LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT NOMINEES
For over 25 years, has been a role model, mentor and/or advocate for positive social change.
Award Presented by:
Gillian Alexander, Schlegel Villages
Kirsty Bradley-McMurtrie
Kirsty Bradley-McMurtrie is a trailblazing executive security management professional with a remarkable career spanning over 25 years. Currently holding the position of Executive Director of Safety and Security at Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Kirsty has been a transformative force in the physical security industry. Her dedication to campus safety, emergency management, and security has positioned her as a pioneer of change within a primarily male-dominated field.
Stephanie Brasseur
Stephanie Brasseur is a Traffic Project Coordinator, with a reputation of reliability and leadership serving the City of Kitchener for over 35 years. A true pioneer in construction, she is respected in an industry with few women, coordinating road projects, major events, liaising with industry consultants and contractors. She was an integral team member of the Region’s ION project spanning 6 years. Stephanie has won numerous awards, and actively volunteers in the community and mentors young women seeking to join the industry. Her proudest accomplishment is the coordination of road closures for the World’s Longest Picnic recognized in The Guinness World Records.
Joan Fisk
Joan Fisk has been serving our community for most of her life. She has served in business as well as community service and used her connections and expertise to serve as a Director on public-serving boards of all types - education, health, arts and culture. For over 50 years she has extended her hand at every possible opportunity and set an example for countless other people - especially women. In 1988, she became CEO of Tiger Brand, selected to lead the family business over her two brothers due to her expertise and dedication.
Kimberly Fowler
Kimberly Fowler is the Executive Director of Fiddlesticks Community Centre in Cambridge. The community centre runs on the Community Development Model with a focus on recreational programs for children, youth, and families. Kimberly is being nominated for her exceptional leadership and community development. Anyone who has had the privilege of meeting Kimberly knows that her passion is contagious, and her enthusiasm for making our neighbourhood a better place is inspiring. Kimberly has spent the majority of her career building and expanding Fiddlesticks Community Centre. Building relationships, making connections, and empowering others to reach their full potential is what Kimberly does best.
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.
Cheryl Gordijk
Cheryl Gordijk is a ubiquitous community volunteer who is best known for co-organizing the Wilmot Terry Fox Run, which raised over $262,000 during the decade of her leadership. She is currently serving on the Waterloo Terry Fox Run’s committee, and has volunteered countless hours for numerous other local causes and organizations including: Voices Empower for Women’s Crisis Services; Coldest Night of the Year for both Wilmot Family Resource Centre and Supportive Housing of Waterloo; WFRC’s Poor Boys Luncheon; Santa Claus parades throughout Wilmot; Canada Day in Wilmot; the New Hamburg Flood Relief committee; and Big Brothers Big Sisters Fashion Show.
Linda Mark
Linda is a seasoned Development Manager with over 21 years of dedicated service at the Child Witness Centre. Throughout her tenure, she has been instrumental in supporting various initiatives, notably the Youth Symposium, which welcomes over 3,000 youth in our community each year. She leads the development team, ensuring sustainable funding for vital programs that make a profound difference in the lives of countless child victims and their families served by the Child Witness Centre.
Janice McVey
Janice is a talented and passionate leader in the recruitment industry with over 30 years of global recruitment and business development experience. Born and raised in KW, Janice attended KCI, the University of Waterloo, and belongs to several local professional and community associations. Over the past three decades, she has managed hundreds of search assignments spanning all key functional areas in a wide range of industries. As Managing Partner at Dean Group, proudly owned and operated by women, she has in-depth knowledge of the recruitment business and invaluable experience in this marketplace.
Nancy Priest
For close to 30 years, Nancy has been designing innovative learning strategies and solutions that assist organizations to achieve their business objectives. She is an award-winning program designer, published author, and speaker, who has researched, developed and facilitated learning solutions for a wide variety of organizations around the world. Her broad operational and managerial experience along with strong business acumen, allows her to bring practical and realistic insights to business challenges. She is considered a leader in the training and development field and has helped an array of clients surpass their goals.
Wendy Stahley
From growing up on a farm, to living in various places outside of Canada, and working multiple jobs Wendy has demonstrated a strong drive to constantly seek growth and seize opportunities. Her passion for travel, meeting new people, and experiencing other cultures played a significant role in shaping her career path.Understanding the challenges faced by relocating families Porchlite Relocations step by step assistance during the relocation process fills that important role for individuals and families moving to Kitchener-Waterloo and the surrounding region.Porchlite Relocations offers community tours and comprehensive relocation programs, helping newcomers settle into their new environment while showcasing the benefits of living in the KW area. Wendy’s enthusiasm for the area and commitment to assisting others in their relocation journey is inspiring.