October 17, 2022 // FranchiseMarketingSolutions.com // WASHINGTON, DC – The International Franchise Association (IFA) announced several BrightStar Care team members as recipients of its first-ever Open for Opportunity Awards, given during the IFA Annual Leadership Summit and Franchise Action Network Annual Meeting in Washington, DC.
- Shelly Sun: Founder and CEO of BrightStar Care
- Andri Purkanto: Franchisee, BrightStar Care of Baltimore City
- Dan Price: Franchisee, BrightStar Care of Leesburg
Shelly Sun received the IFA Open for Opportunity Award for being a longtime supporter and major donor of the Open for Opportunity platform and other IFA programs. Sun is also dedicated and displays the four pillars of the Open for Opportunity campaign through her work as a franchise executive.
Recipients Andri Purkanto and Dan Price were selected for their outstanding work as speakers during two Open for Opportunity Roadshows in August 2022. Purkanto was a panelist at the Maryland IFA Roadshow where he co-led an insightful panel on the impactful ways franchising fosters and uplifts communities. Price co-led a roundtable joined by IFA President and CEO Matt Haller and Virginia Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears about the power of franchising and its positive influence on the economy and global markets at the Richmond IFA Roadshow.
“These individuals represent some of the best of franchising, demonstrating how the work they do contributes to every local community and the individuals within,” said Erica Farage, Vice President of Political Affairs and Grassroots Advocacy for the International Franchise Association. “BrightStar Care owners Andri Purkanto and Dan Price and Founder and CEO Shelly Sun’s participation in the Open for Opportunity campaign has helped spread the message that these local businesses contribute to a stronger society and improve the lives of workers and communities alike. Their work will have a lasting impact on the franchise business model and the people they serve.”
“Andri Purkanto and Dan Price are outstanding business owners and tremendous brand ambassadors. They are so deserving of this IFA honor,” said Shelly Sun, Founder and CEO of BrightStar Care. “BrightStar Care is celebrating 20 years of business this year and our success is due in part to the hard work of trailblazing owners such as Andri and Dan.”
Open for Opportunity launched one year ago to highlight the value and opportunity of franchising. The campaign has focused on the ways franchising and the individuals that comprise the business model contribute to four pillars: workforce, veterans, community, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Recipients of the Open for Opportunity awards were selected based on their participation in the campaign and their commitment to the betterment of the lives around them.
While Purkanto and Price were recipients of the award, Purkanto was unable to attend the IFA Leadership Summit, so Cheryl Stanton, BrightStar Care’s Chief Legal and Government Affairs Officer accepted the award on his and the brand’s behalf.
Award recipients received recognition at the celebration of the first anniversary of Open for Opportunity in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 20. Many participated in sharing the Open for Opportunity message with their representatives on Capitol Hill the following day.
SOURCE BrightStar Care