Rix Awards 2026: Celebrating Leadership, Community, and Impact
Leaders from across business, government, and the community gathered at the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver on April 16 for the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade’s 38th annual Governors’ Gala & Rix Awards; an evening dedicated to celebrating civic leadership, generosity, and the power of business to strengthen our region.
This year’s Rix Award for Community Citizenship was presented to Anthony von Mandl, Founder, Owner, and CEO of The Mark Anthony Group of Companies, in recognition of a career that has reshaped global beverage industries while delivering lasting impact far beyond the balance sheet.
From pioneering “new-to-world” drink categories and building iconic brands to advancing luxury organic winemaking in British Columbia, von Mandl’s entrepreneurial success has been matched by a deep commitment to giving back. Through the von Mandl Family Foundation, his support for advanced cancer research, youth education, poverty alleviation, and the arts continues to foster human and economic progress at home and abroad.
“When I look around this room, I see the power of the community, philanthropy, and resilience,” he said during his acceptance speech.
“I am honoured and incredibly humbled to be part of such a monumental group of individuals. Thank you all for your inspiration, your commitment, and your service to British Columbia. Our community has never been stronger.”
The Rix Award for Corporate Citizenship was awarded to Purdys Chocolatier, honouring more than a century of community-focused leadership. Accepting the award, CEO Karen Flavelle reflected on the company’s long-standing belief that business success and community well-being go hand in hand.
“For us, being a good corporate citizen means recognizing that a business is part of a much larger community,” she said. “The choices we make should support the long-term well-being of our employees, our customers, our partners, and the communities we serve.”
Through initiatives like Purple Partnerships and its Seasonal Fundraising Program, Purdys has raised more than $50 million for community causes over the past decade, including $1.4 million for children’s hospital foundations since 2019 alone.
In her remarks to the audience, GVBOT President and CEO Bridgitte Anderson spoke to the changing global and national landscape and the role of business in navigating it.
“When the world becomes more uncertain, Canadians tend to pull together,” she said. “We have seen people make a conscious effort to support Canadian companies, Canadian workers, and Canadian innovation. And here in British Columbia, we are uniquely positioned to lead in that moment.”
She emphasized the Board of Trade’s focus on competitiveness and growth, noting that, “strong businesses create strong communities and that’s why we continue to push for policies that improve competitiveness, unlock investment, and keep our region one of the best places in the world to start and grow a business.”
The evening also marked a significant milestone for Walter Pela, Regional Managing Partner of KPMG Canada, who was inducted into the Council of Governors following his term as Chair of the Board of Trade for 2024–2025. In his remarks, Pela congratulated the evening’s honourees and reflected on the responsibility that comes with recognition.
“Titles matter less than impact. Recognition matters less than responsibility,” he said. “And what I have been most proud of during my time with the Board is the opportunity to serve an institution that continues to ask the right questions about the future of this region – and to do something about them.”
Looking ahead, Pela reaffirmed his commitment to the organization and the business community.
“Being welcomed into the Council of Governors means staying engaged, supporting this business community, and helping the next generation of leaders. I will take that responsibility seriously.”