2025 Laureate Announcement
Steve Belyea
From his humble beginnings as a basement start-up entrepreneur at his home in Saint John, New Brunswick, Steve Belyea’s grit, determination, and motivation led him to build transformational safety solutions for the aviation, automotive, and fuel transportation industries.
In 1996, Steve founded his first company BASE Engineering. With his quiet confidence that success can be achieved at home, Steve founded and scaled an electronic hardware company while keeping it rooted in New Brunswick. He proved New Brunswick built businesses could support highly skilled local jobs and have a positive impact on the global economy. BASE Engineering delivered product innovations to 50+ countries spanning 4 continents, winning the Province of New Brunswick’s Exporter of the Year in 2014. In 2022, while winding down his involvement with BASE (Sold in 2024), Steve’s passion for innovation drove him to become a co-founder of Victory Advanced Technologies, also located in Saint John, NB.
Steve embodies the spirit of mentorship and generosity, he always takes time to mentor others, particularly young people. His deep commitment to the next generation of New Brunswicker’s is evident in everything he does.
Steve is a passionate advocate for underserved communities. He is co-lead and co-founder of Sunnyside Tiny Home Community, intended to address the housing crisis by providing affordable housing in East Saint John. He is a co-founder and partner in Impact Developments building approximately 1000 modular mixed-income apartment units in Saint John’s priority neighborhoods. Steve is committed to enhancing lives and improving the potential of less fortunate individuals in his community. Steve thoughtfully brings talent, drive, and his “never give up” attitude to his community, inspiring others to care and act.
dr. David Elias
Dr. David Elias is an Entrepreneur, Researcher, Educator and Philanthropist. His vision is one of combining his expertise in medicine, with his passion for entrepreneurship.
Dave grew up in an entrepreneurial family in Campbellton speaking and living the culture of both of New Brunswick’s official languages and proving that success can be found in New Brunswick with hard work, determination and a belief that we can compete with anyone, anywhere.
The Elias Management Group, started by Dr. David Elias is comprised of more than 40 companies and organizations. Dave continues to challenge his partners, his collaborators and his more than 250 employees to work for a better New Brunswick. Some of Dave’s ventures include Fundy Harbour Estates, the Saint John City Hall property, Canadian Health Solutions and Moncton MRI Clinic, as well as, the Fundy Quay Waterfront Development Project that is transforming the Saint John waterfront.
Dave desires to move our province forward and prove to outside markets that New Brunswick has a talent pool that is educated, bilingual, hardworking and capable of competing against any jurisdiction.
What underpins his business goals is to have a long-lasting social impact. Dave has been the visionary behind designing accessible and affordable housing for seniors and developing complex medical services based upon Research and Development being performed right here in NB. He is passionate about his role in creating vibrant, healthy, and attractive communities for locals and newcomers to call home.
Dave is dedicated to mentoring the brightest and most innovative minds he can find and showing everyone that you do not have to leave the province to impact the world.
Dr. Lesley Steele
Dr. Lesley Steele is a veterinarian, entrepreneur, and CEO of Steele Veterinary Group, the largest independently owned network of veterinary hospitals in Atlantic Canada. Born and raised in Fredericton, New Brunswick, she has made the province the heart of her success story.
Dr. Steele’s journey began in 1999 when she purchased her first hospital, creating policies that prioritized ethical practices and partnerships with non-profits to rehome stray animals. Over the years, her company Steele Veterinary Group has grown into a thriving network of hospitals, leading a team of over 150 professionals, 95% of whom are women.
Lesley is passionate about mentoring future leaders, particularly female veterinarians, to embrace business ownership and challenge industry norms. Her guiding principles are fostering genuine connections, striving for excellence and embracing a “team first” mindset. She is a member of the Wallace McCain Institute and has served on its boards and is a member of YPO Atlantic Canada.
Dr. Steele has partnered with non-profit organizations, including PAWS International in Costa Rica and Ecuador, as well as Animal Welfare Alliance Aruba, to provide essential veterinary care to underserved communities. Lesley’s team generously donates their time and expertise while organizing fundraisers to cover travel expenses and supplies, demonstrating a profound commitment to global animal welfare.
Lesley has been celebrated with a number of prestigious awards including Atlantic Business Magazine’s 2025 Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Business, the 2024 Top 50 CEO of the Year, the 2024 RBC Women of Influence Momentum Award and the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce Business Leader Award 2023.
Lesley is building a legacy in the province she calls home, inspiring others to dream big and make it happen in New Brunswick. She is also a proud mom and wife and loves to travel and explore.