BCIT recognizes outstanding British Columbian, Tamara Vrooman, during February Convocation ceremony

On Thursday, February 21, Tamara Vrooman will be recognized with an Honorary Doctor of Technology at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) winter convocation ceremony. This degree is presented to individuals who are widely acknowledged for outstanding and sustained achievement in their areas of expertise and endeavour.

Tamara Vrooman is President & CEO of Vancity, Canada’s largest community credit union. Under Tamara’s leadership, Vancity became the first North American-based financial institution to become carbon neutral, was the first Canadian financial institution invited to join the Global Alliance for Banking on Values, and has achieved several successive years of best earnings performance.

Prior to joining Vancity in 2007, Tamara was Deputy Minister of Finance for British Columbia, and also served as Secretary to the Treasury Board and CEO of the Public Sector Employers’ Council. Her role included overseeing the government’s annual $100 billion borrowing and cash requirements and developing the government’s $36 billion fiscal plan.

“I am delighted to be a part of Winter Convocation ceremonies with the BCIT graduates who will become the business, professional and community leaders we rely on to create healthy communities in the future”, she says.

“BCIT is honoured to be able to recognize Ms Vrooman, a person with a strong sense of public service and an understanding of the multiple dimensions of prosperity: economic, social and environmental,” says Don Wright, president of BCIT.

Tamara has frequently been recognized for her business acumen and public service. Named to the Top 100 Most Powerful Women Hall of Fame by the Women’s Executive Network, she also received an Influential Women in Business Award from Business in Vancouver. In 2005, she was named to Canada’s Top 40 Under 40™, and in 2003 received the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal for Outstanding Public Service. Tamara has also received a Women of Distinction Award from the YWCA and a Knowledge and Leadership PEAK Award from the Association of Women in Finance.

Tamara sits on several business and community boards, including those of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values, Central 1, Citizens Bank of Canada (Chair), Vancouver Board of Trade, S.U.C.C.E.S.S., and Vancouver Airport Authority.

Tamara pursued her post-secondary education at the University of Victoria, earning a Master of Arts in History in 1994 and a Bachelor of Arts, with Honours in 1991. In 2012, she received the University’s Distinguished Alumni Award.

For further information or photographs, please contact Dave Pinton, Media Relations Coordinator, at dave_pinton@bcit.ca