Business Council of BC Launches New Platform for “Next” Generation of Leaders Shift happening in boardrooms an opportunity for “Next” leaders to bring forward new perspectives on the future of business, government, the economy and society

September 14, 2012 (Vancouver, BC) – The Business Council of BC and President and CEO Darren Entwistle today launched a unique new engagement platform called “Next” that is bringing today’s young leaders together and ensuring their perspectives are brought forward to shape the future policy and economic development conversations taking place in British Columbia.

“As Generation X and Y begin to assume key leadership roles in companies and communities across BC and Western Canada, there are shifts occurring that require an active dialogue between the baby boomers still leading businesses and these Next leaders,” said Greg D’Avignon, President and CEO of the Business Council. “Working with our member companies and our sponsoring corporate partners TELUS, Stantec and RBC, we have created a movement of young business people and a place for them to share fresh ideas, build knowledge and provide the mentoring and networking that supports collaboration.”

“The Next Leaders Council will be a powerful and influential voice for business in British Columbia and indeed, across Canada,” said Darren Entwistle. “These young leaders, who have already established an impressive track record of success in their chosen fields, will help guide our country’s future. I am grateful to the Business Council of British Columbia for harnessing the passion, intellect and tenacity of our next leaders to further strengthen Canada’s position in the 21st century.”

“As our Next generation transitions to senior leadership roles in our businesses and our communities, we inherit a corresponding responsibility to positively shape and influence the world in which we live,” noted Graham Senft, Chair of the Next Leaders Council and an Associate with Stantec Consulting. “While we continue to be mentored by the baby boomers, our generation brings to the table new approaches to conducting business, using technology, and collaborating with our peers; Next provides a unique forum for bringing these approaches to the work of the Business Council and engaging in the future direction of our province.”

“This is a very exciting new initiative - it is a great opportunity to engage leading Gen X and Y employees and clients and solicit their ideas now,” said Graham MacLachlan, Regional President for BC, RBC Royal Bank. “In that sense, it is a new way of

collaborating between the generations and we applaud the Business Council’s efforts in this initiative.”

“The need to empower young leaders within our business community will continue to grow over the next few years,” added Michael Kennedy, Regional Vice President, British Columbia, for Stantec Consulting. “Stantec is proud to support the ‘Next’ leaders program and help develop the voice and entrepreneurial spirit of our province’s emerging leaders.”

For more information on “Next” and the Next Leaders Council, as well as finding ways to connect and get involved, visit www.nextleaders.ca

The Business Council of British Columbia, now in its 46th year as the premier business organization in BC, represents over 250 leading companies and enterprises in every key sector of the economy. Our member companies and affiliated industry association partners together account for one quarter of all jobs in the province.

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Media Contact: Cheryl Muir Business Council of British Columbia 604-696-6582 604-812-5965 [email protected]

BACKGROUND The Business Council and the Next Leaders Initiative

September 14, 2012 (Vancouver, BC) - As the front end of the baby boom generation begin to retire, many organizations are working to support the emerging leaders who will be replacing them in the near future, including the member firms of the Business Council. Forward-looking companies recognize that these younger leaders, many of whom are currently in their late 20’s and 30s, will bring new skills, interests and priorities to their workplaces. Likewise, the Business Council recognizes that this cohort will have a profound effect on the future of its own research, education and advocacy work in the years to come.

The Next Leaders Council is a dedicated group of 50 emerging leaders, nominated from Business Council members, representing a broad cross section of companies and organizations. The Council will build the Next Leaders Forum, the networking hub and online community to engage a much wider range of emerging leaders across the province and in Western Canada using live events, online networking and policy discussions to build a peer networking presence.

The Next Leaders initiative uses a collaborative approach that provides opportunities both online and in person to engage with business/organizational peers and senior business leaders across communities to discuss matters of importance to the future of the province and the country.

The online community is based at www.nextleaders.ca.

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Media Contact: Cheryl Muir Business Council of British Columbia 604-696-6582 604-812-5965 [email protected]

BACKGROUND Next Leaders Council - Founding Members September 14, 2012

Carrie Anderson Jennifer Archer Associate University Secretary Partner (Office of the University Secretary) Borden Ladner Gervais LLP University of Victoria

Steven Beasley Nick Biln Executive Director, VIU Student Union Senior Manager, Finance Vancouver Island University Coast Capital Savings

Jeffrey Bos Greg Brierley Director, Enterprise Compliance and Security Director, Project Management Office Credit Union Pacific Blue Cross

Rob Bruno Robert Buckley Senior Vice President Finance Director, Business Sales, British Columbia Polygon Homes Ltd. Group

Lokesh Chaudhry Andrew Coward Tax Partner Assistant Treasurer Ernst & Young LLP University of Victoria

Chilwin Cheng Sergio Custodio Founder and Chief Counsel Associate ContractTailorTM Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP

Marc Douglas Bryan Cox Advisor, Public and Government Affairs Vice President, Western Canada Apache Canada Ltd. Canada's National Brewers

Ben Deeley Krista Edwards Project Director Government Relations Advisor Partnerships British Columbia Shell Canada Limited

Jim Dunsdon Johanna Fipke Associate Vice President, Student Affairs Associate University of Victoria Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP

Eric Fechter Mark Gronsdahl Director, Treasury Director, Marketing and Sales, Individual Plans Limited Pacific Blue Cross

Kate Furber Bahar Hafizi Partner Partner PwC Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Jacqueline Gustafson Sarah Higdon Senior Manager Government and Public Affairs Representative KPMG LLP Apache Canada Ltd.

Pat Hier Ted Lau Chair and Associate Professor Creative Principal and Chief Executive Officer University of Victoria Ballistic Arts Media Studios Inc.

George Kondopulos Cedric Littlewood Senior Manager, Tax Chair and Associate Professor KPMG LLP University of Victoria

Mark Liedemann Nadia Monaghan Assistant Vice President Group Lead Engineering, Regulatory and Government Partnerships British Columbia Relations, Canadian Division Encana Corporation

Kim Logan Shahrooz Nabavi Director of Government Relations, BC Partner TELUS Corporation Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP

Matt Murray Justin Omichinski Controller, Corporate Financial Planning Associate TELUS Corporation Avison Young Canada Inc.

Jennifer Ogdon Cory Paterson Area Manager, British Columbia Policy & Regulatory Affairs Advisor HSBC Bank Canada Devon Canada Corporation

Ajay Patel Erika Reilly Division Chair, Health Sciences Vice President Langara College Brookfield Asset Management Inc.

Andrea Pomeroy Graham Senft Associate Associate & Practice Lead, Sustainable Solutions Stantec Consulting Ltd. Stantec Consulting Ltd. Chair Next Leaders Council

Harry Sadhra Sharon Singh Regional Operating Officer, BC Principal Advisor, Energy RBC Royal Bank Rio Tinto

Ruby Sumal Michael Shields Assistant Branch Manager Partner Vancity Credit Union PwC

Dean Stewart Jeff Wong Vice President, Business Banking Partner HSBC Bank Canada PwC

Steve Valenzuela Director, Finance Operations TELUS Corporation

Frances Yip Director, Finance and Chief Accountant Coast Capital Savings

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Media Contact: Cheryl Muir Business Council of British Columbia 604-696-6582 604-812-5965 [email protected]