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outstanding people

2020 Women of Excellence Awards nominees announced

May 5, 2020 | 4:30 PM

The Red Deer & District Community Foundation (RDDCF) is pleased to announce the names of the 2020 Women of Excellence Awards Gala Nominees.

This year 48 women are being recognized for their outstanding achievements and contributions to Central Alberta. All of the women come from a variety of sectors and age groups, but are similar in their exceptional contribution to society.

“This year is going to look a little different than any of our previous celebrations,” Erin Peden, Executive Director of the Red Deer & District Community Foundation said. “Obviously, because of the care and detail we, as a society, are required to take to ensure the health and safety of our communities during COVID-19, we had to think outside of the box and create a way to celebrate these incredible women safely. So on June 13 we are asking everyone to join us for the Virtually All Dressed Up Awards Gala.”

The gala, which will be hosted online through Zoom Webinars, will include an interactive program complete with inspiring conversation about perseverance during a difficult time, personal introductions to the outstanding women nominated in 12 different categories, and updates on how the Foundation is actively working to support charitable agencies during the pandemic.

“We decided this was the perfect opportunity to celebrate the women who work day-in and day-out to support our communities while raising money to support the charities that continue to feel the weight of our current global crisis,” Peden explained. “The proceeds of each ‘ticket’ for the online event will go towards the COVID-19 Community Response Fund that is geared to assist registered charities with short-term, urgent funding.”

All guests are invited to get all dressed up, just as they would any other year for the Women of Excellence Awards Gala and details regarding how and where to purchase tickets will be available beginning next week.

“There’s a first time for everything,” Peden said. “And this is the first time we have the opportunity to share the stories of these women not only with the people within one room, but potentially with the entire world. That’s the beauty of going virtual; virtually anyone can attend.”

The 2020 Women of Excellence Awards Nominees, categories and category sponsors are as follows:

Agriculture: Scotia Bank
Michelle Brown, Lacombe

Arts, Culture & Heritage: Pysyk Insurance Services, The Co-operators
Myrtle Beaulieu, Red Deer
Angela Hall, Bentley
Ashley Jackson, Red Deer
Carol Johnston, Olds
Laurie Maetche, Lacombe
Marlene Palamarek, Lacombe

Athletics, Recreation and Fitness
Kathy Lalor, Red Deer
Lynn Stephenson, Red Deer County

Business and the Professions: Johnston Ming Manning LLP
Mary Kemmis, Red Deer

Community Building: ATCO Gas
Tracy Burghardt, Red Deer
Joy Cavin, Olds
Erika Fetterly, Innisfail
Andrea Hawiuk, Olds
Dianne Macaulay, Red Deer
Krista Spelt, Red Deer County
Lisa Spencer-Cook, Red Deer
Lisa Tough, Red Deer

Women of Excellence in Construction: Red Deer Construction Association
Natalie Paetz, Red Deer
Lou-Anne Winship, Red Deer

Education and Training: Servus Credit Union
Kim Kirkwood, Red Deer
Meagan McAleese, Red Deer
Valerie Norman-Organ, Olds
Jacqui Renwick, Sylvan Lake

Entrepreneurship: TD Canada Trust
Veronica Irvine, Red Deer
Shelbie Owen, Blackfalds
Jenna Stubbe, Red Deer

Environment: RBC Royal Bank
Shannon Lirondelle, Red Deer
Lauren Maris, Red Deer

Health and Wellness: Warren Sinclair LLP
Yvonne Bauer, Red Deer
Jennifer Bindon, Red Deer County
Jody Carrington, Olds
Stephanie Connolly, Red Deer
Jenn Hamborg, Lacombe
Karrie Page, Red Deer
Katelyn Paquin, Sylvan Lake
Manon Therriault, Blackfalds
Tessa VanOene, Red Deer
Joanne Ward, Blackfalds

Human Services:
Patricia Arango, Red Deer
Donna Bishop, Red Deer
Raelynn Notley, Olds
Melissa Poulin, Red Deer
Grace Rowe, Red Deer
Cindy Sparrow, Blackfalds

Young Woman of Excellence: Red Deer College
Ireland Black, Red Deer
Brittany Lausen, Airdrie (student at Red Deer College)
Rayna Pennycook, Red Deer

A Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Mawer Investment Management, will be presented to an exemplary woman, who for many years of her life, has been a role model for the community.

Photographs and brief bios of each nominee can be found on RDDCF’s website.