion to build a brighter future for the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders.
For over 65 years, JABC has served B.C. youth, including Indigenous communities, people of colour, and at-risk populations. JABC’s real-world training helps young people develop the skills to build successful careers, prepare for the risks and rewards of entrepreneurship, and learn to thrive financially. Through JA, young people are equipped with the skillset and mindset to build thriving communities.
JABC is a proud member of JA Canada and JA Worldwide, one of the world’s largest and most impactful NGOs. Learn more at jabc.org
Contacts
For sponsorship opportunities, please contact:
Delreen Motiwalla, Senior Director, Development & Business Laureates Hall of Fame Program at D.Motiwalla@nulljabc.org
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