BCBusiness

april 2016 BCBusiness 55 BcBUsiness.ca THE STORY: Born in Tehran, Elin Tayyar emigrated to Canada in 1999 with his parents, who had been political prisoners, and younger sister. In 2010, while studying economics and international rela- tions at UBC, he was elected VP finance of the student union, a $24-million operation with 14 businesses including the Pit Pub and Gallery bar, more than 500 staff and, at the time, a 14.5 per cent deficit. Tayyar restruc- tured and established a $100,000 sustain- ability fund and the world's first student- owned and -operated microbrewery, among other initiatives. After graduating, in 2014 he launched New District, an online craft wine marketplace, and the Volumes Project, a nonprofit that provides modular studio spaces for artists. MARKERS OF SUCCESS: Last year New District was acquired by the White- fish Group, a food and beverage brand man- agement company. In 2016, the 10-person New District team is expected to double, with the company working on a bricks-and- mortar component and expanding into the Ontario market. Tayyar's three-year plan is to make New District the largest online portal for wine in Canada, to eliminate interprovincial barriers for wine sales and to build and deploy at least 60 artist studios through the Volumes Project.–F.S. Kasondra cohen-herrendorf president and ceo, Face of today Foundation age: 29 THE STORY: As the daughter of philanthropist and Army and Navy CEO Jacqui Cohen and nancial trader Hershel Herren- dorf, Kasondra Cohen-Herren- dorf grew up profoundly aware of her privilege and the impor- tance of giving back. Diagnosed with dyslexia, she attended West Vancouver's prestigious Colling- wood School, where in Grade 11 she started an endowment fund for students with learning disabilities. In 2009, inspired by her mother's Face the World Foundation, which raises and distributes funds for a variety of local charities, Cohen-Herren- dorf launched Face of Today: a foundation that raises money for youth-focused charities, funding programs such as music therapy, hip-hop workshops, wakeboard- ing camps and mental health programs. "Every kid deserves a chance," she says. "Whether you have all the money in the world or no money." MARKERS OF SUCCESS: To date, Face of Today has raised more than $1 million, with its annual gala netting $250,000 in 2015. The foundation has funded music therapy programs through B.C. Children's Hospital and the burn unit at Vancouver General Hospital and partnered with charities such as Music Heals, the Street to Home Foundation, Boys Club Network and Ray-Cam Co-operative Centre. Cohen- Herrendorf hopes to expand the foundation internationally and eventually raise $1 million annually. —J.B. Bryan gallagher Business development manager, inlailawatash limited partnership; adjunct professor, sFU Beedie school of Business age: 29 THE STORY: Bryan Gallagher's journey into the study of aboriginal business and culture began in 2008, through a connection with an SFU professor (he graduated with a bachelor in business administration the same year). He was working on an economic development project with the Ahousaht First Nation on the west coast of Flores Island—helping them set up an office, website and welcom- ing pole for the 11-kilometre Wild Side Trail, which the community had decided to open to tourists. But for the tiny, remote village, the idea proved a hornet's nest. "There was a lot of discus- sion about how many tourists they wanted," he recalls. "They were really trying to strike a balance between wanting the money and the development but not wanting their community to change." The project 30 under 30 What's the worst advice you've ever received? "people told me to start a business over a charity and that i was doing things backwards. Fortunately i didn't listen and i am happier than ever with my decision" elin tayyar Founder and ceo, new district; co-founder, the volumes project age: 27 What song is on repeat on your device right now? "I go through phases. Right now I've been listening to a lot of Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, Depeche Mode and Gary Numan" continued on page 57

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