Welcome

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On behalf of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, I am honoured to welcome you to our 2025 Canadian Business Leader Awards ceremony.

Tonight is not only a celebration of outstanding business leadership — it’s a celebration of community. We are proud to shine a spotlight on the many community partners joining us this evening, whose efforts help create a more inclusive, innovative, and connected Canada. Their involvement underscores the powerful role that collaboration between business and community can play in building a stronger future for us all. 

This evening, we recognize the remarkable contributions of Tamara Vrooman and David Podmore. Both honourees exemplify the values of excellence, innovation, collaboration and leadership. Their stories inspire us and remind us that business success and social impact go hand in hand.  

I would like to thank the Pan Pacific Vancouver, our esteemed sponsors and all those whose dedication have made tonight’s event possible. Please enjoy yourselves as you participate in what is sure to be a memorable evening!   

Candace Laing
President & CEO 
Canadian Chamber of Commerce 

Evening Program

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5:00 p.m.	Cocktail Reception
6:00 p.m.	Dinner Begins
6:15 p.m.	Traditional Welcome by Chief Sparrow
6:45 p.m.	First Course
7:00 p.m.	Presentation of the Canadian Business Leader of the Year Award
7:20 p.m.	Main Course
8:20 p.m.	Presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award
8:45 p.m.	Evening Concludes

About the Canadian Business Leader Awards 

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Our Canadian Business Leader of the Year Award and Canadian Business Leader Lifetime Achievement Award were established to celebrate and recognize Canadian business executives at the top of their fields who have distinguished themselves through stellar corporate leadership and meaningful contributions to their communities. 

Past Recipients  

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Canadian Business Leader of the Year Award and Canadian Business Leader Lifetime Achievement Award. 

2025 Honourees | Vancouver, BC 

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Canadian Business Leader of the Year

Tamara Vrooman is a transformational executive, recognized for her exemplary track record leading large, complex institutions in both the private and public sectors. In her role as President and CEO at Vancouver International Airport, Tamara has strengthened YVR’s position as a catalyst for innovation and a trailblazer in sustainability, driving towards a goal of creating a greener, more resilient future for the airport, the aviation industry, our community and the economy that supports it.  

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Prior to joining YVR, Tamara served for 13 years as the President and CEO of Vancity, Canada’s largest community credit union, propelling the business into a global reference point for values-based banking. Tamara was a former chair of the Canada Infrastructure Bank and the Rick Hansen Foundation.  She currently serves as Simon Fraser University’s 12th Chancellor, and Chair of the Board for the Canadian Airports Council.   

Tamara is a recipient of the Order of British Columbia (2019), and over the last year has accepted multiple awards for YVR, including the 2024 Skytrax Award for Best Airport in North America; the GPC Award for Excellence in Governance and Best Practices in ESG, Sustainability and Purpose; Waterstone Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Culture; and she has been personally named as one of British Columbia’s most influential business leaders, among many other citations.  

Canadian Business Leader Lifetime Achievement Award 

David Podmore, OBC, is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in real estate across Canada with a notable impact in British Columbia. As a co-founder of Concert Properties, founder of Concert Infrastructure, and now Chair Emeritus for both companies, David has left an indelible mark on the industry. 

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His legacy extends far beyond his work in real estate, as David has made significant contributions to communities across Canada through his dedication to giving back. He led over $200M in fundraising efforts for BC Children’s Hospital, was indispensable in building the Burn Fund Centre in Vancouver, and, through collaboration with industry partners, helped raise more than $12M for trades training in BC and Ontario. David was also instrumental in bringing the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games to Vancouver. 

David has also held many prominent Board roles including Chair of INSPIRE, the largest fundraising campaign in the history of the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), Chair of the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, Chair of BC Pavilion Corporation (PAVCO), Director of BC Ferries and Chair Capital Projects Committee, among many others. 

David has been recognized with numerous honours, including the first Award of Excellence from the Real Estate Institute of BC, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, and in 2014, he was inducted into the Order of British Columbia. 

Entertainment

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Kadabra is a Nuevo Flamenco group from Vancouver, B.C., that has been performing for over 20 years. The group consists of Dave Martone, guitar; Brian Poulsen, guitar; Sam Shoichet, bass; and Jack Duncan, percussion. 

Dave leads the group through the musical decades, performing a huge repertoire of music with fiery interpretations of music ranging from Gipsy Jazz, Latin, Flamenco, Pop, Rock, Metal, and more. 

Their sets can be tailored to more background styles or full-on concert performances. All the musicians are seasoned professionals who have performed at the top of their game in a multitude of styles! 

Thank You to Our Sponsors