2022 CPHR HR Excellence Award Recipients

The 2022 HR Excellence Awards: Recognizing Outstanding Achievements In Person Again 

After two years of virtual celebrations and one snowstorm postponement, Manitoba’s HR community finally came together, in-person, on June 1^st, to celebrate the accomplishments of our colleagues. Inside The MET the music was jazzy, the wine was flowing, and the room was buzzing with tables of HR professionals ready to cheer on and recognize their colleagues. 

The 19^th CPHR Manitoba HR Excellence Awards was a celebration of outstanding HR achievements in Manitoba. This event honoured employers and individuals who are advancing the human resource profession and driving business excellence forward.

Radio personality Beau Fritzsche hosted the evening. He welcomed everyone back together and warmed up the crowd with a few jokes before turning the microphone over to CPHR Manitoba’s Board and Awards Gala Chairs. 

Colleen Coates, Chair of CPHR Manitoba and Brittany Enns, Chair of the Awards Gala Nominations Committee thanked the board, the gala committee, CPHR members and sponsors for their support and dedication. Colleen recognized CPHR Manitoba’s increased visibility and greater reputation. 

“We have now grown over 1,700 members strong,” said Colleen. “What an accomplishment!” 

“Let’s celebrate our achievements with pride and continue to share our stories,” said Brittany.

Hon. Reg Helwer, Minister of Labour, Consumer Protection and Government Services shared greetings from the Province and thanked the HR community for advancing the profession and supporting employees, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“If ever there was a couple of years that HR was important, that was it,” said Minister Helwer. “You’ve done so well.”

Peter Mueller from Taylor McCaffrey gave the last greeting of the night on behalf of the Presenting Sponsor. Peter recognized the outstanding HR talent in the room and then handed the microphone back to begin the main event: the presentation of awards.

Fourteen recipients were recognized with Professional and Business Excellence Awards.

The Professional Excellence Awards recognized individuals at various levels in their careers who have applied their expertise and knowledge to the objectives of their organization and the people they support. 

Between award presentations, a three-course dinner was served, wine glasses were filled, and winners were toasted at gala tables adorned with floating candles and white and blue bouquets of flowers. 

The Business Excellence Awards recognized Manitoba businesses that are leading the way in HR initiatives. These organizations have been successful in creating, developing and implementing initiatives that resulted in significant and measurable benefits to the organization and its employees.

At the end of the ceremony, Colleen congratulated the award recipients, thanked everyone in attendance, and remarked that “This truly has been a night of HR excellence in Manitoba.” 

The 19^th CPHR Manitoba HR Excellence Award Winners:

Professional

Spark Award: recognizes HR professionals in the first 10 years of their career.
Award Presenter & Sponsor: Karen Woloschuk, Extended Education, University of Manitoba

Recipient: Darra Black, Prairie Mountain Health
“My biggest accomplishment would have to be the creation of the staff development department. We have done a lot of exciting things, we’ve done a lot on a provincial level, and we’ve really grown as professionals.”  

Momentum Award: recognizes CPHRs who have established their expertise and leadership.
Award Presenter & Sponsor: Ryan Messier, ADP

Recipient: Alison Moist, Maple Leaf Foods
“I’ve always been a believer that you need to understand the business in order to help. We look to collaborate with the production and business side of the company in order to help everyone.” 

Leadership Award: recognizes executive-level practitioners for their strategic influence on their organization.
Award Presenter & Sponsor: David Tompkins, Manitoba Blue Cross

Recipient: Sandra Conrad, DealerPILOT HR
“The opportunity to lead a team doesn’t come without a ton of support and I’ve been extremely privileged to have that. To lead an organization and an entire industry through COVID has been my distinct privilege.” 

Legacy Award: recognizes long-time HR professionals who have made a significant impact on the profession.
Award Presenter: Colleen Coates, CPHR Board Chair

Recipient:  Barbara Bowes, Legacy Bowes
“When I was [CPHR Manitoba board] president in 2003-2004, I was really ticked off because we didn’t have recognition amongst many CEOs for the profession of HR. We’re far, far ahead today than we ever were. And I want to thank the association, thank you for attending, and thank you for this lovely award.”

Visionary Award: recognizes executives who endorse, support or champion the HR function within their organizations.
Award Presenter: Colleen Coates, CPHR MB Board Chair

Recipient: Olivia Doerksen, Movement Centre of Manitoba Inc.
“People and relationships are fundamental in everything that we do. I want to thank my team at the Movement Centre that work so hard every day and who inspire me with their empathy, resilience, and dedication to empower the community that we serve.”

Recipient: Richard Florizone, International Institute of Sustainable Development
“I believe so strongly in the importance of supporting our people. When the COVID crisis hit, we really put our people first. It wasn’t just the right thing to do by them: it was the right thing to do for the organization.”
Accepted by: Martha Casey, VP, Operations, International Institute of Sustainable Development

Recipient: Kim Nelson, Gateway Resources Inc.
“Going to work every day is such an amazing opportunity for me, but it would be remiss for me not to thank PattyAnne LePage, the former Director of Human Resources for her creativity and innovation and her recommendations because that is how Gateway Resources was able to get through the pandemic and continue to grow.”

Recipient: Karen Wood, Interlake Eastern Regional Health Authority
“Thank you, CPHR Manitoba, for this award and for supporting and celebrating the most important resource we have, and that’s people.”

Fellow CPHR 2019: recognizes CPHRs who have made exemplary contributions to the HR profession throughout their career.
Award Presenter: Colleen Coates, CPHR Board Chair

Recipient: Nish Verma, Mondetta Clothing Company
“We need to have a regulated profession. Please help us move that file forward. It’s not going to be easy, but it is possible. It has been done by other professionals. It should be done by us. We are important. Thank you everybody for the honour: it means a lot to me. Please keep the light on and the passion on.”

Fellow CPHR 2022: recognizes CPHRs who have made exemplary contributions to the HR profession throughout their career.
Award Presenter: Colleen Coates, CPHR Board Chair

Recipient: Karen Milani, The Dufresne Group 
“When I really, really think about it, the word that pops to mind is ‘pride.’ I’m proud to be part of a profession and association that recognizes people not only for the stuff that we do at work every day and we get paid for every day, but also the things that we do as part of the association and the community.”

Business Awards

Ascent Award: for investing in leadership and talent development
Award Presenter & Sponsor: Ron Gauthier on behalf of ACHIEVE Centre for Leadership

Recipient: City of Selkirk
Accepted by: Duane Nicol
“This award means a lot to our community and to our organization because it’s recognition that we’re on the right path and we’re doing the right things by our employees.”

Unity Award: for advancing diversity, inclusivity and accessibility at work.
Award Presenter & Sponsor: Wendy Funk, Taylor McCaffrey

Recipient: New Media Manitoba
Accepted by: Ajibola Akindipe
“I’d like to say a big thank you to CPHR Manitoba, to our funders and to the interactive digital media industry for constantly creating a safe and welcoming environment for diverse talent.”

Impact Award: for making work more meaningful and engaging.
Award Presenter & Sponsor: Julie Rempel, Vexxit

Recipient: F.H. Black and Company
Accepted by: Susan Black
“We are missing our partner Harry Black tonight, and really, the 32-hour work week was his idea. Harry has always looked to give our people more and do better with what we have. And, really, the best gift that we have is our time and we’re so happy to give that.”

Vitality Award: for promoting health, safety and wellness.
Award Presenter & Sponsor: Jamie Hall, SAFE Work Manitoba

Recipient: City of Winnipeg – Safety Services Team
Accepted by: Kent Blackmon
“It’s not an easy job doing safety. It's been a great journey, a mammoth initiative and it's taken 100 years to accomplish, but it's certainly worthwhile and really underlines the city's commitment to a safe and healthy workplace.”