Chamber Award of Distinction 2026

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Award of Distinction recipient 2026: Sandra Richardson

VICTORIA, B.C. —

The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce has named Sandra Richardson the recipient of its 2026 Award of Distinction, recognizing her decades of leadership and lasting community impact.

The Award of Distinction recognizes an active businessperson who has made significant, long-term contributions to the Greater Victoria community, with positive impacts on the economy, business and community. Recipients are selected by an independent panel of business leaders.

“Lasting change happens when people work together toward a shared purpose,” said John Wilson, CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce. “Sandra Richardson’s decades of leadership in philanthropy and community-building have made a lasting impact on Greater Victoria. The Chamber is proud to recognize her with the 2026 Award of Distinction.”

“I’m honoured to receive this award from the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce,” Richardson said. “Throughout my career including 25 years with the Victoria Foundation, I’ve seen how lasting change happens when people, organizations and volunteers work together toward a shared purpose. This recognition reflects the dedication of so many who have helped strengthen our community, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute alongside them.”

Richardson has spent the past 25 years advancing community philanthropy through the Victoria Foundation, where she has served as CEO since 2001 and recently announced her retirement. Before returning to Victoria, she built a cross-border career in fund development in Canada and the U.S., including leadership roles with the Victoria Hospice & Palliative Care Foundation and the Cleveland Playhouse/Cleveland Opera.

A long-time member of the Canadian Association of Gift Planners, Richardson helped grow the CAGP Vancouver Island Roundtable, serving as chair for four years, and served on the board of Community Foundations of Canada. Her community leadership has been recognized with honours including the Order of British Columbia and an honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Victoria.

The Chamber’s Award of Distinction, sponsored by the Times Colonist, will be officially celebrated at the 2026 Greater Victoria Business Awards, which feature 13 categories recognizing organizations and individuals that have distinguished themselves through excellent customer service, community leadership, innovation and more.

The Chamber’s 2026 Business Awards will be held June 11 at the Fairmont Empress and Victoria Conference Centre. Tickets go on sale for this frequently sold out event March 30, 2026.

The 2026 Greater Victoria Business Awards are sponsored by:

Event Sponsors: Royal Roads University and Times Colonist

Award Sponsors: Air Canada, BCLC, Beacon Community Services, Canadian Tire, Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island, Crawford Munroe Thomson, Doane Grant Thornton, Gustavson School of Business, Harbour Air, Mayfair Optometric Clinic

Supporting Sponsors: Coast Capital Savings, PARC Retirement Living, The Number

Quotes:

“Lasting change happens when people work together toward a shared purpose,” said John Wilson, CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce. Sandra Richardson’s decades of leadership in philanthropy and community-building have made a lasting impact on Greater Victoria. The Chamber is proud to recognize her with the 2026 Award of Distinction.”

“I’m honoured to receive this award from the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce,” Sandra Richardson said. “Throughout my career including 25 years with the Victoria Foundation, I’ve seen how lasting change happens when people, organizations and volunteers work together toward a shared purpose. This recognition reflects the dedication of so many who have helped strengthen our community, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute alongside them.”

About Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce

Since 1863, The Chamber has served Greater Victoria by working together to build good business and great community for all through advocacy, networking, professional development, and innovative services as changing times require. In 2020, the Chamber Champions initiative added a powerful resource to provide leadership and guidance to our organization. Current Champions are: Acera Insurance, Bank of Montreal, BC Ferries, Berwick Retirement Communities, Camosun College, CHEK, CIBC, City of Victoria, ColdStar Solutions, Edwards Heritage Consulting, H2 Accelerator, Island Savings, Kinetic Construction, Knappett Projects, Maximum Express, PARC Retirement Living, Peninsula Co-op, Roughley Speaking Communications, RBC, Scotiabank, Tecnet, TD Commercial Banking, Times Colonist, University of Victoria, Western Canada Security. Find out more at Victoriachamber.ca.