IN THIS ANNUAL REPORT...
1) Message from the Chair of the Board & President
2) About JA British Columbia
3) Bright Futures For All BC'S Youth - Strategic Plan
4) Our Volunteers
5) 2018 - 2019 At A Glance
- Program Reach
- Program Highlights
6) Educator Survey Results
7) JA's Long Term Impact
8) Leaders of Tomorrow
9) Other Event Highlights
10) JA Supporters
11) Legacy Giving
12) Financials
13) Board of Directors
14) Hall of Fame Cabinet Members
15) Contact Us
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD & PRESIDENT
ABOUT JA BRITISH COLUMBIA
As the first JA charter in Canada and JA’s first international chapter, JABC has been a leader in youth business education programs for over 60 years. We are dedicated to preparing people who will create and shape the jobs of the future, foster stable economies, contribute to a healthy community and enjoy lifelong success.
Our programs focus on financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship and are requested by educators across British Columbia. Thanks to the funding of generous donors, programs are delivered, free of charge, by local volunteers who provide their real-life experiences to students.
BRIGHT FUTURES FOR ALL BC'S YOUTH
JABC STRATEGIC PLAN 2019 - 2023
Our new strategic plan, Bright Futures for all B.C.’s Youth, is the beginning of a new era for JABC. Our purpose is to inspire, prepare and empower B.C. youth for lifelong success. Bright Futures outlines a new direction for our organization to leverage our expertise and commitment to address the changing educational needs of B.C. youth. Bright Futures will expand our services, increase our profile and ultimately strengthen the impact of our organization on B.C.’s youth and economy.
This plan is based on a number of environmental considerations in our province, including a growing technology sector, a changing world of work for today's youth, and a new school curriculum. Bright Futures is a vital roadmap for achieving our long-term aspiration for all B.C. youth to have access to a JABC program.
VOLUNTEERS
A huge shoutout to our 917 incredible volunteers who took the time to mentor and support JA students across British Columbia this past school year. Our volunteers bring life to our programs by sharing their real-life experiences and impacting the career aspirations and lifelong success of students in a multitude of ways. Thanks to them, we were able to deliver a record-breaking 1672 programs, which means we are now well on our way to reaching our Bright Futures for all B.C.'s Youth Strategic Plan goals by 2023.
Thank you for sharing your expertise and experience with us, volunteers!
JA’s Be Entrepreneurial Helps Develop Business Leaders
Meet Samantha and Danica from Kamloops, B.C., winners of their school’s Be Entrepreneurial business pitch competition and finalists for Community Futures Thompson Country’s Junior Dragons Den competition this year.
Their entrepreneurial venture is called NoPoke, a patch that delivers medication painlessly through the skin, rather than through a needle.
“Danica and I came up with an idea that could help so many people! We all know people who are afraid of needles and that’s why we created NoPoke! Thank you so much for giving Danica and me this opportunity to try to create a wonderful business. Thank you so much I am over the moon excited.” – Samantha
Through the JA Be Entrepreneurial program, students learn the essential components of launching a realistic entrepreneurial venture by a developing a plan and pitching an idea for their own business.
BC Indigenous Students Get Hands-On Business Experience with JA Programs
Volunteer Kim Jensen led three JA programs, Our Business World, Business of our Own and Be Entrepreneurial for two grade 5/6 classes at the Sk’elep School of Excellence in the Tk’emlulps First Nations Community in Kamloops. In December 2018, over 50 students worked together to conceptualize and create retail sales businesses that culminated in a craft fair sales day in their school gym. Students learned valuable self-employment and financial skills while experiencing the excitement of planning and launching their own businesses.
This was JABC’s first program delivery in an Indigenous community in more than five years. As part of JABC’s Indigenous initiative, JABC is committed to delivering 30 programs annually in Indigenous communities across B.C.
Discover Your Pitch 2019
In collaboration with our partners, Discovery Foundation and Spring, JA British Columbia hosted the inaugural Discover your Pitch, an exclusive student pitch competition for students taking a JA entrepreneurship program during the 2018-2019 school year.
Top student company teams were invited to take their entrepreneurship skills and knowledge to the next level by participating in an entrepreneurship workshop hosted by Spring, and showing off their ideas and pitching skills (including a 30-second elevator pitch) in front of a panel of judges made up of BC’s top business executives during an exciting final round hosted at Microsoft in downtown Vancouver.
First, second and third place cash prizes were handed out plus a bonus of $1,000 for the best 30-second elevator pitch for a combined total of $5,000.
1st place: Palisade, Kitsilano Secondary
2nd Place: MERAKi, Eric Hamber Secondary
3rd Place: Pandora’s Paint, Prince of Wales Secondary
Best Elevator Pitch: Desire for a Hair Dryer, Eric Hamber Secondary
JABC would like to give special thanks to Discovery Foundation for making this opportunity possible.
Economics for Success at Thompson Rivers University 2019
EFS@TRU, now in its 6th year, is JABC’s largest annual classroom delivery in the province. The full-day program aims to bridge the gap between high school and post-secondary education and careers by inspiring students to explore their post-secondary goals and develop the tools to achieve them. With the help of over 50 dedicated volunteers from the Kamloops business community, 850 grade 10 students from all over Kamloops were able to hear from local business leaders and mentors on how they can achieve personal success.
The day included a welcome breakfast, mini tradeshow of products developed in JABC’s entrepreneurship programs, campus tours, robotics competition and more!
A huge thank you to our donors for making this event possible!
"This was the second time I have participated in a JABC course, and they are always interesting and inclusive. The group activities were engaging and very well done. Definitely useful for high school students!” - Ariele, Grade 10, South Kamloops Secondary
750 students from across Greater Victoria, Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley participated in JABC TechWorks during the 2018-2019 school year.
As part of JABC's Bright Futures Strategic Plan to provide more students with access to JABC’s life-changing programs, we held the biggest and best TechWorks to date in Vancouver on January 17, 2019 and delivered on our expansion plan to Vancouver Island on December 5, 2018.
Why TechWorks?
BC’s booming tech sector continues to be a significant driver of our economy and the demand for highly skilled employees to fuel this growth continues to outpace supply. According to KPMG’s 2018 report card, talent and scalability continue to be the two main constraints on BC’s technology sector. In addition, many of the jobs that today’s students will occupy in the future don’t exist yet, and youth need to be able to learn new skills and adapt to a rapidly changing workforce.
In response to this growing demand for employees with new skills and knowledge, JABC launched TechWorks in 2017 and continues to run this program each year. A full day expo for youth to discover the vast career opportunities available in BC’s tech industry, students are encouraged to think about their interests, educational pathways, lifestyle goals and how they can set themselves up for a successful career in technology.
The overwhelming support of our sponsors and demand for education for unique experiences such as JABC TechWorks means we’re going to continue to grow with our regional expansion plans. Look out for us in Kelowna in 2020!
Upcoming JABC TechWorks
Victoria December 5, 2019 | Vancouver January 21, 2020 | Kelowna February 20, 2020
EDUCATOR SURVEY RESULTS
2018 -2019
JABC regularly conducts surveys of our teachers to ensure our programs continue to be relevant, meaningful and accessible. The results below reflect teacher sentiments over the past 12 months.
JA's LONG TERM IMPACT
LEADERS OF TOMORROW
This year, with the help of our donors, JABC gave away over $25,000 in awards and scholarships to students who had demonstrated excellence and leadership while participating in a JA program. JABC congratulates the following outstanding individuals and teams:
JABC Student Awards for Oratory & Presentation Skills
Joshua Santos, Vancouver Christian School, Vancouver
Aaron Cabiles, David Thompson Secondary School, Vancouver
Sanna Bhayana, Burnaby Central Secondary School, Burnaby
This award recognizes excellence and achievement in speaking and presentation skills. Award recipients had the opportunity to present their winning speeches at the 2019 Business Laureates of British Columbia Hall of Fame Gala Dinner & Induction Ceremonies on May 14, 2019.
Prize: $2500 per recipient
JABC would like to thank Austeville Properties Ltd., JDS Energy & Mining Inc., and the Peter and Joanne Brown Foundation for their generous sponsorship of these awards.
“JA allowed me to not fear setting high goals for myself.” - Sanna Bhayana
Dr. Donald Rix Inspiring Business Excellence Scholarship
Charles Liu, Princes of Wales Secondary School, Vancouver
This award is presented to an Indigenous, Rural or Immigrant student who has demonstrated significant growth in business skills, learning skills, leadership skills and/or entrepreneurial skills.
Prize: $2500
This award is made possible through a generous endowment gift from the Rix Family Foundation.
Jan Bell-Irving Award for Women’s Leadership
Zoe Tsai, Kitsilano Secondary School, Vancouver
The Jan Bell-Irving Award for Women's Leadership was established upon Jan's retirement as President & CEO of JABC in 2017. Presented to a female JA student who demonstrates the ambition to lead while demonstrating collaboration and kindness, Jan hopes to inspire and encourage young women to lead at the highest levels, with heart.
Prize: $2500
JA Youth Success Summit Awards
Kya Fulkco, Belmont Secondary, Victoria
Azzam Haq, Burnaby South Secondary School, Burnaby
Mi Hee Hashimoto Chang, École Moscrop Secondary School, Coquitlam
Faizaan Husain, Burnaby South Secondary School, Burnaby
Sofia Sirianni, South Kamloops Secondary School, Kamloops
These awards are presented to JA students who have demonstrated significant progress in developing their networking, leadership and communication skills. Each student received an all-expenses-paid trip to participate in the JA Youth Success Summit, a week-long summit for JA students from around the world to meet, participate in workshops, hear from industry experts and collaborate to solve a societal challenge.
JA CANADA AWARDS
Congratulations to these two JABC Alumni who took home two JA Canada 2019 National Scholarships!
Peter Mansbridge Positive Change Award
Alice Ko, Burnaby Central Secondary, Burnaby
Seymour Schulich Entrepreneurship Award
Zoe Tsai, Kitsilano Secondary, Vancouver
"I can’t thank JA enough for providing me with the tools to help shape me into a good student and a young leader. - Alice Ko
Team Awards
Celebrate Entrepreneurship Provincial Award
Awarded to a JA Student Company that demonstrates the most innovation in their business.
Team Prize: $3000
Apiculture, an after-school JA Student Company based out Kamloops, developed wooden coasters using locally sourced materials. Coated in beeswax and etched with unique designs, the coasters were created to raise awareness of BC’s declining bee population. Apiculture donated a portion of their profits to Shushwap Master Gardeners, an association dedicated to educating the public on environmentally-responsible gardening practices.
Congratulations to Sarah Baughan from NorKam Senior Secondary, Sofia Sirianni from South Kamloops Secondary, Tyson McDaniel from Valleyview Secondary and Alia Sandeman-Allen from South Kamloops Secondary!
JABC thanks the Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology for their generous sponsorship of this award.
CIBC Student Company of the Year Award
Awarded to an outstanding JA student company.
Team Prize: $3000
Last Straw is an after-school JA Student Company based out of Burnaby that sold reusable glass straws in an effort to combat excessive plastic consumption around the world.
Well done, Burnaby South Secondary School students, Alson Wu, David Tu, Serina Le, Manami Kiyota, Justin Lim, Faizaan Husain, Evan Chao, Ethan Byamukama and Azzam Haq!
JABC is grateful to CIBC for their generous sponsorship of this award.
OTHER EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
JA Leadership Breakfast 2018
We were pleased to host our 3rd annual JA Leadership Breakfast at the Four Seasons Hotel in Vancouver in October, 2018. Nearly 150 business leaders and students came together to hear from thought leaders on the topic of “International Trade in Trumpian Times”.
According to keynote speaker, Dr. Robert Johnston, CEO & Director of Eurasia Group, who also happens to be a JA Alumnus, “Canada’s next generation of business leaders need a global perspective- America First means greater risk for Canadian businesses and greater need to enhance ability to operate in more complex emerging markets.”
The morning also included a panel discussion led by Russell Crawford, Partner, KPMG. Panel members included Dr. Robert Johnston; Dr. Keith Head, Professor, Sauder School of Business; Stephen Murphy, EVP, Banking, Canadian Western Bank and Susan Yurkovich, President & CEO, Council of Forest Industries.
After a dynamic Q&A session, JABC was pleased to welcome Tahlia Ifada, JA Alumna and winner of a JABC award. She shared her story about how JA has changed her life and impressed the audience when she told them she was recently accepted to a special program at Sauder School of Business where a group of select students manage a 10 million dollar fund for the school.
BUSINESS LAUREATES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA HALL OF FAME
Presented by JABC, the Business Laureates of British Columbia Hall of Fame celebrates and honours the lifetime achievements of BC business leaders who have made outstanding contributions to our province and country. New Laureates are formally welcomed into the Hall of Fame annually at the Gala Dinner & Induction Ceremonies and honoured in front of their family and friends. Laureates are nominated by their peers and chosen by an independent selection committee representing BC’s foremost business, academic and media institutions.
2019 Gala Dinner & Induction Ceremonies
This year's event took place on May 14, 2019 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. We were pleased to induct the following outstanding citizens into the Hall of Fame:
- Samuel Belzberg (1928-2018), Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Belzberg & Co. Ltd.
- J. Haig deB. Farris, O.C., LL.D. (Hon), President, Fractal Capital Corp.
- David R. Podmore, O.B.C., Chair and Co-Founder, Concert Properties Ltd.
- Chip Wilson, Co-Founder, Hold It All Inc.
The 2019 gala raised a record $888,000 and JABC is grateful to all of our guests and partners who believe in our mission and work with us to achieve our goals.
We were pleased to welcome special guest speaker, Chief Clarence Louie, Chief of the Osoyoos Indian Band.
Recycled Sounds, a JA Student Company which piloted our STEMinists entrepreneurship initiative, presented their final report to guests. Run exclusively by young female entrepreneurs, they designed, manufactured and sold an innovative eco-friendly chargeless speaker made entirely out of reclaimed wood.
Photo: Members of JA STEMinists, Sarah Baughan, Rohkeya Diaou, Alia Sandeman-Allen with Emcee, Kristi Gordon, Global BC News
100% of the net proceeds from the annual gala support the efforts of JA British Columbia in developing and maintaining high quality business education programs which are accessible to schools across the province.
LEGACY GIVING
JABC Legacy Circle
Investing in the future is one of the greatest gifts we can give to society. A legacy gift is one way to positively impact future generations. The JABC Legacy Circle is a special group of visionary philanthropists who are purposefully ensuring youth are provided with the skills, knowledge and confidence necessary to become the leaders of tomorrow.
Donor Profile
Stephen Wilson has been a firm believer in youth and the work that JA does to support them for many years now. He first learned about JABC when he was the Executive Director for the BC Securities Commission, and they chose to support JA’s flagship financial literacy program, Dollars with Sense.
Mr. Wilson was so interested in what JABC was doing for youth, he became a member of the JABC Board of Directors and eventually Chair, overseeing the creation of the Business Laureates of BC Hall of Fame. Because of his efforts, Mr. Wilson received the Community Achievement Award from the Province of BC, for his dedication and work with JABC.
He continues to volunteer for JABC programs in the classroom because he believes in youth and recognizes the importance of financial literacy education early on. “Volunteering keeps me young,” says Mr. Wilson.
The Wilson family gift is a symbol of their belief in JA.
“I’m a believer and I’m still doing it.”
Legacy Gifts
A legacy gift to JABC ensures youth are prepared to create and shape the jobs of the future, foster stable economies, contribute to a healthy community and enjoy prosperity and lifelong success.
We are happy to discuss various ways of legacy giving. Please get in touch with us to find the best option for you and your family.
FINANCIALS
As at June 30, 2019
2018 - 2019 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2018 - 2019 HALL OF FAME CABINET MEMBERS
JABC thanks the members of the Cabinet who work tirelessly to ensure a successful gala and extraordinary guest experience each year.
Co-chairs
Barbara Brink, C.M., O.B.C., CPA (Hon), Vice President, Applied Strategies Ltd.
Bill Weymark, B.A. Sc., P. Eng., President, Weymark Engineering Ltd.
Past Chairs
Olin Anton, F.C.P.A., F.C.A.
Peter Blake
John C. Kerr, C.M., O.B.C., LL.D
Terry A. Lyons
Conrad Pinette
Jim Shepard, O.B.C.
Special Cabinet Advisor
Kelly Heed, Vice Chairman, Colliers International
Cabinet Members
Josh Blair, Group President and Chief Corporate Officer, TELUS
Jamie Brown, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Investment Banking, Canaccord/Genuity
Dave Chapman, Managing Partner, Yellow Point Equity Partners
Robin Dhir, President, Twin Brook Developments Ltd.
Pat Elemans, Assistant Dean, Peter B. Gustavson School of Business, University of Victoria
Casey Forrest (Ex-Officio), Retired Partner, PFM Executive Search
Frank Geier, President, Northland Properties Construction
Jim Gowans, President & CEO, Arizona Mining Inc.
Doug Holtby, Chairman, Silver Wheaton Corp.
Jim Logan, CFO, Ledcor Group of Companies
Jason Ludwig, Project Manager, Fusion Projects
Tracey McVicar, Managing Partner, CAI Funds
Derral Moriyama, President, Moriyama Consulting Inc.
Martin Thibodeau, Regional President, BC, RBC Royal Bank
Peeyush Varshney, Partner, Varshney Capital Corp.
William Westeringh, Q.C., Managing Partner, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP
Susan Yurkovich, President & CEO, Council of Forest Industries
CONTACT US
About JA British Columbia
JA British Columbia (JABC) is a member of JA Worldwide, the world’s largest and most recognized not-for-profit organization dedicated to teaching youth about business. JABC has been delivering programs in entrepreneurship, financial literacy and career readiness for over 60 years in partnership with donors, volunteers, and educators.
360-475 West Georgia Street
Vancouver, BC V6B 4M9
604.688.3887
Charitable Registration: 11897-6166
Serving all of British Columbia with offices in Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island, BC Interior and Northern BC