In 1994, Annie Parker became one of the first women in Canada to be tested for the BRCA1 gene mutation.Her results were positive for the deadly gene. Annie’s story and that of Dr. Mary-Claire King who discovered the gene inspired Hollywood film-maker Steve Bernstein to write and direct the feature film, “Decoding Annie Parker” a multi-award-winning film starring Samantha Morton, Helen Hunt and Aaron Paul. Her Foundation, the Annie Parker Foundation, was created to inspire and empower cancer/previvors and their families through specially curated programming and events.
Frank Giannone is the President of FRAM Building Group, a family company founded in 1981. A fourth-generation builder, he has spent his lifetime in the construction industry. With this experience, he remains in touch with his family’s heritage as well as the importance of what he calls, “old-world craftsmanship. Frank is active in his community; he is a founding director of the Port Credit Community Foundation. The PCCF is a significant funding partner of many events, festivals and other community initiatives.
Nav Bhatia is a Canadian community leader, well known for his many business and charitable achievements. He is a philanthropist who started his own foundation, the Nav Bhatia Superfan Foundation, to unite the world through his love of basketball by the creation of initiatives and opportunities for youth. He also stands as a positive role model for newcomers and immigrants
Yi-Jia Susanne Hou has lived almost her entire life here in Mississauga, yet her name is known better throughout the world as an accomplished world-class concert violinist. At the age of nine, Hou was given a full scholarship to study at the Royal Conservatory of Music. And then she went to New York to study at the The Juilliard School, on a full scholarship. Hou flew onto the International concert scene, capturing the world’s heart when she won the first of her three International Violin Competition Gold Medals. She went on to dominate the world’s violin competition scene for the following 2 years, winning unanimous Gold Medals in Spain, Italy, and France. Susanne has traveled the world performing as a soloist with major orchestras and sold-out concerts in over 50 countries.