Congratulations to recent BCIT Marketing Communications alumnus Lester de Guzman for receiving the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade (GVBOT) Leadership in Excellence Award. Awarded on September 16 at the 2019/2020 Leaders of Tomorrow (LOT) Graduation Ceremony, this award recognized Lester for the leadership and collaboration he demonstrated throughout his journey in the LOT mentorship program.
Lester, Vice President of Finance for the 2019/2020 BCITMA, joined LOT to partner with a mentor in furthering his leadership skills and connections in the Greater Vancouver business community. As the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade transitioned its services primarily online to protect the health and wellbeing of its community during the COVID-19 pandemic, Lester volunteered an incredible amount of time to support the organization’s recruitment and mentorship campaign. Lester’s hard work throughout the year also earned him the position of Vice Chair of Communication for the Company of Young Professionals (CYP) for 2020/2021. Watch the 2019/2020 Leaders of Tomorrow Year in Review video created by Lester.
“Special congratulations to Lester for winning the coveted Leadership in Excellence Award that is awarded to a mentee who demonstrated exemplary initiative and leadership throughout the program,” shared Tracey Renzullo, BCIT Marketing Instructor and Chair of the Leaders of Tomorrow program. “This marked the end of an interesting and challenging year for our mentees, but despite the challenges, the group adapted and successfully completed their graduation requirements!”
“Vancouver Board of Trade’s Leaders of Tomorrow program gives students the opportunity to engage the business community in a meaningful way. The opportunity to learn from leading industry professionals through mentors and the committee leaders is unparalleled within the Lower Mainland. The LOT program built me up as a professional and a person by giving me the skills and confidence to succeed. I highly recommend the Leaders of Tomorrow program to all students seeking guidance, support, mentorship or personal growth as they complete their degree,” said Lester de Guzman.
Behind every successful mentee, there is a mentor
Students in the Leaders of Tomorrow program are matched with an experienced business leader who serves as their mentor throughout the program year. Behind Lester’s success is his mentor Lara Johnson, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at BCIT. The LOT program also named Lara this year’s Mentor of the Year.
BCIT also received an additional nomination nod in the Mentor of the Year category; BCIT saw Kelly Friday, Director of Marketing and Communications at BCIT nominated as Mentor of the Year.
Congratulations Lester, Lara, and Kelly on your recognition! As well, thank you to Tracey, who is in her second year as Chair for the program, and others in the BCIT community who have dedicated their time and mentorship to the program.
SEE MORE: How BCIT is helping high school students develop business leadership
(Note: The group photo shown at the top of this story was taken in 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and physical distancing protocols.)