The 2023 HR Excellence Awards: Recognizing Outstanding Achievements in the HR Community

Manitoba’s HR community came together, in-person, on April 20, 2023, to celebrate the accomplishments of our colleagues. The event began with a cocktail reception filled with wonderful music and conversations between HR leaders and professionals. The cocktail reception was followed by the dinner and awards, where HR professionals were eager to cheer on their colleagues.

The 20^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.

Radio personality Chrissy Troy hosted the evening. She welcomed everyone and thanked them for taking on the weather and attending. She warmed up the crowd with a few jokes about the Winnipeg Jets game happening later that night before turning the microphone over to CPHR Manitoba’s Board and Awards Gala Chairs.

Lana Adeleye-Olusae, 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. Lana mentioned CPHR Manitoba’s newest commercial which showcases how HR leaders are guiding the waves of change in their organizations.  

Hon. James Teitsma, Minister responsible for the Public Service shared greetings from the Province of Manitoba and thanked the HR community for being the promoters and leaders for change.  

“It is not just the award winners and the nominees that need to be celebrated tonight, every one of you as HR professionals have had a profound impact on your organization,” said Minister Teitsma.

Markus Chambers, Deputy Mayor for City of Winnipeg shared greetings from the City of Winnipeg and spoke to the audience about the importance of HR professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Thank you for your hard work to make sure that services that are being delivered are reflective of the citizens that are here in our city and throughout our province,” said Chambers.

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.

Nine 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 navy tablecloths, tea candles and white 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, Chrissy congratulated the award recipients, thanked everyone in attendance, and remarked about what a great night it has been.

CPHR Manitoba’s HR Excellence Awards 2023 Recipients

Professional Awards

Spark Award: recognizes HR professionals in the first 10 years of their career.

Recipient: Michelle Parsons, Scootaround Inc.

Award Presenter & Sponsor: Dr. Rod Lastra, Extended Education, University of Manitoba

Quote: “I’m very honoured to receive this. Thank you to Scootaround for giving me the opportunity and supporting me throughout the journey that I’ve had there.” 

Momentum Award: recognizes CPHRs who have established their expertise and leadership.

Recipient: Corinne Pierce, WFPS Human Resource Services - City of Winnipeg

Award Presenter & Sponsor: Phil Maloney, ADP

Quote: “I want to congratulate everyone here today. Being an HR professional, our day never ends at 4 o’clock, so I just want to acknowledge everyone here.”

Leadership Award: recognizes executive-level practitioners for their strategic influence on their organization.

Recipient: Lisa Lange, City of Steinbach

Award Presenter & Sponsor: David Tompkins, Manitoba Blue Cross

Quote: “I have an excellent team. We have an excellent organization. Thank you so much to everyone who has put this on and all the nominees here.”

Visionary Award: recognizes executives who endorse, support or champion the HR function within their organizations.

Recipient: Christian Schmidt, Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service - City of Winnipeg

Award Presenter: Stacey Danley, Aplin

Quote: “There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t make a decision, many of those life impacting for the people who support our organization, and I rely on the support from our HR team.”

Recipient: Michael Stassen, DealerPILOT HR

Award Presenter: Stacey Danley, Aplin

Quote: “I wouldn’t be here without my team. I have an amazing team.”

Business Awards

Ascent Award: for investing in leadership and talent development

Recipient: City of Winnipeg - Diversity Dashboard

Accepted by: Bradley West on behalf of Diane Burelle

Award Presenter: Wendy Loewen, ACHIEVE Centre for Leadership

Quote: “Evidence based decisions in the hands of all leaders will enable us to be able to grow and achieve equity, diversity and representation within the City of Winnipeg.”

Impact Award: for making work more meaningful and engaging.

Recipient: Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service – Human Resource Services & Equity Office – City of Winnipeg

Accepted by: Corinne Pierce

Award Presenter & Sponsor: Brittany Enns, Lambert Nemec Group

Quote: “This program was one that was met with a lot of challenges and resistance in the beginning, and we were able to overcome it. Starting Monday, we have over 50% of our graduates from the DEFT (Diversity Equity Fire Training) program that will be joining our service.”

Unity Award: for advancing diversity, inclusivity and accessibility at work.

Recipient: Vidir Solutions Inc.

Accepted by: Carissa Rempel

Award Presenter & Sponsor: Peter Mueller, Taylor McCaffrey

Quote: “This award is for every woman who has struggled to find their place in an industry that has been dominated by men. We are so grateful for the progress we have been able to make and for the acknowledgement of those efforts.”

Vitality Award: for promoting health, safety and wellness.

Recipient: Innovair Group

Accepted by: Robyn Normandale

Award Presenter & Sponsor: Jamie Hall, SAFE Work Manitoba

Quote: “I may be the only one up here, but this award is actually for our wellness team. It’s a very small team, only a group of 4 people. It’s your creativity, your passion, your tireless ridiculously hard work that built a program that has been life changing for our employees.”

View photos from this year's event here.

View finalist videos here.