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Company of Young Professionals & Entrepreneurs

About the Program

The Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce Company of Young Professionals & Entrepreneurs (CYPE) Program connects young professionals & entrepreneurs with the opportunity to build, impact, and grow together with a diverse selection of opportunities in areas of professional development, mentorship, and networking.

Who Can Join

  • Businesses with an active Chamber membership can designate a member of their team to join the CYPE Program OR; 
  • Individual young professionals and entrepreneurs under 40 years of age can purchase an annual CYPE Membership  
Join Now!

CYPE Mandate

"Together we build, attract and grow the next generation of business leaders within Abbotsford and the Fraser Valley!"

Leadership

The Chamber’s CYPE Program is led by a volunteer Council of Young Professionals who develop events and programming for all CYPE members.

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There are plenty of reasons to join the CYPE Program, but here are just a few…

Leadership Development
Mentorship & Career building
Exclusive Events & Conferences
Impactful Speakers & Panel Series
Workshops & Training
Business & Startup Connections
Advocacy
Networking Opportunities
Chamber Discounts and Special Offers

Here's What Other CYPE Members Are Saying

"As a recent University Graduate, I wasn’t sure where to begin to make meaningful connections that would create professional opportunities. After learning about the Company of Young Professionals & Entrepreneurs Program by the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce, I became a member and instantly found value. I attended various events, networked with other Chamber members, and had the opportunity to participate in important conversations about the future of our community. 

It’s been great meeting other young professionals and creating a network that helps support our unique professional and personal goals!"

-  CYPE Program Member 

Lauren Olynick

Lauren Olynick

Chair, CYPE Council

BIO
Lauren is a founding Council member of CYPE who has been working in local government for 15 years, having held various positions in a variety of departments. She is currently the Deputy Corporate Officer for the Fraser Valley Regional District, and prior to this role, she was with the City of Abbotsford for 11 years. Within this time, her passion for local government administration, board governance, and serving her local community has continued to grow. Lauren’s involvement with CYPE stemmed from the desire to create an environment where young professionals could connect, collaborate, and grow. Outside of work and community involvement, you can find Lauren on beautiful Fraser Valley trails with her husband and 3 children.
Whitney Fordham

Whitney Fordham

Vice-Chair, CYPE Council

BIO
Whitney Fordham is the Director of Alumni Engagement at the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) and the Executive Director of the UFV Alumni Association, where she fosters a sense of community and builds lifelong relationships between the institution and its alumni. She is dedicated to meaningfully connecting others with opportunities and with each other, as well as celebrating their accomplishments and unique gifts. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing with a Minor in Economics from UFV and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Victoria. Whitney joined CYPE to meaningfully connect with like-minded individuals, share her expertise, and contribute to the growth and development of young professionals in the community. Outside of her work and community involvement, she enjoys staying active by playing soccer and fastpitch, hiking, snowboarding, paddle boarding, kayaking and dabbling in an assortment of other fitness activities.
Taylor Carlson

Taylor Carlson

CYPE Council Member

BIO
Taylor Carlson serves as the PR & Marketing Coordinator at the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce and also acts as the CYPE Chamber Representative, bridging the connection between CYPE Council and the Chamber. Having graduated from Simon Fraser University with a Bachelor's Degree in Communications and a Minor in Business, Taylor's passion lies in PR, marketing, and all things related to strategic communications. Outside of CYPE, Taylor advocates for the growth of the Abbotsford Community by sitting on the board of the A440 Foundation, a charitable organization focused on dedicating resources towards opportunities that positively affect local community, specifically through causes such as food sustainability, musical creativity, mental health, and innovation in other relevant sectors. As a young professional herself, Taylor is passionate about inspiring confidence within young people to seek out opportunities and initiate change. With her professional experience in marketing and communication strategies, Taylor hopes to positively contribute to CYPE by encouraging young people to take initiative in the community and promote the growth of Abbotsford for generations to come.
Harman Rathore (2)

Harman Rathore

CYPE Council Member

BIO
Harman Rathore is the Manager & Advisor of RBC On Campus at the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV), where he leads a team of advisors who are committed to providing financial literacy, career coaching & wellness advice for all students of the UFV community. Harman has worked in the banking industry for the past nine years holding positions in Financial Advising and Branch Leadership. Harman holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from UFV and a Personal Financial Planner designation from CSI. Harman also serves on a Board of Directors for the UFV Alumni Association with a goal of advocacy & engagement among UFV students & alumni. As a CYPE council member, Harman aims to learn, connect & grow with young professionals in the business community through mentorship and community engagement. In his spare time, Harman enjoys being outdoors and exploring hikes. He is passionate about playing golf & cricket.
15

Sean Lung

CYPE Council Member

BIO
Sean Lung is an Industrial Engineer at DHL Supply Chain, specializing in continuous improvement, customer development, and cost optimization within warehousing and logistics. He has supported major accounts, including the Alberta Liquor and Gaming Commission, and large grocery chains such as Save-On-Foods, Buy-Low Foods, and more. With a strong foundation in engineering, operations, and leadership, Sean is dedicated to driving efficiency and people across all networks. As a CYPE council member, Sean is passionate about fostering mentorship, professional growth, and networking opportunities for young professionals in Abbotsford. He is a yearly mentor for the DHL Capstone Internship Program in Canada, helping develop the next generation of supply chain leaders. Sean holds a Civil Engineering degree from the University of Alberta and is furthering his professional development through the Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) while working toward his P.Log designation. His leadership extends beyond his career, having volunteered with Immigrant Services Calgary, Young Guns Weightlifting in Mission, and now CYPE. A lifelong athlete, Sean played ice hockey internationally with the Hong Kong Selects and competed in rugby and ultimate frisbee. Outside of work, he is an avid horology enthusiast, a bench press fanatic, and a dedicated food and travel explorer.
14

Connor Kidd

CYPE Council Member

BIO
Connor is a dynamic professional with a strong background in strategic business operations and digital marketing. Since earning his Bachelor of Commerce in 2020 from UNBC, his career has spanned a range of industries, including operating a campground, general business consulting, and playing a pivotal role in running Connect Media, a national tourism marketing agency. Connor is passionate about helping young professionals and entrepreneurs find success while building a strong sense of community. As a CYPE council member, he strives to foster meaningful connections and support the growth of a flourishing professional network. Outside of work, you’ll often find Connor bouldering or trekking up a hiking trail, embracing his love for active living and outdoor adventure. Driven by a passion for continuous learning, Connor is always seeking new opportunities to grow professionally and make a positive impact in the industries and communities he serves.
16

Amanda Mango

CYPE Council Member

BIO
Amanda Mango is the founder and organizer of The Mango Market, a thriving artisan market that has become a hub for small businesses, makers, and creatives in Abbotsford. With a mission to cultivate a collaborative community, The Mango Market is more than just an event—it’s a space where local artisans, food vendors, and entertainers connect with both customers and each other to grow and thrive. Her entrepreneurial journey began in 2021 when she transformed the former Auguston Market into The Mango Market, building it into a celebrated platform that has supported over 350 small businesses in just one season. Prior to this, she founded Home by Mango, an online store dedicated to curated handmade goods, which later evolved into an advocacy brand championing small businesses. Before stepping into the world of entrepreneurship, she worked as an executive assistant and marketing coordinator for a non-profit, experiences that shaped her passion for service and community building.
James Kehler

James Kehler

CYPE Council Member

BIO
James Kehler is an Investment & Insurance Advisor with Flann Financial Group, a local financial planning firm based out of Langley. James started his career in financial advising back in early 2021 at a local credit union, and has been working in the independent advising space for the last couple of years. With James’ passions for business and helping others, joining the Company of Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs council was an ideal decision. James’ involvement in the community extends to volunteering with Junior Achievement of British Columbia (JABC) to facilitate business-focused learning in the local school districts, volunteering with Abbotsford Christian School with coaching their Track & Field program, as well as volunteering with the middle school youth at his local church.
Gurnoor Sidhu

Gurnoor Sidhu

CYPE Council Member

BIO
Gurnoor Sidhu is an active participant in her community who works with the BC Public Service. She ran for council in the 2022 municipal election and was 1,973 votes away from earning a seat on council. She has varying community leadership experience and is on the City of Abbotsford's Public Safety Advisory Committee. Her educational background includes Bachelor of Arts specializing in Criminal Justice and Sociology (Honours: with distinction), Liberal Arts Diploma, Professional Communication Essentials Associate Certificate and Media Literacy Certificate (Honours: with Distinction). Gurnoor’s involvement in the CYPE program and its council allows her to foster the growth of young professionals and increase their engagement in the business community. This is accomplished by creating compelling networking opportunities that stimulate participation and facilitate meaningful connections.
Peter Stauffer

Peter Stauffer

CYPE Council Member

BIO
Peter is a real estate and business lawyer at the local law firm of Linley Welwood LLP. Peter earned his law degree from Peter A. Allard School of law at UBC and has a Bachelor of Business Administration from Trinity Western University. Peter’s law practice involves advising clients on a range of real estate and development, corporate/commercial, and estate planning matters, including setting up appropriate corporate structures, asset and share transactions, shareholder agreements, and the acquisition, financing, leasing, development, and sale of commercial and residential properties. Aside from his work with the CYPE Council creating a place for the next generation of professionals and businesspeople to network and grow together, in his spare time Peter enjoys cycling, hiking, volunteering with his church, and spending his time with his wife and three sons.
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