Good Day, Wonderful Reader!
This month has been full of incredible milestones and opportunities to connect, learn, and grow.
What I’ve Been Up To 📈
City of Vancouver Awards of Excellence 🏆: I had the honour of receiving the Impact in Innovation Award as a youth recipient at the City of Vancouver’s Awards of Excellence Ceremony.
It was an inspiring evening celebrating changemakers of all ages — from a 14-year-old world-class pianist to recipients preserving Vancouver’s historic architecture.
I had the pleasure of speaking with Mayor Ken Sim, City Councillors Peter Meiszner, Lucy Maloney, Lisa Dominato, and Lenny Zhou, as well as Elder Charlotte Mearns, members of the Musqueam Capital Corporation, and Troy MacBeth Abromaitis from the Lytton First Nation.
Receiving the Impact in Innovation Award from the City of Vancouver at the 2025 Awards of Excellence Ceremony, standing with Mayor Ken Sim (right) and Councillor Lisa Dominato (left).
Here’s the moment I received the Impact in Innovation Award from the City of Vancouver 🎥:
Proclaiming Sustainable Technology Week 🌎
Another major highlight this month: the City of Vancouver officially proclaimed October 20–27 as “Sustainable Technology Week.”
I submitted this proclamation request on behalf of my organization, Oasis of Change, to recognize innovation that reduces digital energy use and advances sustainability. It was an incredible honour to see it approved and signed by Mayor Ken Sim — marking a first-of-its-kind celebration of digital sustainability in Vancouver.
During Sustainable Technology Week, I encouraged businesses and individuals to check their website sustainability ratings using platforms like websitecarbon.com and ecograder.com to learn more about the internet’s environmental impact. It was great to see people realize that even small changes to websites and digital habits can help the planet.
Visit to the Irish Consulate 🇮🇪:
I also visited the Irish Consulate in Vancouver, which was my first time there, even after living in the city my whole life!
It was wonderful meeting Consul General Cathy Geagan and discussing youth innovation, digital sustainability, and how Vancouver is leading the way through initiatives like Sustainable Technology Week. 👉 View more on LinkedIn
Visit to Wealthsimple HQ 💼
While in Toronto, I had the chance to tour Wealthsimple’s headquarters. It’s a very beautiful multi-floor space in a vibrant part of the city. Thanks for the tour, !
Achievements & Highlights 🚀
Honoured at the City of Vancouver Awards of Excellence with the Impact in Innovation Award
Joined Plastic Bank — my dream company — as a Digital Marketing Intern, where I’m researching Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) to improve their online presence
Featured by the Stanley Park Ecology Society for the proclamation of Sustainable Technology Week and the Impact in Innovation Award 👉 Read the article
Remembering ❤️
My grandfather passed away this month. He was such a role model to me — words cannot express how much I loved him and felt supported by him.
“And in the end... my guitar gently weeps”
Miss you and love you, Doug.
Quotes 💬
“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.”
— Anne Lamott
Curious about my past adventures?
Catch up on all my previous updates in the newsletter archive. You never know what gem you might find!
Shoutouts 👏
Mayor Ken Sim: For accepting my proclamation for Sustainable Technology Week, helping position Vancouver as a global leader in sustainable technology.
The City of Vancouver: For hosting an incredible Awards of Excellence Ceremony at the Roundhouse, recognizing innovation and community impact across every field.
Plastic Bank and especially Toby Stapleton: For creating opportunities for young people entering the tech and marketing industry. I’m grateful to be part of a team that’s solving plastic pollution and poverty through innovation.
Noah Barbaros and Junaid Mahmood: For the inspiring tour of Wealthsimple HQ in Toronto. Both are just 17 and already part of Wealthsimple’s Launchpad Internship Program, where recent high school graduates are hired — an amazing example of youth in action!
What’s Next? 🚀
University Applications 🎓: I’m preparing to apply to UBC Sauder School of Business, where I hope to further explore sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship.
Tree Planting at Oasis of Change 🌱: We’re finalizing our 2025 tree-planting targets and planning where this year’s impact will take root.
Transparency Platform 💻: I’m also working on building a new impact transparency dashboard that will publicly display our tree-planting data, including the number of trees, the countries planted in, and our total environmental impact.
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Onwards and upwards,
Gabriel Dalton
P.S. Want more behind-the-scenes? For more in-depth discussions, check out my LinkedIn or Medium profiles.