Arts & Culture

PHOTOS: YWCA Women of Distinction Awards and Neekoo Philanthropic Society’s Annual Soiree

Record turnout and results for YWCA’s Women of Distinction Awards and Neekoo’s Ignite a Light

By Fred Lee /

YWCA Woman of Distinction Awards

May 9, 2023

The 40th annual YWCA Women of Distinction awards celebrated 78 remarkable nominees and 13 recipients including Carrie Tennant, founder and artistic director of the Vancouver Youth Choir and Dr. Connie Eaves, a distinguished scientist who has made significant contributions to cancer and stem cell research.

About Town YWCA Gala
Kathy Lilyholm, associate director, fund development and special events, and gala emcee Sophie Lui, welcomed more than 1,300 guests to the awards dinner held at the Westin Bayshore.

 

About Town YWCA Gala
Escorted by her husband Stephen, Anson Realty’s Grace Kwok was among the panel of seven judges who had the Herculean task of selecting this year’s 13 award recipients among 78 nominations.

 

About Town YWCA Gala
First Nations artists Amira Carrier and Women of Distinction nominee Tamara Goodard, saw their collection of Indigenous art sell for $16,000 in the live auction.

 

About Town YWCA Gala
Steve Gaskin, Scotiabank senior vice president, BC & Yukon Region, presented the community award to Adebukola Adewuyi for her efforts advancing opportunities available to immigrants and minority groups. Adewuyi helped lead the first Black Business Expo.

 

About Town YWCA Gala
YWCA CEO Erin Seeley and Scotiabank’s Jennifer Lee witnessed more than $276,000 raised for the YWCA to support employment, housing and early learning and childcare efforts.

 

About Town YWCA Gala
Former YWCA CEO, Lieutenant Governor of BC Janet Austin, and gala chair Gerri Sinclair, flanked Mariyeh Mosadegh, the evening’s keynote. The Burnaby single mom received a standing ovation after sharing her personal story with the capacity crowd.

Neekoo Soiree: Ignite a Light 

April 21, 2023

At Neekoo Philanthropic Society’s annual Neekoo Soiree, raising a glass to the next generation of Persian leaders, La Stella winery principal Saeedeh Salem welcomed a record crowd to the Fairmont Pacific Rim for an evening of celebration and fundraising.

About Town Neekoo Soiree
Held around Nowruz to mark the first day of spring and the Persian New Year, winery owners Saeedeh and Sean Salem uncorked their finest wines at Ignite a Light, an event to help the leaders of tomorrow.

 

About Town Neekoo Soiree
Community leaders Meg Brown and Richard Coglon were among Neekoo soiree attendees who helped usher in the Persian new year. In Persian, “neekoo” means to provide goodness and guidance.

 

About Town Neekoo Soiree
Among the many sponsors and benefactors were philanthropists Hamid and Arya Eshghi, the evening’s presenting sponsor, and society’s founding supporter.

 

About Town Neekoo Soiree
Countdown Events principal Soha Lavin and singer Mahtab Haghighi were among community and business leaders who believe firmly in giving back and the principles of paying it forward.

 

About Town Neekoo Soiree
Attendees Human Alghabi, CIBC Wood Gundy, Jinus Wolff von Gudenberg and Irfan Jiwani, saw almost $300,000 netted from the night of celebration and fundraising.