A trailblazer in the legal and business communities, Sam Varing has shown a deep commitment to equity and youth empowerment, and the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) has played a significant role in her journey.

Sam, the recipient of UFV’s 2025 Young Distinguished Alumni Award (YDAA), graduated from UFV in 2014.

“I had the opportunity to go to university in the same city that I was born and raised in, and UFV felt like home.” she says. “The professors and instructors were really invested, the class sizes were small, and UFV allowed me to dream about my community, and where I was going.”

Leaving UFV with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in hand, Sam quickly became a catalyst for change. In 2019, she collaborated with the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce to launch the Company of Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs (CYPE) — a first-of-its-kind professional network that connects and uplifts emerging leaders in Abbotsford and the Fraser Valley.

“What started as a spark and desire to support young professionals in our community has grown into one of the Fraser Valley’s most impactful and inspiring programs, thanks to Sam’s vision and relentless drive to create a network for young leaders,” says Alex Mitchell, CEO of the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce. “Sam didn’t just start this program — she continues to foster it and embodies the mission every day. Her passion for people, commitment to community, and her example as a role model have made CYPE a cornerstone for the region’s next generation of leaders and business people.”

“The idea was that we create something for those 40 and under to connect with like-minded individuals, who share a vision to build networks and community.”

During her tenure as founding chair of the CYPE, she forged strategic partnerships with UFV’s Esposito Family Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the Fraser Valley Indo-Canadian Business Association, delivering high-impact events to educate and inspire.

“The idea was that we create something for those 40 and under to connect with like-minded individuals, who share a vision to build networks and community,” Sam says. “We’ve sold out events with hundreds of attendees wanting to join, to learn more, to gain mentorship, and to grow their leadership and entrepreneurship skills. As the program continues to grow, I can only imagine how much more impact we will have in the Fraser Valley.”

“Values in our family were hard work, discipline, integrity, service. Those four values have stayed with me throughout my journey.”

As Senior Legal Counsel of First West Credit Union and Vice President of the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce — Sam is one of the youngest to hold these roles and continues to lead with courage and dedication. Sam champions inclusive leadership, mentorship, and financial literacy. Leslie Castellani, Chief Governance and Corporate Affairs Officer and Barinder Sidhu, VP and General Counsel at First West Credit Union, both say Sam’s calm confidence and high emotional intelligence have earned her trust among senior leaders throughout the organization.

“My personal values come from family and being raised with immigrant values,” Sam says. “Values in our family were hard work, discipline, integrity, service. Those four values have stayed with me throughout my journey. I’m working at an organization where my values align and I find that these values drive me to want to serve the community, clients and members, and truly anyone that comes into my life. Service drives me every single day.”

As a recent board member of the Association of Women in Finance (AWF), Sam played a critical role in expanding AWF’s presence in the Fraser Valley, hosting two large-scale, sold-out events in Langley. Each created vital space for over 100 attendees to grow, collaborate, and network. The AWF raises university scholarship funds for women wanting to go into finance.

“I’m super fortunate to be at an organization where we’re led by a female CEO, Launi Skinner, but when we look back at the history of women in finance, it hasn’t always been like this.” Sam notes. “The AWF provides an opportunity for women to grow their networks, engage with each other, and learn from those who’ve come before them.”

“Whatever career choice you make, follow your dreams, follow your passion, and go at it with full force.”

Sam believes in serving with integrity, leading with love, and leaving every person and space better than she found them. For UFV students and young leaders alike, she stands as a powerful role model for what modern leadership looks like — rooted in values, driven by purpose, and centred on building community through collaboration.

“We have every opportunity in the world to achieve whatever it is that we put our mind to, and that’s the inspiration that I want to bring out to young professionals, young entrepreneurs, and young women,” Sam says. “Whatever career choice you make, follow your dreams, follow your passion, and go at it with full force.”

WATCH: Learn about the other 2025 Alumni Award recipients.