Sam Thiara
Student Affairs Officer: Faculty of Business, Simon Fraser University
Through his tireless work, Sam continues to be committed to the betterment of communities. In 2006, he received the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award for leadership and community involvement. His passion is to inspire and motivate others in their personal and professional development through his many adventures and reflections on life’s journeys.
Currently, Sam works for the Faculty of Business as the Student Affairs Officer. What does that mean? Well, his role is to enhance the business students experience so they complement their degree and make themselves more marketable. It is about making individuals realize that you need to be engaged and involved outside of the classroom. He also recently completed his contract with the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Bid Corporation (of which he often says, was the most intense and exciting position he will ever have) to get the games to Vancouver. Sam was the Community Consultation Manager and was responsible for providing public information about the bid and building relationships with the various communities. He was the representative of the bid at the grassroots community level which involved countless public presentations. Prior to working at the bid, Sam was responsible for road safety at ICBC and community relations and was always out in the community speaking to audiences at various levels. While at ICBC, for five years he was responsible for the selection and supervision of university students during the summer months and the youth employment initiative.
He has completed a nine month leadership program through Leadership Vancouver and in 2002 received the Outstanding Graduate Award. He was a serving member of the Board and the Chair of the Graduate Network Committee. When the opportunity presents itself, Sam makes himself available to SFU students to do workshops on networking, career development and is also part of the mentorship program.
Sam has a double major in Business Administration and Political Science from SFU. Presently he is working on his Masters in Leadership at the University of Exeter. He also has his Human Resources certificate from BCIT and has completed his adult education designation with the Vancouver Community College. In his spare time he is a tenor drummer for the BC Regiment Irish Pipes and Drums.
Sam’s favourite saying: “Everyone’s life is an autobiography, but you have to make yours worth reading!”
Impact Participation History
Impact Expo Keynote (2007)