(Surrey, BC) – The Surrey Board of Trade recognized women at the top of their fields through the presentation of the 4th annual Surrey Women in Business Awards to winners in 5 categories. Christiana Flessner, Executive Director of the Canadian Wheelchair Foundation, was selected as the recipient of the award in the Not-for-Profit Leader category.
The nominees, all working in Surrey-based companies and organizations, were judged on their business acumen, leadership, balanced lifestyle, innovation, community involvement and service. Ms. Flessner is the founder of the Canadian Wheelchair Foundation, having launched the Canadian charity in 2003. The foundation was the first and remains the only organization of its kind in Canada and has delivered over 34,000 brand new wheelchairs to individuals in more than 35 countries who would not otherwise have access to one.
Ms. Flessner is a highly respected, competent non-profit leader who has become widely known as “the wheelchair lady,” both locally and abroad. She is a sought-after speaker and as a result of her tireless public education efforts over the past decade, noticeable advances have occurred in the way the disabled are viewed and aided in many developing countries. Ms. Flessner’s fluent English, Spanish, German and French aid in building bridges with people and organizations around the globe who partner with CWF to help advance its work.
“I am honoured to receive this award. It is particularly special to have been selected this year as the Canadian Wheelchair Foundation is celebrating its 10th anniversary,” she said in accepting the award. “Through the generous support and friendship of our partners around the world we have had the opportunity to transform thousands of people’s lives through the gift of mobility” she added.
Background
The Canadian Wheelchair Foundation is an independent Canadian registered charity with the goal to deliver brand new, free wheelchairs to persons with physical disabilities throughout the world who are without mobility or the means to acquire a wheelchair. With a strong focus on developing and newly industrialized states, the Canadian Wheelchair Foundation continues to change the lives of people and communities with a gift that extends hope, dignity, opportunity and independence to all.