Nahanni Ackroyd (centre) receiving the Community Builder award for her tireless efforts helping other in Nanaimo. (submitted)

By Spencer Sterritt

helping hand

Nanaimo financial planner honoured for charitable efforts and giving spirit

Nov 3, 2019 | 4:08 AM

NANAIMO — A financial planner is making the biggest difference she can in Nanaimo.

Nahanni Ackroyd was recently awarded the Community Builder Award from the nation-wide finance company she works for. She was one of only two advisors in Canada being recognized this year.

Ackroyd is one of the founding members of the group 100+Women Who Care Mid-Island, which donates tens of thousands of dollars to local organizations every year. She also presents financial literacy workshops to groups such as the Nanaimo Brain Injury Society and Inclusion Parksville.

“It gets me exposure to a lot of people who teach me things,” she told NanaimoNewsNOW. “Getting to see all these things going on behind the scenes in our community is always eye opening.”

Ackroyd’s parents dedicated a significant portion of their lives to volunteering and their compassion and empathy was passed down to her, which was in turn passed on to her family.

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“Empathy is always a good thing. We are very fortunate to live in this part of Canada at this particular time and most of us are pretty comfortable. But there’s a lot of people who aren’t. The opportunity to help people is really huge.”

A large part of her advocacy is encouraging others to reach out and volunteer.

“These organizations only exist if we support them. They’re always interested in getting people in, showing them what they’re about and getting good helpers.”

Nanaimo has a large not-for-profit and registered charity community with many places to volunteer, Ackroyd said.

Looking to the future, she said she’ll continue to advocate for the less fortunate and try to bring more brightness to the world.

“If I can help out and have fun while doing it, that fits for me professionally and personally.”

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit