Special Features - Women of Excellence 2016

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WOMEN OF

EXCELLENCE N O M I N A T I O N S

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he Red Deer & District Community Foundation (RDDCF) is pleased to announce that 29 outstanding women from across Central Alberta are nominated for the 2016 Women of Excellence Awards in 11 categories. All of the women come from diverse backgrounds, sectors and age groups but are similar in their exceptional contribution in making Central Alberta a better place to live, work and play!

PRESENTING SPONSOR

FOUNDATION SPONSOR

EXCLUSIVE RADIO SPONSOR

The 9th Annual Women of Excellence Awards Gala is a celebration of innovation, leadership, achievement and talent as demonstrated by women in our community. The awards program honors the contributions of our nominees, who serve as role models for women and girls.

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WEDNESDAY June 1 THE RED DEER ADVOCATE

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WOMEN

AWARDS GALA Wednesday, June 1 Sheraton Events Centre Tickets are: $100 each reserved table for 8: $800

EXCELLENCE

Call or stop by the office

OF

2016 Agriculture

N O M I N E E S

Sponsored by Scotiabank

Arts, Culture and Heritage

Jennifer Rae Blair

Elizabeth Plumtree

Communications is the key to success in every avenue of life, from personal relationships to our professional ventures. She did not grow up on a family farm, but the agricultural industry has been the impassioned focus of her 10-year career and her excitement for it is unyielding and contagious.

As a reporter for the Alberta Farmer Express, Jen is passionate in all areas of agricultural journalism. Jen is a voice connecting farmers and ranchers around the world with the stories that are important to them, from hard-hitting stories on abuse allegations at a hog facility to the newest innovations for crop yields. Outside of her professional persona, Jen is an exemplary member of the Red Deer community. She is a community activist, reporter, writer, storyteller, horse enthusiast, and pug mom. Whether she is taking to her yoga mat for meditation or wading through fields of manure for a story, Jen is truly a woman of excellence.

Nellie was born a humble farm girl who wanted to be involved in the community. She has received many awards for her efforts in volunteering, from being inducted into the hall of fame at her alma mater Olds College for her community involvement and volunteerism, to being awarded the volunteer of the year award twice by the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Beyond her time as a volunteer, Nellie has played a role as a leader in the community for over half a century, including her time as a leader in the Benalto Brownies and teaching sunday school at the Benalto Presbyterian Church. Nellie also played a pivotal role in the presentation of the history book Along the Burnt Trail and creation of its follow-up Bridging the Century.

She is also a charter member of the Evarts Community Club.

sponsored by The Consider It Done Team and Century 21 Advantage

Christine Slaymaker

Monica Morrison

Christine is more than thrilled to be entering her tenth exciting season as the owner of Dance Magic Studio. With over 28 years of experience, Christine’s training has taken her throughout Alberta and Canada. Her professional experience includes modern dance projects throughout Toronto and a season with Ballet British Columbia’s mentor program in Vancouver, B.C. In 2006, Christine changed course to pursue a career as an entrepreneur/studio owner/dance instructor with the purchase of Dance Magic Studio. During her time as owner, she has been able to expand the studio twice and has doubled student enrollment. Christine also actively promotes recreation and fitness in the community, offering dance instructor mentoring programs to youth through her STEP program, hosting various “dance-a-thons” in support of local organizations, and through her wildly popular Daddy Daughter Dance which raises funds for the Give the Magic Fund, a scholarship covering studio classes for dance students in need.

Currently the executive director for the Golden Circle Senior Resource Centre in Red Deer, Monica has been an advocate for senior recreation and fitness for 26 years. She is a certified senior fitness trainer and has recently collaborated with the Bowden Penitentiary support team to work on a national pilot project, to train inmates to be senior fitness instructors to promote wellness of other adults while in the judicial system. Monica was also approached to co-instruct a Physical Activity & Older Adults course at RDC, providing valuable content to the course curriculum. She believes that all seniors deserve a good quality of life till the end of their journey and works hard with her staff and community partners to ensure that senior issues and service gaps are indentified, and works hard at finding solutions.

Business and the Professions Archana Chaudhary Archana is a strategic capital planner in the Central Zone, Alberta Health Services. In a field largely dominated by males, she is the only planner selected from Red Deer to present at the International Annual Conference of Architects in Ontario and has earned numerous accolades for her work, including awards in various architectural and human services categories from around the world. She has co-edited two books on architecture, has researched two books on Le Corbusier, and has also been featured in two books. Hailing from a family committed to altruism, she contributes her time to volunteering with the City of Red Deer, Red Deer Regional Airport Authority, Volunteer Central and Red Deer Action Group Society.

Presenting Sponsor

sponsored by Air Canada

Nellie Watson

Elizabeth and her husband, David Plumtree, came to Red Deer in 1973.

She became a crusader to save the old Cronquist farmhouse and with a core of other volunteers, moved it across a frozen Red Deer River. Over the next three decades, Elizabeth tirelessly promoted Red Deer’s diversity and multiculturalism while showcasing the city’s pride in its own heritage through programs and events at Cronquist House such as the Bower Ponds Canada Day celebrations. She became the face and name behind the house and turned it into the jewel of the City of Red Deer’s parks system it is today. Now retired, Elizabeth has continued to provide leadership, guidance and experience to the society as a board member and volunteer.

Athletics, Recreation and Fitness

(403) 341-6911

Presenting Sponsor: Foundation Sponsor Red Deer Advocate Exclusive Radio Sponsor: 100.7 Cruz Fm Foundation Sponsors: Sheraton Red Deer

Exclusive Radio Sponsor

Category Sponsors: Arts, Culture, & Heritage: Air Canada, Agriculture: Scotiabank Athletics, Recreation and Fitness: “The Consider it Done Team”, Century 21 Advantage Business and the Professions: Johnston Ming Manning LLP Community Building: ATCO Gas Education and Training: Red Deer College Entrepreneurship: MNP LLP Environment: TD Bank Group Health and Wellness: Warren Sinclair LLP Human Services: Holiday Inn & Suites – Gasoline Alley Young Woman of Excellence: Stantec Consulting Lifetime Achievement Award: Royal Bank of Canada

Sponsored by Johnston Ming Manning LLP

Dr. Katherine Atchison MD, CCFP, FCFP Dr. Katherine Atchison has been practicing in the medical field for 22 years after graduating from medical school in Saskatoon. She holds specializations in general family practice, obstetrics, pediatrics and hospital inpatient care and has served as mentor to resident doctors for the past 16 years. She is a member of the Sexual Assault Response Team, administering the medical care required for victims. Dr. Atchison was also the department health and wellness physician for the Red Deer Emergency Services, including both metal and physical health of all the employees and their families. She has consistently gone above and beyond for her patients, earning a reputation as both an attentive and caring doctor, especially in obstetrics. She is married with two sons and enjoys doing crafts, reading and gardening.

Photography and Program Sponsors: • Erin Peden Photography • RBC Dominion Securities • Digitex Canada • RR Donnelley • Breathing Room Yoga Studio & Café • VIA Rail • Carpet Colour Centre – Carpet One • Bacardi Gala Sponsors: • Millerdale Pharmacy • Kal Tire • The Fresh Vase • Luckyspade Gaming Ltd. Friends of the Women of Excellence: • 360 Fitness • Alberta Sports Hall of Fame • Alberta Prairie Railway • Bobtail Nursery • Boston Pizza • Calgary Stampede • Callaway Park • Central Alberta Co-op • Canadian Brewhouse • Carnival Cinemas • Curves • Chapters • City of Red Deer • Copper Lane Hair Studio • Cross Iron Mills • Discovery Wildlife Park• Disney • Distinctly Kelowna Tours • Earls Restaurant • Euro Mode Clothing • Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Golf Club • Fig Esthetics • Fountain Tire • Glenn’s Family Restaurant • Holiday Inn & Suites – Kamloops • Jazzercise Red Deer • Mary Kay Products by Wanda Zemlak • Meadowlands Golf Club • Mitchell and Jewell • One Eleven Grill • Parkland Garden Centre • Parkland Mall • Radisson Hotel – Red Deer. • Rainy Daze Medi Spa • Rivershore Estates & Golf Links •Tasteful Excursions • Telus • The Bra Lounge • The Farm Studio • The Framing Nook • The Green Apple Hair Shoppe • Trail Appliances • Westerner Park • Willson AV • Wyntjes, Dianne • The Canadian Brewhouse • Katz Meow • Wybenga, Judy-Ann

Thank you

for sharing your excellence with our students each day!

Congratulations Dr. Atchison on behalf of the entire Horizon group and your loyal patients!

Horizon Red Deer Clinic Suite A - 5016 51st. Ave, Red Deer Phone: 403-342-7270

Horizon Sylvan Lake Clinic 65 Hewlett Park Landing, Sylvan Lake Phone: 403-887-0510

www.horizonmedicine.ca

Sherry Cooper

Bev Toews

Penhold/Poplar Ridge Trustee

Educational Assistant Olds High School

Congratulations from the Chinook’s Edge team www.cesd73.ca

1-800-561-9229

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Community Building

Sponsored by ATCO Gas

Kelly Tibbets

Judy Robins Weir

Kelly is the founder and creator of Red Deer’s “The Princess Ball”. In 2009, Kelly’s daughter Rowan was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at only three weeks old. In 2011, exhausted and still trying to come to terms with Rowan’s diagnosis, Kelly knew she had to find a way to raise awareness and money to search for a cure. The first Princess Ball happened in 2012 and since then, nine other sister events have been held across Canada raising more than $600,000 for CF research. Last year, Kelly was recognized as the founder of this event and awarded the Western Canada Leadership Award by Cystic Fibrosis Canada. The community of support she has built includes 3,000 guests and donors.

Kelly is also a certified yoga instructor and owns the Love Yoga Grace studio in Red Deer.

Judy has lived in Red Deer for 35 years with her husband David and believes that Red Deer has been a wonderful community to raise their now adult daughter and son. Judy was a nursing faculty member and chair of the nursing programs at Red Deer College. She has been recognized for her leadership in nursing education, particularly the nursing degree program. As dean of program development, Judy led the development of several other new programs for RDC students.

She has also been active in the community, most recently as chair of the board of Aspire Special Needs Resource Centre. Her leadership in strategic planning, partnering at last year’s Sheraton Celebrity Dance Off 2015, and board development has had a significant impact for Aspire.

Education and Training

Sponsored by Red Deer College

Kathleen Finnigan

Bonnie Ireland

For the past 30 years, Kathleen has been a teacher, school counselor, vice principal, principal and now the associate superintendent of Inclusive Learning at Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools. Kathleen received her Bachelor of Education and Masters of Arts in Education.

Kathleen has left a legacy for creating positive learning environments within school communities, including the development of the first fine arts school in Central Alberta, the implementation of a Sports Excellence Academy and development of the ESL Neighbourhood School Concept. Kathleen has also worked in team to develop a division-wide literacy focus, implemented a model of inclusive education, restructured school counseling teams and created the Model of Student Support. She has been recognized for several awards including the Distinguished Service Award from the Central Alberta Council on School Administration and the Excellence in Teaching Award.

Bonnie’s background includes 30 years of experience in the area of rural post-secondary education and community learning.

Bonnie started her career working as an instructor teaching business administration at Red Deer College and at community campuses across the region. In 1995, she began working with the local Adult Learning Council in literacy education, later moving into administration. In 2014, Bonnie was hired as the executive director of campus Alberta Central (CAC), helping to bring post-secondary education to the central region. Bonnie believes that where you live should not dictate the opportunities that are available to you, and that education is the key to achieving both professional and personal goals.

In addition to her career in education, Bonnie is also very active in the education volunteer sector, sitting on boards for Literacy Alberta, Stettler Public Library and Community Learning Network to name a few.

Zainab Mouhamoud Originating from Somalia, Zainab has lived in Canada 17 years and chose Red Deer as her home in 2010. Recognizing the difference we can make in others lives, she graduated with her social work diploma from Red Deer College. Through visionary leadership and fundraising, Zainab is a tireless volunteer who recognizes impact and importance of education for Somali children who can’t attend and afford schooling.

Zainab travelled to Somalia in 2015 with hands on construction of a school, which gave 200 children the opportunity to receive education.

She is continuing to fundraise for the children in Somalia. She is active in educating the community about different cultural and social ways and has hosted many multi-cultural themed fundraising events.

Her current goal is to raise enough funds to build a residence at the school in Somalia, allowing an additional 200 children to attend.

Anne Marie Watson Anne Marie Watson was born and raised in Red Deer. She attended Red Deer College, and then transferred to the University of Alberta to complete her first degree, followed by a Masters of Library and Information Science degree from the University of Western Ontario.

Anne Marie’s career has included work in public, special, and academic libraries; she has worked at the RDC Library since 2000.

Anne Marie was elected as a Trustee for Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools in 2010 and as a University of Alberta Senator in 2013.

Her parents and grandparents modelled a strong commitment to community service and Anne Marie has continued this tradition by actively volunteering for over 30 years. She is an avid user of social media and believes it can positively contribute to, and change, communities. Anne Marie is married with two children.

Sherry Cooper

Bev Toews

Sherry became the chief flight instructor at Sky Wings in 1988. Since then she made the school into one of the most efficient and safe learning institutions in Canada.

Sherry is on many community boards and is a long term trustee for the Chinook’s Edge School Division, advocating and supporting learning to high school and college students alike. She is innovative in developing training for flight students improving quality of education as well as safe pilots. As a flight instructor and examiner she has conducted over 2000 flight tests for Transport Canada as well as administering written exams for the school. She received the highest honour her industry gives by winning the Top Flight Instructor Award for Canada in 2014. Sherry makes learning fun and creates a work place that promotes sincere respect for one another.

Fascinated by the messages delivered in the More With Less Cookbook gifted to her 33 years ago, Bev has strived to live by these principles ever since, which has fueled her passion for social justice, human rights and her desire to meet people from a variety of cultures and walks of life. Bev was instrumental in helping Olds High School, one of only nine schools in Alberta, to become part of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. She also initiated, organized, facilitated and hosted an International UNESCO Schools Conference with over 250 students and advisors from around the world. She works tirelessly on a variety of projects, and is loyal and dedicated role model to her students, and to the community of Olds.

Entrepreneurship Shauna Bossert Coming from a farm family background, Shauna Bossert hasn’t been a stranger to hard work. In 2013, Shauna started the Tangelo Salon in an effort to build a business around her family. Her outstanding leadership and entrepreneurial skills have made it a success. In 2014, her business won the Red Deer Express Gold Reader Choice Award for Best New Business and she expanded her salon space to make room for more staff and an expanding clientele. In 2015, Tangelo Salon won the Red Deer Express ‘Gold’ Readers Choice Award Again, this time for Best Hair Salon. Today, Shauna has moved her salon to Red Deer County and has received many accolades for not only hair services but also her community spirit.

Cortney Hallenga and Sheena Johnson These two dynamic siblings built a business, The Bra Lounge Inc., from the ground up with passion, innovation, and the ability to quickly flex to their business’ needs.

However, throughout that growth they have not jeopardized their commitment to the quality of their products and of their customer service making The Bra Lounge one of the premiere places to shop for intimates in Red Deer. The sisters have also taken their business on the road, visiting retirement communities to help fit the residents in the comfort of their own homes, and established the innovative bra fitting through Skype option, allowing them to ship merchandise all over North America. Because of their dedication, endless enthusiasm and passion, Cortney and Sheena have won various awards including the two Red Hat Awards and the Readers’ Choice Gold Awards for Best Lingerie Store 20112014 to name a few.

Sponsored by MNP LLP

Tamara Hughes As the owner of Skin Deep Formulations & Rainy Daze Medi Spa, Tamara has been a dedicated trainer, master of aesthetics and a paramedical dermal specialist for over 20 years. Partnering with one of the biggest skincare companies in the world, Tamara has been able to double her territory sales. She offers exquisite experience with award–winning effectiveness using only the most elite professional skin care, cosmetic and medical technology in today’s beauty industry. This year, Tamara won “Top Training Team” in the company and was nominated for other sale awards too. As a licensed aesthetician, paramedical dermal technician and trained oncology aesthetician, Tamara has a passion for education in health and wellness and strives to help clients boost their sales, increase their knowledge and retain their clientele in the skin care industry. Tamara owns and operates an advanced training facility for spa industry professionals.

Melanie Warren Melanie is owner/partner of Millerdale Pharmacy, Urban Olive Trading Company, and Therapeutic Lifestyle Essential and as such, has built her companies as a conduit to support and develop her community in health and wellness. Melanie has utilized her companies to support many community agencies such as the Woman’s Outreach Centre, Breast Cancer Society, and Aspire. She has served as both Steering Committee and Board Member for the Ronald McDonald House. At the age of 39, she also competes in natural fitness competitions, placing second in her division. Melanie embodies the true spirit of entrepreneurship and philanthropy. She is truly generous and selfless, and is always looking for new challenges to conquer, and meaningful opportunities to help her community and its members meet their goals.

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Environment

Health and Wellness

Sponsored by TD Canada Trust

Sponsored by Warren Sinclair LLP

Cherilynne Purpur

Blayne West

Since graduating from the University of Alberta, Hospital School of Nursing in 1970, Cheri’s nursing career has taken some unusual paths. Arriving in Red Deer in 1975, she established a local branch of La Leche League International. LLL is a volunteer organization which supports and guides mothers and families in all aspects of breastfeeding. Cheri has not only helped hundreds of local mothers and babies, but nurtured and developed other woman to become LLL leaders. Her passion for mother and baby wellness led her to become active in childbirth education and midwifery – eventually opening her own midwifery practice in Red Deer in 1991.

In 2004, Cheri moved to the other “end” of lifespan nursing and has focused on palliative and End of Life Care. Currently, she is the nurse manager at Red Deer Hospice where for the last seven years she has been privileged to participate in the successful development of this facility.

Blayne was born and raised in rural Saskatchewan where her passion for the environment and all things natural began at a very young age. After graduating high school, Blayne obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Land Use and Environmental Studies in 2001 from the University of Saskatchewan. She pursued a career in the field of environmental management and was lucky enough to experience a combination of travel and work across the globe. Blayne has volunteered and worked in Canada, South America, Australia and England. Blayne returned to Canada in 2011 with her husband where she has been working for Lacombe County as their environmental coordinator. She also began her own consultancy in 2013 where she taught others how to establish environmental management systems for their organizations.

Human Services

Sponsored by Holiday Inn & Suites – Gasoline Alley

Beverly Keeshig-Soonias

Jenny Holubetz

Beverly is a registered psychologist with a unique combination of life experience, theoretical background and inspirational personal attributes. She is an aboriginal woman and a member of the Chippewas of Nawach First Nation. She is married to Rod Soonias, L.L.B., a member of the Red Pheasant First Nation. Her parents and family members are survivors of Indian residential schools. She is a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Beverly has extensive knowledge about ‘wahkotowin’ (the business of being attached), the inter-generational and systemic effects of the Residential School Experience (intergenerational trauma), family systems, adolescents, addictions, and the power of healing. She has been working with adolescents and families for Heritage Family Services, since 1995, and volunteers for local community agencies such as Red Deer Native Friendship Centre and Central Alberta Diversity Association.

Jenny has been a dedicated member of our community for over 42 years. She volunteers at many organizations including; Superfluity Thrift Shop, United Church, United Church Women, Royal Purple Elks, Festival of Lights, Stettler Hospital and Stettler Music Festival. In the past years she organized a gymnastics club for children and coached it for five years, assisted with a junior badminton club organized by her husband and established a breast feeding group for new moms and their babes with a friend. Jenny was involved with the Stettler Swim Club for 12 years taking courses to fill the positions of timer, clerk of course, meet manager and stroke and team judge. Many community individuals have been treated by Jenny during her years as a physiotherapist in Stettler. She also practiced animal physiotherapy treating mostly horses, dogs and sheep. Jenny still finds time to help her family and especially enjoys spending time with her six grandchildren in Calgary.

Young Woman of Excellence

Sponsored by Stantec Consulting

Poshika Dhingra

Ivy Patterson

Poshika is a highly motivated and people-oriented person who loves to challenge herself. As a 17-year old grade 12 student, she is an extraordinary dynamic and talented leader. Apart from being an accomplished student who has received honors with distinction throughout high school, she volunteers her time at the Red Deer Regional Hospital, City of Red Deer, Canadian Blood Services and is an active member of the student Leadership at School. She is among the few residents of Red Deer that have been selected for SHAD 2016 and continues to be a role model for the youth of the city. She is a recipient of Violet Richardson Award 2016 and on a national level, the Future Aces Citizenship Award 2016.

Ivy is a gifted young woman and Grade 11 honour student at West Central High School. As a published song writer and artist, she balances her impressive academic achievements with a growing career in music.

Ivy released her first album in May 2015 and completed her first tour in the United States and has been steadily growing an audience for her music online. Ivy also contributes to her community as an active participant in Rocky Mountain Houses’ Community Music & Drama Association – Northern Crossings. As a leader in her church youth group, Ivy uses her gift of an outgoing engaging personality, alongside her musical gifts, to help make distinct and beneficial differences in the lives of the people she meets. In all that she does, Ivy displays compassion, innovation and excellence. She is a leader and role model amongst her peers and in her community.

Nisha Johny

Rebecca Swanson Becca is currently the director of operations of both East Side Mario’s and Fionn MacCool’s in Red Deer. She also obtained her Hospitality Management Diploma through SAIT in 2011. Dauntless and determined, tempered by an unconventional wisdom, she manages relationships, creates events, and builds community in what seems like an effortless way. Hustle. Innovate. Figure it out, and make everyone involved feel great about the process. Becca has an incredible talent for seeing the “not so obvious” and turning it into gold, whether it’s through mentoring staff, coaching hockey, or promoting and executing fundraisers in the community. She has developed and executed unique events such as the Fionn and Friends Charity Golf Classic and Walk a Mile in Her Shoes Official After Party.

Nisha is a recent graduate of Burman University, majoring in the Arts with a focus on English. Her passion for service and leadership within her community is showcased in her many experiences as a student government officer. With her passion to inspire future leaders, Nisha successfully started a leadership award at her Alma matter, given out to every graduating student who demonstrated acts of service. She advocates for the inclusion of young people in local institutions and for the rights of the LGBTQ community and is a regular participant in the Bower Ponds Canada Day programs. As a radio show host for 90.5 Shine FM, Nisha enjoys sharing her free moments touching the lives of the people she encounters. While pursuing a career in media, Nisha dreams of continuing to empower immigrant youth to aspire to excellence in North America.

Alvina Zaidi Alvina Zaidi is a proud young entrepreneur. From an early age, she was passionate, demonstrated strong leadership qualities and developed a love of volunteering. As a true leader, mentor and role model, Alvina displays every aspect of the young woman of excellence. She co-started her award winning childcare centre, Tiny Toes Castle, in 2010 at age 19. Championing diversity in the work place, Alvina strives to create an inclusive work place and was the first childcare centre in the city to employ persons with barriers. She has dedicated her kind spirit to make a difference in her community by personally and professionally organizing a number of fundraisers. C.A.W.E.S, C.A.R.E, SPCA, and Red Deer Legion are a few well-recognized local organizations close to her heart. Alvina continues to strive for excellence through various volunteering and educational opportunities. She aspires to finish her HR diploma and go into law studies.

CONGRATULATIONS RDC is pleased to sponsor the

Women of Excellence Awards Program Celebrating innovation, leadership, achievement and talent as demonstrated by women throughout central Alberta.

AWARDS GALA TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE Call

RDC is a proud sponsor of the Education and Training Award.

Congratulations to all nominees. Special congratulations to Anne Marie Watson, Marketing & Events Coordinator of RDC’s Library Information Common, who is among this year’s nominees.

(403) 341-6911

www.rdc.ab.ca