Vancouver, BC (June 26th, 2015) – For the first time in the 128 year history of the Vancouver Board of Trade (VBOT), more women than men will be represented on the esteemed list of members appointed to the board of directors.
“From all research we’ve done in the past several weeks, the Vancouver Board of Trade is the first and only business organization of our kind in Canada – possibly North America – to have more women on our board of directors than men,” boasts Tim Manning, VBOT incoming chair and RBC’s regional vice-president of commercial financial services.
Adding to this crop of distinguished female board of directors is Kryton International Inc.’s President & CEO, Kari Yuers.
“I’m extremely proud to be chosen to be a part of this impressive group of directors,” Kari says. “To be part of Canada’s first major business organization to have more women than men on the board of directors is special.”
Kari has over 25-years of experience in the global construction industry, which includes growing Kryton’s reach to include offices and distribution in over 40 countries. She also comes with extensive experience in diverse consultative committees, including the Competitiveness BC Leadership Panel, Premier’s Women’s Economic Council (PWEC), and the President Group.
“This is a great time to be involved with the board through this historic accomplishment, during a time it is also experiencing the revitalization of its products and services led by Iain Black,” Kari says.
The VBOT has certainly gone through an evolution of the past five years in an effort to remain relevant in the community. With that, the organization has become younger and much more diverse, which is being noticed by provincial and national elected officials.
“This is a new benchmark that I hope other organizations work towards,” says Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, Canada’s Minister of Status of Women. In Fact, 47% of the Canadian workforce is female, but only 15.5% of corporate board seats are held by women.
About Kari Yuers
As President and CEO of Kryton International Inc., a Vancouver based international manufacturing company, Kari Yuers, FACI, is recognized for her ability to build organizations and effect change. Kari is the winner of the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award (2003), Awards of Merit and Professional Achievement from the American Concrete Institute (2005) and Construction Specifications Canada (2002 and 2004), an Influential Woman in Business Award (2012) and for 4 consecutive years, Kryton was named one of the Best Companies to work for.
Media Contact:
Sarah Coull, Public Relations Coordinator
Kryton International Inc.
604-324-8280, ext. 292
scoull@kryton.com
