FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Flanagan Family Honoured at 2025 Waterloo Region Entrepreneur Hall of Fame Gala
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Flanagan Family Honoured at 2025 Waterloo Region Entrepreneur Hall of Fame Gala
Kitchener, ON – May 26, 2025. Guests filled the Embassy Room at Bingemans Conference Centre on May 13, 2025 as the Flanagan family of Flanagan Foodservice was inducted into the Waterloo Region Entrepreneur Hall of Fame. The Gala Celebration induction ceremony is a signature fundraising event in support of Junior Achievement South Western Ontario and their youth learning experiences in the areas of financial health, work readiness, and entrepreneurship.
Founded in 1977, Flanagan Foodservice has grown into Canada’s largest Canadian-owned foodservice distributor. Throughout its expansion, the Flanagan family has stayed true to its founding values of exceptional service, innovation, and community commitment. In 2018, they furthered their impact by establishing a family-run charitable foundation benefiting causes across the region.
Emceed by Mike Farwell of Rogers Radio, the evening featured inspiring speeches, an impactful conversation with JA Company Program alumni, a silent auction, and musical performances by Amadea and Osanna Mikitka of the Kitchener-Waterloo Youth Orchestra. JA President & CEO Karen Gallant highlighted JA SWO’s growing impact, with nearly 31,000 learning experiences facilitated last school year alone
“This event is not only about celebrating the achievements of our laureates, but about investing in the next generation of leaders,” said Gallant. “We are grateful to the Flanagan family and our generous sponsors for making this event such a success.”
Pictured L to R: Rick Flanagan, Murray Flanagan, Dee Flanagan, Karen Gallant, Dan Flanagan, and Jeff Flanagan
Sponsors of the 2025 Gala included:
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Innovate Sponsor: Canadian Western Bank (CWB Financial Group)
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Incubate Sponsors: Libro Credit Union, PEER Group, CIVA Communications, Next Dimension and Luxnglow Premium Products
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Wine Sponsor: Little Mushroom Catering & Dining Lounge
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Community Partner: Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce
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Venture Sponsors: CIBC, WHITNEY & Company Realty Ltd.
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Decor Sponsor – Sugar Bloom Floral, Award Sponsor – Nothers the Award Store, Photography Sponsor – by Sean Lyn
We’re also grateful for many individual and corporate supporters of the silent auction and Legacy Leaders Challenge. The Legacy Leaders Challenge, launched this year, recognized top contributors from among former Laureates. Special thanks were extended to Mike Kropp & Robert Harris (PEER Group), Stephanie Soulis (Little Mushroom Catering), and John Whitney (WHITNEY & Company Realty Ltd.) for their outstanding support.
New for 2025, JA South Western Ontario announced the Innovator Award, which will debut at next year’s gala. This new honour will recognize entrepreneurs who are changing the local landscape and are a promoter of change and innovation in search of the greater good.
Nominate the Next Laureate
Nominations for both the Entrepreneur Hall of Fame and the new Innovator Award are now open. Visit jaswo.org/ehof to submit a nomination or to learn more about JA’s mission to inspire and prepare young people for success in a global economy.
