Board Highlights

The work at BBI could not happen without the dedication of our volunteer board members. Their commitment has been the catalyst for all of BBI’s achievements throughout the past 25 years. In this anniversary issue, we are highlighting two of our most dedicated and decorated board members: Hector Jacques and Cassandra Dorrington.

Hector Jacques

Photography contributed

Hector Jacques is known for his engineering skills, environmental science insights, and business acumen. He received his Bachelor of Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, India in 1966, and a Master of Engineering from the Technical University of Nova Scotia (TUNS) in 1968. He established the Jacques Whitford Group of Companies in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, in 1972. Presently, he is its president, chief executive officer and principal geotechnical engineer. Throughout the years, he has received numerous awards, including: the Association of Professional Engineers of Nova Scotia’s (APENS) Engineering Award (for distinctive achievement in the practice of Engineering); the national Beaubien Award, which represents the highest mark with distinction for exceptional service to the Association of Consulting Engineers of Canada (ACEC) and Canada’s 125th Anniversary Medal (1993) for significant contribution to compatriots, the community and Canada. Jacques Whitford was also listed among Canada’s 50 Best Managed Private Companies Award in 1993. Hector became a Fellow of the Engineering Institute of Canada in 1994. He received the Order of Canada in 2007.

Cassandra Dorrington

Photography contributed

Cassandra Dorrington is the president & CEO of the Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council – CAMSC. Leading the charge of championing business relationships and economic growth of the Canadian supply chain through the inclusion of Aboriginal and Minority suppliers, Cassandra has expanded the CAMSC brand, both nationally and internationally. This has resulted in significant growth and impact in the Canadian marketplace. At CAMSC, Cassandra leads efforts to promote and facilitate procurement opportunities between Canadian and US corporations and businesses owned, managed, and controlled by Indigenous Persons and People of Colour. With Cassandra at the helm, the corporate member base has increased by 175%, resulting in a diverse base covering many industries across the continent. Known for her business and community involvement, Cassandra has been named one of Diversity Canada’s Influential Women in Diversity and HR. She sits on the National Advisory Council for the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises (OSME) for the Government of Canada, is a board member with Elevate International, and sits on the Dalhousie University Board of Governors. She has also served on the Board of Directors of the Sobey School of Business Advisory Board at Saint Mary’s University, the Mount Saint Vincent University Board of Governors, King’s College Board of Governors’ Racial Equity Committee, the Atlantic Provinces Chamber of Commerce, Techsploration and Veith House. She is former board chair for organizations including CPA Canada, CMA Canada National Board and Adsum House. Among her many accolades, Cassandra received the Canadian Progress Club’s Woman of Excellence Award in 2010 and was named one of Atlantic Canada’s 25 Most Powerful Women in Business in 2021.