Patricia Ross currently serves as Deputy Mayor for the City of Abbotsford and has been a councillor for 21 years. She is Chair of the city’s Intergovernmental Affairs committee, Vice-Chair of the Fraser Valley Regional District and serves on the board of the BC Municipal Finance Authority. Patricia’s philosophy toward government is to fully embrace sustainability principles, considering the environmental, social and economic impacts in all decision making. Patricia is a Fellow of Leadership for Environment and Development (LEAD) International, a research and training program dedicated to fostering worldwide sustainability. Her research has taken her to Oaxaca, Mexico; Costa Rica, Zimbabwe and Argentina. Patricia is a motivational and keynote speaker as well as a published free-lance writer who has a passion for helping businesses and communities reach their best sustainable potential. In December 2004, Patricia spoke at the International Climate Change Conference in Buenos Aires about the challenges and rewards of environmental conservation in local government. From 2000 to 2006, Patricia took on the job of Public and Media Relations Coordinator and Chief Lobbyist for the City of Abbotsford on their successful and precedent setting campaign of opposition to the polluting power plant proposal of Sumas Energy 2 (SE2). Patricia is excited about using her expertise and experience to help mentor women achieve success in business and politics through GYB. Patricia has been named one of the Abbotsford New’s Top 100 Most Influential People in Abbotsford several years in a row and has won many awards for her community work including Abbotsford’s 2009 “Woman of the Year,” “Newsmaker of the Year” from the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce, “Green Leader” from the Abbotsford-Matsqui Rotary Club, “Paul Harris” Rotary club Fellowship and Queens Diamond Jubilee award.
Connections!!
Barbara WilliamsonTritex FabricsAs women we need to celebrate our success and accept the compliments that come with that success without guilt.
SMA Group, Chartered Professional AccountantsI had a riot at EXCELerate, and if there is anything I can do for you or your patrons ongoing please don’t hesitate to ask.
Tantalus LabsThe 2017 EXCELerate Conference exceeded my expectations. The plenary sessions alone were worth the fee … the level of speakers gathered— and their synergy—was absolutely brilliant. Regarding the break-out sessions: Ann Gomez’s session, ‘Focus Your Time to GroYourBiz: Personal Productivity for Busy People’, blew my socks off with its relevance and practical applications. Her book, ‘The Email Warrior’, is easy to read and the tips within it are easy to implement. Wow!
Click Media WorksWomen Power!!!
Andrea OberdieckSauder School of BusinessWow what a powerful three days of speakers, workshops, networking and collaboration.
GroYourBiz Surrey/White RockExcellent location, food, really enjoyed the Plenary sessions. Met some wonderful women in business.
Big crowd. Fantastic speakers. The entire event was so polished!
Tanya CurtisMarketing DirectorAbbotsford HighstreetGreat opportunity to learn and connect!
A wonderful event. I met some incredible people and was very inspired. You have gathered such an amazing group of people.
Vicki SaundersFounderSheEO