Quon, medical student and electrical engineer, has mobilized over 300 volunteers to fund 150 community projects and led 95 accessibility initiatives, securing $3.70 million in funding.
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(Toronto, ON) November 28, 2024 – A nationwide search for an extraordinary young Canadian has reached an inspiring conclusion. Canada’s Walk of Fame proudly announces Stephanie Quon of Vancouver as the 2024 Community Hero recipient. Each year, this award, presented in partnership with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) and Seeing Red Media, recognizes a young changemaker under 30 who is making an impactful change in their community. As the 2024 Canada’s Walk of Fame Community Hero, Quon receives mentorship from a fellow Canadian hero, a page on CommunityHero.ca, recognition at the 2025 Canada’s Walk of Fame’s Awards Show and Gala Celebration, and a $10,000 donation to a Canadian registered charity or cause of their choice.
Quon is an inspiring young leader who is a medical student at the University of British Columbia and an electrical engineering graduate. In 2017, she founded The Sprouts Initiative, a community initiative built on the pillars of accessibility, sustainability, and community. As executive director for over seven years, she raised $1.87 million to fund more than 150 community projects and mobilized over 300 volunteers.
Her key achievements include donating over 15,000 meals to local shelters, distributing 3,000 free reusable straws across Canada to spark conversations about plastic waste, sending 13,000 pieces of interactive art internationally to foster unity, and assembling and donating over 15,000 care packages.
Quon also spearheaded 95 accessibility projects across Canada, including ramp installations and braille signage, securing $1.82 million in funding. By directly collaborating with local disability foundations and shelters, she identified accessibility needs and delivered impactful solutions.
Her remarkable contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, including the BC Medal of Good Citizenship, BC Achievement Award, YWCA Metro Vancouver Young Woman of Distinction, Engineers Canada Gold Medal Student Award, Terry Fox Humanitarian Award, and recognition as one of Starfish Canada’s Top 25 Environmentalists Under 25.
“It is such an incredible honour to be recognized as the 2024 Canada’s Walk of Fame Community Hero,” said Quon. “This acknowledgment reaffirms my commitment to fostering accessibility and sustainability, and it inspires me to continue striving for positive change in our communities. This recognition also belongs to everyone who has supported and inspired me along the way.”
“We are so proud to be showcasing extraordinary young Canadians like this year’s winner Stephanie Quon,” said Jeffrey Latimer, CEO of Canada’s Walk of Fame. “Her hard work, compassion and dedication to bettering the lives of others is truly inspiring, and we hope that her story will empower others to take action in their communities and beyond.”
“When we heard Stephanie’s story and commitment, it reminded us of the importance of programs like these that uplift impactful changemakers and build a platform to inspire others along the way,” said Shannon Hosford, Chief Marketing Officer, MLSE. “As an organization with community building as a driving pillar, we are proud to join Canada’s Walk of Fame in celebrating Stephanie and creating space to inspire the next generation of Community Heroes across Canada.”
“Stephanie is an inspiration to everyone interested in helping communities. To have the impact she has had while also pursuing her education in difficult fields should inspire all of us to pursue our own community goals. Stephanie is driven and ambitious, and I look forward to the future impact she will have across all our communities in this country,” said Bryan Porter, Founder & Shakohen:te’s, Seeing Red Media Inc.
Since 2018, Canada’s Walk of Fame community heroes have touched the hearts and minds of Canadians from coast to coast to coast. From the environment to mental health, Indigenous rights and gender equality, they have turned their experiences into an opportunity to help others and make a difference at home and around the world. Visit CommunityHero.ca for full bios of Community Heroes to date.
