SFU leaders nominated for YWCA Women of Distinction Awards

Every year, YWCA Metro Vancouver honours extraordinary women leaders through their Women of Distinction Awards, highlighting individuals and organizations who contribute to the well-being and future of communities across Metro Vancouver. Four of this year’s nominees are current SFU staff members.

Congratulations to Theresa Burley, Joy Johnson, Brenda Morrison and Carolyn Roberts on being nominated for this outstanding achievement!

Theresa Burley has been nominated in the category of Education, Training and Development. She is the Equity in Research lead with SFU’s Institutional Strategic Awards team, where she works to remove barriers to achieving equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the university’s research portfolio. She also serves on SFU’s EDI administrative team, coordinating efforts across the university to build an institutional culture that is inclusive, respectful and safe.

Joy Johnson has been nominated in the category of Research, the Sciences and Technology. She is SFU’s first woman vice-president of research and international, where she oversees research across eight faculties. During her tenure, research income jumped 70%, reaching $161 million in 2019. She takes office as SFU’s 10th president and vice-chancellor on September 1, 2020.

Brenda Morrison has been nominated in the category of Reconciliation in Action. As the director of the Center for Restorative Justice at SFU, she creates effective and culturally relevant programming for those who have experienced traumatic losses. She has designed SFU classes that explore rights, justice and reconciliation, and was integral in the development of the B.C. Victims of Homicide Program.

Carolyn Roberts has been nominated in the category of Education, Training and Development. As an Indigenous faculty lecturer in the Department of Education at SFU, she works passionately to decolonize the education system by integrating Indigenous pedagogy into the Professional Development Program for teachers. 

The 37th YWCA Women of Distinction Awards will be held at the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver on Monday, May 11.