CELEBRATING 2025’S TOP SCHOLARS

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

A.H.B. “SPOON” WOTHERSPOON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

The A.H.B “Spoon” Wotherspoon Memorial Scholarship was established in 1987, using funds from the devolution of the Greater Vancouver Insurance Brokers Association. “Spoon” was president of IBABC in 1976, and the scholarship is named in his honour.  

This award of $1,000 is presented to a student enrolled in a post-secondary institution. Candidates must possess not only an exemplary academic record but must also show a commitment to extra-curricular activities and community service. 

This year the recipient of this scholarship is Taj Sangra. A graduating student of St. George’s School, Taj will begin his post-secondary studies in engineering this fall. Taj stands out for his academic and artistic accomplishments, including receiving the 2024 Golden Dragon Pin for his performance with the Denis Wick Canadian Wind Orchestra. He has also been a dedicated volunteer with the South Vancouver Neighbourhood House, supporting youth mentorship and community programs.

Beyond the classroom, Taj co-founded his school’s cricket club and excels in competitive soccer, field hockey, and concert band. He is the son of Baldev and Ranjeev Sangra of GBG Insurance Services Ltd. in Vancouver.  

CHUCK BYRNE LEGACY ICBC AUTOPLAN SCHOLARSHIP

The Chuck Byrne Legacy ICBC Scholarship for $2,500 is administered by IBABC and CUISA. Recipients of this scholarship must be B.C. residents who are the child of an insurance industry practitioner, be enrolled or accepted in post-secondary education, volunteer in their community, participate in extracurricular activities, and demonstrate high academic achievements. 

Hei Tung Jeannie Wong is the 2025 recipient. A straight-A student on the Principal’s List, Jeannie has been recognized for both her academic excellence and community service. She volunteers at Richmond Hospital, where she provides translation support for patients, and also serves as a trained first responder at community events.

In addition to her volunteer work, Jeannie leads several school clubs and works part-time as a barista. This fall, she will begin a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She is the daughter of Kit Ying Ng of King Insurance Services in Vancouver.

DENNIS MACNEILL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

The Central Agencies Ltd. Dennis MacNeill Memorial Scholarship awards $2,500 for the first year or subsequent year of a student’s post-secondary education. Applicants must show a commitment to community service and must be an employee or relative of B.C. insurance-industry practitioners. 

We’re pleased to recognize Gabriella Chen as the recipient of the 2025 Central Agencies Ltd., Dennis MacNeill Memorial Scholarship. A high-achieving student graduating from Brookswood Secondary School, Gabriella will begin her Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Sciences at UBC this fall. Her academic accolades include honour roll standing, the Most Outstanding in Pre-Calculus 12 Award, and a top score in the Canadian Mathematics Competition.

Beyond her academic excellence, Gabriella is deeply involved in her community as a church pianist, youth leader with Awana, and companion to seniors at The Village Langley. She is the daughter of Hong (Bob) Chen, an insurance advisor at Maxxam Insurance Services in Burnaby.

JOE STONEHOUSE MENTORSHIP SCHOLARSHIP

The Joe Stonehouse Mentorship Scholarship, presented by Brody Stonehouse, AC&D Insurance, for $2,500, is awarded to a student related to someone in the insurance industry who demonstrates the attributes Stonehouse was known for – mentoring, dedication, and diverse personal interests. 

This year the scholarship is awarded to Davin Nguyen. Graduating from Frank Hurt Secondary School, Davin will begin a Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology and Immunology this fall. He brings an exceptional academic record, highlighted by being named champion in the University of Waterloo’s prestigious CEMC Galois Math Competition.

Davin is also a committed leader and mentor, vice-president of his grad council, an English peer tutor, and founder of a school club in partnership with The Good Guys, a non-profit focused on homelessness.

Outside of academics and leadership, Davin enjoys playing guitar, baking pastries, and discovering new cafés. He is the son of Thuy-Ai Vo, an insurance advisor with HUB International Insurance in Richmond.

JOHN M. TOOMER SCHOLARSHIP

The John M. Toomer Education Scholarship awards $5,000 to a post-secondary student with family connections to our industry. The funds for this scholarship have been generously donated by John Toomer. John, who is now enjoying retirement, holds the record for years of volunteer service to IBABC. During nearly 30 years of volunteering, he helped establish IBABC’s education programs, served as our first treasurer, and sat on the conference committee. 

We’re proud to recognize Hong Lu as the 2025 recipient of the John M. Toomer Education Scholarship. Hong is the spouse of Miki Okada, an insurance broker at Bridges International Insurance Services in Vancouver. A dedicated scholar, Hong holds a PhD in Neuroscience from UBC and began his medical studies at UBC in 2023.

His academic achievements include prestigious honours such as the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship and UBC’s Chan and Peggy Gunn Doctoral Thesis Prize. In addition to his studies, Hong has made meaningful contributions through volunteer work at UBC Hospital, the Chimo Crisis Line, and as a piano accompanist for the BC Children’s Choir for over 17 years.

RENATE MUELLER TRAILBLAZER SCHOLARSHIP, RECOGNIZING FUTURE WOMEN TRAILBLAZERS

The Renate Mueller Trailblazer Scholarship, Recognizing Future Women Trailblazers, presented by Westland Insurance for $2,500, is intended to go to a post-secondary school student who demonstrates a commitment to community service and a dedication to professional development. Applicants must also share how they plan to promote the advancement of gender equity and support for women in business. 

The 2025 recipient of this award is Mikayla Chan from Burnaby. A graduating student from Alpha Secondary School, Mikayla has consistently earned a place on the President’s Honour Roll and received the University of Victoria Entrance Scholarship for fall 2025. She works part-time as a Junior Administrative Assistant at Community Insurance Services, where her father, Frank Chan, is president and owner.

Mikayla is also a certified cheerleading coach with over ten years of experience, including five years volunteering at GForce Gym and competing at the world championships.

VANCOUVER INSURANCE ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP

The Vancouver Insurance Association Scholarship awards $1,000 to someone working full-time or related to someone who works full-time in the B.C. insurance industry, who has high academic marks, and has been accepted to a post-secondary institution. The funds for this scholarship are provided by the former Vancouver Insurance Association.  

We are pleased to announce that Armaan Binnag is this year’s recipient. A graduating student from École Panorama Ridge Secondary, he has consistently earned honour roll distinction and plans to pursue a Bachelor of Business Administration, with aspirations of attending law school.

Armaan works part-time as an underwriting assistant at Mutual Fire / Four Points Insurance, where his mother, Nirmal Binnag, is Vice-President of Underwriting at Mutual Fire Insurance. He is also an active volunteer, contributing to initiatives that support food security, student mentorship, homelessness, and school athletics through organizations such as the Hot Potato Initiative and the Guru Nanak Food Bank.

CAIB AWARD RECIPIENTS

The CAIB awards are awarded to licensees who receive the highest marks in CAIB courses completed in the previous calendar year.

HUB INTERNATIONAL HERB OSEN MEMORIAL BURSARY

The 2025 HUB International Herb Osen Memorial Bursary for $2,000, which goes to the student who attains the highest cumulative mark on all four CAIB exams, and completed their CAIB designation requirements within the calendar year, is awarded to Rahul Arora from Johnston Meier in Langley.

CAIB 1: SANTBIR MINHAS AWARD

Shreekavya Mittal, Marsh Canada, was awarded the Santbir Minhas Award of $500 for the highest mark on the CAIB 1 exam in B.C.

CAIB 2 RELIANCE INSURANCE AWARD

The recipient of the $500 CAIB 2 Reliance Insurance Award is Harsimran Kaur from BCAA.

CAIB 4: PARK GEORGIA INSURANCE INSURANCE AGENCIES RECOGNITION AWARD

For the highest CAIB 4 mark, the $750 Park Georgia Insurance Agencies Recognition Award recipient is Kris Tietz from Central Agencies.