2020 Women of Excellence Awards Nominees Announced
Exciting Changes to this year’s event

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

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: 

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: Warren Sinclair LLP

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 will be presented to an exemplary woman, who for many years of her life, has been a role model for the community. Sponsored by Mawer Investment Management Photographs and brief bios of each nominee can be found on RDDCF’s website.

The 13^th Annual Women of Excellence Awards Gala will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2020. Tickets will be on sale for $25 each and can be purchased online through www.RDDCF.ca beginning next week. The 2020 Women of Excellence Awards Gala is proudly presented by IG Wealth Management, the Red Deer Advocate, Big 105 FM and RD News Now.