Leadership in Action: Harnessing Passion to Drive Change
Leadership in Action: Harnessing Passion to Drive Change
Take ownership of your leadership potential and develop the confidence to turn your passions into action. Whether you’re interested in sustainability or simply looking to grow your leadership skills, join us at this event to gain practical insights into how to make a difference in your field of interest.
Hosted by GVBOT's Leaders of Tomorrow (LOT) program, this event features world-renowned river conservationist, speaker, and BCIT Honorary Doctorate recipient, Mark Angelo. As the founder of BC Rivers Day and World Rivers Day, Mark has dedicated his life to protecting rivers and empowering communities worldwide. His inspiring journey offers valuable lessons for anyone looking to align their passions with impactful leadership.
In this particular presentation, entitled City Blue, Mark will take our audience on a visually stunning five-decade personal journey that spans the globe; one that explores the values of urban waterways, the pressures that confront them, along with inspiring conservation and restoration examples highlighting how all of us can harness passion to drive change.
At the event, you'll also have the opportunity to connect with like-minded peers, learn about mentorship opportunities through the LOT program, and discover how networking and volunteerism can be powerful tools for personal and professional growth. This is a unique chance to enhance your leadership skills, broaden your perspective, and take meaningful steps toward becoming a changemaker.
KEYNOTE
Canadian river conservationist, writer, speaker, teacher and paddler
Mark Angelo hails from Vancouver, Canada and is an internationally-celebrated river conservationist, honorary doctorate, author, speaker, teacher, photographer and paddler. He is a United Nations’ award recipient as well as a recipient of both the Order of BC and Order of Canada, his country’s highest honor in recognition of his river conservation efforts both nationally and globally. Mark is the founder and chair of both BC Rivers Day and World Rivers Day, an event now embraced by millions of people in more than 100 countries. As an avid kayaker, canoeist and rafter, Mark has traveled on close to a thousand rivers spanning well over one-hundred countries; perhaps more than any other individual.
Throughout his life, Mark has worked with numerous local and international organizations spanning governments, academia, corporations, non-government organizations, and non-profits. He has been a trusted thought partner & advisor to organizations including the United Nations, Simon Fraser University, the British Columbia Institute of Technology, the Canadian government, TEDx, WaterCan, international river organizations and corporations such as lululemon and Mountain Equipment Co-op.
Recently, Mark led an unprecedented three year around the world journey by river as the lead subject and star of the award winning film, RiverBlue. Following the film’s release, Mark also starred in a 2018 Emmy award winning ABC news segment along the Tijuana River, shedding light on some of the same issues highlighted in the film. Mark was next the subject of the feature-length documentary, Last Paddle; 1,000 Rivers, 1 Life. In the Fall of 2021, he authored the children’s book The Little Creek that Could: the story of a stream that came back to life and this Spring, Mark will release his latest book, River Magic; Tales from a life on 1000 rivers.
Among his many achievements, Mark is a family-man first; the father of two accomplished young women (Kelly and Lindsay), a grandpa of two grandchildren and husband of what he refers to as his “rock”, Kathie Angelo.
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This event is presented by The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade's Leaders of Tomorrow (LOT) Program. The LOT Program is our mentorship program that connects top post-secondary students with leading industry professionals. Launched in 1999, LOT is recognized as the premier mentorship program in British Columbia. Based on the pillars of mentorship, leadership, networking and volunteerism, LOT candidates go through a competitive and rigorous selection process to experience a year of accelerated professional and personal growth. Discover more..