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Fred Lee's Social Network: Women tee it up for autism, alumni UBC holds Party of the Century

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SWINGING TO HELP KIDS

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Wendy Lisogar-Cocchia, the CEO of Absolute Spa Group and Crew Management, is one busy businesswoman.

In addition to raising a family and building her Absolute Spa group into one of Canada’s largest independent spa chains — employing a team of more than 500 people — she is driven to make her community a better place.

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She and husband Sergio founded the Pacific Autism Family Foundation, a charitable organization that supports individuals with autism and their families, linking them to important resources.

Parents of a child with autism, the couple would raise more than $28 million to realize their dream of a Centre of Excellence, housing state of the art resources for autism research, information, learning, assessment, treatment and support. The Pacific Autism Family Network opened last November in Richmond.

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While dedicated to her career and family, Lisogar-Cocchia continues to serve as a director for the West Vancouver Police Board, governor of the Vancouver Board of Trade, a fellow at Royal Roads University, director of the B.C. Lottery Corporation and a governor at the B.C. Business Council.

And if that wasn’t already enough on her plate, the community leader continues to chair the Women’s Media Golf Classic she created, one of the longest running charity golf tournaments raising more than $3.5 million to help children with special needs since its inception.

Denied a spot in a men’s golf tournament 27 years ago, Lisogar-Cocchia enlisted a group of her female media friends and start her own ladies-only event.

The philanthropist reprised her role for the event’s 28th outing, touted as the best non-golfing golf tournament around with food, beverages, music and spa treatments greeting players at every tee box. Some 200 media personalities and influential women came together for the fundraiser.

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Under sunny skies, a full field of 144 players took to the greens to raise some green. The day would get off to a fine start when RBC’s Corey Kang presented Lisogar-Cocchia with a cheque for $40,000. The generosity would continue beyond the 18 holes at the Musqueam Golf and Learning Academy.

Greeting players were an additional 60 party guests who turned up for the charity dinner at Wendy and Sergio’s C Prime Modern Italian Steak & Wine Restaurant.

Fronted by Global TV’s Lynn Colliar, the evening festivities featured a sumptuous buffet and more fundraising games. Yours truly orchestrated the live auction of one-of-a-kind experiences. The buying frenzy, along with an outright call for cash donations resulted in a $123,000 day for the little-ladies-tournament-that-could.

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Notable women who came out swinging for kids included Karen Flavelle, CEO of Purdy’s, Lois Nahinery, CEO DNA Power, Tracey McVicar, managing partner at CAI Capital Management, and Lara Dauphinee, managing director of the Fiore Group.

Global TV’s Lynne Colliar and Jill Krop were among the 144 women who hit the Musqueam Golf and Learning Academy fairways for the Pacific Autism Family Network.
Global TV’s Lynne Colliar and Jill Krop were among the 144 women who hit the Musqueam Golf and Learning Academy fairways for the Pacific Autism Family Network.
Kathy O’Donoghue of Conquer Mobile and Lois Nahirney of DNA Power enjoyed a day of golf in support of PAFN, a centre of excellence providing a network of supports for individuals with autism and their families.
Kathy O’Donoghue of Conquer Mobile and Lois Nahirney of DNA Power enjoyed a day of golf in support of PAFN, a centre of excellence providing a network of supports for individuals with autism and their families.
Tracey McVicar’s son Andrew donated his Christmas money to the cause helping boost the fundraising total to $123,000 for the 28th annual event.
Tracey McVicar’s son Andrew donated his Christmas money to the cause helping boost the fundraising total to $123,000 for the 28th annual event.
John Roberts, Terry Parmar, Kevin Torvik and Jason Doucette from the Vancouver Police Department supported the charity, hosting a hole on the course and greeting guests at the fundraising dinner.
John Roberts, Terry Parmar, Kevin Torvik and Jason Doucette from the Vancouver Police Department supported the charity, hosting a hole on the course and greeting guests at the fundraising dinner.
Sergio Cocchia, right, welcomed Peter Raptis, a parent of a child with autism, to the Women’s Media Golf Classic post-tourney dinner at C Prime Modern Italian Steak & Wine Restaurant. Raptis, the keynote, would share his personal story with attendees, helping open hearts and wallets to the fundraising effort.
Sergio Cocchia, right, welcomed Peter Raptis, a parent of a child with autism, to the Women’s Media Golf Classic post-tourney dinner at C Prime Modern Italian Steak & Wine Restaurant. Raptis, the keynote, would share his personal story with attendees, helping open hearts and wallets to the fundraising effort.
BCIT’s Marita Luk and Nicole Watt of Metro News were among a field of 144 players who enjoyed the day of non-golfing at the Women’s Media Golf Classic.
BCIT’s Marita Luk and Nicole Watt of Metro News were among a field of 144 players who enjoyed the day of non-golfing at the Women’s Media Golf Classic.

PARTY OF THE CENTURY

A small group of UBC’s first graduates formed its alumni association on May 4, 1917 and are now commonly referred to as alumni UBC.

Today, the University of British Columbia — ranked 31st among universities globally and among the top 20 public universities in the world — boasts more than 325,000 alumni, spanning over 140 countries. To mark the association’s 100th anniversary, a number of events and activities will be launched locally and abroad during the academic school year to get alumni more connected to their alma mater.

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The Welcome Home Party at Homecoming officially launched the alumni UBC 100 program.

Vancouver’s most awarded celebrity chefs, caterers, winemakers and craft brewers — many UBC grads — headlined the signature soirée at the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre, a building funded by the generosity of UBC alumni and friends and named after one of the institution’s most dedicated alumni, volunteers and donors.

Alumni UBC executive director Jeff Todd welcomed 500 guests — alumni, faculty, staff, students and donors — to the Blue and Gold festivities, billed as the Party of the Century.

Bolstered by a 31-10 win by the UBC Thunderbirds’ football team over the Saskatchewan Huskies earlier in the day, party spirits were high for the much-anticipated food, drink and dance party.

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A complete sellout, the event drew some of the city’s biggest culinary stars: David Hawksworth (Hawksworth), Andrea Carlson (Burdock and Co.), Clement Chan (Torafuku) and Angus An (Maenam), the latter a UBC grad who began his culinary training shortly after completing a fine arts degree at UBC in 2002.

After tasting and sipping their way through a dozen stations, attendees kicked up their heels to Vancouver’s favourite house band, Dr. Strangelove, while enjoying a selection of handcrafted cocktails at the Century Bar fronted by Grant Sceney, 2016 Vancouver Bartender of the Year.

Revellers capped off the night with the obligatory anniversary cake, topped with Lori Joyce’s BetterWith Ice Cream. The UBC science major and Cupcake Girl credits her degree to the success of her bakery franchise and 100 per cent natural ice cream enterprise.

Master mixologist Grant Sceney, second from left, and his Three Feet of Wood bar team Stefano Righetti, Danielle McAlpine and Gez McAlpine, helmed the alumni UBC Century Bar for the Welcome Home Party celebrations.
Master mixologist Grant Sceney, second from left, and his Three Feet of Wood bar team Stefano Righetti, Danielle McAlpine and Gez McAlpine, helmed the alumni UBC Century Bar for the Welcome Home Party celebrations.
Alumni UBC team of Natalie Cook Zywicki, Dianna DeBlaere, Jeff Todd and Tanya Walker welcomed guests to the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre for the association’s alumni UBC 100 kickoff party.
Alumni UBC team of Natalie Cook Zywicki, Dianna DeBlaere, Jeff Todd and Tanya Walker welcomed guests to the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre for the association’s alumni UBC 100 kickoff party.
Serving up 500 scoops at the Welcome Home Party, alumnae Lori Joyce credits her UBC science degree to the success of her Cupcake bakery franchise and 100 per cent natural BetterWith ice cream. enterprise.
Serving up 500 scoops at the Welcome Home Party, alumnae Lori Joyce credits her UBC science degree to the success of her Cupcake bakery franchise and 100 per cent natural BetterWith ice cream. enterprise.
Chad Clark, operations director of Hawksworth Restaurant, and Andrea Carlson, chef and owner of Burdock & Co., served up delicious bites to celebrate alumni UBC’s 100th anniversary.
Chad Clark, operations director of Hawksworth Restaurant, and Andrea Carlson, chef and owner of Burdock & Co., served up delicious bites to celebrate alumni UBC’s 100th anniversary.
Deejay Wilson Hart spun top tunes through the decades at alumni UBC’s Party of the Century.
Deejay Wilson Hart spun top tunes through the decades at alumni UBC’s Party of the Century.
Stephen and Grace Kwok of Anson Realty helped alumni UBC mark its special milestone.
Stephen and Grace Kwok of Anson Realty helped alumni UBC mark its special milestone.
Glad-handing Green school trustee candidates Estrellita Gonzales and Judy Zaichowsky were bleeding blue and gold at their alma mater’s centenary celebrations.
Glad-handing Green school trustee candidates Estrellita Gonzales and Judy Zaichowsky were bleeding blue and gold at their alma mater’s centenary celebrations.
UBC Fine Arts graduate Angus An returned to the Vancouver Campus, joined by colleagues Jasmine Ganasi and Hayden Rennie, to party with fellow alumni at the food and drink event.
UBC Fine Arts graduate Angus An returned to the Vancouver Campus, joined by colleagues Jasmine Ganasi and Hayden Rennie, to party with fellow alumni at the food and drink event.
Kicking up their heels at the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre, Ken and Susan Chow, alumni, donors and proud parents of a UBC student, raised a glass to the association’s 100th birthday.
Kicking up their heels at the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre, Ken and Susan Chow, alumni, donors and proud parents of a UBC student, raised a glass to the association’s 100th birthday.

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