Top 40 Over/Under 40

2024 Top 40 (40 and Over) Recipients

Thank you to our Top 40 Sponsors:

Criteria and Rules

Eligibility Guidelines:

The Nominee for Top 40 Over/Under 40:

• Must be a resident of- or work in the South Okanagan-Similkameen.
• Must work in a leadership role in any sized organization from the private, public, or not-for-profit sectors.
• The Under 40 of the Top 40 Over/Under 40 will be limited to 20 Honourees who must be over the age of 18 and under the age of 40 for the entire calendar year of 2024, and had not already been selected as a Top 40 Under 40 back in 2014 (listed in appendix).
• The Over 40 of the Top 40 Over/Under 40 will be limited to 20 Honourees who must be 40 years of age or older. It may also include those who were selected as a Top 40 Under 40 back in 2014 but are now 40 years of age or older.
• Candidates may nominate themselves, but it is encouraged that the nomination of candidates are given by third parties as a testament to their positive impact on others. Nomination forms will form part of the overall nomination package submitted to- and reviewed by the Selection Committee.

The Selection Committee will be looking for evidence of the nominee’s achievements in each of the four selection criteria:

1. Vision and Leadership;
2. Innovation and Achievement;
3. Impact and Positive Influence;
4. Social Responsibility and Community Involvement.

Criteria 1 - Vision and Leadership:

• What does the nominee imagine for the future of their organization and themselves?
• What milestones have they reached and what goals have they committed to achieving?
• How are they leading others to achieve their goals and fulfill their vision?
• How are they inspiring those around them to better themselves and our community?

Criteria 2 - Innovation and Achievement:

• What innovative ideas has the nominee created, advocated for, or implemented for their organization or professional position to affect a positive change? It does not have to be a major breakthrough, unique idea, or new business model, rather, it can be as simple as upgrades to their organization’s customer service, features added to an existing product, workplace culture, and more.
• What awards, designations, or other forms of recognition has the nominee received? Alternately, is there a key performance metric(s) the nominee can provide to demonstrate sustained improvement in a relevant area vs an earlier time period, or vs their industry’s standard? 

Criteria 3 - Impact and Positive Influence:

• How does the nominee provide a positive impact for their organization and/or their community?
• How does the nominee provide a positive impact for others? ▪ Does the nominee volunteer their time outside of work? If so, with whom and how often?

Criteria 4 - Social Responsibility and Community Involvement:

• How does the nominee or their business contribute to initiatives that reduce pollution, promote the sustainable use of natural resources, etc.?
• Do the actions of the Nominee benefit the community? For example, is there a balance between economic growth and the welfare of society and the environment?
• How does the nominee support charity(ies), non-profit organizations, or the causes that help their community?

Selection Process:

• Anyone can nominate an individual residing or working in the South Okanagan-Similkameen, including themselves;
• Nominees are required to complete an online submission;
• All material is held in strict confidence and the submissions will be screened by Penticton Chamber staff, and then judged individually by the Penticton Top 40 Over/Under 40 selection committee (independent of each other to prevent judges from influencing each other).

- Nominees with incomplete submissions will be provided with feedback outlining what is outstanding along with a deadline to complete their submission.

• Selection Committee members must recuse themselves from evaluating anyone they are related to, reside with, work with (at a place of business, governance board, etc.), or any other association that would call into question an individual evaluator’s impartiality.
• The selection committee, at their discretion, may take reasonable steps to verify a nominee’s answers through a Chamber staff member. Judges will not contact a nominee directly.