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40 Under Forty 2016_60 pages_11.07_132.indd 1 2016-11-23 4:09 PM Congratulations to the 2016 Forty Under 40 Winners

Congratulations to the winners of the 2016 Forty Under 40 Awards. We are proud to work with industry-leading people who understand that in order to succeed in business you need to be adaptable, efﬁcient and able to capitalize on opportunity. Your achievement is well deserved.

MNP is one of the largest national accounting and business consulting ﬁrms in Canada with 20 ofﬁces across B.C.

Contact: Darren Turchansky, CPA, CA Executive Vice President for B.C. T: 604.685.8408 E: [email protected]

MNP.ca

40 Under Forty 2016_60 pages_11.07_132.indd 2 2016-11-23 1:11 PM Excellence is achieved in the details.

Congratulations to our partner David G. Wong and the 2016 BIV Forty Under 40 Winners!

Fasken Martineau is Vancouver’s largest law firm. We see legal issues in the context of our clients’ broader business issues. Our lawyers achieve great things for their clients.

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Choosing Forty under 40 winners is challenging, judges say | 6 Forty under 40 gala | 8 2015 Forty under 40 winners | 10 2014 Forty under 40 winners | 12

2016 WINNERS

Joel Breedon Kim Kiem Abramson | 13 Grauer | 24 Lucas | 36 Schutter | 48

Almira Fraser Christopher Nick Bardai | 14 Hall | 26 Lythgo | 37 Seddon | 49

Beth Matt Jeff Ankit Boyle | 15 Harper | 27 Magnusson | 38 Sharma | 50

Natalie Philip Jennifer Jon Cartwright | 16 Heming | 28 Maloney Adab | 39 Sharun | 51

Melissa Roy Dana Tyler De Genova | 17 Hessel | 29 Matheson | 40 Smyrski | 52

Scott Domenico Laura Anne Emslie | 18 Iannidinardo | 30 Murray | 42 Stevens | 54

Willie Chad Lisa Joseph Fisher | 20 Kalyk | 31 Niemetscheck | 43 Tolzmann | 55

JC Ric Lori Susan Fraser | 21 Leong | 32 Pinkowski | 44 Tomaine | 56

Jacqueline Janet Michael Alfred Gallagher | 22 LePage | 34 Richter | 45 Wong | 57

Michelle James Maryam David Grant | 23 Lombardi | 35 Sadeghi | 46 Wong | 58

Photography by Rob Kruyt, Richard Lam and Chung Chow

PLATINUM SPONSOR Forty under 40 is published by BIV Magazines, a division of BIV Media Group, 303 West 5th Avenue, Vancouver, B.C., V5Y 1J6, 604-688-2398, fax 604-688-1963, www.biv.com. Copyright 2016 Business in Vancouver Magazines. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced GOLD SPONSORS SILVER SPONSORS in any form or incorporated into any information retrieval system without permission of BIV Magazines. The publishers are not responsible in whole or in part for any errors or omissions in this publication.

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CHOOSING FORTY UNDER 40 WINNERS IS CHALLENGING, HUMBLING, JUDGES SAY Final cut of accomplished, talented and ambitious candidates drawn from 120 applications

BY BRIGITTE PETERSEN being on the other side of it,” Dunnage said. [email protected] This year’s shortlisted nominees, drawn from a wide range of sectors, were accomplished, talented, driven and well balanced, electing Vancouver’s best and brightest in business for the making picking the top 40 a challenging process. SForty under 40 award is no easy task; just ask any of this “It humbled me even more in thinking of myself being selected year’s five judges. last year as I really understood how hard the judging process is,” “It’s hard and it’s humbling,” said Iain Black, who has partici- Dunnage said. pated as a judge three times. “I really learn something every The annual award honours a cross-section of people from a time I go through the process.” diverse range of industries who have risen up the ranks. Winners The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade president and CEO, who are chosen for their achievements, experience, innovation, vision, won the award when he was 29, said nominees who stood out leadership and community involvement. While professional are ambitious, bright and demonstrated genuine dedication to success is key, community service and participation in trade their industries over several years. groups, mentorship programs, and not-for-profit work are also “Three elements are common in all of the winners,” explained considered. Candidates must be respected leaders or rising stars Black. “They really care about what they do for a living, they really in the business community and B.C. residents. care about their colleagues and are great leaders, and they really Judges used a five-point system to rank submissions, and met care about their community.” to discuss and compare the highest scores to select the nominees. Danna Dunnage, Gordon Food Service’s president for B.C., won This year, 80 submissions were shortlisted from a stack of 120 the award last year and was honoured to return as a judge. applications. “It was quite an in-depth process, truly, and eye-opening for me “It’s almost like trading hockey cards,” said Neil Belenkie, CEO of

Sponsor’s Message Congratulations 2016 BIV FORTY UNDER 40 WINNERS!

Congratulations to the 2016 BIV Forty Under 40 (ZVULVM)*»ZSLHKPUNSH^ÄYTZ-HZRLU4HY[PULH\ award winners – an exceptional group of British recognizes that highly motivated professionals Columbia’s young entrepreneurs and professionals who are passionate about their work are the key who embrace, and excel in, today’s fast-paced and to success in any organization. Our “Emerging evolving business environment. Executives” initiative was developed with this in mind, propelling emerging leaders—both within our These individuals have proven they have what ÄYT HUK [OL JVTT\UP[`·PU[V SLHKLYZOPW YVSLZ HZ it takes to succeed, going above and beyond to expeditiously as possible. Given the outstanding demonstrate the professionalism, expertise and quality of this years’ winners of the BIV Forty Under resourcefulness that every successful business 40 Awards we can rest assured that the future of William Westeringh, Q.C. professional needs in order to thrive. The Forty Under BC’s business community is in good hands. 4HUHNPUN7HY[ULY 40 award winners are leaders and role-models who Vancouver bring their outstanding contributions not only to All the best in your continuing success, and once -HZRLU4HY[PULH\ their workplaces, but to their communities. again congratulations! Our local business landscape continues to progress in large part due to the innovative ideas and entrepreneurial spirit of this group of individuals. Their accomplishments raise the bar for others in the formative years of their careers, propelling business growth in BC. Our Province is stronger because of them. William Westeringh, Q.C.

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THE 2016 JUDGING PANEL

Kirk LaPointe Vice-president, audience and business DANNA DUNNAGE | development, PRESIDENT, B.C., GORDON FOOD SERVICE Business in Vancouver Media Group I really understood how hard Neil Belenkie the judging process is CEO, The $2000 Coffee The $2000 Coffee and OnGuard Lone Safety. “We each had heard great stories about the candidates and we shared those stories.” Belenkie, who won the award in 2011, said he was looking for Iain Black stories that spun tales of success to inspire future candidates. President and CEO, Greater Vancouver “It’s a pleasure to get a chance to lift people up.” Board of Trade Movarie Capital Ltd. CEO Alex Read said narrowing the choices down to 40 was difficult due to the high calibre of applicants. “For me, it was about the holistic picture of the individual,” said Read, who won the award in 2007. “The people who stood out Danna Dunnage really have a balanced approach to life.” President, B.C., Besides selecting those who went above and beyond to make Gordon Food Service their mark in their careers, Read sought those who also demonstrated a good sense of values. Kirk LaPointe, Business in Vancouver’s vice-president of audi- Alex Read ence and business development, also participated as a judge, and CEO, said the nominees “reflect the depth of talent and resolve in our communities.” Movarie Capital Ltd. “It was extremely difficult to narrow the list to 40, and that speaks to the accomplishments of our leaders and aspiring leaders.”

with Andrew Chang & Johanna Wagstaffe Senior Meteorologist & Science Reporter

Weeknights at 6pm An hour at6

cbc.ca/bc CBC Vancouver

@cbcnewsbc @andrewchangcbc @jwagstaff e

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FORTY UNDER 40 GALA

usiness in Vancouver celebrated its 26th annual Forty Bunder 40 Awards on January 27, 2016. The sold-out event, which highlighted the achievements of B.C.’s young entrepreneurs, executives and professionals, hosted more than 520 people for a gala dinner and awards ceremony at the Fairmont Waterfront hotel. Chosen by a group of five judges, honourees were selected based on demonstrated excellence in business, judgment, leadership and community contribution. The night was MCed Laura Dilley, executive director of PACE Society, by CBC meteorologist Johanna Wagstaffe and host An- winner of a 2015 Forty drew Chang and wrapped up with platinum sponsor under 40 award Fasken Martineau awarding a cheque for $5,000 in legal fees to 2015 winner Pook-Ping Yao of Optigo Networks. Silver sponsor Entrepreneurs’ Organization Vancouver CBC Vancouver’s Andrew Chang and Johanna Wagstaffe MCed the evening’s program also awarded a $1,500 Youth Scholarship Award to An- gela Tam from the Vancouver Police Department cadet program. Check out the profiles of our 2015 winners at biv.com or visit BIV’s Facebook page to see more photos from the event.

2015 Forty under 40 winner Adrian Fluevog, chief operating officer of Fluevog PHOTOGRAPHY: CHUNG CHOW Shoes, at the awards gala

JUST IMAGINE WHAT THEY’LL DO IN THE NEXT 40 YEARS.

JC Fraser and Alfred Wong – and all winners of the 2016 Top 40 Under 40 award – will do things in an unknowable future for business, technology, innovation, and society.

JC and Alfred join a prestigious group of past Beedie alumni who have been Top 40 Under 40 winners. These shining stars are moving business and society forward in sweeping moves and our congratulations go to JC FRASER ALFRED WONG the latest inductees. General Manager Director, Asia Paciﬁc Vancouver Canadians Ballard Power Baseball Club Systems Inc. beedie.sfu.ca

A PROUD HISTORY: BEEDIE HONOREES, PAST AND PRESENT

JC FRASER TERRY BEECH ROB WILDEMAN SHERRY TRYSSENAAR ROBIN CHAKRABARTI BRENT NICHOLS ALFRED WONG GREG MALPASS CHARLES CHANG DARREN LATOSKI JOHN CAPUTO MICHAEL SHEIN MANNY PADDA JOSHUA ZOSHI RYAN BARRINGTON- RYAN VOLBERG RYAN BEEDIE SANDRA MILES RAMAN RANDHAWA BENJAMIN SPARROW FOOTE JADE BOURELLE JACQUI MACNEIL HARALD LUDWIG SARAH LUBIK DIANA STIRLING SALIM KARIM STEVE MOSSOP DAVE COBB GUY LOUIE AMIT SANDHU ROBIN DHIR MARK FORWARD BRANKO ZURKOVIC MIKE CORDOBA NICK STEINER SHAWN SMITH NEILS VELDHUIS ROB CHASE DIVESH SISODRAKER SHARKA STUYT MURRAY DUNLOP CARLOS YAM MILUN TESOVIC DAVIS YUNG RICHARD KATRUSIAK DAVID NICHOLS DAVE GADHIA

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Michael Parrish of Fasken Martineau (left) awarded Pook-Ping Yao Left to right: winner Jamil Murji, Inter-Urban Delivery Service CEO, his wife, of Optigo Networks $5,000 worth of legal services Faizah Mitha, and fellow winner Market One Media Group founder Farhan Lalani

Cameron Burke, director, partners, of Hootsuite, accepts his award from Left to right: Kerry Riley, Paula Tedham, Tricia Gilliss and 2015 winner Sue Belisle, president and publisher, Business in Vancouver Media Group Jessica Hollander, director of marketing at Carruthers & Humphrey

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Dave Arnsdorf, co-founder and managing Carla Guerrera, vice-president, planning and partner, Pomme Natural Markets community development, Darwin Properties Aleem Bandali, senior vice-president and Karina Hayat, president, co-founder, Prizm Media director, MNP Corporate Finance Inc. Jessica Hollander, director of marketing, Carruthers & Humphrey Brooks Bergreen, founder and CEO, HIT Technologies Inc. James Iranzad, founder and president, Gooseneck Hospitality Katherine Berry, chief product officer and David Jordan, executive director, First co-founder, Allocadia Software Vancouver Theatre Space Society Sage Berryman, chief operating officer, Zachary Killam, founder and CEO, Play Taxi Ralmax Group of Companies Media, One Taxi, Play Charging Trevor Bruno, president, Intrawest Resort Club Farhan Lalani, founder and CEO, Market One Media Group Group and Intrawest Hospitality Management Jamil Murji, president and CEO, Inter-Urban Delivery Service Ltd. Cameron Burke, director, partners, Hootsuite Media Inc. Leon Ng, founder, LNG Studios and the Real Estate Channel Morgan Carey, CEO, Real Estate Webmasters Manny Padda, founder and managing director, New Avenue Capital Warrick Chu, founder and CEO, Qoola Frozen Yogurt Bar Sara Padidar, co-founder and principal, Talk Alex Clark, co-founder and chief software Shop Media and LongGame Holdings architect, Bit Stew Systems Meredith Powell, co-founder, the Next Big Thing Sean Clark, chief revenue officer, Shoes.com Raman Randhawa, vice-president, finance, Jay Dilley, president, Hawkair operations, Goldcorp Inc. Laura Dilley, executive director, PACE Ryan Spong, CEO, Food.ee Tyler Douglas, chief marketing officer, Vision Critical Kristine Steuart, chief executive officer and co-founder, Allocadia Software Danna Dunnage, president, B.C., Gordon Food Service Ryan Tones, senior vice-president, Western Canada, Kiewit Adrian Fluevog, chief operating officer, Fluevog Shoes Tim Vipond, vice-president, corporate finance, Shoes.com Seth Fruson, president and CEO, GuardTeck Security Amelia Warren, CEO, Epicure Joe Geluch, president, Naikoon Contracting Ltd. Pook-Ping Yao, CEO, Optigo Networks Chris Goward, founder and CEO, WiderFunnel Youssef Zohny, director, wealth management, portfolio Cody Green, founder, co-CEO, Canada Drives manager, StennerZohny Investment Partners

EO Vancouver Chapter Congratulations EO is a worldwide network of experienced entrepreneurs MNP is proud to sponsor BIV’s Top Forty Under 40 and congratulates committed to personal and business enrichment as well as all of this year’s winners and nominees. entrepreneurial mentorship and education. If you are the founder, co-founder, owner or controlling shareholder of a As entrepreneurs and community leaders, each of you understands business with annual gross sales exceeding (US) $1 million, success does not come without risks, but with a vision, courage and you qualify for EO. a clear plan of action you can reap the rewards. As an entrepreneurial ﬁrm built for entrepreneurs, MNP has a strong set of values that EO delivers a wealth of local and international benefits, encourages leadership within our organization, with our clients, programs and services to its membership including peer within our communities and within our profession. These values are support through local monthly Forum groups, networking, well ingrained at MNP and date back almost 60 years. exclusive learning events, and international programs. EO In this year’s winners, we see bright minds and giving hearts. We see is an international network of over 12,000 entrepreneurs motivated individuals who have the desire to develop themselves in 50 countries around the world. EO Vancouver Chapter is while creating positive change in our local communities, in our the premiere network for peer-to-peer interaction among businesses and in the world around us. We commend each and Vancouver’s entrepreneurial community. every one of you and wish you all continued success. For membership criteria and information please visit our website at Sincerely, www.eonetwork.org EO Vancouver Administration Office 604.622.7020 Darren Turchansky, CPA, CA Executive Vice President for B.C., MNP LLP

MNP.ca Entrepreneurs’ Organization

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© 2016 Ernst & Young LLP. All Rights Reserved. PARTNERING INSOLUTIONS CALL: 604-688-2398 OREMAIL:[email protected] SPECIALIZING INCONTENT Visit ey.com/ca Visit of the2016Forty Under40! Michelle Grant, who’s beennamedone We’re proud to celebrate EY partner more of it? achievement inspire Can celebrating GET CONNECTED Congratulations! Forty under40 Forty future BCIT graduates asBusiness in Vancouver’s learning. We to congratulating look forward applied from thatcomes theadvantage with BCIT business graduates launch their careers Corporate Finance respectively. Management and Financial Management – JC Fraser and Lori Pinkowski, graduates ofHR The BCIT School ofBusiness congratulate alumni . 2016-11-23 1:12 PM 12 | FORTY UNDER 40 2016 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER

2014 FORTY UNDER 40 WINNERS

Arash Adnani, president, Blender Media Sacha McLean, president and CEO, McLean Ventures Jennifer Archibald, chief financial officer, Cardiome Pharma Corp. Ltd. and the McLean Group of Companies Kristan Ash, director, home health, B.C., We Justin Maxwell, chief operating officer, Angus Care/CBI Home Health Services One Professional Recruitment Ltd. Lana Bradshaw, managing director, Holloway Schulz & Partners Mark Melissen, managing partner, Wildstone Group of Companies Kevin Campbell, managing director, investment banking, Haywood Securities Inc. Jeff Nugent, chief operating officer, Industry Training Authority Luis Canepari, vice-president, information systems, Goldcorp Daniel Popescu, president and CEO, Harbourfront Wealth Management Andrew Chan, CFO, Gener8 Sukhi Rai, president, RBI Group of Companies Danny Chase, president, Chase Office Interiors Drew Railton, managing partner, Caldwell Partners Bruce Constantine, president, Espro Inc. Rasool Rayani, owner, president, Heart Pharmacy Lynn Cook, chief financial officer, U.S., Colliers International James Reyes, VP, strategy and business Luke Evanow, president/owner, Pacific Restaurant Supply development, The ACTIVE Network Chelsea Ganam, clinical director, Monarch House Autism Centre Sharadh Sampath, head, department of surgery, David Gens, founder and CEO, Merchant Advance Capital Vancouver Coastal Health – Richmond Sunny Ghataurah, director, Applied Engineering Solutions Ltd. Amit Sandhu, chief executive officer, Ampri Group of Companies Matei Ghelesel, president and owner, Sonic Enclosures Ltd. Jen Schaeffers, executive director, CKNW Orphans’ Fund Zeeshan Hayat, CEO and co-founder, Prizm Media Inc. Greg D. Smith, president, CEO and co- founder, Anthem United Inc. Branislav Henselmann, executive director, Ballet BC Jeremy Tiffin, president and managing Alex Holmes, partner, Oxygen Capital Corp. director, Horizon Recruitment Inc. Peter Hudson, founder and CEO, BitLit Media Inc. Colin Topham, managing director, Agrocorp Cameron Laker, CEO, Mindfield Group International – Canada Matt Lennox-King, president and CEO, Pilot Gold Ray Walia, co-founder and executive director, Launch Academy Joey Lin, CEO/owner, Taipak Enterprises Ltd. Michael Ward, senior vice-president, development Sarah Lubik, lecturer and director of Tech and general manager, Grosvenor Americas E@SFU, Simon Fraser University

Sponsor’s Message Congratulations! Engaging Entrepreneurs to Learn and Grow TELUS would like to congratulate all of the winners that have been named 2016 Forty under 40 presented EO Vancouver, Entrepreneurs’ Organization is, once again, a proud sponsor of the Business In Vancouver Top 40 Under 40 Awards for by Business in Vancouver. Coming from a variety of a 12th year. backgrounds and sectors, your excellence in leadership, As an international, world respected association of entrepreneurs, innovation, and social contribution symbolize the the EO Vancouver Chapter is pleased to have had many EO success and diversity of our community. As leaders in Vancouver members as winners of the 40 Under 40 Awards over our community, we at TELUS recognize your importance, the past ten years and we congratulate all the ﬁnalists for 2016. and want to ensure your continued success making BC As a global community of entrepreneurs EO has 12,000 members a great place to work and live. in 50 countries. Members must be the founder, co-founder, owner or controlling shareholder of a business with annual gross sales At TELUS, we work hard every day to enable exceeding (US) $1 million. your company to achieve all of your business EO offers members Direct Peer-To-Peer Learning, Once-In-A- Lifetime Experiences and Connection To Experts through member accomplishments, including your most recent accolade. events and monthly Forum Groups. The Vancouver Chapter is one And that’s why we are investing $1 billion to connect of the leading chapters in the world. the majority of homes and businesses in the City of EO Vancouver also supports emerging entrepreneurs through the Vancouver directly to TELUS Fibre over the next 5 years Accelerator Program, Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA) – making Vancouver the world’s next gigabit-enabled and the awarding of Youth Scholarships presented annually at the city. Together, we will continue to make Vancouver the 40 Under 40 Awards. best city it can be. Congratulations! Congratulations to Business In Vancouver for their vision to proﬁle the “best of the best” entrepreneurs in British Columbia at their annual awards.

For membership information visit www.eonetwork.org or contact us at 604.622.7020 Entrepreneurs’ Organization

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JOEL ABRAMSON CEO, Fully Managed Inc. AGE rowing up, Joel Abramson, chief Gexecutive officer of Fully Managed, experienced all the regular techno- 35 logical milestones of the day. The 35-year-old leader of the multi- platform IT services company remembers his father setting up a Commodore 64 – an eight-bit computer – for him in the living room. He also remembers getting a Super Nintendo for Christmas, and playing early console video games like Summer Games or Skate or Die! that have become iconic over the years. “I remember when the Internet really first started,” said Abramson. “I built a fan page for the Vancouver Grizzlies because I took a summer course up at [Simon Fraser University] building websites on the Internet. That was when I started to understand the potential of connecting people with technology, simply because of how accessible the Internet started to make information, even back in those early days.” Abramson graduated from McGill University in 2004. He was on the path to landing a job in New York for Mer- rill Lynch as an underwriter when his career took a turn, back to the past. An opportunity came up to start Packet- Safe Networks Corp., a managed services company. It was something he couldn’t say no to. RICHARD LAM “It actually took me back 10 years to acquired by Fully Managed. He started when I was 23 years old to something as vice-president of business develop- that I had said. And that was that I ment, and in January of this year was wanted to connect business and people named chief executive officer. The rate of change is to technology.” When asked about the future of Over the years Abramson has also technology, Abramson said the only incredible to watch. started and sold a number of ventures certainty is that the possibilities are ... The growth of including a niche-market T-shirt web- endless. technology available site, a collegiate sports memorabilia “The rate of change is incredible to customization website and a vacation watch. We’re in a day and age where the to both consumers rental management consulting firm. growth of technology available to both and businesses is Abramson ran PacketSafe as its man- consumers and businesses is growing aging director until 2013 when it was exponentially.” growing exponentially

Birthplace: Vancouver Currently reading: Tools of Titans Profession you would most like to What’s left to do: So much! by Timothy Ferriss try: Venture capitalist Continue to explore the world Where you live now: Strathcona with my wonderful young in Vancouver Currently listening to: Closer by Toughest business or professional family. M&A, international The Chainsmokers decision: Selling my first Highest level of education: BA expansion and innovation in business in economics and political When you were a kid, what you my professional life. I’m just science from McGill wanted to be when you grew up: A Advice you would give the younger getting started bridge between business and you: Build a strong “personal technology board of directors” from Day 1

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ALMIRA BARDAI Co-CEO and co-founder, Jive Communications AGE n the seven years since Almira Bardai Ico-founded Jive Communications with Lindsay Nahmiache, the two 39 have expanded their public relations company to include offices in Vancou- ver, Los Angeles and Toronto, and employ 17 staff members. A dozen of those employees are in the firm’s Vancouver office while two are in Toronto, and Nahmiache heads a three-person contingent in Los Angeles. Clients include Telus Corp. (TSX:T), Granville Island Brewing and the Van- couver International Film Festival among many others. Her initial goal was to be a teacher. Instead of going through that training, however, Bardai took a job at the public relations agency Wilcox Group in 2000, just before graduating from Simon Fra- ser University with a bachelor’s degree in communications. A year and a half later, she realized her dream to work abroad when she leapt into the unknown and went to London, England. She spotted an ad for Cobra Beer while riding the city’s underground railway, and inspiration struck. She decided to cold-call the company’s marketing director to see whether there were any public relations jobs available.He was impressed with her ROB KRUYT experience, so he gave her a chance. launched her own agency, Avid Com- Within a year she was put in charge of munications, while she looked for work. the company’s global PR while Cobra Within months, she secured contracts expanded across Europe and to South that gave her full-time work. Clients include Telus Africa, the U.S. and India. In 2005 she The partnership with Nahmiache moved to Australia. came about four years later, in Febru- Corp. (TSX:T), Granville “I really wanted to continue to travel,” ary 2009, when the world was nearing Island Brewing and the she said. After about eight months at the nadir of the global financial crisis. Vancouver International an agency in Sydney, she left to travel Despite challenging times at first, the some more before working at Cobra in duo persevered. Jive is now the 12th Film Festival Capetown for a few months. largest PR firm in Vancouver, according A Vancouverite at heart, she returned to Business in Vancouver’s 2016 list of to her hometown in mid-2006 and PR companies.

Birthplace: Vancouver Currently listening to: Drake major scale-up, in a six-month What’s left to do: My period. It was intense, and biggest passion is female Where you live now: Vancouver When you were a kid, what you we had to learn to walk entrepreneurship, and wanted to be when you grew up: Highest level of education: slowly and thoroughly, while supporting/creating Teacher, particularly in the Bachelor of applied sciences in simultaneously running hard opportunities for women and developing world communication, with a minor girls in the developing world. Advice you would give the in both publishing and English, Profession you would most like I’d love to set up a social younger you: Reverse engineer, from SFU Brewmaster, as I’m enterprise focusing on these to try: right from the beginning, fascinated by the craft beer areas Currently reading: Time to Think: with scalable, achievable industry Listening to Ignite the Human milestones. Planning for Mind by Nancy Kline Toughest business or professional growth, right from the get-go, decision: Deciding to do a makes growth less painful

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Founder, Longgame Holdings Inc.; BETH BOYLE co-founder, Talk Shop Media Inc. AGE eth Boyle, founder of Longgame BHoldings and co-founder of Talk Shop Media, has a lot on her plate. 35 While running two successful companies she is also a social entrepreneur, member of numerous boards, community volunteer, women’s coach and mentor and instructor at Simon Fraser University. She’s also just finishing a degree in urban land economics through the University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business. “I think as an entrepreneur it’s important to maintain a level of diversification, develop new skill sets and try new things,” Boyle said. “I love the variety, I’m constantly learning, and it’s never boring.” The core of Boyle’s business acumen resides in marketing and PR. She co- founded Talk Shop in 2007 and became a partner in 2011. Her work includes successful media strategies for companies such as Bosa Properties, Sotheby’s International Realty and MGB Archi- tecture. She uses those skills to build on her other work. “[Marketing] is about building relationships and fostering relationships,” she said. “That’s my passion, and marketing is my tool to be able to do that.” Boyle is also committed to helping her community. Since 2014 she has served ROB KRUYT on the board of directors for Bloom Boyle values not only skills develop- Group, an organization focused on de- ment but also that rare ability to apply veloping affordable and seniors’ housing knowledge and ability across profes- in the Downtown Eastside. She also sits sions. Her work in marketing for real I think as an on the board of non-profit children’s estate companies, for example, ignited book company Big Heart Publishing her interest in property development entrepreneur it’s and is an active volunteer with Habitat and real estate investment. important to maintain a For Humanity’s Women Build program Kindling that interest, Boyle co- level of diversification in Vancouver. founded Longgame Holdings, a real She’s committed to helping encourage estate investment firm that in 2015 had young business people as well, par- revenue of $2.5 million. The company ticularly in the fields of science and now owns and invests in properties technology. across Western Canada.

Birthplace: Vancouver Currently listening to: The Profession you would most like to Advice you would give the younger Beautiful Brain podcast try: Real estate consultant or you: Spend more time really Where you live now: Vancouver developer identifying your core values When you were a kid, what you Highest level of education: BA in Write a book, Romance languages wanted to be when you grew up: Toughest business or professional What’s left to do: An obstetrician decision: Starting my first get my master’s and find more Currently reading: Keeping the company. I had a good job, balance in my life Love You Find by Harville good stability, and it was a risk Hendrix to go out on my own

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NATALIE CARTWRIGHT Co-founder and chief operating officer, Finn.ai AGE hen the war in Syria broke out Win 2011, Natalie Cartwright, co- founder and chief operating of- 33 ficer of Finn.ai, was overseeing the Syria portfolio for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. At the time, unrest meant supplies of life-saving treatment for people suffering from HIV infection were being threatened. “[My] colleagues in Syria at the Min- istry of Health and Red Crescent had bombs falling within blocks of their family homes and were shot at,” she said. “And yet they still worried about keeping national health programs running.” Her work with the fund enabled needed pharmaceuticals to continue flowing to people during the war. It’s evidence of Cartwright’s ability to bring disparate parties together to find stable ground – even as falling bombs are shaking the earth beneath their feet. Sometimes leadership qualities are inborn. Cartwright was her high school class president, director of leadership programs at the YMCA, and her gradu- ate school class valedictorian. That’s not to say her abilities weren’t cultivated by the most important people in her life. “My mom’s last words to me when she dropped me off at elementary school every morning were ‘Be nice to everyone today,’” Cartwright said. “That was my ROB KRUYT first leadership training.” business.” Even though she can’t help being no- Cartwright holds a bachelor of arts ticed for her successes, she’s put her in psychology and pathology from prominence to good use. She gives McGill University, a master of public My mom’s last words to interviews on shows such as She Built health from Lund University in Sweden That, presented at the Next Big Thing and an MBA from IE Business School me when she dropped convention and speaks to, mentors and in Spain. In 2014 she brought her train- me off at elementary judges competitions for aspiring young ing and experience together to create school every morning entrepreneurs. Finn.ai, an artificial-intelligence bank- Among the up-and-comers, women ing interface for day-to-day trans- were ‘Be nice to hold particular importance for Cart- actions, budgeting and saving, customer everyone today’ wright. “Women aren’t there yet with support and other financial business gender equality, and it makes for bad functions.

Birthplace: Vancouver When you were a kid, what you Profession you would most like resignation letter but in the wanted to be when you grew to try: To be in a musical on end it was closer to a bottle of Where you live now: Vancouver up: When I was in preschool Broadway wine before I pressed send Highest level of education: Master I wanted to be a dad when I Toughest business or professional Advice you would give the younger of public health, MBA grew up. I got mad when people decision: To leave my job in you: Be kinder to yourself laughed and told me that it Currently reading: The Illegal by Geneva at the Global Fund to wasn’t possible. I still don’t What’s left to do: Be an angel Lawrence Hill start a business. I thought it like it when people tell me that investor would take a glass of wine to Currently listening to: Anything things aren’t possible have the courage to send my by Kate Vaughan

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MELISSA DE GENOVA Director of development, Vancouver Resource Society AGE here has been plenty of discussion Taround affordable housing, but for Melissa De Genova it’s time 34 for action. As a native Vancouverite, a military spouse and a millennial, De Genova has had first-hand experience addressing the affordable housing issue and she regularly highlights the importance of it. The issue prompted De Genova to run for municipal office, and she has made it a cornerstone of her career. In 2011 she joined the Vancouver Resource Society (VRS), a non-profit organization that uses innovative fundraising techniques to provide housing to people with disabilities. As the director of development, De Genova manages a $90 million real estate portfolio and aims to use that value to increase the availability of affordable housing. “I do believe that organizations including VRS do thrive from charitable organizations,” De Genova said. “However, what I’ve tried to move forward to is a model that is financially sustainable and will see the equity in the properties that VRS already owns help to create more housing for people with disabilities.” The fight for affordable housing is not new for De Genova or her family. Her father, Allan De Genova, founded RICHARD LAM Honour House, a residence for the fam- struggled with her husband to live in ilies of veterans and first responders Vancouver, though she adds it has been when they or their families fall ill or are well worth the sacrifice to live in the injured, and where Melissa De Genova city she loves. I was there to provide works as the fundraising chair. “I was compelled to run for city coun- As the youngest person on the Van- cil to make sure that I had a seat at the the perspective of a couver city council and the only mil- table,” she said, “that I was there to younger person and lennial in the council chambers, De provide the perspective of a younger for those people across Genova is also concerned that many person and for those people across the young people are being priced out of the board, regardless of their age, who the board ... who city’s housing market. She personally require accessible and affordable require accessible and has wrestled with the issue, having housing.” affordable housing

Birthplace: Vancouver Currently reading: City council Profession you would most like to of what anyone tells you. You binder for upcoming day try: Not sure but perhaps it will will be able to achieve your Where you live now: East find me one day goals with a good work ethic, Vancouver Michael Currently listening to: determination and strength Bublé greatest hits Toughest business or professional Highest level of education: decision: To run for political What’s left to do: Make housing Bachelor of arts in political When you were a kid, what you office affordable in Vancouver and science wanted to be when you grew up: expand VRS Lawyer Advice you would give the younger you: Don’t give up regardless

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SCOTT EMSLIE Founder and president, Wet Ape Productions AGE or an extended moment, Scott Em- Fslie had a professional career in volleyball. 39 After graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering from the Uni- versity of Alberta, where he became one of just a handful of people to be named both an Athletic All-Canadian and an Academic All-Canadian, the founder of Wet Ape Productions headed overseas to play his sport in Europe “I was travelling around, basically chasing summer, playing on these different beach circuits. That was the start of this transition into starting to pro- duce my own events,” Emslie said. His first foray into event production was Volleyfest, which was Emslie’s response to the lack of beach volleyball festivals being hosted in Canada at the time. After pulling off the inaugural event in 2007 with some DJs and some sponsors, Emslie wanted to do more. “I wanted to have this multi-sport festival. That was the birth of Center of Gravity.” Nine years running, Kelowna’s Center of Gravity now attracts sponsors like Monster Energy (Nasdaq:MNST) and has hosted some of the biggest DJs and artists in the world, including Calvin Harris, Skrillex and Ice Cube. The festival has grown organically to RICHARD LAM welcome crowds of over 24,000 annu- that draws around 10,000 people ally, Emslie said. per year, and Unbuckled, an experi- Beyond Center of Gravity, Emslie’s ential country event in Stanley Park company has several other events under that debuted last year and returned in It was a passion project the Wet Ape portfolio. Ape, he said, September. stands for athletes, productions and “It’s really powerful when everybody’s originally; I wasn’t events, while the “wet” part was meant on the same page and everybody’s com- really expecting it to make it more fun and creative. pletely united and you feel like you’re to become a career “It was a passion project originally; part of a moment,” Emslie said. “That I wasn’t really expecting it to become was for me the driving force behind a career.” continuing with event management and Among his other events are Harvest building these festivals:. these moments Haus, a Vancouver ode to Oktoberfest that we were creating at these events.”

Birthplace: Calgary Currently listening to: Scared, The financially sustainable. It was greater when your attention is Tragically Hip a festival my staff and I were focused on the right things Vancouver Where you live now: very passionate about and When you were a kid, what you What’s left to do: Professionally I Highest level of education: it was a great experience for hope to start and/or build two Bachelor of science, wanted to be when you grew up: all the artists and fans who Professional athlete or three successful companies mechanical engineering attended over the next 20 years. I don’t Profession you would most like to Currently reading: Good to Great: Advice you would give the younger know what industries the try: Property development Why Some Companies Make the you: Focus on your strengths businesses will be in, but I do Leap ... and Others Don’t by Jim Toughest business or professional and what you enjoy doing and look forward to the challenges Collins decision: Having to discontinue then hire or outsource for the and opportunities that lie the Keloha Music & Arts rest. Your potential is much ahead Festival because it wasn’t

40 Under Forty 2016_60 pages_11.07_132.indd 18 2016-11-23 1:12 PM We give where we live®

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Managing partner and co-founder, Cedar Coast WILLIE FISHER Properties Ltd.; CEO and co-founder, Outland Living AGE illie Fisher, managing partner Wand co-founder at Cedar Coast Properties Ltd. and CEO and 39 co-founder at Outland Living, has always been an entrepreneur. It started with selling chocolate bars at school and running a lawn-mowing business. That kind of self-driven industrious- ness is rare in childhood, but for Fisher it came naturally. “When I was seven, eight years old, I was always looking for things to make a little extra spending money,” he said. “When I was 12 I would look through the paper for business opportunities.” It’s a marked departure from Archie comics and Saturday morning cartoons. By 19, when most teens are just realiz- ing laundry doesn’t wash itself, Fisher was taking a $20,000 loan to make his first business investment, a 20% share in the local pizza business in his hometown of Williams Lake. “I needed a co-signer for a loan when I purchased my first business. My parents agreed to help me out,” said Fisher. “My dad said, ‘We don’t know the business, but we know you’re good for the payments.’” When eight months later he couldn’t secure financing to purchase the remaining 80%, he sold back his 20% and left town for bigger opportunities. He RICHARD LAM settled in Chilliwack, far enough from dough left to rise in the first major the city to feel homey, but close enough venture of his youth, his enterprises to allow his burgeoning entrepreneur- grew. From an import business to real ialism to blossom. estate ventures, he built his various When I was 12 I would He purchased a dollar-store fran- businesses into the powerhouses they chise, which he expanded over the next are today. look through the few years until he was able to purchase With 12 employees in Canada and five paper for business the territory rights for Western Canada. overseas, Cedar Coast Properties pro- opportunities After opening numerous stores around jects revenues of $11 million to $12 mil- the Lower Mainland and Vancouver lion for 2016, while Outland Living’s Island, he sold the businesses and in- product lines are carried by Costco vested the money in other ventures. (Nasdaq:COST) throughout Canada In the ensuing years, like the pizza and the U.S.

Birthplace: New Westminster Currently listening to: Humble and Profession you would most like to Advice you would give the younger Kind by Tim McGraw; Can’t Stop try: Country music singer you: Invest more time and Where you live now: South Surrey the Feeling by Justin Timberlake capital in your health Toughest business or professional Highest level of education: High Deciding to purchase Create 100 school When you were a kid, what you decision: What’s left to do: wanted to be when you grew up: a business that owed me millionaires Currently reading: The One Thing Professional athlete hundreds of thousands of by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan dollars

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JC FRASER General manager, Vancouver Canadians AGE C Fraser was a sports fan growing up Jin Vancouver, but not specifically a baseball fan – not too surprising in a 33 city without its own major-league team. “If you were from Vancouver and you knew who the Canadians were in 2005, you were very much in the minority,” said the general manager of the Van- couver Canadians baseball club. “This team was completely obscure. The place was falling apart. Minor-league baseball had given up on us.” Today, it’s a whole other ball game. The Canadians were recognized in 2013 as the best-operated team in minor league baseball out of around 160 teams – the rest of which are based in the U.S. – and the players now entertain mostly sold-out crowds in a revitalized Nat Bailey Stadium. From that multimillion-dollar stadium renovation to achieving the highest per-game attendance rate of any team in the league after Triple-A franchises, Fraser has left a mark on the club since signing on as an intern nine years ago. “I kind of made the decision. … Instead of working extremely hard, doing very laborious, bad jobs for bad money, I would take on a really good job for bad money,” said Fraser. Within a year, Fraser had taken over ROB KRUYT the organization’s fan services area, continue to challenge himself at work managing ushers, security staff and – and in the classroom as he tackles an medical personnel at less than half the executive MBA from Simon Fraser age of most of them. University. This team was “From there we were able to develop, I “I was told by numerous people that think, a customer service standard that I was insane for trying to do it when completely obscure. is consistently rated above any other I had two kids under two years old at The place was teams in Vancouver,” said Fraser, who’s home, but whether I do it now with two falling apart. Minor- very proud of the fan experience that’s young children or do it four years from re-energized the Canadians’ brand. now when they’re six and four, and I league baseball had With the Northwest League of Pro- have to be at their baseball games, it given up on us fessional Baseball’s Executive of the just seemed to me that this is as good Year award under his belt, Fraser will a time as any to accomplish it.”

Birthplace: Vancouver Currently reading: The 21 planner, something that would takes it all on with patience Irrefutable Laws of Leadership allow me to build things and grace Where you live now: Mount by John Maxwell Pleasant, 10 blocks from the Toughest business or professional Advice you would give the younger ballpark Currently listening to: 54-46 Was decision: To go after my you: Have more confidence My Number by Toots and the master’s degree despite a in yourself, you got this. And Highest level of education: BA Maytals demanding job and raising two when you don’t, make sure you from the University of Victoria; incredible boys, both under learn from the experience currently taking an executive When you were a kid, what you three years old. Fortunately MBA through Simon Fraser A What’s left to do: Keep making a wanted to be when you grew up: I married well and have an University lawyer – like my dad difference, in my community, incredibly talented wife who workplace and especially at Profession you would most like home with my family to try: Project engineer or city

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Vice-president, British Columbia and JACQUELINE GALLAGHER Saskatchewan, David Aplin Group AGE acqueline Gallagher, vice-president Jfor British Columbia and Saskatch- ewan at David Aplin Group, one of 33 Canada’s leading recruiting firms, hunts for talented employees for clients ranging from local entrepreneurs to Fortune 500 companies. It’s a role reversal. She had been in the business only a year when she was herself recruited by David Aplin Group after being recognized for her talent. She joined the firm at 22 and has been with them for more than 10 years. “I grew up playing soccer up to the Canada Games level,” said Gallagher. “It’s a great way to build connections, and ... the ability to work collaboratively and cohesively in a team has been one of the key components of my success here at Aplin.” She attributes some of her tenacity to her athletic background. “Athletes don’t take ‘no’ very well,” she said. “Working in this industry you have to be resilient. You get told ‘no’ a lot.” While on the East Coast with Aplin Group, she was responsible for hiring and placing temporary and permanent administrative professionals with organizations in the Atlantic Canada market. But she wanted more. Reluctant to lose her, the company relocated her to Saskatoon and gave ROB KRUYT her the role of managing consultant in has completed her master’s degree in 2013. She increased sales by 300% in the business administration at Royal Roads first two years. She caught the atten- University. It’s taken her away from tion of Canadian Management Centre, some of the volunteer work she loves. I believe you need which asked her to sit as a panellist for Over the years she has contributed its cross-country presentation called her time and effort to multiple groups to give back to the Rise of the Millennia Leader. In 2015, including Special Olympics, Adsum community you work in she was promoted to vice-president House, Phoenix Youth Programs and for Saskatchewan, after which she was HomeBridge. asked to take over as vice-president of “I’m looking forward to getting better the company’s B.C. division, and she connected to the community in Vancou- relocated to Vancouver. ver,” she said. “I believe you need to give Over the past 18 months, Gallagher back to the community you work in.”

Birthplace: Halifax, Nova Scotia a tough high school and fell in to Saskatoon for a promotion question. But in the immediate love with hip hop) but if you opportunity with my firm future, build a team of North Where you live now: are making me pick: DMX, Ruff professionals in Vancouver Vancouver Advice you would give the younger Ryders’ Anthem who are capable of high you: Surround yourself with Highest level of education: Master performance in my absence. When you were a kid, what you individuals much smarter than of business administration in I believe the sign of good wanted to be when you grew up: A you. Hire and train people who executive management from leadership is when everything teacher want your job and are capable Royal Roads University works seamlessly even when I of taking over your job. You will Profession you would most am not around Currently reading: The First 90 never grow your career if you like to try: Something in the Days by Michael Watkins and can’t backfill your own role hospitality/hotel industry The Racketeer by John Grisham What’s left to do: So much! Toughest business or professional Currently listening to: Anything I’m only 33; I feel like I have a decision: Moving from Halifax old-school hip hop (I went to lifetime left to answer this

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MICHELLE GRANT Partner, Ernst & Young LLP AGE ne of only two women to become Oan equity partner in the corporate restructuring practice at Ernst & 37 Young LLP, Michelle Grant was named a winner in this year’s Business in Van- couver Forty under 40 awards as a result of more than just her work in B.C.’s mining and metals sector. “I am very Type A,” she said. “And I also have a drive to succeed within me.” That said, she’s quick to attribute her success to those who have mentored her along the way. “[They] were willing to throw, not just push, me out of my comfort zone.” Grant recently won a number of industry awards for a complex mining- company restructuring case, including mining and metals deal of the year and cross-border deal of the year, and was named the rising star of 2016 in the Association of Women in Finance Peak Awards. That restructuring, which involved Veris Gold Corp., helped bolster Grant’s reputation as a go-to person for complex cases, with her peers describing her as having a professional maturity well beyond her years of experience. In 2005, when she became the youngest person until then to re- ceive a trustee in bankruptcy licence. ROB KRUYT That achievement was the result of United Way Spirit Awards. her commitment to learning the full As an exemplar of women in legal spectrum of skills required for success management, Grant is one of only a in her profession. “You have to achieve handful of women across the country You have to achieve technical proficiency, even superiority, who have built successful careers in but then go beyond.” the field of corporate restructuring. technical proficiency, Grant’s excellence extends well be- As vice-chair of the Vancouver chap- even superiority, but yond her law practice. She is a past ter of the International Women’s Insol- then go beyond board member of the Cerebral Palsy vency & Restructuring Confederation, Association of BC and two-time co- Grant also takes particular care to chair of Ernst & Young’s Vancouver mentor young insolvency profession- United Way campaign, work that gar- als and address the retention challen- nered her a 2012 nomination for the ges that exist in the field.

Birthplace: North York, Ontario When you were a kid, what you decision for professional and where I can go within my firm. wanted to be when you grew up: personal reasons I am particularly interested Where you live now: Burnaby A rock star, but seriously a in our people strategy and Advice you would give the younger Highest level of education: teacher helping to shape that for you: Be confident, take risks Bachelor of commerce future generations. I also have and don’t be afraid to tread (honours) from Queen’s Profession you would most like to a 20-month-old daughter, so Investment banker outside your comfort zone University, major in finance try: as I start my new career I am (that’s where you learn the Toughest business or professional also just starting my family Currently reading: The Art of most) Move from Toronto journey and that’s a fabulous People: 11 Simple People Skills decision: to Winnipeg two years into I am in my third experience full of wonder and That Will Get You Everything You What’s left to do: my career to be with my now year as partner at EY, so I feel excitement Want by Dave Kerpen husband. As a finance major I like I am at the beginning of a Currently listening to: Adele and thought it would end my career, new career. I’m excited to see Drake but it ended up being the best where this path takes me and

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Managing director for sales, marketing BREEDON GRAUER and procurement, Jim Pattison Group AGE reedon Grauer doesn’t have a uni- Bversity degree, but he likes to say he’s getting an MBA every day at 33 the office. The Jim Pattison Group’s 33-year- old managing director for sales, marketing and procurement was hired in 2012 as the private company’s youngest such executive. He works under a chairman who is Canada’s best-known entrepreneur, a president who is a former B.C. premier and a corporate development managing director who is a former Vancouver Canucks and Vancouver Olympics executive. “I count my lucky stars every day,” Grauer said. “Jimmy is a legend in this community; [I’m] learning from Glen [Clark], learning from Dave Cobb and the other people in here, understanding their vision and how they operate.” No two days are alike in a $9.1 billion company whose diverse holdings range from groceries and packaged goods to car dealerships and advertising. “I can’t pretend to know everything about all these industries and the diversity and all the details that go on in one industry, let alone 26 major operating companies. Listening and trying to understand their business the best that I can, so we can add value to their business and help them grow, is one of RICHARD LAM the best parts of my job.” sales department of Vancouver’s 2010 After high school, Grauer tried a var- Winter Olympics organizing commit- iety of jobs, like parking cars, washing tee. Grauer later joined the Olympic dishes and selling door to door, and he torch relay tour team as a logistics Listening and trying went to Alberta’s oilsands and worked manager. on rigs. His stepmother, sports and After the Games, Andrea Shaw, the to understand their event marketer Leila Bell-Irving, in- Vancouver Olympics’ vice-president business the best spired him to take a volunteer gig with of sponsorship sales and marketing, that I can, so we can the launch of a PGA Champions Tour was so impressed with Grauer that she Boeing Classic in Seattle that turned made him a founding member of her add value to their into a director of operations job. That TwentyTen Group marketing agency business ... is one of the prepared him for a job in the spon- until the Pattison opportunity came sorship and out-of-home advertising along in 2012. best parts of my job

Birthplace: Vancouver When you were a kid, what you decision, from a business different course in life and wanted to be when you grew up: ethics perspective, then we not be blessed with the family, Where you live now: North NHL goalie always have to look past short- friendships, work and health Burnaby term wins and make the right I’m extremely lucky to have Profession you would most like Highest level of education: High decisions for the long-term today The fact that I haven’t school to try: health of an organization considered this reinforces that What’s left to do: Everything. Currently reading: So Good They I must be in the right place Advice you would give the younger We’re just getting started Can’t Ignore You: Why Skills you: Even though I’ve made Trump Passion in the Quest for Toughest business or professional many mistakes, my past has Many short-term Work You Love by Cal Newport decision: gotten me where I am today, decisions can be detrimental so I don’t think I would give my Currently listening to: The Tim to the long-term health of an younger self any advice. The Ferriss Show podcast organization. We first always risk is too large – I may set a want to make the “right”

40 Under Forty 2016_60 pages_11.07_132.indd 24 2016-11-23 1:12 PM A SUPERIOR COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE

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FRASER HALL Partner, Vancouver Founder Fund AGE ears after leaving the Sea Shepherd YConservation Society – a marine conservation group founded by 39 early Greenpeace member Paul Watson – Fraser Hall found himself back aboard the Brigitte Bardot, commanding a 12-person crew on a one-boat mission to intercept a whale hunt in the Faroe Islands, and at the same time trying to close his Series A financing for Recon Instruments. “I was trying to close my financing at sea on this sat phone while we were being chased by the navy, zipping in and out of ports trying to track down whalers,” said the co-founder of Recon, today a partner with Vancouver Founder Fund. “It was a very interesting and frankly difficult experience, confronting whalers all day long, by day at sea, and by night at ports, they’d come up to the boats. And then trying to close the most significant financing of my life.” Before the sale of Recon to Intel (Nasdaq:INTC) last year, Hall’s high- tech company, which produces smart- glasses and head-up displays, raised in the neighbourhood of $30 million from an array of investors – from friends, family and fools, as he put it, to angel investors, venture capitalists and corporate venture arms. “When we dealt with Vancouver-based ROB KRUYT investors, the experience was less than Providing seed-level funding for ideal,” Hall said. “They didn’t add the startups in Vancouver, Kelowna and value that we felt they should, and they Victoria, the fund supports seven dif- made our process difficult.” He added ferent companies, and plans to fund I was trying to close that he felt investors prioritized their up to five more. After that, Hall may vested interests. The culture was preda- be looking to expand geographically to my financing at sea on tory, and the outlook narrow-minded. Alberta and Washington. He also wants this sat phone while “When we sold Recon, … [fund co- to remain hands-on with the companies we were being chased founder] Dan [Eisenhardt] and I felt we he’s funded, through mentorship, guid- had to fix this problem. And so that was ance or reinvestment. by the navy, zipping in the genesis of Vancouver Founder Fund “I’m treating this fund like a startup and out of ports trying – a geographically focused venture fund itself; I think it might even be slightly – to be the funders we wished we’d had.” disruptive to the venture community.” to track down whalers

Birthplace: Calgary, Alberta Currently listening to: Audiobook: Toughest business or professional capital in B.C., help build The Last Train to Zona Verde: My decision: Leaving a paying job to explosive-growth local Where you live now: Vancouver Ultimate African Safari by Paul build a startup startups, contribute more (Southlands) Theroux to the rescue and defence of Advice you would give the younger Highest level of education: MBA animals, form a disaster relief Allow skeptics to inform When you were a kid, what you you: rapid response team Currently reading: Boyd: The wanted to be when you grew up: your decision-making, but not Fighter Pilot Who Changed the Sailboat racer deter you from your mission Art of War by Robert Coram Profession you would most like to What’s left to do: Build out the try: Search and rescue next generation of venture

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MATT HARPER Co-founder and chief product officer, Avalon Battery AGE t wasn’t uncommon in 2008 for busi- Iness people to get upended in some way as the global financial crisis 39 unleashed economic turmoil across the world. But Matt Harper’s own upending came of his own volition. “I woke up and went to work one morning and realized I had kind of done everything I had set out to do in my career,” recalled the co-founder and chief product officer at Avalon Battery. After graduating from the University of British Columbia’s mechanical engineering program in 2000, Harper’s bucket list consisted of designing “cool technology,” getting some patents to his name and leading an international team. “I realized I had done all those things far faster than I thought I would,” said Harper, who started off in the clean- tech sector interning at Ballard Power Systems before becoming a product manager at VRB Power Systems (which would later become Prudent Energy). So when he was accepted into the Massachusetts Institute of Technol- ogy’s (MIT) master’s degree program in management and engineering, he uprooted his life in Vancouver for 18 months to hit the books in Boston. That meant temporarily leaving his RICHARD LAM fiancée (now wife) on the West Coast the MIT program, his “entrepreneur- to usher in the next phase of his career. ial bent” and proclivity for tinkering He returned to Prudent Energy after would have likely pushed him to launch finishing school, parlaying the new his own company. I woke up and went master’s degree into a job as vice- “The thing that I realized after the president of product management and fact was that when MIT lets you in, you to work one morning marketing. don’t turn them down,” he said. and realized I had kind But by 2013, he and a number of col- of done everything leagues were ready to depart the Bei- jing-owned company to found Avalon I had set out to do Battery in Vancouver and develop a in my career turnkey energy storage system. Harper said even if he hadn’t attended

Birthplace: Halifax, Nova Scotia Currently listening to: Sunday by Toughest business or professional tolerance and values makes a HNNY, via Spotify decision: Any time that I huge difference Where you live now: Vancouver know the right decision will When you were a kid, what you What’s left to do: Build Highest level of education: be damaging to someone I wanted to be when you grew up: something truly revolutionary Master’s degree, systems respect An airline pilot – airplanes are engineering and management, just about the biggest, coolest Massachusetts Institute of Advice you would give the younger toy there is Look to do business Technology you: with like-minded people and Profession you would most Currently reading: The Second organizations; when you’re like to try: I’d be an architect. Machine Age: Work, Progress, pushing the envelope of what’s There’s something about and Prosperity in a Time of possible, having partners who conceptualizing then creating Brilliant Technologies by Erik have the same energy, risk space that I find incredibly Brynjolfsson and Andrew compelling Mcafee

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PHILIP HEMING General manager, Central Park Business Centre AGE hile Philip Heming took flight in Whigher learning, the entrepreneur’s success remains ground- 29 ed in the tried-and-true business ethos of “work hard and treat people well.” Heming, general manager of Central Park Business Centre, flourished at McGill University’s Desautels Faculty of Management. Studying strategic management and entrepreneurship, Heming received a scholarship for top academic marks and made dean’s honour roll as a varsity athlete. In school, sport or business, there are many variables that can affect an outcome. However, the one thing always in a person’s control is his or her effort – a value Heming embraces. “While some people … have come up with amazing startup ideas, my strength is coming into a situation and being able to work and energize the team and create genuine relationships,” said Heming. “In sports, school and business, that extra gear for work ethic definitely helped me be successful.” Following graduation, Heming had stints providing business strategy and analysis both for companies in-house and through his own consulting practice. However, Heming wanted something to fully own his time, energy ROB KRUYT and interests. So, he sold his condo end of the day they spend the major- and crafted a business plan to secure ity of the time at the workplace,” said financing to buy Vancouver’s Central Heming. “I never came in to a situation Park Business Centre at the end of 2012. acting like a dictator. I’m more willing While some people ... As a 25-year-old walking into an es- to help with all of the hands-on work tablished operation, the experience while also managing. I think they re- have come up with was “somewhat daunting,” but Heming spected that.” amazing startup ideas, knew the first order of business was Recently, Heming diversified his my strength is ... being earning the respect of his customers interests by acquiring and “re-ener- and staff. gizing” Wavor Wire, a manufacturing able to work and energize “[First] just gaining their trust by be- business that supports the Canadian the team and create ing extremely respectful and genuine recycling industry. Wavor Wire, Hem- and looking after them because at the ing said, just came off its best year. genuine relationships

Birthplace: North Vancouver Currently reading: Birds Without Profession you would most like to Listen to The Sunscreen Song by Wings by Louis de Bernières try: NHL general manager Baz Luhrmann. Travel Where you live now: Vancouver Currently listening to: Hard Sun by Toughest business or professional What’s left to do: Wake up each Highest level of education: Eddie Vedder Firing a problem client day and make it a great one Bachelor of commerce, decision: strategy and entrepreneurship, When you were a kid, what you Advice you would give the younger McGill University wanted to be when you grew up: you: Close one door and another Professional soccer player one opens (my dad’s advice).

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ROY HESSEL President and CEO, Clearly AGE hen Roy Hessel arrived in Van- Wcouver in 2014 to head all of French optical giant Essilor’s 37 online eyewear operations, he was a seasoned entrepreneur and corporate executive. He had left his native Israel to dis- cover China and in late 2005 found the pioneering online eyewear seller Eye- BuyDirect in Shanghai. Success followed, and the profitable company expanded quickly. When Essilor offered to buy a majority stake in the venture in late 2013, Hes- sel agreed to the deal, knowing that Essilor’s deep pockets would help him scale the venture. Essilor moved Hessel and his young family to Austin, Texas, to head Eye- BuyDirect and another recent Essilor purchase, FramesDirect.com. When Essilor spent $430 million to buy the Nasdaq-listed Coastal Contacts, which owned U.S. operations under that brand as well as Canada’s Clearly Contacts and Europe’s LensWay, Hessel merged all of Essilor’s operations to be run out of Vancouver. “We’re growing nicely and faster than the eyewear market,” Hessel said. “We’ve got an amazing team that I’ve been fortunate to put together.” Revenue is deep in the hundreds of ROB KRUYT millions of dollars, and the profitable opposed to simply low prices. venture is doing research to develop a Acquisitions in 2016 included buying smartphone app that enables users to the Brazilian online eyewear sellers determine their prescription without Eotica.com.br and Elens.com.br. We’re growing nicely having to see an optician. Outside work, Hessel is a devout “That kind of app is inevitable,” he believer in disconnecting from tech- and faster than the said. “We’re not the only ones in- nology between sunset on Friday and eyewear market vesting in this type of research.” sunset on Saturday to observe the Since arriving in Vancouver, Hessel Sabbath. has rebranded Canadian operations as “There’s something to be said for the Clearly and repositioned the company’s insight, which I think surfaces when operational focus to be more on educa- you put yourself in a position where tion and a high-quality experience, as you can’t be disrupted or distracted.”

Birthplace: Tel Aviv, Israel Currently reading: The Guns of I wanted to be like my father, company I founded and took 10 August, Barbara Tuchman but different years to build Where you live now: Vancouver Currently listening to: Israeli mix, Profession you would most like to Advice you would give the younger Highest level of education: YouTube A spy Trust your intuition and Harvard Business School, try: you: act faster Owner/President Management When you were a kid, what you Toughest business or professional program wanted to be when you grew up: decision: Selling control of the What’s left to do: Invent the time machine

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Chief forester and vice-president of DOMENICO IANNIDINARDO sustainability, TimberWest Forest Corp. AGE hen Domenico Iannidinardo en- Wtered the coastal forest industry fresh out of university in 1996, 39 it was just three years after the War in the Woods had ended. That campaign to save the old-growth forests of Clayoquot Sound from clear cutting fundamentally changed the way the coastal forest industry would operate. Iannidinardo admits the temptation was strong to take a job in the booming oil and gas industry after university, but he decided to stick with his plans to follow his father into forestry. “I got excited about forestry partly because of the changes I was witnessing in high school,” he said. “The temptation was big money and lots of opportunity in oil. But it wasn’t a renewable resource, and that was something that was already important to me and still is.” Born and raised in Duncan, Ianni- dinardo grew up in the forest industry. His father was a logger. After high school, Iannidinardo got a science degree from the University of British Columbia in forest operations, followed by a master’s degree in business administration from Royal Roads University in Victoria. After university, he worked for a number of forestry companies as an engineer before joining Pacific Forest RICHARD LAM Products, which was later acquired by to how forestry within drinking water- TimberWest Forest Corp. At the age of sheds has been managed across Van- 35, he became the youngest chief for- couver Island. I continue to believe that ester in the company’s 100-year history. not only drinking water, but tourism The temptation was As TimberWest’s chief forester and and a variety of other industries and vice-president of sustainability, Ian- values, can continue to coexist on the big money and lots of nidinardo’s job includes working on landscape.” opportunity in oil. But long-range harvesting plans and re- Iannidinardo has had a significant it wasn’t a renewable planting. One of his biggest challen- role in engaging First Nations in for- ges is balancing a working forest with estry. TimberWest has a log-marketing resource, and that was other public interests like tourism and program that works with First Nations something that was recreation, and First Nations rights. that have their own timber licences to “I’ve been a part of significant change market their timber. ... important to me

Birthplace: Duncan Currently listening to: Wow by Toughest business or professional renaissance to ensure the Beck decision: Declining offers to resource is once again revered Where you live now: Nanaimo work in the oil and gas sector in society, and successfully When you were a kid, what you Highest level of education: Master when I got out of school raise our two daughters with

of business administration, wanted to be when you grew up: my wife Optimus Prime of renewable Royal Roads University Advice you would give the younger resource management you: Never confuse etiquette Currently reading: Aboriginal with patience Power: Clean Energy and the Profession you would most like to News anchor or talk show Guide the Future of Canada’s First Peoples try: What’s left to do: host coming global forestry by Chris Henderson

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CHAD KALYK Executive vice-president, Paladin Security Group AGE had Kalyk is proof positive of the Cpower that translates when an employee emotionally buys into 34 a company. Kalyk has rapidly risen through the ranks of Paladin Security Group to become executive vice-president, with oversight of the company’s nine branches located throughout B.C. and southern Alberta and more than 3,000 security professionals. He’s credited with helping to increase revenue in B.C. by double-digit per- centages each year since moving to Vancouver in 2012. It’s a far cry from when he joined the company fresh out of university in 2006 to become the lone employee in Paladin’s new Victoria branch office. Establishing a market presence and pounding on doors to establish even a toehold can be extremely difficult, but Kalyk persevered. “I’m a firm believer in working extremely hard,” he said. “Good things happen to people that work hard.” Kalyk’s turning point came when he helped Paladin’s visiting chief operating officer work on a request for pro- posal. Kalyk showed his writing talents and energy; the COO provided an in- depth and compelling overview of the company. Kalyk was hooked. ROB KRUYT “That was kind of the beginning of when he became a company shareholder. where I really realized, ‘Wow this com- Kalyk says any individual recognition pany is amazing. There are so many is validation that Paladin’s strong com- things going on and what we’re doing pany culture – emphasizing employee It was an epiphany for is innovative. It was an epiphany for satisfaction – is succeeding. me that I had a good thing going on “I still speak to classes of new recruits me that I had a good here, and if I work hard I might be able and talk about the opportunity to learn thing going on here, to turn this into something.” and grow with us. There’s so much hap- and if I work hard I His energy and conviction have pening in our business. If you work hard helped Kalyk quickly climb up every and listen to the people mentoring you, might be able to turn manager and director rung of Paladin’s you can make a career out of this. I tell this into something ladder. His integral contribution to them about my story because it shows Paladin was highlighted two years ago our philosophy works.”

Birthplace: Burnaby What you wanted to be when you Advice you would give the younger a unique and inspiring culture grew up: Professional soccer you: Make it a priority to get that our clients and employees Where you live now: Vancouver player to know yourself. The more connect and engage with. I Highest level of education: you know about yourself, the believe that will continue to Profession you would most like Bachelor of arts (history more purposeful and impactful afford us opportunities to to try: Professional speaker on and sociology), University of your leadership becomes. professionalize our industry leadership/change/business Victoria Understanding who you are through innovation and the Toughest business or professional allows you to mitigate (and growth and advancement Currently reading: Personal: The Leaving my friends improve) your weaknesses of our people. We need to Odyssey (Homer). Business: decision: and community in Victoria while replicating your continue to get better every The Radical Leap, Steve Farber to pursue advancement with strengths day. Truthfully, I feel like we are Currently listening to: Anything by Paladin in Vancouver. Looking just getting started We want to be Jon and Roy back, it’s the best decision What’s left to do: the best security company in I’ve made, but at the time I the world. We feel that we have remember how difficult it was

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RIC LEONG CFO and senior vice-president, Avigilon Corp. AGE ic Leong’s career path has been Rfilled with a steady string of promotions that have culminated in 38 his role as CFO and senior vice-president of a publicly listed company with a market capitalization in the hundreds of millions of dollars. His biggest accomplishment yet at Avigilon Corp. (TSX:AVO) may well be his completion of negotiations and paperwork for a US$240 million senior secured syndicated credit facility. “We didn’t raise the full US$240 million but the deal gives us access to US$240 million,” Leong explained. “It is the largest financing structure in the company’s history.” Leong’s road to his current position started when he earned his chartered professional accountant designation while working at KPMG as a senior accountant in 2004. He jumped to Angiotech Pharma- ceuticals Inc., which was a successful biotechnology venture. In his eight years at Angiotech, Leong had five promotions. “I always joke that I pretty much got a new business card every year because I kept moving up the ranks,” he said. Leong went to Westport Innovations Inc. (TSX:WPT; Nasdaq:WPRT) in 2012, when Angiotech was enduring RICHARD LAM financial troubles following its de- make a vertical move.” listing from public stock exchanges. Outside work, Leong remains a Promotions followed. Leong had board member with the Kidney Foun- risen to the role of senior finance dir- dation of Canada after a four-year stint I always joke that I ector when he left to work for Avigilon as the foundation’s treasurer ended in mid-2014. in May. pretty much got a new The lure of Avigilon was that he He is also committed to helping business card every would start as vice-president of others on the job. year because I kept finance. “One thing I’m proud of is mentoring “It was a move up, for sure,” Leong my team members and seeing them moving up the ranks said. “When I take positions with new succeed,” he said. “I’ve built great companies, my mindset is that I don’t teams at each of the three companies want to make a lateral move; I want to where I’ve worked.”

Birthplace: Vancouver Currently listening to: Country Toughest business or professional something new with each new music by various artists such decision: The decision each task Where you live now: Vancouver as Carrie Underwood, Luke time I moved on to join a new What’s left to do: Continue Bryan and Eric Church company and leave a team and Highest level of education: building successful businesses Chartered accountant department I helped shape When you were a kid, what you and teams, more philanthropy, designation: CA, CPA; bachelor and build mentorship and more family of science wanted to be when you grew up: Pediatrician Advice you would give the younger time with my wife as we raise Currently reading: Ending the you: Find a mentor, stay my twin girls and third baby on Profession you would most like to Waiting Game: Increasing Kidney confident in everything you do the way before 2017 try: Still pediatrician Transplants in Canada by Ken and try to learn or take away Merkley

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or over 25 years, Business in Vancouver has highlighted the achievements of BC’s young Fentrepreneurs, executives and professionals by finding 40 outstanding professionals worthy of the Forty under 40 distinction. Winners are under 40 and have demonstrated excellence in business, judgment, leadership and community contribution. We invite you to join us for an evening of celebration as we honour these individuals at the 2016 Forty under 40 Awards gala dinner.

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JANET LEPAGE CEO, Western Wealth Capital AGE n just several years, Janet LePage has Igone from flipping homes to building an empire. 35 Both force of nature and forthright, LePage has grown a hobby for deal- making into an enterprise that now rivals publicly listed real estate in- vestments. The CEO and co-founder of Western Wealth Capital oversees 24 multi-family properties in Arizona comprising more than 4,000 rental units with a total purchased-price value of $300 million. LePage got the deal-making bug early. Her father owned two apart- ment buildings, and the term “passive income” became an early childhood building block. At 25, LePage got a real estate coach. And in 2008, the market imploded. Most thought the sky was falling; LePage saw the heavens opening up. Leveraging higher interest and shorter-term hard-money lenders, LePage’s method was to buy a home at cash auction, invest in appliances and a little TLC, and sell the property quickly at a price on par with the un- improved foreclosed property next door. The system was scalable: LePage bought and sold 58 homes over two years, all the while working full time for a B.C. utility. ROB KRUYT “Here’s the thing: I’m a computer She plans on diversifying by moving scientist so everything is black and into another market outside of Phoenix white. Everything in my world is a one in the next 12 months. Already at- or a zero. Even buying the houses it was tracting large equity partners, LePage Here’s the thing: I’m a very clear criteria. … It was a system,” doesn’t balk at the idea of packaging explained LePage. a real estate investment trust (REIT) computer scientist so In 2012, she left her workplace and listed on a public exchange. everything is black and founded Western Wealth Capital. However, LePage is also focused on white. Everything in my Since then, the company has acquired another growth priority: increasing 22 multi-family rental properties and female leadership in her sector. world is a one or a zero. raised more than $100 million. “It’s something that is a top priority LePage’s growth outlook is to make for me to transform and leave a legacy Western Wealth a $1 billion company. in this industry.”

Birthplace: Castlegar Currently reading: Bullseye by Profession you would most like to means you are just about on James Patterson try: Airplane pilot the brink of something great Where you live now: North Vancouver Currently listening to: Try Toughest business or professional What’s left to do: Raise Everything by Shakira decision: Leaving the corporate my own compassionate, Highest level of education: world to start my own confident, self-driven children Bachelor of science in When you were a kid, what you company and support more women in computing science and wanted to be when you grew up: commercial real estate business administration, Brain surgeon Advice you would give the younger Simon Fraser University you: Embrace fear because it

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JAMES LOMBARDI Founder, Minded Projects AGE nfluenced by his father’s drive and Ihis mother’s strength, James Lom- bardi has used his career to create 32 positive social change. Working as the head of global business development for Free the Children, a non-profit organization aimed at youth empower- ment, Lombardi learned the importance of community members working together to enact change. “If you’re serious about driving social change you need to have everyone at the table,” Lombardi said. Lombardi has spent his career working with organizations to effect change. During his time at Free the Children, he was responsible for fostering partner- ships and bridging the gap between non-profit and for-profit organizations. His experience working with and raising money from the business community taught him the important roles businesses can play in making the world a better place, and the need for social-minded businesses. “Sustainability has to be woven into the fabric of the organization,” he said. “We are now seeing the proof that you can do well and perhaps even do better by doing good. It’s the companies that focus most on a triple bottom line – social, environment and financial – and sustainability that are ultimately ROB KRUYT having the most success when it comes Lombardi says that institutional to revenue and their other business might is needed to make a difference. objectives.” He intends to help foster that strength This principle led Lombardi to start with projects that both create social Sustainability has to be Minded Projects, an organization that change and make a profit. works to create strong relationships With his desire to work towards com- woven into the fabric between charities and companies. As munity improvement, it is perhaps no of the organization. he did in his position with Free the surprise that Lombardi is now seeking We are now seeing the Children, he works with all types of a new job as a public servant. Lombardi businesses and various non-profits to was nominated as the BC Liberal can- proof that you can do help them work co-operatively to cre- didate for Vancouver-Point Grey earlier well and perhaps even ate positive change by driving revenue this year and will seek the seat in the for both. 2017 provincial election. do better by doing good

Birthplace: New Westminster Currently reading: The Orenda by Profession you would most like to Advice you would give the younger Joseph Boyden try: Singer you: Embrace every opportunity Where you live now: Kitsilano and always trust your gut Currently listening to: Sam Cooke Toughest business or professional Highest level of education: decision: Deciding to put my What’s left to do: Finish changing Master of arts in international When you were a kid, what you name on an election ballot the world relations wanted to be when you grew up: Lawyer

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KIM LUCAS Director of sales, Stemcell Technologies AGE im Lucas has always loved sci- Kence, but she was never keen about laboratories. So, after graduating 38 from University of British Columbia with a bachelor’s degree in science, she found the perfect job: working in sales for Stemcell Technologies. “I loved the science but I did not want to work in a lab,” said Lucas, who is Stemcell’s director of sales for the Americas. “I wanted to work in a business. When I joined, it was about 75 people and we’re 950 now. I lead a team of about 100 people, half of which have PhDs – so a wicked smart, highly scientific team.” Her team works with customers in the life sciences that use the company’s processes for growing stem cells for research and medicine. Stemcell is Vancouver’s most successful life sciences company, having experienced tremendous growth in recent years and expanded its reach into Europe, Asia and Australia. Lucas describes her role as “basically constantly leading a team through change.” Lucas has had key roles in imple- menting programs and processes needed for the company’s expansion. She most recently was in charge of setting up Stemcell’s first U.S. regional sales office, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. RICHARD LAM She was also responsible for de- division, it’s Lucas’ job to develop veloping an inside sales team and a strategies for revenue generation. She regional manager structure, and for has achieved 20% revenue growth rolling out a new customer relation- in fiscal 2016, and over a three-year I lead a team of about ship management system. The key period, she expanded Stemcell’s sales account management and regional territory by 55%. 100 people, half of manager structures she developed for She has managed to do all that and be which have PhDs – so the company’s Canadian offices have a mom to two children, aged nine and a wicked smart, highly been implemented in other Stemcell 10. In addition to her job at Stemcell, offices in Europe, China, Singapore Lucas sits on the board of directors for scientific team and Australia. the B.C.-Yukon branch of the Canadian As the leader of Stemcell’s sales Cancer Society.

Birthplace: Edmonton Alexander; The Emperor of Profession you would most like to finish line. Buy more real Maladies: A Biography of Cancer try: Stay-at-home mom with estate. Read more. Never miss Where you live now: Vancouver by Siddhartha Mukherjee; and more children a special occasion Highest level of education: The Best Laid Plans by Terry What’s left to do: More travel, Bachelor of science from UBC Fallis Toughest business or professional decision: To come back to more school, more kids? Currently reading: Topgrading Currently listening to: Spotify Vancouver and take an Another marathon, maybe for Sales: World-Class Methods opportunity at head office Ironman? Cure cancer When you were a kid, what you to Interview, Hire, and Coach instead of working in Europe A Top Sales Representatives by wanted to be when you grew up: businesswoman in a fancy suit, Bradford D. Smart and Greg Advice you would give the younger and a mom you: Slow down, there is no

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Senior partner, consulting, Business CHRISTOPHER LYTHGO Development Bank of Canada AGE hristopher Lythgo is right at home Cserving small and medium-sized businesses in the province. 36 The senior partner, consulting, for the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), knows the value of service, having followed in the “family business.” His father, retied colonel Chris A.R. Lythgo, served for more than 30 years in the Canadian Forces. Christopher served as an officer in the army reserve for four years. “Seeing how committed [my father] was to serving and being a true professional soldier and conducting himself with such high integrity, he’s a true role model.” Lythgo joined BDC in 2010 as the first employee hired to start a professional consulting group in Vancou- ver. By 2014, he was promoted as the practice’s youngest senior partner in Canada. Over his tenure, Lythgo has helped build the B.C. business into a regional powerhouse. As top performer in the B.C. region, he has served more than 250 small and medium-sized businesses. His management style culminated in significant improvements to client satisfaction: to 91% in 2015 from 72% in 2010. The fundamental value defining his drive comes from the sage wisdom of ROB KRUYT his mother, who often said: “To say you strategically focused investing his know everything goes to show how little time in initiatives that have personal you really do know.” meaning to him. For his undergrad at “That’s kind of the way I approached the University of British Columbia, he For me, this job life. That’s why I’m curious,” said co-founded the Student Leadership Lythgo. “For me, this job perfectly fits Conference, now Canada’s largest stu- perfectly fits my my temperament in the sense that I’m dent-run conference empowering future temperament in relentlessly curious. I want to know difference-makers. Today, as chair- the sense that I’m how things work. I want to understand man of the Greater Vancouver Board of the ‘why’ behind things. I want to be Trade’s Company of Young Profession- relentlessly curious prepared. I want to add value. I want to als, he’s increased membership 100% to keep learning.” 600 members active in professional de- From the beginning, Lythgo has velopment and community involvement.

Birthplace: Ottawa & Management by Chris A.R. Toughest business or professional where I live, work and play. On a Lythgo, CD, MBA, P.Eng., CPM decision: Retiring from the human level, it is so important. Where you live now: Yaletown Canadian Armed Forces. It’s an When I start a family in with my wife, Deanna Currently listening to: Starboy, The honour and a privilege to serve downtown Vancouver, I want it Weeknd Highest level of education: your country to be a better place than when MBA, Queen’s University, When you were a kid, what you I moved here six years ago. In Advice you would give the younger and chartered professional wanted to be when you grew up: our own special way, we all Be relentlessly curious and accountant designation Fighter pilot you: have a contribution to make always understand the “why” Currently reading: A Practicable Profession you would most like to What’s left to do: I’m intent Perspective on Leadership try: Foreign service diplomat/ on improving the community ambassador

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JEFF MAGNUSSON Co-CEO, SuperRewards division, Perk.com AGE eff Magnusson’s approach to busi- Jness is simple: he loves building things from scratch that solve prob- 38 lems and make money. The 37-year-old said he “got the bug of software development” at Chilliwack Secondary and fell in love with programming at Simon Fraser University. He launched his first company, River Styx Internet and Sentry Payments, with friends at age 19. “We dabbled in everything,” Magnusson remembered. Their contract programming jobs included work on online marketing management systems, payment pro- cessing and poker sites. “We were doing the classic 60 to 100 hours a week as a small team of young guys. That’s before we started talking about startups as a thing.” The payment business grew to $230 million in volume, and in 2008 he sold the company. He was 30 years old. Instead of immediately launching another startup, Magnusson decided to hit the books again, for an MBA at Queen’s University. “I would learn enough to solve a problem, whether it was accounting [or] HR,” he said. “After I sold my first company I realized that my experiences and abilities as a CEO were limited to the situations that I had faced in my ROB KRUYT own company.” by [venture capitalists] over and over Magnusson returned and became again until we refined the pitch.” “deeply embedded” in the local software Magnusson and Avery raised money scene, starting the non-profit Bootup for the company, returned to Vancou- After I sold my first Labs to mentor young entrepreneurs ver and opened. It was profitable within and help launch companies. 12 months, he said. Playerize acquired company I realized that His next startup, co-founded with payment and monetization vehicle my experiences and Lyal Avery, was Playerize Networks, a SuperRewards in 2012 and competi- abilities as a CEO were 2011 concept to drive growth for social tor PayByShopping in 2014. Perk.com and Facebook games. He moved his (TSX:PER) acquired Playerize last year, limited to the situations family to Montreal for three months and Magnusson exited in August. Now that I had faced in to work at the FounderFuel accelerator, he is busy developing a concept for “getting our asses handed to ourselves another startup. my own company

Birthplace: Chilliwack earth and rejoin civilization in lawyer. But then I learned that Advice you would give the younger another time and place it’s 99% reviewing agreements you: Step out of your work Where you live now: Vancouver bubble and meet people; there Currently listening to: Podcasts Profession you would most like Highest level of education: MBA are many people in the city (99% Invisible, Hardcore to try: Architect. I love the going through similar trials and Currently reading: Skyfaring: A History) and audiobooks combination of engineering triumphs Journey with a Pilot by Mark (Antifragile: Things That Gain and design Vanhoenacker, a poetic book From Disorder by Nassim What’s left to do: Take my family Toughest business or professional by a pilot about the magic of Nicholas Taleb) global, live in another country decision: Thinking on this one being able to fly above the and build another business When you were a kid, what you wanted to be when you grew up: A

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Founder and CEO, Brix Media Co.; director of JENNIFER MALONEY ADAB PR, Young Entrepreneur Leadership Launchpad AGE “ erial entrepreneur” is a term that Scomes easily to mind when describing Jennifer Maloney Adab. She has 37 helped found three separate companies, and seemingly nothing can stop the 37-year-old from starting new businesses. She launched her most recent venture, Brix Media Co., when she was eight months pregnant with her son. And it wasn’t your average company being launched, she said. “We were Canada’s first PR and influencer marketing firm focused on innovation,” said Maloney Adab. “We were one of the very first to adopt the idea of influencer marketing.” Brix’s mission is to incorporate people with a strong influence over their social following into the brand- ing of a new product. Brix Media helps connect companies with people who can act as brand ambassadors and help present a product to the broader market. Fighting a time crunch imposed by her pregnancy, Maloney Adab had to work quickly to establish Brix as both a brand and a business. While it was difficult preparing to be both a mother and a business leader, Maloney Adab was able to achieve both her professional and personal goals with a little persistence and family support, she said. “Where you put your will is where you ROB KRUYT will achieve. And I believe that.” has really been purpose,” she said. Maloney Adab has established her- “I’ve always believed that if you fol- self as a titan of public relations in low your passion, what gives you the Vancouver, helping to form some of most energy, the money and the rest I’ve always believed the city’s major PR firms. She founded of it will follow. Sip Publicity, which later merged to “That’s just never steered me wrong. that if you follow your become Yulu Public Relations Inc., It’s not to say that there haven’t been passion, what gives when she was only 27 years old. Later, tough times in my business – there you the most energy, she would start Spark PR & Publicity, have and there always will be – but which has since become Talk Shop it’s really the passion that pulls you the money and the Media. through the lows and helps you strive rest of it will follow “The underlying motivator for me for those highs.”

Birthplace: Prince George Currently reading: Dr. Seuss with Profession you would most like to Advice you would give the younger my son try: Fiction novelist you: Enjoy now, it’s exactly Where you live now: Vancouver where you’re supposed to be Currently listening to: Blonde by Toughest business or professional Highest level of education: Frank Ocean Launching a new The rest is left Journalism diploma from decision: What’s left to do: company at eight months unwritten; I’d like to stay open Langara College When you were a kid, what you pregnant wanted to be when you grew up: Choreographer

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DANA MATHESON President and CEO, C&D Logistics AGE hat it takes to win on the football Wfield is not unlike what it takes to operate a successful logistics 37 company, according to the 37-year-old president and CEO of Langley-based C&D Logistics. “There are a lot of similarities between football and business,” said Dana Matheson, who was an offensive line- man for the Saint Mary’s University Huskies while on a football scholarship in Halifax before leaving school in 2004 to focus on his business ventures. “Egos are checked at the door. All of the employees are valuable. You can’t have selfish players in either business or football.” The Huskies won the 2002 Vanier Cup with Matheson on the team, and the entrepreneur continues to score touch- downs in the field of business, including winning the Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce’s U40 Business Person of the Year award in 2015. With 13 years of logistics industry experience, Matheson has worked in all departments and worn many hats, including sales, accounting and management. Drawing on his father Bruce Matheson’s 35 years of industry experience, he learned at a young age how to engage clients to earn their trust and how to build long-term business ROB KRUYT relationships. success in business, he said. A father of two, Matheson, who is also His passion for business parallels his co-owner of 360 Industrial Movers and loyalty to his family and his connec- purchased the Cedarbrook Bakery and tion with his community. C&D Logis- Egos are checked at the Bistro in May 2016, believes in leading by tics supports more than 20 charitable example. He is in the office daily work- programs and many minor sports or- door. ... You can’t have ing with his staff, and gets involved in all ganizations. Matheson, founder of Fra- selfish players in either aspects of his businesses. C&D Logistics ser Valley Family Day, also serves as business or football has 22 full-time employees and annual president of the Langley Rams junior revenues of about $13 million. football club. He is also a board member “Always keeping the customer No. 1 with the Life Ready Foundation, which and trying to out-service our com- works with at-risk youth in the Lower petitors” have been key to Matheson’s Mainland.

Birthplace: Vancouver, B.C. Currently listening to: I enjoy a coaching and pushing people What’s left to do: So much! I wide range of music. Right now, to their limits and beyond always have new ventures on Where you live now: Langley I’m probably listening to Tim the go. To me business and Toughest business or professional Highest level of education: McGraw or Kenny Chesney growth is the ultimate high; I decision: Letting people go in Completed three years of love taking something from When you were a kid, what you any capacity is never easy or general studies at Saint Mary’s nothing and seeing where wanted to be when you grew up: I something that I get used to. It University in Halifax while on a we can go with it. With C&D wanted to play in the National probably affects me the most football scholarship Logistics, we feel that the sky Hockey League Advice you would give the younger truly is the limit and the plan is Currently reading: Onward: How Business is a marathon, to at least double in size over Starbucks Fought for Its Life Profession you would most like to you: Own my own gym and work not a sprint. Stress kills, don’t the next three to five years without Losing Its Soul by try: as a personal trainer/coach. sweat the small stuff. Deal Howard Schultz and Joanne For many years my passion was with the issue at hand, learn Gordon training and sports, and I love from it and move on

40 Under Forty 2016_60 pages_11.07_132.indd 40 2016-11-23 1:13 PM CONGRATULATIONS!

CBC Vancouver is proud to be the exclusive broadcast partner of the BIV Top Forty Under 40 Awards. This year’s winners are B.C.’s brightest and serve as an example to young and old the importance of hard work, perseverance and leadership. They are engaged global citizens and inspiring role models.

We are also an engaged part of Vancouver’s vibrant community. When reporting on in-depth, investigative local news or connecting with our audiences in the digital space or on multiple platforms, we are honoured to be part of this city’s dynamic social fabric.

Congratulations to the 2016 honourees!

Sincerely, Johnny Michel Senior Managing Director CBC English Services British Columbia & Alberta

cbc.ca/bc @cbcnewsbc

Congratulations Mike Richter from the Troico Team.

KITCHENS, BATHROOMS & FINE CABINETRY

www.troico.ca

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LAURA MURRAY Founding partner, Murray Paterson Marketing Group AGE aking a living as a professional Mdancer, writer or musician isn’t easy. So when Laura Murray 39 realized she probably wasn’t going to make it as a ballerina, she pirouetted to focus on her other creative talent – writing. But being a freelance art critic is no easy gig, either, so she spent several years in public relations. In 2011, she started her own full-service marketing agency, Murray Paterson Marketing Group, which focuses exclusively on arts and culture. Now five years old, the company has grown from a two-person operation to a 14-person company that has earned a number of accolades, including being named Best Public Relations Firm two years in a row in the Georgia Straight’s Best of Vancouver awards. Born in Etobicoke, Ontario, Murray studied dance from the age of six. After high school, she entered York Univer- sity to take a double major in dance and English, but after one year, her professors urged her to pursue dance professionally. She auditioned for a ballet company in Toronto, where she trained for two and a half years, then came to Van- couver to train with Goh Ballet around 2001. ROB KRUYT After making an audition circuit and bedroom alongside one staff, who is failing to get accepted into a profes- now my business partner, Brian Pater- sional ballet company, she decided to son,” Murray said. go back to school, and earned a diploma While working in PR for other com- I think one of the in journalism from Langara College. panies, she realized there was a need She learned that it’s not easy to make for a one-stop marketing service that greatest challenges a living as a freelance writer, either, so catered exclusively to the arts. She of running a business she took a public relations job at Ballet has since found such a demand for can be knowing when BC. She then worked for four and a half her services that she has had to turn years at Curve Communications, where down business. you’re at capacity she became vice-president. In 2011, she “I think one of the greatest challenges launched her own agency. of running a business can be knowing “It was myself in my second spare when you’re at capacity,” she said.

Birthplace: Etobicoke, Ontario Currently listening to: Coeur de Profession you would most like to Advice you would give the younger Pirate try: Interior design you: Trust in your instincts. Where you live now: Vancouver Your gut is a powerful intuitive When you were a kid, what you Toughest business or professional Highest level of education: tool and it will not steer you wanted to be when you grew up: A decision: Managing growth, Diploma in journalism wrong professional ballerina knowing when to say no to new Currently reading: A Little Life by business What’s left to do: Dipping our toe Hanya Yanagihara into the Toronto market in 2018

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LISA NIEMETSCHECK General manager, Forum for Women Entrepreneurs AGE any families might talk about Mtheir workdays around the dinner table, but Lisa Niemetscheck’s 36 childhood was one in which the dinner table served as the hub for her own family’s business. Her father, a car mechanic, would work on vehicles while her mother handled the business side of things right from the kitchen table. Niemetscheck, meanwhile, would zip through her hometown of Richmond on in-line skates to deliver flyers for the car repair service. She later learned to assist her mother with the paperwork and work with her father to overhaul engines. “I grew up feeling a sense of responsibility, just having to step up to the plate and help when needed,” said Niemetscheck, general manager of the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs (FWE). She brings the same can-do sens- ibility to her organization, which supports female entrepreneurs through mentoring and business workshops. Founded as a Vancouver-based non- profit in 2002, Niemetscheck oversaw its January 2016 transformation into a registered charity that helps women nationally. “Building the organization through some period of quite some change has ROB KRUYT been a big reward for me,” she said. “We as doing a ton of work. have, in many cases, tripled the size of “Nothing makes us happier than when our programs and taken our programs we get an email that said, ‘Oh my gosh, to places like Prince George, and we’re thank you for that connection,’ or I grew up feeling a going to Toronto.” ‘Thank you for my amazing mentor – Niemetscheck credits FWE founder they’re sent from heaven,’” she said. sense of responsibility, Christina Anthony for persuading the “When we get those emails, it just fills just having to step team that every problem has a solu- us with joy. Then we know we’ve made up to the plate and tion, even if that solution is as simple an impact – a real impact.” help when needed

Birthplace: Richmond, close to Currently reading: Two to Onegin by Veda Hille, The Toughest business or professional Steveston three books simultaneously, Ungrateful Dead and the decision: Stepping up to be including A Tale for the Time incredible cast of Onegin general manager Where you live now: Vancouver’s Being by Ruth Ozeki and Dr jewel, the West End When you were a kid, what you Advice you would give the younger Spock’s Baby and Child Care by wanted to be when you grew up: you: Speak up more and ask Highest level of education: Master Benjamin Spock (preparing for Diplomat or teacher for help of arts (University of Toronto), biggest challenge ever) international relations Profession you would most like to What’s left to do: Keep Currently listening to: Currently try: Stage actor. It will happen conquering fears and moving obsessed with Songs from one day – it’s in me forward

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Co-founder, senior vice-president and senior LORI PINKOWSKI portfolio manager, Pinkowski-Allen Financial Group AGE ori Pinkowski won’t let an exotic Lvacation get in the way of protecting her clients. 38 “I don’t believe in relaxing,” the senior vice-president and portfolio manager with Pinkowski-Allen Financial Group said with a laugh. “When I’m away I’m always with my phone, talking to the team.” She has found herself in Hong Kong during civil unrest, Seoul when North Korea tested a bomb just across the border, Japan and Europe during major storms and, most recently, in Florida during Hurricane Matthew. “I’m able to deal with everything from wherever I am,” Pinkowski said. “During the Greek crisis, I was actually trading stock from the back of a safari truck in the Serengeti plains in Africa, trying to get people out.” Pinkowski grew up in North Vancou- ver, the daughter of East German immi- grants. She studied German after school, became fluent and went to Germany to work as an au pair. The child she cared for, Max, was an intern at her firm earlier this year. Pinkowski decided at age 14 that she wanted to be a financial adviser. After graduating from British Columbia In- stitute of Technology’s (BCIT) financial management program, she made that RICHARD LAM career goal come true at age 21. She later who manage $500 million of assets for earned her chartered investment man- clients. ager designation at BCIT. “You’re only as good as the team that Pinkowski joined Canaccord in 2000 surrounds you,” she said. I always am trying to after the dot-com bubble burst, and later Pinkowski is a regular guest on CKNW moved to Raymond James Ltd. in 2009, with Jon McComb on her Making Cents educate listeners … to after the 2008 global credit crunch. In of the Markets feature, which is built protect themselves 2007 she founded the Pinkowski-Allen around a similarly simple premise. and be treated properly Financial Group with Seth Allen, to “I always am trying to educate listeners create an independent firm-within-a- … to protect themselves and be treated and fairly by their firm that boasts a team of 14 research- properly and fairly by their financial financial adviser. ers, portfolio analysts and traders adviser. That’s my passion.” That’s my passion

Birthplace: North Vancouver chartered investment manager Profession you would most like Advice you would give the designation to try: Professional travel tour younger you: Confidence and Where you live now: Downtown guide – you get to meet many persistence. I always knew Vancouver Currently reading: Lean In: Women, different happy people from to put clients’ interests first Work, and the Will to Lead by around the world on vacation and success would ultimately Highest level of education: Sheryl Sandberg BCIT, diploma in financial and get to know their lives and follow. I would tell myself that management (corporate Currently listening to: Madonna. stories – each family is unique. the financial industry isn’t an finance), additional Fave singer – strong, Or a race-car driver. Going to all-boys club postgraduate courses in independent, direct, very good the track is my hobby and I like What’s left to do: Continue advanced investment and businesswoman to race competitively. protecting clients and their portfolio management When you were a kid, what you portfolios so they can enjoy a through the Canadian Toughest business or professional wanted to be when you grew up: I Always investing happy retirement Securities Institute and earned decision: knew I wanted to be a financial significantly back into business adviser since I was 14 years old

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MICHAEL RICHTER President, co-founder and CEO, Troico AGE ichael Richter became an entre- Mpreneur at the age of 25 when he founded Solid Engineering Solu- 39 tions Inc., a software company and authorized dealer of Autodesk software. Two years later, he had 15 employees, earned the coveted Shooting Star Award from Autodesk and reached platinum status within the Autodesk community. In 2012, Richter launched Troico, a design, renovation and custom mill- work company with a manufacturing facility based in Coquitlam, while maintaining his software company. He sold his software company to Cansel in 2013, focusing his attention on Troico. After acquiring the assets of a defunct high-end cabinet company, he applied his manufacturing expertise and fully automated his shop with new software and equipment upgrades. Troico has since doubled its gross sales annually, and today has about 40 full-time employees. Richter, 39, describes his road to success as “rough,” but said he was motivated to work hard in order to spend quality time with his family. “A lot of it was the school of hard knocks. It’s been a challenge, but I’m a gambler. I think it’s part of the excitement for me.” Having a heavy-duty mechanic father RICHARD LAM with a love of vintage hotrods, Richter metal forming. He holds patents for the learned about mechanical engineering invention in both Canada and the U.S. at a young age. He restores classic cars Richter, a father of two boys, also pi- as a hobby, and his custom 1937 Ford oneered the fixed-pricing renovation/ It’s been a challenge, roadster has won best-in-show awards new build model in B.C., for which Tro- in the Lower Mainland. ico is well known. but I’m a gambler. I While he never attended post-sec- Richter’s first son was born with a think it’s part of the ondary schools, Richter trained him- cleft lip and palate and was later diag- excitement for me self in AutoCAD, AutoCAD Inventor nosed with autism. Troico donates an- and AutoCAD Electrical software. In nually to Smile Train, an international 2012, Richter invented a new way to use charity that provides cleft repair sur- mandrel bending as an alternative to gery and care to children in developing difficult cutting and welding systems in countries.

Birthplace: New Westminster Currently listening to: A Head Full Toughest business or professional Advice you would give the younger of Dreams, Coldplay decision: Moving my first you: Don’t try to do it all; you Where you live now: Vancouver business, Solid Engineering, to can’t. Learn to hire well and When you were a kid, what you Highest level of education: High Calgary. In the midst of an oil delegate. Put yourself and wanted to be when you grew school and gas boom it was the logical staff where you’re best used up: Baseball player choice for the business but it Currently reading: Invisible What’s left to do: So much to do, I Profession you would most like to came at the expense of time Capital: How Unseen Forces feel like we’ve only just begun NASCAR race-car driver with friends and family Shape Entrepreneurial try: Opportunity by Chris Rabb

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MARYAM SADEGHI CEO and co-founder, MetaOptima Technology AGE aryam Sadeghi’s career is note- Mworthy for, among other things, a fearless approach to tackling 36 outsized challenges such as moving across the globe, getting her PhD and founding a company. Lately, she and her company, MetaOptima Technol- ogy, have taken on the task of making it easier for people to identify skin cancer, to raise the chances of catching it early and thereby increase the chances of survival. “I saw the problem and I saw that there was actually a solution, and I thought, ‘Oh, we can make a difference,’” Sa- deghi said. While working towards her PhD in computer science, Sadeghi felt it was time to enter Vancouver’s fast-growing medical technology industry. Her studies specialized in computer visualizations, but Sadeghi wanted more than to just find a job in her field – she wanted to help people. As CEO of MetaOptima, she worked to create a smartphone attachment called MoleScope that identified suspicious moles and lesions. When she realized her product was effective, it was bitter- sweet as her close friend was the first one to successfully identify melanoma with MoleScope. “That was a moment where I was ROB KRUYT shocked; I didn’t know what to do,” Sa- of cancer, she can’t help but see a kind deghi said. “And she told me, ‘Maryam, of beauty in what she creates. this is great, this is exactly showing that “I want to work with images; I want to MoleScope works. If I found my melan- work with visual things,” said Sadeghi. I saw the problem and oma with MoleScope, other patients can “And for me, the visual representation do this as well.’” of the cancer cell is like a galaxy and I saw that there was It was difficult for Sadeghi to celebrate stars. I can see cancer cells or signs or actually a solution, and her success under the circumstances, structures in the mole, and for me it’s I thought, ‘Oh, we can but remaining positive is in her nature. not scary, it’s actually beautiful that you Even though she spends her days creat- can identify things and find information make a difference’ ing and viewing computer visualizations that can save people’s lives.”

Birthplace: Mianeh, Iran Leap ... and Others Don’t by Jim Profession you would most like to of challenges, just go for it, Collins try: Painter nothing is impossible Where you live now: Vancouver Currently listening to: Kitaro, Toughest business or professional What’s left to do: Focusing on my Highest level of education: PhD in Symphony of the Forest, Dream Deciding on who to family and myself computer science decision: hire for key positions Good to Great: When you were a kid, what you Currently reading: Why Some Companies Make the wanted to be when you grew up: Advice you would give the Family adviser younger you: Don’t be afraid

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Founder, Registered acupuncturist, KIEM SCHUTTER Qi Integrated Health AGE iem Schutter can thank a snow- Kboarding accident for leading him to his career. 39 The 39-year-old owner of Qi Inte- grated Health fractured his left hip on the slopes in 1998 and was told he would never ride again. He was living with Dirk Brinkman and Joyce Murray at the time of his recovery. Murray, the future provincial and federal Liberal politician, suggested that he try acu- puncture treatments. To Schutter’s surprise and delight, it worked. One week he entered on crutches and exited needing one crutch. The next he was going in with a cane and leaving with a limp. “That’s what sparked my interest,” Schutter said. “What is this magic that’s happening?” Schutter decided to explore alternative healing, particularly the Chinese variety. In 2004 he graduated from the Academy of Classical Oriental Sciences in Nelson. Two years later, he founded Qi. From 2010 to 2012, he was president of the BC Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine. When he embarked on his own practice, he was determined for Qi to be different from the rest. “It didn’t seem to me that a lot of clin- ics were healing environments. I love RICHARD LAM my environment; I love being some- revenue from $1.1 million to $2 mil- where that has a clean, functional, sim- lion in 2015. Schutter said it is on track ple way of being, a very natural feel. A to double again in 2016, and a second lot of places that I’d went seemed to location, in downtown Vancouver, is I love being somewhere be converted from a mining firm or an in the works. accountant’s office.” “I had very lofty, ambitious goals with that has ... a very The 5,000-square-foot Qi on West it,” he said, looking back on the decade. natural feel. A lot of 7th Avenue has a full slate of practi- “It’s not a surprise, but it’s very reassur- places that I’d went tioners, from massage therapists to ing because when I started and I had chiropractors. It has been described signed a lease and was going to do this seemed to be converted as medical service in a spa-like setting. whole thing, so many people that were from a mining firm or Qi has grown from six to 40 practi- close to me were going, ‘What are you tioners and almost doubled its annual doing? It’s totally crazy.’” an accountant’s office

Birthplace: Homefree Commune, Currently listening to: The Funk Profession you would most like to you work with and don’t be Quathiaski Cove, Quadra Island, Hunters – any of their mixes try: Urban planner afraid to over-communicate B.C. get my feet moving and be honest Toughest business or professional Where you live now: Vancouver When you were a kid, what you decision: The decision to sell What’s left to do: I plan to grow wanted to be when you grew up: our house, which we built in the Qi clinic/brand across Highest level of education: Mountaineer with a hut-to- Dunbar, to grow Qi Integrated Canada and, in doing so, help to Diploma, doctor of traditional hut alpine touring company in Health reform our health-care system, Chinese medicine the Purcell Mountains behind restoring Canada’s reputation Advice you would give the younger Currently reading: The Evolution of my childhood home in the as a true global leader you: Be grateful for those that Medicine by James Maskell Kootenays

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Owner, Oceanfront Dental Group NICK SEDDON and two Freshii franchises AGE ick Seddon’s entrepreneurialism is Nclear from his ownership of a successful Vancouver dental practice 36 and two Freshii franchises. The former professional soccer player with the Vancouver 86ers recently sold his first dental practice, Dundarave Dental Clinic, for six times the price that he paid for it, when he bought the venture just before the global economic crisis in 2008. Seddon sold Dundarave because had bought Oceanfront Dental Group, which has an office downtown, closer to where he lives. Seddon is a dentist at the clinic and employs a second dentist as well as three hygienists, two recep- tionists and a treatment co-ordinator. “The West Vancouver practice had a beautiful location, team and patients, but I knew that for me, I needed to grow both personally and professionally,” he said. “I felt stagnant, and it wasn’t challenging for me, so I needed to move on.” That existential crisis in 2014 led him to simultaneously buy his first Freshii franchise, on West 4th Avenue. Sales were strong at that healthy fast- food outlet, so Seddon bought a second Freshii franchise, in the Wesbrook Vil- lage neighbourhood near the University of British Columbia (UBC), which is his ROB KRUYT alma mater. dentistry’s dean’s advisory board and His two franchises employ about 20 is president-elect of the BC Academy people. of General Dentistry, a professional “One of the reasons I opened a second association of general dentists. The West Vancouver location was to take advantage of econ- “Each year I try to do a [philanthropic] omies of scale,” he said. “I can spread excursion,” he said before recounting practice had a beautiful expenses, such as a manager’s salary, trips to Peru, Nicaragua, Cambodia location, team and across the two stores.” and Ecuador. patients, but I knew When not cleaning teeth or oversee- “We go as a team and see a bunch of ing restaurants, Seddon is active with patients who are often in very poor that for me, I needed to the UBC fraternity Beta Theta Pi, where areas. We set up shop in various villa- grow both personally he is president. ges, schools, churches or even orphan- He is also on the UBC faculty of ages, and do dentistry.” and professionally

Birthplace: North Vancouver and Why the Rest Don’t by Verne Profession you would most like to franchise to my life when my Harnish try: Chef or a public speaker on life as a dentist was fine Where you live now: Yaletown leadership, entrepreneurship Currently listening to: Closer by Advice you would give the Highest level of education: Doctor and happiness issues or a The Chainsmokers younger you: Always say yes to of dental medicine from the venture capitalist adventure and travel University of British Columbia When you were a kid, what you Toughest business or professional wanted to be when you grew up: What’s left to do: Grow as a Scaling Up: Adding a Freshii Currently reading: Professional soccer player decision: person, start a family, build my How a Few Companies Make It … businesses and travel

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ANKIT SHARMA Founder and CEO, Kitply Industries AGE aunching a tiny operation in his parents’ basement when he was L24, Ankit Sharma has since ex- 32 panded Surrey-based Kitply Industries into a countrywide wholesale distribu- tor of hardware and plywood with more than $5 million in annual revenues and a team of six full-time staff members. “I strongly believe that the success we have achieved has been due to the strength of the team, and the strength of the team is due to the way that we manage and treat our people with the respect that they deserve,” said the founder and CEO. The 32-year-old also recently co- founded a new startup called Trades- Block.com, born out of a need to connect building and construction contractors with homeowners. He earned a bachelor’s degree at Kwantlen Polytechnic University in 2007. He completed studies at the London Business School in March 2016, and is participating in the Entrepreneurial Masters Program housed by the Entre- preneurs’ Organization at MIT Endicott House. His only other job after graduating from Kwantlen was as a sales management trainee at Hardwoods Specialty Products. He later moved into account management and began to sow the seeds ROB KRUYT for Kitply. He quit his job in 2009 to pur- “We set a new standard in the industry, sue his dream of entrepreneurship. He and I’m very proud of that,” he said. prepared his business plan and secured Family life is important for Sharma, funding during the recession, defying a who spends as much time as possible I strongly believe business climate that was unfriendly to with his wife and two young children. new ventures. Giving back to the community is also that the success It wasn’t the first challenge he’d over- important. Sharma chairs the Van- we have achieved come. Success didn’t come easily at first, couver chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ has been due to the said Sharma, who moved from Bareilly, Organization and has won the Self Em- India, to the Lower Mainland when he ployment & Entrepreneur Development strength of the team was 15. It took time to learn how to navi- Society’s Youth Entrepreneur of the Year gate the Canadian business landscape. Award and Ethno BC’s New Immigrant He’s proud of what he’s achieved so far. Entrepreneur Award.

Birthplace: Bareilly, India various executive programs at Currently listening to: Good Toughest business or professional London Business School and Feeling by Flo Rida decision: Buying out my Where you live now: South MIT Endicott House business partner Surrey/White Rock When you were a kid, what you Currently reading: Thinking, wanted to be when you grew up: Advice you would give the younger Highest level of education: Fast and Slow by Nobel Prize A pilot Success takes time Bachelor’s degree in you: winner in economics, Daniel business administration in Relax and enjoy Kahneman Profession you would most like to What’s left to do: entrepreneurial leadership, try: Scientist/geologist the ride

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JON SHARUN Founder, managing partner and CEO, Venexo Corp. AGE s a serial entrepreneur with a pre- Ascient ability to identify upcoming markets, Jon Sharun believes work 35 and life are inextricably intertwined. “What excites me is we may find the next Uber or Airbnb,” said the 35-year- old founder and managing partner of Venexo Corp., a Vancouver-based private equity and venture advisory firm with more than $50 million in assets. Besides leading Venexo, Sharun oversees The Pint Public House and has embarked on numerous other ventures, mostly focused on the millennial market. Sharun’s first entrepreneurial success was establishing a marketing agency in 1999 to help push Kokanee beer to a top-three brand in B.C. and Alberta. He later joined Anheuser-Busch InBev (NYSE:BUD) where he ranked among the company’s global top 25 and earned Labatt’s Top Sales Performer award. While completing his master’s degree, Sharun continued his entrepreneurship at Lex Venture Developments, later joining Colliers International (TSX:CIG). With a bachelor of commerce degree from the University of Alberta and an MBA from the University of British Columbia, he developed the idea for Venexo during the 2010 Olym- pics when he envisioned an integrated ROB KRUYT international private equity company Urban Sparq. acquiring “cool” life-experience pro- Sharun’s ventures have extended into jects. He established the firm, raising real estate, pursuing repurposed herit- $50,000 his first year. age, retail, industrial and hotel projects What excites me is An avid traveller and reader, Sharun in Canada and California. launched The Pint Public House in 2011, Among other volunteer committee we may find the next leading an expansion in 2013 that in- and director positions, Sharun is chair Uber or Airbnb creased revenue by 52%. He has since of the Hastings Crossing Business acquired 25% of hospitality company Improvement Association (HXBIA), . Urban Sparq, launched a real estate He also sits on the Urban Land Institute redevelopment company and acquired programming committee and is known three health-care businesses. He chairs for hosting mentorship and network- the boards of directors of Venexo and ing events.

Birthplace: Edmonton, Alberta Survival in the Age of Networks Wayne Gretzky’s line mate on Edmonton before financing by Joshua Cooper Ramo the Oilers was secured Where you live now: Downtown Vancouver Currently listening to: Live music Profession you would most like Advice you would give the younger at Desert Trip 2016 – Stones, Shark diver, marine Live your dream life MBA, to try: you: Highest level of education: Dylan, The Who… biologist through work finance, and CPA, CMA Lead a The Seventh When you were a kid, what you Toughest business or professional What’s left to do: Currently reading: Buying the (soon- disruptive innovation Sense: Power, Fortune, and wanted to be when you grew up: decision: to-be-launched) Crash Hotel

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TYLER SMYRSKI Partner, Yellow Point Equity Partners AGE yler Smyrski never had to rack his Tbrain to figure out what he wanted to do with his life. 38 In Grade 10, Smyrski visited the now- defunct Vancouver Stock Exchange on a field trip. He was immediately taken with the fancy suits, cellphones and tall buildings. “That is what I wanted to do,” said the University of British Columbia commerce grad and partner at Yellow Point Equity Partners. “I wanted to sit in an office and look out at nice views and talk on the phone.” That idea put him on the right track. In 2004, Smyrski joined Yellow Point, a firm that manages $300 million in assets and has invested in 19 local companies. A chartered business evaluator, Smyrski has been involved with several of these companies through all stages of their development, assisting management and helping with growth strategies. Smyrski directs Bravo Tar- get Safety LP, Remcan Projects LP and Viper Innovation. In his role, Smyrski regularly has to assess and coach business leaders. Good leadership is fairly simple to identify, he said. “The ones that tend to do the best are the ones where the people run- CHUNG CHOW ning the business have taken money simple questions of executives is the out of their own pocket and invested best way to focus their goals. into it,” he said. “It just creates that “People get caught up in the details,” permanent feeling and makes them he said. “[I say] ‘Tell me in 10 words The ones that tend feel like owners instead of working for what I should take away from that.’ someone else.” It forces them to think about a bigger to do the best are the He said the alarm bells ring pretty picture, which often leads to better ones where the people clearly when it comes to companies to answers.” running the business avoid investing in. “As soon as you get Changing personnel is the tough- a sniff that maybe somebody isn’t fully est part of his job. “Just be open with have taken money out transparent with things, those are the people about what’s going on,” he said. of their own pocket red flags you try to stay away from.” “Be grateful for the contributions they Smyrski said he learned that asking have made in the past.” and invested into it

Birthplace: Richmond Strategy by Bruce Greenwald Profession you would most like to biggest failure is not failing to and Judd Kahn Astrophysicist achieve your goal, but rather Yaletown try: Where you live now: setting your goal too low Currently listening to: Closer, The Toughest business or professional Highest level of education: CPA, Chainsmokers Any time you have to We are just CA decision: What’s left to do: change the person in a job getting started Competition When you were a kid, what you Currently reading: Demystified: A Radically wanted to be when you grew up: Advice you would give the younger Football player Set your goals high. The Simplified Approach to Business you:

40 Under Forty 2016_60 pages_11.07_132.indd 52 2016-11-23 1:14 PM Building business is a journey

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ANNE STEVENS Co-founder and COO, Aequus Pharmaceuticals AGE lthough born and raised in Van- Acouver, Anne Stevens says spending formative years in Mexico 36 from grades 6 to 9 had a lot to do with her decision to go into life sciences. “It was kind of an eye-opener to the differences in health-care systems in general from one country to the next, and access to different medications and health-care services,” said Stevens, whose parents were in the airline business and lived in Acapulco for several years. “I think, from an early age, I always knew I wanted to be in this field.” Her rise in the local life sciences sector has been rapid. At the age of 36, she has already helped co-found a new venture capital firm, Northview LifeSciences, which in turn created one of the rising stars of Vancouver’s life sciences sector – Aequus Pharmaceuticals (TSX-V:AQS). After obtaining a bachelor of science degree in microbiology, she worked as a sales representative for Bayer AG, and then went to Cardiome Pharma Corp. (TSX:COM) while still pursuing a master’s degree in health administration. After leaving Cardiome, she and a number of other Cardiome executives, including former CEO Doug Janzen, founded Northview LifeSciences, which has either formed or invested in 10 life sciences companies. RICHARD LAM Aequus is one of Northview’s port- and improving drug delivery systems. folio companies. Founded in January One opportunity Stevens seized on 2013, Aequus went public a year and was a problem with epilepsy medica- a half ago, has raised $14 million and tion, which patients need to take two or I think, from an early already has two drugs approved for sale three times a day, increasing the risk of in Canada and five more in the pipeline. patients missing doses. She negotiated age, I always knew I “We became part of the operating a licence with a U.S. specialty pharma- wanted to be in this field management team of that company ceutical company to make once-daily pretty early on,” said Stevens, who is epilepsy medications available to pa- the company’s chief operating officer. tients in Canada. Aequus specializes in securing li- Aequus was awarded the LifeSciences censing for drugs that are approved BC Growth Stage Company of the Year for use elsewhere but not in Canada, award in 2016.

Birthplace: Vancouver When you were a kid, what you Advice you would give the younger with physicians who are on the wanted to be when you grew up: you: What matters most is front line of patient care and Where you live now: Vancouver An astronaut knowing what you know and who can identify system or Highest level of education: Master what you don’t know, and medication inefficiencies, and Profession you would most like to of health administration, surrounding yourself with a then working to connect those try: A chef University of British Columbia team that has complementary physicians with engineers Toughest business or professional skill sets that can fill the and scientists who can work Currently reading: All the Light We Staying in Vancouver knowledge gaps, because after to solve those problems. Cannot See by Anthony Doerr decision: at a certain inflection point of all, you will never know it all Companies, like Aequus, are Currently listening to: Everything my career meant pursuing an born from this concept, and One of the and anything by Adele entrepreneurial path instead of What’s left to do: I look forward to the next most satisfying things I do going to the bigger industry in generation of companies of through Northview is meeting my field back east this type

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President and CEO, Superior Flood JOSEPH TOLZMANN and Fire Restoration Inc. AGE hen it comes to answering ques- Wtions about his success in business, Joe Tolzmann is a man of 35 few words. Known as a leader in the western Can- adian restoration industry, Tolzmann launched Superior Flood and Fire Res- toration with no external backing and few connections. “When I started, I had one employee,” Tolzmann said. “At the time, his English was not great. Mine was not much better. We had a real fun time communicating.” He said that helped them to keep it simple. Simplicity became a mantra for their restoration business as it evolved from just the two of them into a company with 60 full-time staff, 20 part-timers and branches in Vancouver, Abbotsford and Calgary. The company has become known as a specialist in highrise and multi-unit damage restoration. “I face challenges every day,” he said. “There is no particular one that stands out. And leadership is about finding solutions for the problems, resolving issues, navigating around obstacles no matter how difficult they are.” The company remains focused on high-quality customer service and ROB KRUYT finding solutions to problems, he said. Consumer Choice Award as his proudest Tolzmann said he never had any doubt professional moment. In November, he that he was meant to be a boss. was set to join Covenant House’s execu- “I like knowing what needs to get done tive edition of the Sleep Out campaign I like knowing what and finding the resources and making that would have him spend a night out sure it happens,” he said, describing on the streets of Vancouver to help raise needs to get done his leadership style as creating a shared awareness about youth homelessness. and finding the vision with his staff. “It’s an ongoing He said he doesn’t get much time off, resources and making process.” but when he does he prefers to spend it Tolzmann marks winning the 2016 with his wife and daughter. sure it happens

Birthplace: Croatia Currently listening to: Profession you would most like Advice you would give the younger AlunaGeorge to try: Firefighter. I enjoy hard you: Take more risks. Share Where you live now: Vancouver work that ultimately helps experience, delegate and When you were a kid, what you Highest level of education: High people mentor sooner to build an wanted to be when you grew school and military service amazing team that I have today up: The boss. I wanted to run Toughest business or professional Currently reading: Business in things to ensure everything decision: I make difficult What’s left to do: Continue Vancouver; Driven: How to gets done properly decisions every day. There is no building the Superior brand Succeed in Business and in Life one that stands out across the world by Robert Herjavec

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SUSAN TOMAINE Partner, Blake, Cassels & Graydon AGE “ f there’s a big deal happening in IVancouver, I want to be in it and I want my firm to be on it,” said Susan 39 Tomaine, a partner and transactional lawyer at Blake, Cassels & Graydon. Tomaine represents companies in merger and acquisition deals or as they arrange corporate finance. Many of these deals are worth hundreds of millions of dollars. She recently represented T&T Super- market in its $225 million acquisition by Loblaw Companies (TSX:L), and Kaminak Gold Corp. when it was acquired by Goldcorp (TSX:G) for $520 million. In the large deals you are always working against the clock, she said. “But you’re also working with very so- phisticated parties on all sides and there’s so much to learn in those pres- sure-cooker situations.” The small deals have similar issues but different stresses involved. “The margin for error is very small,” Tomaine said. “You’re working directly with founders or family-owned businesses and this is their own personal wealth. This is their livelihood. You want to make sure you advocate for them and get them the best possible outcome.” Tomaine moved to Vancouver “for ROB KRUYT love” from New York, where she worked Her volunteer work as the chair of as an associate at a Wall Street firm. “I Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland helps had to make a choice as to whether I with that. “It’s just been a fantastic ex- was going to stay in New York or if I perience,” she said. “We’re mentoring The margin for error was going to come out here and give it young girls at their vulnerable time a shot,” she said. “It was a big leap of through a variety of issues, and provid- is very small. ... You faith from a professional perspective.” ing them with a stable, positive mentor want to make sure Tomaine said her career has taught makes a positive impact in their lives.” you advocate for them her about how to apply limits. “The “Whether it’s setting an example for job will take and take and take, and young girls or helping young lawyers and get them the best you have to know when to say, ‘I need in their career, mentorship is one of the possible outcome to go for a walk. I need to take some key ways we can help advance people,” downtime. I need to clear my head.’” she said.

Birthplace: Newport News, Currently reading: The Neapolitan When you were a kid, what you Toughest business or professional Virginia Novels of Elena Ferrante wanted to be when you grew up: decision: Leaving New York and Astronaut moving to Vancouver Where you live now: North Currently listening to: Old Vancouver MacDonald Had a Farm, over Profession you would most like to Advice you would give the younger and over and over try: Restaurateur you: Enjoy a lazy day while you Highest level of education: Juris still can doctor What’s left to do: A lot, I hope

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ALFRED WONG Director, Asia Pacific sales, Ballard Power Systems Inc. AGE f the clean-technology industry were Ia physical activity, it would be more of a long endurance run rather than 39 a sprint, says Alfred Wong. As such, it’s taken 37 years for Bal- lard Power Systems to put about 150 hydrogen-fuel-cell-powered buses on the road. But after spending his entire 16-year career at the Burnaby company, Wong said it’s clear to him Ballard is picking up the pace in the clean-tech race. “Last year we signed a deal to look at putting 300 buses in one city, which is going to be a deployment that’s double the size of what we’ve ever done,” said Wong, Ballard’s director for Asia Pacific sales. It’s not often people will stick with one company from the time they get out of university until just before they turn 40. But Wong feels that his mission won’t be done until the company’s fuel cells are used on more roads across the world. “We know that the technology and the company can do great things, but at the same time we had challenges in terms of cost and market adoption,” he said, adding the additional business coming from China over the last year and a half has been a boon for Ballard. While Wong now focuses on the commercial side of Ballard, he got his start RICHARD LAM with the company as a mechanical always something that was in my plans,” engineer. he said. “It worked out well that the During the mid-2000s he saw the company was going in that particular company accelerating its transition direction.” Last year we signed a from research and development into He added that time management was commercialization. a challenge when he was working a full- deal to look at putting That’s when Wong realized it would be time job and studying part time. But it 300 buses in one city, the right time to head to Simon Fraser also afforded Wong the opportunity to which is going to be University to earn his master of busi- be the “first guy on the ground” when ness administration in management of opening up new markets in Asia. a deployment that’s technology. “My career shift was tied to the evolu- double the size of what “Going back to business school was tion of Ballard.” we’ve ever done

Birthplace: Hong Kong Currently reading: The Signal When you were a kid, what you Advice you would give the younger and the Noise: Why So Many wanted to be when you grew up: A you: Focus on your strengths Where you live now: Vancouver Predictions Fail – but Some movie star and trust your judgment Highest level of education: Master Don’t by Nate Silver Put clean- of engineering from University Profession you would most like to What’s left to do: TuneIn – Scuba diving instructor energy transportation in every of British Columbia; master of Currently listening to: try: mostly local radio stations city in the world business administration from Toughest business or professional Simon Fraser University decision: To move my family for an expat assignment

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DAVID WONG Partner, Fasken Martineau AGE hile studying biology at the WUniversity of British Columbia, David Wong thought he was 38 on track to become a doctor. But after spending time as a researcher at a hospital, he discovered that wasn’t going to work out. “My father was a doctor in medicine,” said the partner at Fasken Martineau law firm. “When I was in undergrad, I was thinking about going that route. I spent a year doing some research in a hospital and I didn’t like the environment and decided to switch paths.” He chose law instead and was called to the B.C. bar in 2007. At 33, after only three years at the practice, he was named head of the firm’s human rights practice group. Wong had found a different way to help people. “I was always interested in human rights in a way,” he said. Having grown up with a non-Caucasian last name, Wong said he never experienced dis- crimination, but was aware of it. “It was always on my radar,” he said. Wong said practising human rights law came naturally. “I personally find it to be an interesting area,” he said. “It’s unclear what we mean by some of the concepts when it comes to human rights law. Obviously ROB KRUYT it has an impact on people.” soccer – it’s just the energy and the shift Wong has spent time volunteering that it provides me from my everyday at Canuck Place Children’s Hospice stressful life. It’s reinvigorating.” and Camp Goodtimes and he serves He said his legal career has benefited I was always interested on the board of the Hoop-Law Society, greatly from strong mentorship over the an organization that raises money for years. “It’s a demanding job,” he said. in human rights. ... It children’s charities. “I have three kids at home and I’d love was always on my radar “There was a time when I was think- to spend more time with them and my ing about becoming a teacher,” he said. wife. Finding that balance is key, and “The energy I get from being around kids, if I’m going to be successful then I have and still get it today when I go to coach to put in the time.”

Birthplace: Vancouver Currently reading: The Wind in the When you were a kid, what you a career in law instead of Willows by Kenneth Grahame wanted to be when you grew up: following in my dad’s footsteps Where you live now: Vancouver (to my three kids) My dad or a soccer player Advice you would give the younger Highest level of education: Bobcaygeon Enjoy your spare time Bachelor of laws Currently listening to: Profession you would most like to you: by The Tragically Hip try: Singer-songwriter while you have it Toughest business or professional What’s left to do: The Supreme decision: Deciding to pursue Court of Canada

40 Under Forty 2016_60 pages_11.07_132.indd 58 2016-11-23 1:15 PM Seize your dream career

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