Recognized nationally as one of Canada’s most prestigious awards for women, the YWCA Metro Vancouver Women of Distinction Awards honour women whose outstanding achievements contribute to the well-being and future of our community. The Awards also honour businesses and organizations that support the wellness and diverse needs of their employees. The Women of Distinction Awards began in 1984; since then YWCA Metro Vancouver has honoured over 200 deserving women and workplaces. The 2011 Awards event took place on Tuesday, May 31 at the Westin Bayshore.

The 2011 YWCA Women of Distinction award recipients included SVI alum, Beverly Pomeroy, Founder and CEO of Global Currents and Tamara Vrooman, President and CEO of Vancity and SVI Supporter, SAP's Exectutive Vice President Janet Wood.

Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Beverley Pomeroy – Founder and CEO, Global Currents Enterprises
Beverley is the driving force behind Global Currents (formerly Pinc Giving), an online social-giving platform. When Beverley sought help from several charities and agencies to cope and care for her daughter’s terminal illness, she discovered that these agencies lacked the resources to fundraise through their websites. She created Global Currents with the belief that web solutions for non-profits should be affordable and simple to use. The platforms—such as the Donate Now button—are affordable and work extremely well in the non-profit industry. In 2009 Beverley was one of Business in Vancouver’s Top Forty under 40. She is a sought-after speaker on topics such as online fundraising, corporate social responsibility and women in business.

Business & the Professions
Tamara Vrooman – President and CEO, Vancity Credit Union
As the first female CEO of Canada’s largest credit union, Tamara harnesses the company’s strengths to encourage growth and prosperity in the communities where its members and employees live and work. Tamara considers her role to be a continuation of her career in the public service sector; she ensures Vancity helps facilitate positive social and environmental change in everything they do. Under Tamara’s leadership, in 2010 Vancity achieved the best financial results in the credit union’s 64-year history and its third consecutive year of increased earnings. Tamara is one of only five female CEOs among the top 100 credit unions in Canada. Her strong commitment to public service was recognized in 2003 when she received the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal for Outstanding Public Service.

Technology, Science & Industry
Janet Wood – Executive Vice President, SAP
Janet Wood has over 28 years of experience in the technology industry and is currently Executive Vice President of SAP’s Maintenance Go-to-Market organization. As a member of SAP’s leadership team, Janet’s position is highly influential in determining and driving the company’s strategic direction. After her first role in sales at Xerox, Janet moved to IBM where she distinguished herself as a sales executive and then, later, as an outstanding leader in technology when she was involved in launching IBM’s first eBusiness Solutions organization in 1999. At both Crystal Decisions and Business Objects, Janet headed the partner organization that cultured critical relationships with all partners from Global Alliances to OEM. Eventually, she played a critical leadership role during the acquisitions of Crystal Decisions and Business Objects. Janet’s many accomplishments and exemplary leadership serve as an example to all those who have had the opportunity to work with her.

The full list of recipients are on the YWCA website.

Check out the entire list of 2011 Nominees here.