2025 Employee Awards

2025 EMPLOYEE AWARDS

It's that time of year again when we celebrate the talent and skills of our colleagues through our annual employee awards! What makes these awards unique is that they are selected by our peers. This year, we received 713 nominations with 496 individuals nominated, breaking all previous records including last years.

The individuals recognized in this announcement personify the agency’s values of belonging, dedication, empathy, resilience, and trust. These extraordinary individuals go above and beyond to foster environments where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. They create meaningful connections with peers and participants alike.

Congratulations, 2025 award winners!

COURAGE TO GROW

AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS SHOWN TREMENDOUS GROWTH OVER A PERIOD OF TIME BY SETTING GOALS AND WORKING EXTREMELY HARD TO MEET THEM. THIS PERSON MAY HAVE OVERCOME THE ODDS AND IS BECOMING A SUCCESS IN THEIR WORK.

SHINING STAR

AN INDIVIDUAL WHO CONSISTENTLY SHINES IN ALL THE WORK THEY DO. THEY ARE CONFIDENT, COMPETENT AND ALWAYS WILLING TO STEP IN AND LEND A HAND. THIS PERSON IS SURE TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THEIR CAREER AND SERVES AS A BEACON OF LIGHT AND HOPE FOR THE TEAM.

SUPER HERO

AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS SPENT MUCH TIME HELPING OTHER PROGRAMS IN NEED BY OFFERING AN EXTRA HAND AND A GOOD EAR. THIS INDIVIDUAL HAS A STRONG PERSONA AND IS SKILLED AT ASSESSING A SITUATION AND RESPONDING EFFECTIVELY ON A MOMENTS NOTICE. THEY EXUDE CONFIDENCE AND GIVE A SENSE OF COMFORT AND SAFETY WITH THEIR PRESENCE.

REMARKABLE ROLE MODEL

AN INDIVIDUAL WHO NEVER STOPS MODELING THE MISSION OF THEIR PROGRAM AND THE AGENCY. THEY EXEMPLIFY A STRONG WORK ETHIC, SUPPORTIVE VALUES AND OVERALL INTEGRITY. THEY ARE LOOKED UP TO AND ADMIRED BY THE TEAM AT ALL LEVELS.

OUTSTANDING IMPACT

THIS PERSON IS AN INDIVIDUAL THAT HAS JOINED THE AGENCY WITHIN THE LAST TWO YEARS AND HAS ALREADY MADE A POSITIVE IMPACT. THIS PERSON HAS JUMPED INTO THEIR ROLE WITH BOTH FEET AND SHOWS A PASSION FOR THE AGENCY AND THE WORK WE DO. IN THEIR TIME AT NFI NORTH, THEY HAVE EMBRACED OUR CULTURE AND MISSION, WHILE ALSO BRINGING ENTHUSIASM AND NEW IDEAS. THEIR ABILITY TO LEARN QUICKLY AND ANTICIPATE NEEDS HAS MADE THEM A VALUABLE ADDITION TO THEIR TEAM. THIS PERSON HAS “THAT SPARK” TO MAKE A TRUE DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS.

LONGEVITY AWARD

THIS INDIVIDUAL IS RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR LONGSTANDING COMMITMENT TO THE AGENCY MISSION AND PHILOSOPHY. THEY WORK TIRELESSLY, THEY ARE ORGANIZED, COMMITTED TO FOLLOWING THROUGH AND ALWAYS READY TO STEP UP AND GIVE A HAND. THEY ALSO WORK EFFECTIVELY TO ENGAGE OTHERS TO REALIZE THE DESIRED GOAL. IN ADDITION, THEY KNOW HOW TO HAVE FUN WHILE WORKING HARD! THEY HAVE A WONDERFUL SENSE OF HUMOR AND ARE OFTEN THE SOURCE OF LAUGHTER WHICH HELPS TO UPLIFT FELLOW TEAM MEMBERS.

YITZHAK BAKAL ESSSENCE

OF LEADERSHIP AWARD

THIS PERSON IS SOMEONE WHO HAS A SPECIAL GIFT FOR LEADERSHIP. THEY ARE BRIGHT, TALENTED, AND CARING. THEY ARE EXCELLENT PROBLEM SOLVERS, HAVE THE ABSOLUTE HIGHEST DEGREE OF COMMITMENT TO THEIR WORK AND POSSESS ALL THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A STRONG AND CAPABLE LEADER. WHEN YOU ARE WITH THIS PERSON, YOU WANT TO “PICK THEIR BRAIN” TO LEARN MORE. THEY ARE AN ASSET TO THE PROGRAM AND AGENCY IN EVERY WAY.