Emily O’Reilly | 17
17
Student UNBC Yes, you read that age correctly. Emily is touch lives for the better. the youngest person to ever make this It is the world of science fairs where she city’s Top 40 Under 40 list. She earned it exceptionally shines. “One of Emily’s without question by going above and goals is to find a cure for a certain type beyond all expectations of people her of cancer,” said one advocate. Her sciage. ence project exploring that possibility If you missed her earlier accolades, Emily won local awards and scholarships, has gotten public attention already this advanced her to Team Canada at the year for being named Prince George’s International Science Fair in Taiwan Youth of the Year. where she won first She volunteers for That citation and this place in her category. Simon Fraser Lodge, one follows a litany of Her advocate added, St. Vincent de Paul social justice and sci“she is also investigatSociety, at the hospience causes she has ing the possibility of tal, and many other been involved in, and a patent” for research ways that touch lives taken to impressive findings she’s made for the better. levels. in partnership with On the social side, Emily is the viceUNBC professors. chair of the School District 57 Student “I believe that your age is only a number Advisory Council where she engages in and that you should not be underestianti-bullying initiatives and other topics mated, nor should you underestimate on the student agenda. She is also presiyourself, based upon it,” she said. dent of the Rotary Interact group raising “Anyone is capable of accomplishing awareness of numerous causes. She has anything if they are determined and won many awards for her public speakput their mind to it. I want to make a ing and debating skills. Her academic difference in the world; if one day my standing is stellar. research does make a difference, that She also volunteers for Simon Fraser would be a dream come true.” Lodge, St. Vincent de Paul Society, at the hospital, and many other ways that
Eoin Foley | 31 Co-owner Nancy O’s Restaurant Some restaurants are appreciated by opening, and already they are seen as their customers, but some restaurants, leaders in business for the way they have like Nancy O’s, change a community. developed an ecosystem of economics Local musicians credit Nancy O’s with within their walls. strumming up a renewal in the local “Under his leadership, Nancy O’s is able music scene. Local comedians credit to host over 150 live shows per year, Nancy O’s with sparking a comedy scene creating a draw for people to come in the city. Local farmers credit Nancy downtown,” said one supporter. “He has O’s with growing the movement for been an integral part in pushing a ‘farm sourcing food locally, to table’ menu at the Under his leaderat a commercial level. restaurant, making ship, Nancy O’s is Their patrons love the connections with local able to host over food, beverage selecfarmers and keeping 150 live shows per tion and ambiance, more money in our year, creating a draw but their extended community.” for people to come family of supporters The revitalization of downtown. see them as being the city’s business core catalysts for a new Prince George – and is more than a passing interest to Foley. co-owner Eoin Foley and his partner GarHe joined the board of the Downtown rett Fedorkiw get personal credit for it all. Prince George development agency Foley has worked in the hospitality four years ago. This year he took the role industry more than 12 years. He got a of President. In that time, he said, he Entrepreneurial Certificate from CNC, ladhelped “design and initiate the façade dered to a business degree from UNBC improvement program which has been in 2012, then opened the downtown used as a model for other communities pub-restaurant almost immediately. in the north.” Foley reports 20 per cent growth per He and Fedorkiw are now planning year since they opened. They won the to open another business downtown, New Entrepreneur trophy from the expanding their economic influence Chamber of Commerce soon after even more.
PRINCE GEORGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | 2016/2017
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