Patti MacAhonic is recognized as a longtime Chilliwack community member who has effectively added value in numerous ways in various roles. She was most recently awarded the “Distinguished Alumni Award” by the University of the Fraser Valley. This award recognizes one alumnus per year who has achieved outstanding distinction in career, educational achievement, and community service. MacAhonic was also recognized as “Top 40 Alumni” whose ideas, passion, leadership and achievements have helped shape UFV and the community at large. Her educational background includes an honours BA in Adult Education and an MBA in Executive Management.
Patti consistently demonstrates commitment to making a sustainable difference. From early roles in Health and Safety in BC logging, forestry, and mining industries, to her current role as Executive Director of Ann Davis Transition Society where she works with a stellar team of professionals with the mandate to create a violence free community. They serve over 2,700 individuals which include, women, men, children, youth and families.
She also brings a wealth of experience in her former roles as Executive Director of the BC Wildlife Federation, and as Executive Director of the Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce. Patti is just as comfortable in the outdoors, fishing or riding her Harley, as she is in the boardroom.
Her deep passion to make a difference was ignited after her late husband died as a result of an industrial accident. Patti's lobbying efforts were instrumental in the passing of BC’s Bill C-37 in 2003, concerning the rights of children and survivors of workplace fatalities.
She has been a committed volunteer adviser for the Canadian Injured Workers Alliance for over 15 years.
As a fisheries advocate she was granted standing in the Cohen Inquiry, targeting solutions to the 2009 drastic decrease of Sockeye salmon in the Fraser River. Other negotiations helped produce groundbreaking discussion involving First Nations and recreational fisheries, leading to the River Manners video and the first-ever partnership and working table for river safety based on mutual respect.
During her time with the Chilliwack Chamber, she successfully spearheaded important policy on derelict buildings. In conjunction with the Fraser Valley Chambers, Patti worked collaboratively on behalf of
Chilliwack businesses to implement Mobile Business Licensing, which cut red tape, reduced business costs, enabling Chilliwack Businesses to operate more easily across participating jurisdictions, while enhancing revenue opportunities for municipalities and businesses. She also worked with the manufacturing sector, conducting a gap analysis of transportation in the manufacturing corridors in Chilliwack and surrounding communities.
Recognized by the Minerva Foundation as a Community Leader (2007), Patti was nominated for the YWCA 2010 Women of Distinction Award. She has lived in Chilliwack for over 22 years, is married to her husband Randy, and has 4 Children and 5 grandchildren.