PROFESSIONAL 40+ AWARD
For women over 40, dedicating themselves to the pursuit of excellence in their chosen career.
Award Presented By: Trisha Owens, Director of Communications, Home Hardware
PROFESSIONAL 40+ NOMINEES
Dawn Baird
Dawn Baird is a kind, strong, sweet, and helpful LEADER. Even to people she might not like.
Leslie Ciampaglia
Leslie Ciampaglia is a community-focused professional with over 15 years of experience supporting individuals and families facing homelessness, housing instability, and complex social challenges across the Waterloo Region. Drawing on her lived experience with homelessness and addiction, she meets people where they are at without judgment ensuring they feel seen and supported. Grounded in professionalism, advocacy, and compassion, Leslie is known for her ability to navigate complex systems, resolve conflict, and build trust while improving outcomes for vulnerable community members. Her work spans frontline shelter services, supportive housing with the YW , Starling as an Housing Worker , Ontario Works, and her current role as a Tenant and Community Relations Specialist.
Aislinn Clancy
Aislinn Clancy is Deputy Leader of the Green Party of Ontario and MPP for Kitchener Centre.
Her commitment to public service began from her days as a settlement worker and school social
worker, where she supported refugee youth and their families, and provided mental health support to vulnerable students. Motivated by the need for systemic change, Aislinn entered
politics at the municipal level as a city councillor before being elected to Queen’s Park. As an MPP, she has introduced legislation focused on ending homelessness, improved support for people with disabilities, and policies that focus on democracy, environmental and economic justice.
Jacqueline Hewson
Jacqueline Hewson is Vice President and Market Leader at BMO Private Wealth in Waterloo, where she leads advisory teams supporting business owners, families, and community leaders through comprehensive wealth planning. With more than 30 years of experience in banking and wealth management, Jacqueline is widely respected for her people-centered leadership and commitment to developing others. Throughout her career she has championed mentorship, leadership development, and financial literacy. Beyond her professional role, Jacqueline is a tireless advocate for women in business and entrepreneurship, mentoring emerging professionals and supporting women founders across Waterloo Region’s innovation and business communities.
Danielle Joworski
Danielle Joworski is the Program Manager of AC:Incubate and AC:Incubate+ at the award-winning Accelerator Centre in Waterloo, where she supports early-stage founders in transforming ideas into scalable businesses. Her career spans entrepreneurship, global corporations such as Johnson & Johnson and Toyota, and leadership and women’s empowerment coaching. A Rhyze Award-winning entrepreneur, Danielle is also an award-winning bestselling author, former TV host, and multi-time nominee for the RBC Women of Influence and Women Empowerment Awards. A scientist by training, she is known for building “gold-standard” frameworks that bring clarity and efficiency to complex systems while actively championing women founders.
Faune Lang
Faune is the Executive Director of Food4Kids Waterloo Region. With an extensive background in non-profit and financial services, Faune was able to align her love for children and drive for change in a career that she is incredibly excited about. It’s been one of Faune’s strongest desires to continue to serve her community. She is passionate and understands the importance of the organization’s mission to help more children living with chronic hunger. She couldn’t imagine doing more meaningful work. Her sunny disposition and unstoppable drive for change will create further awareness of protecting our most vulnerable.
Kate McCrae Bristol
Kate is a leader in Canadian higher education, defined by her commitment to student success, community building, and advancing women in leadership. She serves as the first woman Vice President, Student Affairs at Wilfrid Laurier University. She brings broad experience across athletics, student development, and advancement, including as Laurier’s first woman Director of Athletics and Recreation and Dean of Students. A former varsity athlete and coach, including at Yale University, she leads with a focus on teamwork and builds a strong sense of belonging. She is passionate about creating environments where women can lead, thrive, and drive meaningful change.
Judy Nairn
A lifelong resident of Waterloo Region, Judy Nairn has over 35 years experience in the non-profit and business sectors. Since 2012, she has served as Executive Director of Hospice Waterloo Region. Prior to this, she held the position of Director of Business at Mosaic Counselling and Family Services. Her earlier experience includes Owner of the Canadian Automotive & Trucking Institute and IT specialist. Judy also has served on several volunteer boards, including 16 years on the Waterloo Catholic District School Board, 9 years on the board of the United Way of Cambridge & North Dumfries and 6 years on the Board of Governors of St Jerome's University. She is also a longtime member of the Kitchener Westmount Rotary Club.
Sherryl Petricevic
Over more than three decades, Sherryl Petricevic has played a pivotal role in shaping Waterloo Region’s technology ecosystem and strengthening its community connections. Her career spans leadership roles across industry, government, education, and the nonprofit sector, including positions at Communitech, the Ontario Ministry of Education, Waterloo EDC, ESCRYPT Canada, and the start-up Profound Impact. A co-founder of the Waterloo Region chapter of Women in Communications and Technology, Sherryl has been a consistent champion for mentorship, collaboration, and advancing women’s presence in the region’s innovation community.
Jacinda Reitsma
Jacinda Reitsma, CPA, CA, is the Vice-President, Administration and Finance at the University of Waterloo, providing executive leadership over the University’s financial, human, physical, and technological resources to ensure long-term sustainability and operational resilience. She brings extensive experience in higher education, governance, and professional services, having held senior executive roles at Conestoga College from 2017 to 2022. Jacinda began her career at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, where she became a partner at the Waterloo office in 2012. Over the years she has served on many different boards and currently serves at the Vice-Chair of Enova Power Corporation (EPC) , Starling Community Services, and the Canadian Association of University Business Officers (CAUBO). Known for her principled, people-centered leadership, Jacinda emphasizes transparency, collaboration, and evidence-based decision-making. She also contributes her expertise through her board service across the post-secondary, public, and community sectors, and is widely respected for her integrity, sound judgment, and commitment to building resilient, inclusive institutions that deliver lasting public value.
Rebecca Steckly
Rebecca Steckly is a Class-1 Licensed Funeral Director dedicated to serving the Waterloo Region through
Dreisinger Funeral Home in Elmira. After contributing many years to the firm as a key staff member, Rebecca transitioned to ownership in 2020, ensuring a seamless continuation of the funeral home’s long-standing reputation. Beyond her local practice, she is a passionate advocate for the evolution of the funeral service industry. She is particularly committed to mentoring and supporting women in the field, championing professional development through her dedication to continuing education, and volunteer work within provincial and national industry associations.
Tammy Webster
An Anishnabe Kwe from the Kitigan Zibi Algonquin First Nation, Tammy is a nationally recognized equity and Indigenous education leader. Her senior roles, including Director, Equity at Let’s Talk Science and Indigenous Education and Equity Consultant at Waterloo Catholic District School Board, demonstrate a longstanding commitment to strengthening governance, accountability and cultural literacy. She is the first First Nations chair for the Ontario College of Teachers in its almost 30 year history. As Board Chair of Anishnabeg Outreach, she advances community-led, culturally grounded supports for urban Indigenous families. Across all sectors, she builds capacity, elevates Indigenous voices and drives systems change that benefits Waterloo Region.