People on the Move
Development/Construction
John F. Gravel has joined FTI Consulting to lead its construction solutions practice in Vancouver. Gravel previously served as director of natural resources, North America, at Turner & Townsend. Gravel has worked in international mining over the past 20 years and has worked on projects in the Americas, the Middle East, Europe, Australia and Southeast Asia.
Education
Stephanie Chu has been appointed vice-provost, teaching and learning, at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Prior to this appointment, Chu served as director of the former Learning and Instructional Development Centre (LIDC), now called the Teaching and Learning Centre, at Simon Fraser University. Previously, Chu was special projects adviser to the associate vice-president, academic, responsible for project managing the task force on teaching and learning, and program director with the LIDC. She has been actively involved in educational development, and as a member and executive in regional, provincial and national educational organizations for two decades.
Hospitality/Tourism/Convention
Dolf Dejong has been appointed general manager of the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre. DeJong was previously vice-president of conservation and education at the aquarium and brings nearly 20 years of facility operations, conservation and education program planning, development and delivery service to his new role.
Legal
Corri Longridge, associate, has joined the immigration group in the Vancouver office of Dentons Canada LLP. Longridge practiced at a boutique immigration law firm in Ottawa before joining Dentons. She also teaches the business and employment law courses as part of British Columbia Institute of Technology’s business management, accounting and human resources programs.
Companies on the Move
New in town
Felix Zhou, chef; Natasha Romero, co-owner of West Vancouver’s The Anchor Eatery; and Paul Zhang, former owner of several Vancouver-based franchises, will be opening Heritage Asian Eatery at 1108 West Pender Street later this summer. Visit www.eatheritage.ca for details and opening date.
Hats Off
Business in Vancouver welcomes submissions from local small businesses and large corporations alike that demonstrate examples of corporate philanthropy and community involvement in the Vancouver area. High-resolution images are also welcome.
RBC Foundation donated $20,000 to Tapestry Foundation for Health Care. The funds will be used to purchase a much-needed new bronchoscope to support respiratory therapy at Mount Saint Joseph Hospital. The bronchoscope is used to diagnose respiratory issues in patients with lung-related symptoms. The device helps physicians visualize internal airways and allows for quick, accurate diagnosis of many lung-related infections and diseases including cancers.
Atomic Cartoons, a Thunderbird Films company, has donated more than $20,000 in corporate donations and employee-based fundraising initiatives since 2015 in support of KidStart Mentoring Program of PLEA Community Services Society. KidStart is a one-to-one mentorship program delivered by volunteers to children and youth at-risk across Metro Vancouver.
London Drugs donated $7,500 to the Delta-based BC and Alberta Guide Dogs, which provides professionally trained guide dogs and autism support dogs for B.C. and Alberta residents. There are 138,000 blind or visually impaired individuals in B.C. and Alberta, and autism affects one in every 68 children. It can take up to four years to receive a service dog, which costs approximately $35,000 to breed, raise and train.
First West Foundation, through its Envision Financial Community Endowment, donated a $10,000 grant to Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver. The funds will be used to support children in Coquitlam who need mentors.
The Wolridge Foundation donated a $6,000 grant to Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland. The funds will help the organization match at-risk girls with a supportive mentor through its Big Sisters Mentoring Program. Since 2007, the Wolridge Foundation has supported the organization with a total of $31,000.
The Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation, Canada (also known as Tzu Chi Canada)donated $22,250 to the Burnaby Hospital Foundation. The funds will be put towards the purchase of a new endoscope. An endoscope—a thin flexible tube with a specialized video camera on it—can wind through the body and transmit images, in real time, to a high-resolution monitor. In this way the doctor can assess the status of internal organs, evaluate symptoms and, if required, take tissue for biopsy or carry out surgical treatments.
Jody Wilson-Raybould, Member of Parliament for Vancouver Granville, donated $5,000 to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank. Wilson-Raybould won the $5,000 from the Chicken Farmers of Canada in its recent #MPChickenHero recipe contest.
Interex Forest Products Ltd. donated $3,000 to Yaletown House Foundation. The funds, raised through Interex Forest Products’ employee participation in the Vancouver Sun Run, will support activities at Yaletown House, a non-profit care facility for seniors requiring complex care.
More than 300 guests at the Pacific Plaza 18th Anniversary Gala Dinner for Richmond Hospital helped to donate more than $25,000 to the Richmond Hospital Foundation. The funds, raised through dinner tickets, sponsorship, silent auction, raffle and general donations, will help purchase a rapid infuser for Richmond Hospital’s emergency department. The equipment quickly and safely warms life-saving blood and fluid and pumps those into a patient’s body to maintain sufficient levels, helping to ensure survival. •
