PROFESSIONAL 40+ AWARD
For women over 40, dedicating themselves to the pursuit of excellence in their chosen career.
Award Presented By: Richia McCutcheon, Public Relations Manager, Home Hardware
PROFESSIONAL 40+ NOMINEES
Dr. Brenna Bonn
Brenna has been a police officer with WRPS for 31 years. During this time she has always strived to make KW a more
inclusive place with a passion for the WRPS EDI mission. This includes community programs such as a Board
Membership for One Roof, the Municipal Action Group for FASD, the Reach For It Advisory Committee, and the
Oktoberfest Committee. This has also included the pursuit of lifelong continuous learning through obtaining her Masters in Public Safety and her Doctorate in Social Sciences with the hope to implement inclusive training programs for police officers.
Kim Decker
Kim has led YWCA Cambridge as CEO for 37 years after starting her career at Anselma House, a shelter for survivors of intimate partner violence. An ambitious and dedicated leader, Kim has dedicated her career to advancing gender equity. She is known for leading with compassion, honesty, vulnerability, trust and respect. Locally, Kim sits on a variety of community committees and roundtables, including; the Victim Advocate Case Review, the GBV Leadership Table, and the Housing and Homelessness Advisory Group. Under her leadership, YWCA Cambridge has come to be known as a leading voice for women, girls and gender-diverse individuals.
Jennifer Gruber
Jennifer Gruber is the kind of person who makes you believe that thoughtful leadership, community involvement, and sharp financial acumen can (and should!) go hand in hand. She’s currently the Interim CEO at Communitech and has spent the better part of a decade helping to build a strong and supportive tech ecosystem right here in Waterloo Region. Originally from Carleton Place, Ontario, Jenn moved to Kitchener in 2006, fell in love with the community, and never left.
Jennifer Haas
While the popular image of librarians is often a hushed "shhh..." Jennifer Haas deserves a loud shout out for her
remarkable contributions as a librarian leader for 30+ years. At the University of Waterloo Libraries, Jennifer is the Head,
Information Services & Resources and has committed herself to learn, support, and develop others to serve the
academic community to the highest standard. She is deeply passionate about the profession of librarianship and through her mentorship has created a brilliant legacy of thoughtful, innovative, and service-oriented professionals who support Waterloo’s demanding research needs, advancing the learning of students of Waterloo Region.
Ashley Howat
Ashley Howat stepped up in November 2024 to assume the role of President & CEO of the Grand River Hospital
Foundation. Her journey—from hospitality to healthcare—reflects her deep community roots and resilience. A cancer
survivor and devoted only mother of two, Ashley’s personal experiences fuel her passion for mental health and patient
care. Despite personal loss, she leads with strength and empathy, ensuring better healthcare for all. Ashley’s unwavering dedication to her community sets an amazing example for her kids and makes her a deserving nominee for K-W Oktoberfest Woman of the Year (Professional 40+ and Community Service).
Jackie Lauer
Jackie Lauer is a distinguished leadership coach and workplace culture consultant with over 25 years of experience in her field. In June, she will celebrate a remarkable milestone as the founder of her own boutique consulting company, where she has dedicated herself to enhancing organizational effectiveness and fostering inclusive workplace cultures.
Jackie holds more than 11 certifications, reflecting her commitment to continuous professional development and
excellence. Her expertise encompasses various areas, including coaching, systems coaching, emotional intelligence, and the neuroscience of trust. This extensive knowledge equips her to provide tailored coaching solutions to a diverse clientele, from start ups toFortune100companies.
Young-Shin Lee
As a Regional Sales Director for Swisslog Healthcare and with experience as a registered nurse, Young-Shin Lee has a successful history working in the hospital and healthcare industry. Specifically, she has strong sales and business
development skills in Medical Devices and Hospital Automation/Capital Equipment. For years, Young-Shin has carved accelerated pathways for hospital workflows and automation as a woman in a largely male-dominated workforce. She is an inspiration to younger female professionals who are able to learn from her strategies and tactics. She is truly an inspiration to all those around her.
Dr. Laura Mae Lindo
Dr. Laura Mae Lindo is an educator, former MPP, and social justice advocate whose work bridges academia, policy, and
activism. With a Ph.D. in Education, she has led equity-focused change as Director of Diversity and Equity at Wilfrid Laurier and as the first Black MPP for Kitchener Centre. She introduced Bill 67 to embed anti-racism in Ontario’s
education system and now teaches philosophy of education at the University of Waterloo. As founder of e(RACE)r, she inspires systemic transformation through love and learning. Her leadership and impact across sectors make her a powerful nominee for the Professional Over 40 award.
JoAnne McCormick
JoAnne McCormick is an accomplished executive with over 25 years of experience leading people, projects, and
businesses. A CPA with an Honours degree in Mathematics and Business Administration, she has a proven track record
of improving profitability, strategic planning, and financial reporting. Her leadership style emphasizes collaboration and
results, driving success in every organization she has worked with. As CEO of Colt Canada, JoAnne led a strategic transformation that doubled revenue and significantly increased EBITDA. Today, she continues to make a difference as a Fractional CFO, where she partners with owner-operators to enhance operations.
Kristine Parsons
Kristine Parsons is an accomplished leader in early childhood education with over three decades of experience. Currently serving as Director of Operations at RisingOaks Early Learning Ontario, Kristine has played a pivotal role in shaping HR best practices, mentoring educators, and advocating for high-quality early learning. She has served multiple terms on the Council of the College of Early Childhood Educators, twice as Chair, and has contributed to regional and international initiatives in the field. Her unwavering commitment to excellence, leadership, and advocacy has made a lasting impact on children, families, and educators in Waterloo Region and beyond.
Rebecca Schoenhardt
Rebecca is a life-long learner, who overcomes challenges with a strong passion for delivering tangible results. With 20 years of experience in relationship-building; client-facing and leadership roles within Private and Commercial banking, domestically and globally. She excels in building and transforming teams' cultures, connecting dots in new ways to solve complex problems, inspiring others to do the same. As a change leader, strategic thinker, coach, and communicator, Rebecca has a track record of strong impact in high-pressure environments within financial services, academics, and sport. Her commitment to inclusion, equity, and collaboration shines through in her leadership brand and actions.
Cathy Snyder
Cathy Snyder is a visionary leader with the passion, expertise, and commitment to turn her vision into reality. Her dedication and strong values not only guide others toward this vision but also inspire and motivate her team to share her enthusiasm. While many leaders focus solely on the plan, Cathy stands out by balancing a clear focus on the end goal with a genuine attention to the people she leads. Her ability to navigate an ever-changing landscape while prioritizing her team is a rare and valuable skill that sets her apart as a leader.
Carolina Soares
Based in Waterloo, Ontario. Currently the Chief Operating Officer of the Gaslight District. Currently Director of Analytics and Administration at the Gaslight Events Company. Former CEO of the Gaslight Events Company, where she led transformative growth and innovation. Internationally Certified Wedding Planner with extensive experience in large-scale event production. Bachelor and Masters in Vocal Music Performance from McGill University Former owner of The Event Firm, which won Small Business of the Year at the KW Chamber Awards Gala. Known for her data-driven leadership, community impact, and ability to scale businesses and events with creativity and precision.
Geraldine Stafford
Geraldine Stafford serves as the first civilian Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Manager at the Waterloo Regional Police Service. With a distinguished career spanning various levels of government, she brings extensive expertise in equity, social, and criminal justice. Focused on advancing equitable policing practices in the Waterloo Region, she represents the community’s interests at both provincial and national policing tables. A fierce community advocate, Geraldine is deeply committed to both professional growth and personal integrity—consistently showing up, leading with purpose, and setting a high standard of excellence in her work. She is on the Board of Directors for the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.
Marian Steffler
Raised in Kitchener-Waterloo by immigrant parents, Marian built a successful career while raising four children. Despite
facing many challenges, she embraces life with
determination and care for those around her. She has dedicated 25 years to Nestlé Canada, where her adaptability, organization, and resilience have made her an invaluable leader. Beyond her career, Marian has devoted many hours to giving back to the community through food drives and delivering Christmas hampers. A passionate and driven individual, she is a role model to her daughters and community, demonstrating the power of perseverance, hard work, and generosity.
Kim Wilhelm
Kim Wilhelm is the CEO of The Food Bank of Waterloo Region. She leads one of Ontario’s largest food banks, which distributes nearly nine million pounds of food annually across Waterloo region. A passionate nonprofit leader, Kim has extensive experience in fundraising, financial management, and building strong community partnerships. She works closely with a network of 54 organizations, as well as provincial and national partners, to ensure a collaborative approach to food distribution. Before joining The Food Bank in 2016, Kim spent nearly 20 years as a senior fundraiser in healthcare and has held various board and committee roles.