(File photo)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

role models

Red Deer’s Women of Excellence honoured Saturday for 13th year

Jun 13, 2020 | 9:30 PM

The Red Deer & District Community Foundation announced its winners Saturday for the 13th annual Women of Excellence Awards.

A virtual gala raised more than $12,000 for the foundation, which uses the awards to celebrate Central Alberta’s most significant female role models.

“It was a year unlike any other,” Erin Peden, executive director. “This spring we were called upon to do and be all things within our households. So many of the women in our community found themselves navigating a full time job, supporting education from home, being a counselor and a caregiver – they were being physically and emotionally challenged every minute of every day. The Foundation recognized there has never been a more appropriate time to celebrate the outstanding achievements of these women – even if it had to happen virtually.”

Patricia Arango, winner of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award, is the executive director at the Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre. (Karmen Meyer Photography)

The following is a complete list of recipients of the 2020 Women of Excellence Awards:

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Agriculture: Sponsored by Scotia Bank

Michelle Brown

Arts & Culture: Sponsored by Pysyk Insurance Services: The Cooperators

Laurie Maetche

Athletics, Recreation and Fitness: (Two)

Kathy Lalor

Lynne Stephenson

Business and the Professions: Sponsored by Johnston Ming Manning LLP

Mary Kemmis

Community Building: Sponsored by ATCO

Dianne Macaulay

Women of Excellence in Construction: Red Deer Construction Association

Natalie Paetz

Education and Training: Sponsored by Servus Credit Union

Jacqui Renwick

Entrepreneurship: Sponsored by TD Bank

Jenna Stubbe

Environment: Sponsored by Royal Bank of Canada

Shannon Lirondelle

Health and Wellness: Sponsored by Warren Sinclair LLP

Dr. Jody Carrington

Human Services: Sponsored by Alberta Real Estate Foundation

Raelynn Notley

Young Woman of Excellence: Sponsored by RBC

Brittany Lausen

Lifetime Achievement Award: Sponsored by Mawer Investment Management

Patricia Arango

The foundation also announced Saturday that Donna Bishop was chosen by the Women of Excellence committee to be recognized with the Inspiration Award.

Donna Bishop, winner of this year’s Inspiration Award. (Karmen Meyer Photography)

Bishop, who has seen such accolades as the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for her work in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders within the Corrections community in 2013.

The committee agreed that Bishop, “conjures inspiration amongst peers, colleagues and strangers by working selflessly to not only recognize issues, but creating strategies and actions to address them.”

*rdnewsNOW, BIG 105 and 106.7 The Drive are proud supporters and sponsors of the Women of Excellence Awards.