Nearly a dozen community leaders were formally recognized Wednesday night at the annual Women of Influence Awards in Nanaimo. (Image Credit: Damon James/Island Images Photography)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

win awards

Community champions celebrated via annual Nanaimo WIN awards

Feb 14, 2026 | 8:32 AM

NANAIMO — The impact of women, non-binary and two-spirit people in community was celebrated this week.

The annual Women of Influence Awards in Nanaimo were held Wednesday, Feb. 11 at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre, with a capacity crowd of around 700 in attendance.

Eleven awards were handed out in a wide array of categories focusing on business, community and youth leaders, as well as those who serve as allies to the wider community.

Entrepreneur and local business owner Shirin Younessian won the Business Impact award, for her catering company Bees Knees.

The business has not only won awards for its work in community, but it has been celebrated for its inclusive employment strategies.

win awards

Community champions celebrated via annual Nanaimo WIN awards

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Kelly Barnum won the Arts and Culture award for her work teaching performing arts in School District 68, including recent productions at NDSS of ‘Frozen Jr.’ and ‘Into the Woods’.

Royal Bank business banking manager Hollie Quiring was celebrated as the year’s Creative Innovator.

In addition to working with a wide array of clients through her bank, Quiring is a board member for the Nanaimo Women’s Business Network, Nanaimo Minor Softball Association and Community Futures.

Yvonne Rigsby Jones, known by her traditional name of Yahtquamaat, was honoured as with the Matriach award.

It comes in recognition of her nearly 30-year-long career leading the Tsow-Tun Le Lum Treatment Centre in Duncan, prior to her retirement in 2015.

Other winners on the night included:

• Cathy Holmes (Breathe Fire Award)
• Mikayla Welsh (Health & Wellness Award)
• Shaun Lee (Fan the Flame Award)
• Jennifer Hufnagel (STEM Award)
• Connie Kuramoto (Trades Award)
• Donna Houssin (Community & Social Responsibility Award)
• Ruby Barclay (Youth Resiliency Award)

Attendees also heard from former Canadian Olympic speed skater Catriona Le May Doan, who won gold at both Nagano 1998 and Salt Lake City 2002 in the 500 metre event.

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