2012 Heart of Wood Buffalo Awards
FORT MCMURRAY, ALBERTA –June 6, 2012 Organizers of the 2012 Heart of Wood Buffalo Leadership Awards are very pleased to announce the 2012 Award Winners for the Heart of Wood Buffalo Leadership Awards.
The Awards were held on June 6th at the Suncor Energy Centre for the Performing Arts at Holy Trinity High School , hosted by emcee Russell Thomas and keynote speaker Ian Hill. Watch Ian's keynote presentation:
The Awards were held on June 6th at the Suncor Energy Centre for the Performing Arts at Holy Trinity High School , hosted by emcee Russell Thomas and keynote speaker Ian Hill. Watch Ian's keynote presentation:
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And the Nominees are... |
Social Prosperity Leadership Award
Winner:
Christine Burton
Chrisitne selected the Wood Buffalo Artists Forum to receive her $5,000 prize. A lawyer, Christine has made a big impression on a lot of people with the monthly free notary clinic she holds at the YMCA, where she helps immigrants and foreign workers complete essential paperwork. Given the number of documents that she notarizes annually, a YMCA coordinator points out that if clients paid for the same service at a legal practice, the price tag would be a whopping $90,000. Among her other achievements, Christine is also: A volunteer speaker, panel member and mentor for Leadership Wood Buffalo; founding member and director of the Wood Buffalo Artists Forum and the Wood Buffalo Immigrant Society; founding director of Arts Council Wood Buffalo, and founding member and president of both the Wood Buffalo Wellness Society-Mark Amy Addictions Treatment Centre and the HUB Family Resource Centre.
Chrisitne selected the Wood Buffalo Artists Forum to receive her $5,000 prize. A lawyer, Christine has made a big impression on a lot of people with the monthly free notary clinic she holds at the YMCA, where she helps immigrants and foreign workers complete essential paperwork. Given the number of documents that she notarizes annually, a YMCA coordinator points out that if clients paid for the same service at a legal practice, the price tag would be a whopping $90,000. Among her other achievements, Christine is also: A volunteer speaker, panel member and mentor for Leadership Wood Buffalo; founding member and director of the Wood Buffalo Artists Forum and the Wood Buffalo Immigrant Society; founding director of Arts Council Wood Buffalo, and founding member and president of both the Wood Buffalo Wellness Society-Mark Amy Addictions Treatment Centre and the HUB Family Resource Centre.
Community Impact Award
Winner:
The Fort McMurray Food Bank Association
The Food Bank received the $5,000 prize for winning the Community Impact Award. The Food Bank is fighting to end hunger in our region, providing for the shortterm distribution of food to people in need. Since it opened its doors in a warehouse in Gregoire in late 1982, it has been the liaison between the community and those who require assistance by seeking, receiving, and administering donations from individuals, groups and businesses, and disbursing those resources to the less fortunate. Last year, 1,015 adults and 976 children were supplied with food. Now located in a larger, more convenient downtown headquarters, the Food Bank also acts as an advocate for its clients and provides referral services to other agencies. As a former client turned volunteer says, the “Food Bank is about much more than just distributing food in our community to benefit those in need. It is a committed, community-minded organization that encourages, empowers and educates.”
The Food Bank received the $5,000 prize for winning the Community Impact Award. The Food Bank is fighting to end hunger in our region, providing for the shortterm distribution of food to people in need. Since it opened its doors in a warehouse in Gregoire in late 1982, it has been the liaison between the community and those who require assistance by seeking, receiving, and administering donations from individuals, groups and businesses, and disbursing those resources to the less fortunate. Last year, 1,015 adults and 976 children were supplied with food. Now located in a larger, more convenient downtown headquarters, the Food Bank also acts as an advocate for its clients and provides referral services to other agencies. As a former client turned volunteer says, the “Food Bank is about much more than just distributing food in our community to benefit those in need. It is a committed, community-minded organization that encourages, empowers and educates.”
Executive Leadership Award
Winner:
Jill Sporidis
Jill chose the Wood Buffalo chapter of the Canadian Cancer Society (Relay for Life) to receive the $5,000 prize. Jill won as the Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Wood Buffalo Primary Care Network, which consists of interdisciplinary health professionals, family physicians, and pediatricians. With more than 12 years of progressive leadership experience, she has championed change, provided strategic direction, encouraged innovation and built relationships with stakeholders to open up new opportunities for growth – such as the recent relocation of the Primary Care clinic to Keyano College after it unexpectedly lost its leased space. As one colleague observes, in that case she turned a “potentially devastating situation” into a venture that “now promises to benefit both organizations.” Efficient and effective, blessed with a unique combination of critical and creative thinking, Jill managed to cut $1.17 million from the budget in the 2010/2011 fiscal year without any employee layoffs.
Jill chose the Wood Buffalo chapter of the Canadian Cancer Society (Relay for Life) to receive the $5,000 prize. Jill won as the Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Wood Buffalo Primary Care Network, which consists of interdisciplinary health professionals, family physicians, and pediatricians. With more than 12 years of progressive leadership experience, she has championed change, provided strategic direction, encouraged innovation and built relationships with stakeholders to open up new opportunities for growth – such as the recent relocation of the Primary Care clinic to Keyano College after it unexpectedly lost its leased space. As one colleague observes, in that case she turned a “potentially devastating situation” into a venture that “now promises to benefit both organizations.” Efficient and effective, blessed with a unique combination of critical and creative thinking, Jill managed to cut $1.17 million from the budget in the 2010/2011 fiscal year without any employee layoffs.
Board Leadership Award
Winner:
Dan Fouts
As the winner, Dan chose the Northern Lights Health Foundation to receive his $5,000 prize. He was elected to a two-year term in 2011 as Chairman of the Board of the Northern Lights Health Foundation, having served as a director since 2007. Among his many accomplishments, colleagues say that he has been instrumental in helping the board make the challenging transition over the past few years to a new policy governance model, and in redesigning the process used by Alberta Health Services to request grants from the foundation. Dan is also a member of the stakeholder relations sub-committee, which was previously the human resources sub-committee. President and general manager of Stony Valley Contracting, Dan explains that he became passionate about healthcare after watching his mother fight and eventually lose her battle with cancer. Giving back to the community, he says, “is what my Mom would have expected of me.”
As the winner, Dan chose the Northern Lights Health Foundation to receive his $5,000 prize. He was elected to a two-year term in 2011 as Chairman of the Board of the Northern Lights Health Foundation, having served as a director since 2007. Among his many accomplishments, colleagues say that he has been instrumental in helping the board make the challenging transition over the past few years to a new policy governance model, and in redesigning the process used by Alberta Health Services to request grants from the foundation. Dan is also a member of the stakeholder relations sub-committee, which was previously the human resources sub-committee. President and general manager of Stony Valley Contracting, Dan explains that he became passionate about healthcare after watching his mother fight and eventually lose her battle with cancer. Giving back to the community, he says, “is what my Mom would have expected of me.”
Newcomer Engagement Award in Memory of Lyle Leboldus
Winner:
The inaugural Newcomer Engagement Award was presented to Lyle’s daughter, Jeanette Leboldus, on her father’s behalf.
Jeanette donated the $5,000 prize to the Fort McMurray Food Bank Association. Lyle moved to Fort McMurray in March 2011, immediately embracing the community and making it home. In the same spirit that he had avidly supported local non-profit groups and charities elsewhere, he joined the Board of Directors of the Fort McMurray Food Bank in June 2011, followed by the United Way Community Investment Committee. His legacy will live on.
Jeanette donated the $5,000 prize to the Fort McMurray Food Bank Association. Lyle moved to Fort McMurray in March 2011, immediately embracing the community and making it home. In the same spirit that he had avidly supported local non-profit groups and charities elsewhere, he joined the Board of Directors of the Fort McMurray Food Bank in June 2011, followed by the United Way Community Investment Committee. His legacy will live on.
Volunteer Recognition Award in Honour of Bill Blomfield
Winner:
Alejandro (Alex) Bosch Sanchez
Alex donated his $5,000 price to the United Way of Fort McMurray. He works as a caregiver and arrived arrived in Fort McMurray four years ago from Mexico. Having started volunteering when he was 10 years old, he was soon immersed in his new community – eventually becoming involved with 22 organizations, including the YMCA, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Air Cadets, Events Wood Buffalo, the Northern Lights Foundation and the HUB Family Resource Centre. Much of his focus has been on helping children and teens. Alex says that volunteering has made his life in Fort McMurray “delightful,” and he hopes that others will be inspired to lend a hand and make a difference.
Alex donated his $5,000 price to the United Way of Fort McMurray. He works as a caregiver and arrived arrived in Fort McMurray four years ago from Mexico. Having started volunteering when he was 10 years old, he was soon immersed in his new community – eventually becoming involved with 22 organizations, including the YMCA, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Air Cadets, Events Wood Buffalo, the Northern Lights Foundation and the HUB Family Resource Centre. Much of his focus has been on helping children and teens. Alex says that volunteering has made his life in Fort McMurray “delightful,” and he hopes that others will be inspired to lend a hand and make a difference.
