On November 14, 2024, the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) will be hosting the 19th annual Distinguished Awards, honouring four recipients with the BCIT Honorary Doctorate of Technology, Distinguished Alumni Award, Outstanding Student Leadership Award, and the Faculty and Staff Association Distinguished Alumni Award. The honorees are an inspiration in their fields, and their accomplishments represent the best of BCIT.
BCIT Honorary Doctorate of Technology:
- Mark Angelo, C.M., O.B.C. – River conservationist, celebrated author, speaker, and teacher
BCIT Distinguished Alumni Award:
- Kristy James – (Non-Profit Management Associate Certificate, 2006) President and Chief Executive Officer, Burnaby Hospital Foundation
BCIT Faculty and Staff Association Distinguished Alumni Award:
- Donabel Santos – (Bachelor of Technology, Computer Systems Database, Specialization, 2004) Instructor, Applied Database Administration and Design, Faculty
BCIT Outstanding Student Leadership Award:
- Sally Poon – (Computer Systems Technology, Diploma 2023), Software Engineer, Okta
About the Recipients
Mark Angelo, C.M, O.B.C.
River conservationist, celebrated author, speaker, and teacher
Mark Angelo is a globally renowned river conservationist, speaker, writer, and paddler. His passion for protecting our world’s waterways led him to be chair and founder of BC Rivers Day and World Rivers Day, an event celebrated by millions in over 100 countries.
During his illustrious career, Mr. Angelo served as the head of the Fish, Wildlife, and Recreation Program at BCIT. When he retired in 2011, he received the lifetime achievement award from the BCIT Alumni Association and was named honorary Chair Emeritus of the BCIT Rivers Institute.
Among his many accolades, he is a recipient of the Order of British Columbia and the Order of Canada and has been recognized with honorary doctorates from Simon Fraser University and Trent University.
In 2021, he published the acclaimed children’s book, The Little Creek That Could, telling the story of BCIT’s Guichon Creek, and in 2025, will release his new book, River Magic: Tales from a life on 1000 rivers.
As a Fellow of both The Explorers Club and the Royal Canadian Geographic Society, Mr. Angelo led numerous river conservation and restoration efforts and effectively profiled river issues locally and around the world. Today, continues to mentor non-government organizations and youth with an interest in rivers and water.
Kristy James
President and Chief Executive Officer, Burnaby Hospital Foundation
Kristy James has been in the non-profit sector for over 20 years. As President & CEO at Burnaby Hospital Foundation, she strives to make Burnaby Hospital and Burnaby Community Health Services stronger through building community relationships and providing stewardship to donors, volunteers, and staff. Her efforts have secured major financial commitments to support advancements in healthcare to benefit patients and families of Burnaby Hospital. Under her leadership, the Foundation raised a record breaking $40M in less than three years for the organization’s first capital campaign.
Ms. James is active in the industry, teaching fundraising courses and serving on boards. She served on the West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce board as Secretary and Second Vice President and is involved with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) volunteering numerous years for their annual gala as she has two children with Type 1 Diabetes. Currently, Ms. James is the Board Governance Chair for Pacific Assistance Dogs Society and St. Michael’s Long-Term Care, and is the committee Chair for a Family Services of the North Shore event.
Donabel Santos
Instructor, Applied Database Administration and Design, Faculty, BCIT Centre of Excellence in Analytics
From SQL queries to high-quality, practical YouTube tutorials, Donabel Santos has transformed her passion for data into a mission to empower others.
With over a decade in the data world, she has worn many hats: Instructor, Data Leader, Data Architect, Author, and Content Creator all to help demystify the world of data and equip the next generation of data professionals with practical, real-world skills.
Ms. Santos is the author of several tech books, including the “Tableau 10 Business Intelligence Cookbook.” She is also the creator of a YouTube channel with 120K+ subscribers and 3M+ view where Ms. Santos guides learners through the art and science of data storytelling, from mastering LOD expressions and advanced calculations to crafting impactful visualizations.
As a Tableau Ambassador and former Microsoft Data Platform MVP, Ms. Santos has learned that the most powerful data stories are those that connect with people. Her approach blends technical expertise with practical, real-world application and a healthy dose of empathy, because she believes that at its core, data is about people—their challenges, their triumphs, and their potential.
Sally Poon
Software Engineer, Okta
In her time as a student at BCIT, Sally Poon demonstrated a strong commitment to fostering community within the student body and beyond. Throughout her academic tenure, she actively engaged in volunteer work with organizations such as Chimo Crisis Line, various BCIT clubs, and the student association. Serving as the Treasurer & Director of Communications for Women in Computing, Ms. Poon collaborated with her executive team to establish a supportive environment where individuals could network and engage in discussions about representation within the tech industry alongside industry professionals. Additionally, in her role as Co-President of the Computing Club, she spearheaded initiatives such as an annual student-led hackathon and a mentorship program tailored to computing students, emphasizing collaboration and cross-community support.
Ms. Poon’s involvement with the student association was integral to her journey at BCIT. Beginning as a set representative and progressing to the role of student councillor for the Downtown Campus, she culminated her tenure as Chair of the Downtown Campus. Notable highlights of her leadership include hosting a panel for the inauguration of the Tech Collider and initiating a new De-stress Event aimed at providing students a chance to connect with peers and take a breather from student life.