Surrey, BC – On Tuesday, May 29th from 5:30-8pm at Eaglequest Golf Course, the Surrey Board of Trade will award 25 winners in their second annual Surrey’s Top 25 Under 25 Awards event.   The event will celebrate the incredible initiatives of Surrey’s youth under the Age of 25. The winners were chosen based upon a subjective analysis of their business or community achievements, leadership ability, community involvement, professional achievements and uniqueness of their business or community projects.

The winners include Beedie undergraduate student Joyce Loksum Mak, who is 19 years old. While studying business at SFU, Joyce holds the position of President of the SFU International Business Association, a nonprofit organization that aims to assist all SFU students interested in pursuing a career with international prospects.  Joyce is also an active member of the Guildford Rotary Club, coordinating multiple fundraisers including food bank and clothing drives.

Also recognized was BBA alumnus Julian DeSchutter, 24, who is the founder of the DeSchutter Group. After identifying that there was an opportunity to gain valuable experience as a student in the mining industry, Julian sought out opportunities that would allow him to gain the most experience, as well as set himself up for success upon graduation. Instead of becoming an employee, Julian developed his own consulting company, allowing him to grow an organization, while gaining experience in many facets of the mining industry. Julian took bold steps to win the trust of a number of CEOs, many of which are held in high regard, and was not afraid to step in and lead when needed. Since then, he has been given work-related opportunities to travel throughout the United States, Mexico, and Europe.

Mak and DeSchutter are joined on the list by 23 other young adults who have engaged business and community through volunteerism, social innovation, and business impact.

“Their community and entrepreneurial spirit were showcased through their nominations. We have amazing talent in these winners who will take our businesses now and in the future to amazing heights,” said Anita Huberman, CEO, Surrey Board of Trade (SBOT). “At the Surrey Board of Trade it is in our mandate to grow our business community by instilling in our youth entrepreneurial support and spirit – and for them to be an active part of Surrey,” said Huberman.