Four honourary Life Memberships were also presented at the 2014 HRMA Conference + Tradeshow. Honourary Life Memberships are granted to BC HRMA members who have made a sustained and significant contribution to the association and to the human resources profession in BC.

Simon Evans, CHRP
As the CEO of BC HRMA for the past decade, Simon has brought his lifetime of experiences in both the corporate and non-profit sectors to the betterment of both the Association and the broader industry of HR professionals. With a strategy of Voice, Value and Viability, he managed to financially stabilize the Association within three years as well as addressing greater issues of membership satisfaction and growth. A membership growth of 100 per cent and the number of members holding or pursuing their CHRP designation tripling in the last decade, is a testament to Evan’s leadership.

Hugh Finlayson, CHRP
Throughout his 25 year career Hugh has remained committed to advancing the principles of strategic HR and ongoing education alike. That combined focus has served many well, both at the negotiation table, as well as within the 60 member agencies of the BC Public School Employers’ Association. As CEO of the BCPSEA since 1999, Hugh has developed and led a series of initiatives, which have contributed to shifting the association focus from labour relations to a fundamentally more dynamic HR. A strong proponent of the Certified Human Resources Professional designation, Finlayson served a year as president of the Board of Directors from 2000-2001.

Simon Mason, CHRP
A true pioneer of human resources in British Columbia, and particularly the province’s Central Interior, Simon is celebrating 37 years of HR leadership this year. Despite ‘officially’ retiring in 2007 from School District 73 where he served for 20 years, he remains an active mentor to future generations of HR leaders. As a member of BC HRMA throughout, Mason helped found the association’s Central Interior ‘chapter’ in 1987 and his efforts served as a catalyst for increasing the membership value for members outside the Lower Mainland.

Eileen Stewart
For over 35 years, Eileen has been making HR work for businesses, educational institutions and the greater community. Having worked in leadership positions for The City of Vancouver, UBC, BCIT, UVIC and Vancouver Coast Health, her efforts have arguably shaped the working experiences of a great many who live and work in the Lower Mainland. Stewart and has been involved with BC HRMA on many levels since 1985 and has served as both president from 1988-89, as well as chair of the Leadership Forum for many years.

(PeopleTalk Summer 2014)