Life as an entrepreneur and innovator involves taking a driven and creative approach to business, along with making the sacrifices necessary to build the organization. At Be the Change Group, co-founder and CEO Brandy Svendson handles it all with grace and humour.

We are incredibly pleased that Brandy has been acknowledged as one of four 2022 YWCA Women of Distinction Awards nominees in the Entrepreneurship & Innovation category. Recognized nationally, the YWCA Women of Distinction Awards honour a diverse group of extraordinary women leaders and businesses, with Entrepreneurship & Innovation nominees demonstrating an innovative approach to solving a problem, filling a need, or breaking into a new market. 

In building Be the Change Group with co-founder and President Dr. Natalie Chan since 2012, Brandy has done just that: not only committing herself to establishing a lasting, ethical, and women-driven company, but also to addressing a fundamental need in the health, education, and climate sectors. 

Over the past decade, she has helped grow our company from a small team engaging local communities to a multi-dimensional team supporting international organizations—all while upholding our values. Case in point? We recently became a Certified B Corporation for our balance purpose and profit. In addition, Brandy has served as a long-time, stalwart advocate for and ally to the HIV/AIDS community; worked to mitigate tough issues facing our B.C. communities, including the opioid crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and our climate reality; and partnered with organizations across Canada and worldwide on projects to improve access to education, advance maternal and newborn health, and support survivors of gender-based violence. 

She really cares, and she knows how to translate that into meaningful change.

So congratulations on your nomination, Brandy. And thank you, from everyone at Be the Change Group. Your effort means a lot to us all, and we’re pleased to celebrate your success.