HR Excellence Awards 2024: Celebrating the HR profession in Manitoba

Manitoba’s HR community came together, in-person, on April 11, 2024, 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.

Radio personality Chrissy Troy hosted the evening. She welcomed everyone and thanked them for attending before turning the microphone over to CPHR Manitoba’s Board and Awards Gala Chairs.

Lana Adeleye-Olusae, Chair of CPHR Manitoba and Dana Nepon, 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 member spotlight videos which showcase the value of being a CPHR.   

Councillor Sherri Rollins shared greetings from the City of Winnipeg. She thanked the HR community and congratulated all the finalists and recipients for making work meaningful.   

“I’m really proud to be a part of an evening celebrating outstanding achievements by individuals and businesses in Manitoba,” said Councillor Rollins.  

JD Devgan, MLA for McPhillips, shared greetings on behalf of Premier Kinew. He expressed his appreciation for the exceptional work made within the HR community.

“Your dedication to championing excellence in the HR profession and for all sectors embodies the progress being made across our province,” said Devgan.

Peter Mueller from Taylor McCaffrey shared greetings on behalf of the Presenting Sponsor. Dave Angus from Johnston Group gave the last greeting of the evening on behalf of the Reception Sponsor. Peter and Dave spoke about the importance of HR and the inspiration that comes after leaving the HR Excellence Awards.

Eleven 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, floating candles, and bouquets of Spring 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. This year a new Business Excellence

Award category called the HR Team Award was introduced. This award recognizes people leading business as a team, including advancing the human resource profession and driving business excellence.

A special presentation of the Fellow CPHR (FCPHR) took place, recognizing two CPHRs who have made exemplary contributions to the HR profession throughout their careers.

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.

Professional Awards

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

Recipient: Danielle Vanderwey, People Corporation

Award Presenter & Sponsor: Dr. Ute Kothe, Extended Education, University of Manitoba

Quote: I am so happy and grateful to be receiving this award tonight. I am very passionate about sparking change.

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

Recipient: Sherrie Rauth, Celero Solutions

Award Presenter & Sponsor: Cherika Bergsmsa, Staffmax

Quote: This is amazing, and it is such a delight to be recognized in this way.

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

Recipient: Sina Barkman, Riverview Health Centre

Award Presenter & Sponsor: David Tompkins, Manitoba Blue Cross

Quote: It is a real honour to receive this in the company of some very impressive finalists. Congratulations to all the finalists today.

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

Recipient: Maynard Dueck, Vidir Solutions Inc.  

Award Presenter: Ron Gauthier, CPHR Manitoba

Quote: The most important people are the people that are right in front of us. Our work as leaders is to find out what it is about the people right in front of us that are just right.

Recipient: Ken Jur, Jur Family Group

Award Presenter: Ron Gauthier, CPHR Manitoba

Quote: My passion in business has always been people and I am so grateful for the people we get to work with every day.

Legacy Award: recognizes HR Professionals who have personified community and corporate leadership, advanced the HR profession, and inspired others toward success through their lived example.

Recipient: Susan Black, FH Black & Company

Award Presenter: Ron Gauthier, CPHR Manitoba

Quote: Surround yourself with great people because no one can do it alone.

Business Awards

Ascent Award: for investing in leadership and talent development

Recipient: Vidir Solutions Inc.

Accepted by: Cristina Vieira

Award Presenter: Chris Downey, ACHIEVE Centre for Leadership

Quote: This achievement is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our entire team.

Impact Award: for making work more meaningful and engaging

Recipient: The City of Winnipeg

Accepted by: Jessica Hanson

Award Presenter & Sponsor: Brittany Enns, Lambert Nemec Group

Quote: Thank you for believing in our initiative.

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

Recipient: Johnston Group

Accepted by: Jaime Chinchilla

Award Presenter & Sponsor: Wendy Funk, Taylor McCaffrey

Quote: Receiving this award in a room full of HR professionals gives me a lot of hope and a lot of encouragement and I must share this feeling of achievement and recognition with every one of you who has done any amount of work in diversity.

Vitality Award: for promoting health, safety and wellness.

Recipient: The City of Winnipeg - Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service & Corporate HR Services

Accepted by: Gillian Hickaway and Dr. Pamela Holens

Award Presenter & Sponsor: Dave Kramer, SAFE Work Manitoba

Quote: There really is a whole team behind this. Thank you to all of you, this really is a behaviour health UNIT.

HR Team Award: for people leading business as a team.

Recipient: Jur Family Group

Accepted by: Tyrelle McKoy and Cody Smith

Award Presenter & Sponsor: Stacey Danley, Aplin

Quote: We want to thank the amazing people that we work with. They make our job so fun and easy, and we’re really excited to get up and work with them every single day.

View photos from this year's event here.

View finalist videos here.