Mayor's Arts Award for Philanthropy
2017 recipient
Donald Shumka
A native British Columbian, Donald Shumka was born and raised in the Okanagan Valley, graduated from UBC and received an MBA from Harvard University. A firm believer in the role of arts and culture in creating better communities as well as being a catalyst for the new economy, he has been contributing to community organizations for more than 40 years.
Shumka has served as Chair of the Board of Emily Carr University of Art + Design (1986-1993), Ballet BC (1992-2002), and BC Arts Council (2002-2009). In 2003, he co-founded Friends of Carnegie to bring the arts to the Downtown Eastside. He remains heavily involved with fundraising efforts at Emily Carr, and sits on the Chair’s Advisory Committee at Science World.In 2010, he established the Balindwana Education Fund to provide high school education for 100 girls annually in rural Malawi, the first 15 have now entered university.
Hassan Khosrowshahi is chairman of Persis Group of Companies. He has been appointed to the Order of Canada and the Order of British Columbia, and was inducted into the Business Laureates of BC Hall of Fame. His memberships, directorships and chairs (former and present) include: the Bank of Canada (board of directors), the Fraser Institute (former chairman), Canadian Business Council, Business Council of British Columbia (board of governors), the Smithsonian’s Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, and the Leading Edge Endowment Fund. He is an honorary fellow of the Sauder School of Business. The Khosrowshahi family have supported Museum of Anthropology, National Gallery of Canada, Vancouver Opera, Vancouver Symphony Society, and Audain Art Museum Foundation.
Marnie Carter is a musician and philanthropist who is passionate about the arts and takes a personal interest in all the projects she supports. Born in Winnipeg, Marnie studied piano in Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal, and London, England. She was married to the late Howard Carter, founder of the Carter Auto Group, and raised her family while maintaining an active piano and accompanying career.
Anndraya Luui was born and raised in Vancouver and has spent much of her later years developing an appreciation for the arts. In addition to maintaining a full schedule of subscriptions to several organizations, Luui serves as a director on the boards of Centre A, the Vancouver International Centre for Contemporary Asian Art, the Dance Foundation, the Dance Centre Society, DanceHouse, and Wen Wei Dance. 
Michael Audain is chairman of Polygon Homes Ltd., one of British Columbia’s leading home builders. He is a fifth generation British Columbian, educated at the University of British Columbia. 
Fei and Milton Wong were both born and raised in Vancouver and understand the importance of the arts in further developing the culture of the city.
Dr Yosef Wosk was described by Vancouver Magazine as one of the city’s “Rebel Brains and Public Intellectuals”, and the Vancouver Sun identified him as one of the “Top Ten BC Thinkers”.
Michael O'Brian is a successful BC-based investor/businessman and dedicated arts philanthropist. He is president of Nairbo Investments Inc, and has been involved with the securities industry for over 40 years. He is a director of several publicly traded companies, an advisor to a number of investment funds, and with his wife, Dr. Inna Vlassev O’Brian, is an avid art collector and is actively involved in community affairs.