Events
Seventh Annual IEEA Celebrates Five Local Businesses
Over 200 people attended the 7th annual Inclusive Employer Excellence Awards (IEEA) to celebrate inclusive hiring in Abbotsford and Mission.
Five local businesses received awards for hiring and supporting people with disabilities. Fifteen businesses were nominated by the public in several categories. The 2025 award recipients are:
- Inclusive Employer of the Year – Fronya X SARA for Women
- Creative Workplace Accommodations – Andre James Maintenance Services Ltd.
- Outstanding Commitment to Inclusive Hiring – Coast Capital Savings (Clearbrook Branch)
- Community Champion for Inclusive Employment – DME Investments Inc. (McDonald’s Abbotsford)
- Emergent Inclusive Employer – HelloFresh Canada
“The event recognizes and awards businesses for having inclusive hiring practices in place,” said Laura Midan, Central Operations Officer at Archway Community Services. “But it also serves as a platform to bring together local businesses, stakeholders, and service providers to promote inclusive hiring as a human resource strategy.”
The event began with a song and prayer from Augusta Gladstone, a musician from the Kingcome Inlet Nation.
Miya Fontaine presented an original poem. She noted that while the content of her poem was not about inclusive hiring, she herself is a success story. Miya received services from Communitas Supportive Care Society for a decade and is now an employee, working at Communitas’ social enterprise, Little Sprout Cafe.
The keynote address was given by professional public speaker and award-winning entrepreneur, Marco Pasqua. As a person who lives with Cerebral Palsy, Pasqua is an advocate for people with disabilities, sharing stories of his own experiences of overcoming obstacles and managing major life transitions.
“I applaud all the employers here who give people real opportunities, not hand-outs,” said Pasqua. “This is about making changes that recognize that people with disabilities can make meaningful contributions. It’s about acknowledging businesses who want to make an impact.”
Presenting sponsor Angela Glazema from Sutton West Coast Realty, presented the award for Inclusive Employer of the Year to Fronya x SARA for Women. Glazema acknowledged Sara for Women’s commitment to fostering an equitable and supportive workplace.
“By removing systematic barriers, providing tailored accommodations, and offering mentorship and advancement opportunities, SARA for Women ensures employees from diverse backgrounds thrive,” said Glazema.
The 7TH annual IEEA was made possible with sponsorship support of several businesses. MentorAbility was the venue sponsor and Angela Glazema was the presenting sponsor; other sponsors included Rotary at Work, Community Futures Stó:lō, South Fraser, and North Fraser, Fraserway RV, Kal Tire, Envision Financial, and 107.1 Country FM.
Held at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Centre, the event was organized by Archway Community Services, Bethesda Christian Association, Communitas Supportive Care Society, Mission Association for Community Living BC (MACL) and WorkBC Abbotsford/Mission.
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