JOSLYN YOUNG
SURREY – On Friday, April 11, the Surrey Board of Trade and the South Surrey & White Rock Chamber of Commerce hosted the 16th Annual Surrey Women in Business Awards luncheon. This event recognizes the hard work of Surrey and White Rock’s businesswomen and their contributions to the community.
Master of Ceremonies Michelle Eliot of CBC Vancouver led the afternoon’s program. Over 450 guests enjoyed keynote speaker Arlene Dickinson, sponsored by DP World Canada. She captivated the crowd as she shared the story of her journey as a female entrepreneur and expressed her deep Canadian pride in how the country is rallying together to defend our economy.
“We are honoured to celebrate the remarkable achievements of women and those who identify as women in shaping the economic and social fabric of Surrey and White Rock,” said Joslyn Young, CEO of the Surrey Board of Trade and Acting Executive Director of the South Surrey & White Rock Chamber of Commerce. “Women are powerful drivers of business success, innovation, and community strength. We contribute to these outcomes by actively providing meaningful support to women entrepreneurs and business leaders, ensuring they have the resources and opportunities to thrive. Programs like the Surrey Women in Business Awards recognize the resilience, leadership, and influence of women in our region—contributions that deserve to be seen, heard, and celebrated.”
The energy and excitement were contagious throughout the audience as the following winners were announced in seven categories:
Entrepreneur – Small Business Category: Supneet Kaur Chawla, ACE Community College
Supneet Chawla, Founder and CEO of ACE Community College and Ace Trades and Technical Institute, has built two leading institutions focused on skilled trades training. A Professional Engineer with expertise in electrical systems, she also holds a Project Management Professional certification and is a PV Associate certified by NABCEP. As certified instructor with Technical Safety BC, she delivers Red Seal Electrical Refresher Courses and Canadian Electrical Code training. Under her leadership, Ace Trades and Technical Institute has achieved an 80% Red Seal certification success rate, while ACE Community College boasts a 95% graduate employment rate. Committed to education and workforce development, Supneet continues to empower aspiring tradespeople and inspire women in a traditionally male-dominated industry.
Entrepreneur – Large Business Category: Farah Rattansi, My Empower Therapy
Farah Rattansi is the Founder of My Empower Therapy, a multi-disciplinary clinic providing comprehensive and effective treatments, including Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), for children on the autism spectrum. With 17 years of experience, she has expanded her business to three locations, supporting hundreds of families across the Lower Mainland. She also established the Neuro Brain Treatment Center in Vancouver, specializing in Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy (MeRT)—a highly personalized approach to treating mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and sleep disorders. In recognition of her contributions to the field, Farah was honoured with the IStar Talent Under 30 Award.
Professional Category: Jasmin Dhanda, ProSport Health Centre Ltd.
Jasmin Dhanda is an entrepreneur, Kinesiologist, and former professional soccer player who represented Canada in the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup. After overcoming sports injuries, she was inspired to pursue a career in health and wellness, founding ProSport Health Centre to help individuals regain physical and mental strength through expert rehabilitation and care. Her multidisciplinary clinic provides physiotherapy, chiropractic care, massage therapy, acupuncture, kinesiology, concussion therapy, and medical aesthetics. With two locations in Surrey, she has helped over 80,000 patients recover from injuries. Dedicated to giving back, she partners with Surrey Eagles Hockey, KidsPlay, and local soccer clubs, offering free injury assessments and wellness programs to support her community.
Not-for-Profit Leader Category: Rhea Hubbard, Alex House
Rhea Hubbard is the Director of Strategy and Implementation at Alex House, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating a vibrant, inclusive community. With 36 years as an Early Years Educator and 15 years in leadership roles, she oversees over 60 Early Childhood Education professionals, students, volunteers, and contractors. She has been instrumental in developing community-led childcare models, collaborating with the City of Surrey to establish multiple childcare sites. She introduced innovative tools like Storypark, a digital platform that strengthens family engagement by providing real-time updates on children’s learning experiences. A dedicated community leader, she co-chairs the Surrey Task Force and continues to drive impactful initiatives that support children and families.
Corporate Leader Category: Andrea Roberts, RascalHR Systems Inc.
Andrea Roberts is the CEO of RascalHR Systems, Inc., a company revolutionizing HR for small to medium-sized businesses across Canada. With over 25 years of expertise in employment law and HR processes, Andrea is a recognized leader in TopGrading, a rigorous hiring method focused on selecting and retaining high-performing employees. She designed RascalHR as the first platform to simplify the legal and regulatory aspects of HR without the high costs. It is the only company in Canada offering best-practice job descriptions, diverse employment agreements, and a complete employee policy manual. Under her leadership, RascalHR was selected for the 2025 Web Summit Alpha program, one of the world’s largest tech conferences. Andrea’s commitment to innovation empowers businesses with efficient, affordable HR solutions, reshaping the industry.
Emerging Leader Category: Arshita Saini, GluteNull
Arshita Saini is the CEO of Glutenull, a health-focused manufacturing company specializing in gluten-free and vegan products. Under her leadership, Glutenull expanded into major markets, securing partnerships with Sobeys, Safeway, and Real Canadian Superstore and entering competitive markets in California and New York. In 2024, Glutenull earned BC’s Top 10 Products of the Year Award, and this year, Arshita will present at North America’s largest trade show, the Natural Foods Expo in California. A 2024 Surrey Board of Trade 25 Under 25 Award recipient, she launched Answer 42, a vegan pickup café in Port Coquitlam. Passionate about chronic illness prevention, she plans to establish a Diabetes Education Non-Profit in Surrey, furthering her commitment to public health and advocacy.
Social Trailblazer Category: Susan Bains, Equal Access Collective
Susan Bains is a leader in accessibility and inclusion for Equal Access Collective, a group of individuals advocating for public spaces to be accessible for all. She played a key role in the installation of an accessibility mat at the White Rock Pier, improving mobility access and showcasing her ability to drive impactful change. With over 15 years in Human Resources and adult education, Susan leverages legislation, relationship-building, and strategic communication expertise to advance inclusion initiatives. Susan serves on the Spinal Cord Injury BC board and the Surrey Accessibility Leadership Team (SALT). A visionary advocate, she sparks conversations on equity, inspiring individuals and organizations to prioritize accessibility and foster long-term social change.
Nominations were submitted in seven categories and judged on the nominee’s work in Surrey and/or White Rock, proven business acumen, leadership, and community involvement and service.
Joslyn Young is CEO of the Surrey Board of Trade and Acting Executive Director of the South Surrey & White Rock Chamber of Commerce
