Hosted by Open Door Group, the annual Untapped Workplace Inclusion Awards honor the remarkable achievements of individuals and businesses that are leading the way in cultural diversity, accessibility, and disability inclusion in workplaces across British Columbia. Their commitment serves as an inspiration to others and helps cultivate an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered.

Please join us in congratulating the 91 outstanding 2025 Untapped Awards nominees:

Inclusive Champion- Individual

This award recognizes individuals who have made diversity and inclusion a top priority in their workplace. They consistently strive to create a diverse, accessible, and inclusive work environment where everyone can thrive. Meet our nominees:

• Dr Sabeen Tiwana
• Leanna Manning
• Marco Pasqua
• Magda Trespalacios
• Dr. Sara-Jane Finlay
• Melissa Lyon
• Madhavee Inamdar
• Joanna Angelidis
• Niels Melis-De Lamper
• Therese Boullard
• Taylor Chobotiuk
• Hannah Nolan

Inclusive Culture Champion – Small Business (1-99 employees)

This category celebrates small businesses in BC that go above and beyond to foster diversity, accessibility, and inclusion in the workplace. They’ve worked tirelessly to make a significant impact on transforming the community. Meet our nominees:

• Awl Together Leather
• Dunbar Smiles
• Code for Canada
• Coco's Pet Grooming & Spa
• Cloud9wellnessspa
• Arad Foods
• Gigi’s Restaurant
• Pineview Vegetation Management
• Kunstudios
• Bloom Benefits Group
• Cedar Brush Site Services & Janitorial
• Harper Learning
• iilo Creative Alliance inc.
• Fairware
• Spectrum Ability
• Corsa Cycles
• Accessibility & Inclusion Matter Consulting
• Porcupine Mechanical
• AndHumanity
• gloWithin
• Floèm
• Rocky Cycle

Inclusive Culture Champion – Medium/ Large Business (99+ employees)

Medium and Large Business Champions demonstrate a commitment to identifying and employing diverse individuals, creating an inclusive workplace. They invest in their teams and support staff development while maintaining a strong bottom line. Meet our nominees:

• TransLink
• Lookout Housing and Health Society
• KPMG Canada
• Tacofino
• Parq Casino
• Ernst & Young LLP
• Spotless Uniform Ltd.
• Golden Goose Holding Ltd.
• Microserve
• BCAA
• Vancity
• Big Way Hot Pot
• Taproot Community Support Services
• First West Credit Union
• Securiguard Services Limited
• London Drugs North Town Centre- Nanaimo
• BC Centre for Ability
• Gowling WLG

Inclusive Culture Champion – Non-Profit

The Non-Profit Organization category recognizes organizations that prioritize equity, accessibility, and inclusion in their workplaces while serving the community. Meet our nominees:

• Lookout Housing and Health Society
• Binners’ Project
• Jewels of Hope
• BC Wheelchair Sports Association
• Community Futures British Columbia
• BC Libraries Cooperative
• Dan’s Legacy
• Greater Vancouver Board of Trade
• Canuck Place Children’s Hospice
• One Straw Society
• Pacific Blue Cross
• Rick Hansen Foundation
• A Better Life Foundation
• Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Service Agencies of BC
• CanAssist
• North Okanagan Hospice Society
• Brain Injury Society
• The Center for Epilepsy and Seizure Education
• Brella Community Services Society
• North Shore Neighbourhood House
• Bean Around Tea and Books (Run by Pathfinders Youth Society)
• BC Centre for Ability
• Stanley Park Ecology
• Easter Seals British Columbia & Yukon

Inclusive Culture Champion – Public Sector

Inclusion within the Public Sector is essential to serving a diverse public. Public Sector inclusive culture champions include government ministries, municipalities, post-secondary institutions, and more. Meet our nominees:

• TransLink
• BC Assessment
• Providence Health Care
• University of Victoria
• Vancouver Fraser Port Authority
• BC Hydro
• University of British Columbia
• B.C. Pavilion Corporation
• BC Housing
• Vancouver Community College
• BC Financial Services Authority
• BC Transit
• Destination Canada
• North Vancouver City Library
• British Columbia Institute of Technology
• Kwantlen Polytechnic University Student Affairs
• Strathcona Regional District
• North Island College

Inclusive Culture Champion – Social Enterprise

Social Enterprises have a clear social mission to create a lasting and positive impact through their goods and services. These champions know that representation matters and demonstrate this through an inclusive workforce that harnesses the strengths of people with disabilities. Meet our nominees:

• Binners Project
• Jewels of Hope
• Commissionaires BC
• Easy Surf
• Awl Together Leather

Congratulations to all the 2025 Untapped Awards nominees! The top finalists and award recipients will be revealed live on stage at the Untapped Awards ceremony on September 19, 2025.