For any awards, carrying out fair, consistent, and accurate judging is key to ensuring the true winners are recognized. To deliver this, we have assembled a diverse and unbiased judging panel of experts. The judges are assigned categories which reflect their expertise and are asked to recuse themselves from voting in any category in which there is a conflict of interest
All Judges are required to sign a non-disclosure agreement for the purpose of preventing the unauthorized disclosure of confidential information. This includes the sharing of the information contained within the submission forms with any third parties and communicating with shortlisted nominees in any way.
Hermie Abraham is the Founder and an Employment Lawyer at Advocation, a boutique employment law firm that primarily assists professional and management level employees, as well as small businesses. With over 20 years of experience in human resources and as a lawyer, Hermie helps her clients manage the ups and downs of work and the workplace.
Alissa Barton is currently Director, Human Capital Planning at provincial government agency, Infrastructure Ontario. Everyday Alissa gets to engage her passion to change the workplace for the better. Her role includes managing a team responsible for analytics, HR tools and systems, health and safety and other innovative change practices and programs. Alissa has a degree in Economics from Queen’s University, as well as a certificate in Human Resources Management from Ryerson University. She is an alumni of the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference and CivicAction’s Diversity Fellows Program.
Academic Program Coordinator, Human and Social Services
Walden University
About Barbara Benoliel, Ph.D.
Barbara Benoliel lives in Toronto Canada. She received her Ph.D. in Human Services from Walden University in 2006. She holds a M.Sc. in Organizational Behaviour from University of Tel Aviv, and a B.A. (honors) in Psychology from the University of Toronto. She is a Licensed Private Investigator, for workplace investigations, a Professional Mediator and Mitigation Specialist. She is an award-winning faculty member and Ombuds at Walden University. She is the President of Preferred Solutions; a Conflict Management Consulting and Mediation Services organization that provides solutions to conflicts in businesses, governments and institutions. She was the 2015 McGowan award winner for contribution to alternative resolution services in Ontario. Barbara is engaged in continuing research in the areas of:
Workplace Harassment
Restorative Justice Applications
Workplace Violence
Conflict in Family Business,
Shame, Apology, and Remorse in Resolving Disputes
Professional Associations:
Barbara is a member of several professional organizations; Past President of the ADR Institute of Ontario, mwmvweNational Organization of Human Services (NOHS), and She is a regular contributor to HR and ADR Journals and presents at professional conferences.
Peter Elmar Bordo is the Principal of Careers360 and at the same time serves as the Student Affairs Manager of AOLCC-Vancouver.
He has over a decade of strong experience in recruitment and selection, training and development, and employee relations. He has gained his human resources management experience in business process outsourcing (BPO) and education sectors. He is passionate in helping start-up, small organizations grow by making sure that their teams adhere with the allotted budget and be creative and wise in using it as well as by fostering a culture of learning, growth, and professionalism.
Moreover, he obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 2007 and has recently received his Master of Arts in Education degree.
Vicki Bradley, Founder and CEO of WIL Empowered is PCC, ELI-MP, CQI and EQi certified. Seasoned executive with 25+ years’ experience in the retail industry across North America. Including, President of the Bombay Furniture Company in Canada while leading the store organization as VP Sales/Ops for Bombay USA, SVP of Sales/Ops with Marks and Spencer’s, VP of Sales/Ops with Holt Renfrew (Hr2). Board of Directors for the RCC, Party Packagers, and Ellington Partners.
Associate Professor, HRM and Business Consulting (Dept of Management)
University of Guelph
About Dr. Nita Chhinzer
Nita Chhinzer is currently an Associate Professor of Human Resources at the Department of Management, University of Guelph. She also co-authors Canada’s best-selling post-secondary Human Resource Management textbook.
Dr. Chhinzer serves on the Advisory Board for Canadian HR Reporter and the Governance Professionals of Canada (GPC). She is a member of the Board of Directors at the Toronto Centre for Learning and Development. Dr. Chhinzer was the recipient of the 2019 Outstanding Paper Emerald Literati Award (Education +Training) and the University of Guelph Fellowship in Leadership, HRM, and Work (2012-2017). In 2016, she was recognized as one of the top 25 HR Professionals in Canada.
Cheryl Cran is the founder of NextMapping a future of work consultancy helping businesses build strategy and solutions for leaders and teams to be future ready now. She is the author of 10 books, including her newest, Super.Crucial.Human and her bestseller, “NextMapping – Anticipate, Navigate and Create The Future of Work” and has been named in top ten future of work experts. Find out more at nextmapping.com
Bill provides training & coaching on Cultural; Generational; and Personality Styles and related unconscious biases so that you can be as successful as possible engaging with people different than you.
Sydney Elaine Butler is the founder of Accessible Creates, where they also remotely speak and consult about Accessibility, Neurodiversity primarily with other areas of Diversity and Inclusion for companies in various industries so that companies know how to be more accessible and inclusive in the workplace and to their employees.
Dr. Gillis, a cognitive and educational psychologist, specializes in the evaluation of organizational learning. Spanning four decades, her career has focused on improving design and evaluation methods to help organizations such as Harvard Business, MIT, Scotiabank, Emirates Airline, Central Bank of Brazil, and the US Department of the Treasury among others to maximize the impact of their learning investments.
Tammy Heermann is an award-winning leadership expert sought out by some of the world’s top companies for her programs that accelerate women’s advancement. In 2021, she published Reframe Your Story: Real Talk for Women Who Want to Let Go, Do Less and Be More-Together urging women to challenge the current narratives reinforced by society, systems and those of your own making. For over twenty years, she has helped change thousands of mindsets around what it takes to lead, both self and others. While having impact in the C-suite, nothing makes her happier than pushing up-and-coming leaders to break through organizational and self-imposed barriers to reach their potential. Tammy transforms her audiences with alternating moments of humor and heartache as she shares stories of her own journey from senior consultant to senior vice president. She is a perennial mentor with Women in Communications and Technology and is also addicted to the Peloton, Pilates and perogies. She lives in Toronto with her husband and daughter.
Timothy Lang is President & CEO of YES – Canada’s leading youth employment service provider, who annually counsel, trains, empower and inspire tens of thousands of youth to become contributing members of society through employment placement. YES has a close to 90% success rate and focuses on our most vulnerable youth, helping create safer, stronger communities and change lives.
Timothy Lang is an accomplished leader in the private and not-for-profit sector with a record of inspiring organizations to achieve record results and growth. Previously Tim held senior management and executive positions with Xerox, Bell, Energy Savings Income Fund, and St. Francis Xavier University. As Vice President at Energy Savings Income fund, Tim drove its growth and expansion across Canada and into the U.S. and increased the customer base by hundreds of thousands and up 300%, leading to a $2 billion market cap. As VP External at StFX University, he helped raise $120 million for the Brian Mulroney Institute for Government and the Frank McKenna Leadership Centre and developed innovative branding and communications to enhance the reputation of the university. Tim has a B.A. from StFX University and a Master’s degree from the University of Manitoba. Tim was born in Saskatoon, is bilingual, and has lived and worked across Canada, the U.S., and Great Britain. He sits on several not-for-profit Boards and received the Queen’s Jubilee Medal for outstanding contributions to the community in 2012.
Emotional Intelligence Leadership Coach Official Member, Forbes Coaches Council
Paradigm People Development Inc.
About Jamelle Lindo, CTP, ACC
Jamelle Lindo is an emotional intelligence leadership coach, trainer, and speaker with over 11 years of diverse learning and development experience. He has worked with thousands of professionals across Canada to help them level-up through the practical application of emotional intelligence and mindfulness strategies. He is an official member of the Forbes Coaches Council, an invite-only organization for successful business coaches, and has published various thought leadership articles on Forbes.com. Jamelle is driven by his mission to empower leaders and professionals within organizations to realize their highest ideals, leading to healthy and diverse cultures, happy employees, and thriving businesses that make theworld a better place.
Tim Morton (he/him/his) is Managing Partner and founder of Prompta, proudly Canada’s first certified diverse consulting firm the 2018 Canadian LGBT+ Business Enterprise of the Year by the Canadian LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC).
Tim’s a global leader in successfully leading business and cultural transformations. This transformational leadership experience includes mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, cultural and business transformations, enterprise restructuring, digital transformations, and IT, CRM & ERP implementations and diversity, equity, and inclusion culture change. Tim has helped over 25 organizations across 12 industries to successfully implement transformational change and has enabled M&A’s valued at $32 billion in aggregate.
Under Tim’s leadership, these transformational efforts have allowed Prompta clients to achieve their program goals, deliver business benefits and realize an earlier return on investment. Tim’s transformational expertise encompasses global, regional, and national initiatives.
Jade Pichette (they/them) is an inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA!) professional based in Tkarón:to/Toronto. Currently, Jade serves as the Director of Programs at Pride at Work Canada, where they work with over 250 large employers across Canada around gender expression, gender identity, and sexual orientation inclusion. Previously, Jade served as the Volunteer and Community Outreach Coordinator at the ArQuives, the Education Programs Coordinator at Kind Space, and an independent inclusion consultant. They are an Ásatrú Gythia (priestess) and interfaith advocate who was the first trans-feminine person to present at the Parliament of World Religions in 2018. Jade was one of the authors of Transitioning Employers: A survey of policies and practices for trans inclusive workplaces and is the cohost of the Uncovering Belonging Podcast. Jade has been named one of Future of Good’s 2022 Young Impact Leaders, Toronto Metropolitan University’s 2021 Pride Champions, and is a judge for the Canadian HR Awards. In their spare time they can be found geeking out over queer, trans, and Norse histories, firekeeping, and spending time with their chosen family.
Erin Polcyn Sailer is responsible for Communication and Member Services with the Civil Service Superannuation Board. Her passion is engaging people, systems and technology to meet member needs and explore better ways of working.
Previously she led the total compensation program for the Manitoba government as the Director of Public Sector Compensation. With the Manitoba government she has led human resource operational, specialist and policy areas, and as a Senior Advisor to the Clerk of the Executive Council was responsible for guiding whole of government initiatives focused on public service excellence and innovation. Erin’s experience also includes human resource roles with Viterra, Wolseley Canada Inc., and Manitoba Hydro.
Erin has a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree from the University of Manitoba, and holds the CPHR, the Compensation Management Specialist and the Group Benefits Associate designations. Erin currently serves on the CPHR Canada Board.
Sharon Robinson is the Director of Human Resources with Nova Scotia Pension Services Corporation. In this role, she provides strategic leadership for talent management, total rewards, labour relations, learning & development, employee engagement and health, safety and wellness. Everyday Sharon is inspired to contribute to the financial well-being of Nova Scotians by strengthening their retirement futures.
She is a graduate of Dalhousie University and holds an Advanced Diploma in Human Resources Management and a certificate in Strategic Human Resources Management. Sharon is a long-time volunteer and a past Board Chair with CPHR-NS, the professional and credentialing association for Human Resources Professionals in Nova Scotia.
Surranna Sandy is an award-winning nonprofit executive, currently CEO of Skills for Change, a multiservice social services charity that helps 16,000+ Immigrants and Refugees resettle in Canada annually. Surranna has an MA in Leadership and Management, (Anglia Ruskin), an MBA in Human Resources Management (Wales), and a Hons B. A in Leadership and Management (Northumbria); Post Graduate Diploma in Public Administration (Western University), Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management Certificate (Harvard) and a Certificate in Human Resources Management (Ryerson) and a Diploma in HR Management.
Surranna is currently completing a Master of Liberal Arts degree at Harvard University in Global Development Practice, concentration on Environmental Policy and International Development focused on understanding how policy instruments, social complexities, human health risks, ecological system dynamics, technological innovations, and financial models can advance sustainable development.
She is an Advisor for Canadian Centre for Nonprofit Digital Resilience; Member Stakeholder Committee LMIC / CIMT; Chair of Communications Committee for International Women’s Forum- Canada Toronto Chapter; Chair Board of Directors of the Black Human Resources Professionals of Canada; Deputy Director of Communications and Global Engagement Harvard University Extension Student International Relations Club; Co-Chair of the Global Task Force on Environmental Action for Masters in Development Practice Student and Alumni Advisory Committee (Global MDP SAAC). She is a former inaugural member of the City of Toronto’s Partnership & Accountability Circle (“PAC”) for The Toronto Action Plan to Confront Anti-black Racism, completing a 2.5-year term in Spring 2021.
She sits on various boards and committees related to sustainability and the environment, anti-oppression & anti-racism, immigrant and refugee services, women leadership & empowerment, decent work, and digital equity & literacy. She has received multiple awards for her nonprofit leadership and community development work including from the Federal Government of Canada and 100 Accomplished Black Women.
Jeff Smith, PhD, believes that experimentation, resilience, and compassion are the keys to solving problems and thriving at work and in life. As VP of Strategic Initiatives at 15Five, he leverages his doctorate in Cognitive Psychology and previous leadership roles in learning and development, strengths-based assessments, product management, and design to build innovative offerings and improve business outcomes for 15Five’s customers. Jeff co-invented the Aspirational Workplace Transformation Process, and is co-inventor on 15 issued patents regarding the future of user experience, productivity, and customer experience.
Eric Termuende is an insight-packed, outside-of-the-box storyteller than is helping organizations across the world shape the future of their workforce. As Co-founder of NoW of Work, Eric has worked first-hand with industry-leading organizations helping develop resiliency and a more intentional future of work, as well as writing a best-selling book on the topic. From the TEDx stage to bookshelves across the country, Eric is a trusted resource as leaders navigate uncertainty and create a better tomorrow at work. Featured in Forbes, the Globe and Mail, Thompson Reuters, the Financial Post, and many others, Eric was awarded a Top 100 Emerging Innovator Globally by AMEX and served as a World Economic Forum Global Shaper and G20 Entrepreneurship Delegate for Canada.
Kris Tierney is the Vice-President of Human Resources and Learning at the Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA – www.hrpa.ca) where she provides strategic leadership to the Association’s internal human resources practices, as well as leading professional development and learning programming for the HRPA’s more than 24,000 students and members.
Kris is a passionate HR and business executive who believes that outstanding businesses run on outstanding workplaces where people and culture are strategic priorities. Kris spent more than 15 years’ leading HR and strategic talent programs in high growth, hi-tech companies in automotive and financial services where she served as a trusted people and culture strategist, advisor and business partner to the C-Suite.
Known for her easy and approachable style, she thrives when helping others live their lives with purpose, belonging and value. Kris holds the CHRP and CHRL designations awarded by the Human Resources Professionals Association.
Timothy is passionate about the intersection of organizational culture and coaching. With vast experience in marketing, sales and HR at large organizations such as Procter & Gamble, Intel and Index Group, he has coached C-level leaders and taught at Bogazici University Lifelong Learning Center, Global Knowledge Canada, and Simon Fraser University. He holds five coaching certificates, is trained in multiple coaching styles and is a PhD. candidate on building a culture of coaching for 21st century organizations. Timothy has four nationally published books in Turkish, including one on coaching, and he has worked with clients such as MEC, Telus, Aviso Wealth, Doctors of BC, and Suncor.
Peter Tzanetakis has served as the President of The Canadian Payroll Association since July 2018. In this role, Peter engages Association members, students, instructors, government stakeholders, key business partners and the academic community to advance the strategic objectives of the organization — ensuring its continued growth and success.
Previously, Peter held the position of Vice-President of Government and Corporate Relations at The Financial Advisors Association of Canada (Advocis) and has nearly 30 years of experience in government relations, public policy and business development in both the private and not-forprofit sectors.
Peter received his Bachelor of Arts, Honours Economics, from the University of Western Ontario in 1989, and earned his Master of Arts in Economics from Queen’s University in 1991.
Chief Research and Development Officer, Point North
About Dr. Robin Yap
Robin Yap has deep expertise in performance and talent management and the intersection of social data analytics, AI/Robot ethics, organizational culture and applied technology in business and entrepreneurial practices. He is the Canadian Head of Delegation for the International Standards Organisation (ISO) 29993 Learning Services in Switzerland. He has an interdisciplinary academic background (double BAs, MSc Ed Technology in Education, Juris Doctor, Doctorate in Management, and post-doctorate in Data Science) coupled with a global corporate experience working with Fortune 500 companies spanning three decades. His academic background, social data research, three authored textbooks in Human Resources and Business, two compendiums in Training and Performance Management, and over three dozen articles in professional and peer-reviewed journals gained him featured guest spots in various media channels including CNN-Asia and CBC-Metro Morning. Robin’s extensive portfolio make him a Human Resources expert referenced in media like Canadian Press and Globe and Mail as well as speakerships at over four dozen conferences in Europe, Asia and North America throughout his career. Robin’s current research focus is on the intersection of newcomer/immigrant country of origin work ethics, AI/Robot Ethics, stellar leadership practices, optimal learning landscapes, transformative performance, strong collaboration networks, and sustained employee engagement.
