For her leadership in sustainability and commitment to inclusive hiring practices, CEO of Nature Bee Katie Gamble has been bestowed with a 2025 UVic Distinguished Alumni Award.
What started as a business school project run out of her parents’ basement has grown into what the University of Victoria says is a full-scale sustainability-driven company that produces reusable beeswax food wraps and sells concentrated cleaning tablets alongside other sustainable home goods.
"One of the biggest things [I learned at UVic] was how important it is to surround yourself with like-minded individuals and people who are working towards a collective thing. I've taken that with me throughout all that I've done with the company and the people that I surround myself with – that our values are all similar," said Gamble in a news release.
With over $5 million in sales and reductions of over 500,000 single-use plastics and 250,000 single-use bottles, her venture also supports those with disabilities and promotes inclusive hiring practices.
Gamble has also been recognized with multiple awards, including BC 30 Under 30, the Small Business BC Impact Winner, the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce Emerging Business Person of the Year and Ecopreneur of the Year.
Gamble is one of 15 UVic Distinguished Alumni Award recipients this year, joining Inuk lawyer, activist, educator and sealskin clothing designer Aaju Peter, and clean-tech entrepreneur Sahar Sam who will complete a mechanical engineering PhD at UVic in 2026.
