2024 Women of the Year Recipient image courtesy of One For The Wall!
2024 Recipients
Arts & Culture
Erin Bow
Erin Bow is a creative writer with ten published books, including three volumes of poetry and six novels. She is internationally known, published by major houses, including Simon & Schuster and Disney Books, with more 100,000 books sold and translations in ten languages. She is active in our community, where she visits schools, judges writing contests and runs programs at the Kitchener and Waterloo public libraries. She regularly appears in local venues such as the Watershed Writers radio/podcast program and the Wild Writers Literary Festival. Erin is a strong advocate for people who might otherwise be left out, most particularly neurodivergent people and members of the LGBTQ+ community. With Erin Bow, we have a literary rockstar in our midst, one who puts her adopted hometown of Kitchener-Waterloo on the global literary map.
Community Service
Uzma Bhutto
Uzma embodies hope, resilience, and commitment in her 19-year journey of community building and women's empowerment. As a global citizen, she champions marginalized groups, particularly Muslim and racialized women. Uzma's extensive volunteering, board memberships, and leadership roles in organizations like CMW, Sexual Assault Support Centre, KidsAbility and Rotary highlight her dedication to mental health, equity, and social inclusivity. Her tireless efforts, from grassroots projects like Tea and Tales, Leadership training, serving shelters and Give30 food drive, not only showcase her inclusive leadership and advocacy but also highlight her unparalleled passion for fostering economic empowerment and ensuring financial stability for women.
Entrepreneur 40+
Cindy Ward
Dr. Cindy Ward is a dynamic Kitchener woman and lifelong entrepreneur with over ten local businesses started in KW, including the original Boathouse in 2004. She earned her PhD late in life, at age 47, and encourages others to always keep learning. Recently Cindy landed a spot on CBC’s Dragon’s Den for her newest business, Dr. Ward’s Fresh Mist, an ecological genius of a company that makes plant-based air fresheners. Cindy is the epitome of the phrase “aim higher” despite the difficulties of life and at 56 she is a well-loved and respected role model in our community.
Entrepreneur Under 40
Rebekah Churchyard
Rebekah Churchyard, BA, BSW, MSW, RSW, PMP is a Registered Social Worker, Project Manager, and Psychotherapist specialized in geriatrics and dementia care. She is the CEO and Founder of Green Care Farms Inc., the first nature-based program in Canada for people with dementia on an operational farm. She also works full-time in Specialized Geriatric Services for Home and Community Care Support Services Waterloo Wellington. Prior to this, Rebekah served as President and Vice-President with the Toronto Council on Aging Board of Directors and as an Accountability Table member with the City of Toronto’s Seniors Strategy.
Group Achievement
Jill of All Trades
Jill of All Trades™ (JOAT), launched in 2014 at Conestoga College by visionaries, Brenda Gilmore and Rosie Hessian, began as a day for high school women in KW, along with their educators, to learn about opportunities available to women who pursue trades-based education and careers. A decade of growth and expansion has led to the program being trademarked in Canada and the United States. With the support of thousands of volunteers, hundreds of partners, and philanthropic supporters, JOAT is now delivered throughout Ontario, across Canada and the United States boasting more than 120 events and empowering future generations of women in skilled trades.
Health & Wellness
Neha Juwale
Empathy and compassion, combined with her personal journey, were the drivers for Neha to create bookmytherapy.ca, a web-based platform facilitating connections between individuals seeking culturally appropriate care with mental health professionals who provide services in their patients’ language of choice. Seeking support for her mental health, Neha discovered that language, cultural non-verbal cues, and unwritten norms were barriers to receiving care and healing. Speaking with others revealed they too were facing similar challenges. Bookmytherapy.ca strives to “provide culturally relevant mental health resources…promoting mental wellness and reducing the stigma surrounding mental health within the community”
Lifetime Achievement
Martha George
Martha’s multi-decade career is an expression of personal commitment to excellence and passion for empowering others. Becoming the first female Chair of Grand Valley Construction Association’s Board, and her progression to President and CEO of GVCA broadened her influence. Martha’s invaluable contributions are reflected by thousands of successful industry partnerships, construction projects, and community initiatives touched by Martha’s leadership. A tireless advocate for women in trades and committed volunteer, her reach surpasses the tangible, positively impacting the wellbeing of tens of thousands of individuals. Martha’s perspective: you’re a leader whenever you’re making a positive difference, regardless of position or title.
Professional 40+
Nenone Donaldson
Nenone Donaldson, Vice President of Advancement at the University of Waterloo, brings over two decades of fundraising expertise to her pivotal role. Focused on advancing the university's mission, she leads a dynamic team of over 120 professionals, spearheading comprehensive alumni engagement initiatives. Nenone's strategic leadership fosters enduring partnerships crucial to the university's mission, driving a sustained fundraising strategy aligned with academic priorities. Through her focus on transformative gifts and collaboration, she empowers her team to exceed expectations. Nenone's dedication ensures Waterloo's continued leadership in education and innovation.
Professional Under 40
Ashley Schuitema
Ashley has committed her career to the unwavering intention of providing support and services to the vulnerable in our community. She was co-counsel on the precedent setting encampment case in Waterloo Region, which resulted in critical impacts for community members experiencing homelessness. Ashley is also the coordinator of the Sexual Harassment in the Workplace Project which provides free public legal information and advice for persons who have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace. Ashley is a remarkable lawyer that believes it is her responsibility to use her profession and skill set to broadly advocate for systemic change in the community for women, victims of sexual harassment and people experiencing poverty.
Skilled Trades
Brandi Ferenc
Brandi Ferenc is the founder of Fair-Trades Toolbox, she is a licensed 313a Refrigeration Mechanic/Gas Fitter 1 Journeyperson, HVAC instructor and Mentor for women in skilled trades and HVAC apprentices. Brandi represents one of less than 50 women working within this trade and holds the honour of being the first female to compete in the Skills Ontario competition within the post-secondary heating systems category. In spite of the barriers she faces working in a male-dominated industry instead of scars she chooses to wear a smile to light the way for future generations.
STEM
Linda Li
Linda is an Environmental Engineer and Associate with Dillon Consulting, an employee-owned Canadian firm serving the Waterloo community since the 1970s. For 7 years, Linda has served both Canadian and International clients and contributed to complex and multidisciplinary projects in the area of water, energy, and climate change. Linda continuously strives to foster a culture of collaboration and inclusivity within STEM. Linda's dedication extends beyond her profession; she volunteers with several engineering and water associations both locally and internationally. Passionate about knowledge sharing, Linda has lectured and participated in panels at the University of Toronto, University of Waterloo, and TMU.
Young Adult
Kyo Lee
Kyo Lee is a grade 11 Korean-Canadian student, writer and philanthropist. She is currently the chair of SVP Teens and is involved in several local organizations involving youth in the community. As a writer, Kyo is the youngest winner of the CBC Poetry Prize and finalist for the RBC Bronwen Wallace Award for Emerging Writers. Her work also appears in Narrative, Nimrod, Prism, The Forge, This Magazine, and Synergy, among others. Her debut poetry collection “i cut my tongue on a broken country” is forthcoming with Arsenal Pulp Press in 2025. She loves colourful skies, fresh strawberries and oceans.
Past Recipients
Arts and Culture- Angela Onuora
Community Service - Monica Himmelman
Entrepreneur 40+ - Jolene MacDonald
Entrepreneur Under 40 - Rachel Bartholomew
Group Achievement - Community Support Connections' Exercise Team
Health and Wellness - Marian Best
Lifetime Achievement - Sandra Henein
Professional 40+ - Clarice Ward
Professional Under 40 - Amy Cyr
STEM - Dinah Davis
Young Adult - Rachel Almaw
Arts & Culture - Betty Anne Keller
Community Service - Nadine Green
Entrepreneur - Donna Litt
Group Achievement - Canadian Federation of University Women Kitchener-Waterloo (CFUW K-W)
Health & Wellness - Rachel Radyk (WaabanoKwe)
Lifetime Achievement - Vickie Murray
Professional - Susan MacQueen
STEAM - Adele Newton
Young Adult - Sarah Odinotski
Arts & Culture - Jayme Armstrong
Community Service - Julie Sawatzky
Entrepreneur - Jill Zappitelli
Health & Wellness - Dr. Linda Leee
Lifetime Achievement - Donna Dubie
Professional - Jennifer Gordon
STEAM - Sherry Shannon-Vanstone
Young Adult - Fatmia Awan
Arts & Culture - Nicole Guse
Community Service - Jane Tuer
Entrepreneur - Ada Barlatt
Group Achievement - Coalition of Muslim Women of KW
Health & Wellness - Jackie Gerlach
Lifetime Achievement - Joan Driver
Professional - Wendi Campbell
Sports & Recreation - Loren Gabel
STEAM - Dr. Hilary Bergsieker
Young Adult - Meena Waseem
Arts & Culture Hilary - Gauld-Camilleri
Community Service - Nancy Koebel
Entrepreneur Diane - Matyas
Group Achievement - Zonta Club of K-W
Health & Wellness - Tara Hebblethwaite
Lifetime Achievement - Brenda Halloran
Professional - Margaret Brockett
Sports & Recreation - Alyssa Lagonia
STEAM - Carol Leaman
Young Adult - Chloe Jang
Arts & Culture - Nancy Regehr
Community Service - Tracy Shonk-Lacey
Entrepreneur - Jennifer Knapp
Group Achievement - SHORE Centre
Health & Wellness - Mary Mueller
Lifetime Achievement - Linda Fabi
Professional - Dr. Diana Parry
Sports & Recreation - Rhonda-Marie Parke
Young Adult - Maggie Sutherland
STEM - Dr. Julie Biedermann
Arts & Culture - Rebecca Short
Community Service - Georgia Cunningham
Entrepreneur - Lina Shamoun
Group Achievement - Best Friends of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Waterloo Region
Health & Wellness - Laura Callum
Lifetime Achievement - Ann Bilodeau
Professional - Cynthia Davis
Sports & Recreation - Kaitlyn Weaver
Young Adult - Nooran AbuMazen
STEM - Dr. Shohin Ghose