Trish Mandewo is a nationally recognized, multi-award-winning entrepreneur, Mentor, Governance professional, politician and author.  She is a second term City Councillor for the City of Coquitlam.  She co-Founded Synergy Executive & Boards Consulting Group, a pan Canada recruitment and HR consulting company headquartered in Vancouver.  Her drive stems from the desire to transform governance and leadership structures to create lasting, meaningful change as well as amplify community voices.

An impressive early career in microbiology & embryology was followed by nearly 20 years in entrepreneurship and politics. Deeply influenced by her passion to empower others, Trish works with early to growth stage entrepreneurs, non-profits and individuals seeking to fulfill their executive goals.  Her areas of expertise are in governance frameworks, policy development, leadership training, capacity building and entrepreneurship. She is a two-time author, seasoned public speaker who frequently travels across Canada and internationally to deliver speeches as well as train and inspire women leaders and youth.  Trish has also contributed to a few other books.   

Her roots are from the Shona tribe of Zimbabwe. She is a first-generation settler and is humbled and grateful to live and work in the traditional, ancestral and unceded territories of Kwikwetlem Nations.  She is thankful to Canada for opening doors and providing a space for her to live her best life.

As an opportunity crusader, Trish relentlessly champions access, empowerment, and pathways for success, especially for those who have historically been overlooked or underestimated.  She is a catalyst who sees potential where others see obstacles, she is known for turning vision into action. 

Trish is honored to be recognized for her professional and public contributions.  Here are some of the awards and accolades she has received.

  • Top 100 Accomplished Black Women in Canada:  Winner, 2024  

  • BBABC Business Excellence Awards - Best Woman owned Business: Winner, 2024  

  • Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award – African Canadian Business Chamber:  Winner,2023  

  • Corporate Vision Coaching and Recruitment Award, Winner, 2021  

  • BC Multiculturalism and Racism Awards, Nominee - 2021  

  • Canada 150 Sesquicentennial Leadership Pin Recipient – 2018  

  • RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneurs - Women of Influence Nominee 2018  

  • Top 25 Canadian Immigrant, Royal Bank of Canada, 2017  

  • Mompreneur - Nominee 2017  

  • Tri-Cities Champion for Young Children - Excellence Award, 2016  

  • British Columbia Multicultural Award, Nominee, 2015   

  • Small Business BC Best Immigrant Entrepreneur - Semi Finalist 2015   

  • Best Concept for Small Business - Finalist, Small Business BC, 2014  

  • POCO Best Biz Award - Finalist 2014  

With a wealth of experience stemming from serving on over 25 public and private boards, here are the current Boards and committees that Trish sits on:

  • Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM)  

  • SFU Beedie School of Business - Advisory Board Member 

  • Black Opportunity Fund - Governance & Nominations Committee 

  • Women's Enterprise Center BC (WeBC) – Vice Chair 

  • Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) - Board member, Social and Economic Development Chair 

  • City of Coquitlam - Library Board Trustee, Co-Chair - Community Safety and Sports and Recreation 

  • Metro Vancouver - Indigenous Relations Committee and Electoral Area A. 

  • SFU Charles Chung - Venture Connection - Entrepreneur in Residence 

  • Alletourage (Private Company) - Business Adviser

Past Board and Committee appointments in the last 10 years 

  • Autism Speaks Canada– Chair, Corporate Sponsorship Vancouver walk (2019-2020)    

  • Lower Mainland Local Government Association – Board Member (2018-2020)    

  • Ministry of Children- Tri-Cities Early Childhood Development Community - Committee member (2018 – 2022)    

  • Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce– Economic Summit Chair, Immigration and Trade Chair (2017-2018)   

  • Coquitlam Foundation Chair - Marketing & Communications (2017-2020)   

  • Tri-City Transition Society – Board Member (2017-2019)   

  • Mentor– Young Entrepreneurs Leadership Launchpad (2015-2019   

Judging - Trish has been honored to be a judge for: 

  • The Order of British Columbia Awards 

  • BC Business - Women of the year awards 

  • SFU Venture Competition

  • As a board member, I fulfill fiduciary, strategic, and generative responsibilities, ensuring financial oversight, guiding long-term vision, and fostering innovative thinking to drive organizational success.

  • As UBCM President, I advocate for local governments across British Columbia, advancing policies, fostering collaboration, and ensuring municipal voices are heard at provincial and federal levels.


  • As an elected official, my community has entrusted me with making decisions that directly affect their daily lives; from overseeing zoning, budgeting, infrastructure, and other critical municipal services