CPC Awards of Excellence Recipients

CPC Awards of Excellence Recipients

Congratulations to all of Career Professionals of Canada's Awards of Excellence program Winners, Honourable Mentions, and Nominees!

Outstanding Career Leader (National Impact)

Winner: Stephen Andrada(opens in new tab)

Nominee: Eman Ismail-Elmasri(opens in new tab)

Outstanding Career Professional

Winner: Afreen Sayyed(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab)

Winner: Carolyn Leeson(opens in new tab)

Honourable Mention: Ayesha Saeed(opens in new tab)

Honourable Mention: Michelle Schafer(opens in new tab)

Honourable Mention: Shauna Specht(opens in new tab)

Nominee: Jennifer Bouley(opens in new tab)

Nominee: Nadia Qasmieh(opens in new tab)

Nominee: Rachel Kubacki(opens in new tab)

Outstanding Community Outreach Strategist

Winner: Michelle Schafer(opens in new tab)

Winner: Shaye Belanger(opens in new tab)

Outstanding Employment Interview Strategist

Nominee: Barb Penney(opens in new tab)

Outstanding Social Media Strategist

Nominee: Karuna Dhawan(opens in new tab)

Outstanding Résumé, Career Change

Honourable Mention: Nadia Qasmieh(opens in new tab)

Nominee: Karuna Dhawan(opens in new tab)

Nominee: Natalie MacLellan(opens in new tab)

Outstanding Résumé, Creative

Winner: Amy Britta Watt(opens in new tab)

Outstanding Résumé, Executive

Winner: Barb Penney(opens in new tab)

Honourable Mention: Gabrielle Suttis(opens in new tab)

Nominee: Dorothy Keenan(opens in new tab)

Nominee: Karen Shane(opens in new tab)

Nominee: Marian Bernard(opens in new tab)

Outstanding Résumé, New Graduate / Entry-Level

Winner: Any Britta Watt(opens in new tab)

Winner: Shauna Specht(opens in new tab)

Honourable Mention: Marian Bernard(opens in new tab)

Nominee: Dorothy Keenan(opens in new tab)

Nominee: Natalie MacLellan(opens in new tab)

Nominee: Shobana Thangavadivel(opens in new tab)

Outstanding Résumé, Technical

Winner: Gabrielle Suttis(opens in new tab)

Nominee: Karen Shane(opens in new tab)

Outstanding Volunteer Contributors (Executive Director's Awards)

Recipients:

  • Jennifer Bouley(opens in new tab) for her enthusiastic leadership and commitment as Special Events Group Lead. As a relatively new CPC member, Jennifer quickly became a supportive and engaged member of the Events Team, generously making time to facilitate and moderate events. Her holistic perspective brings another valuable dimension to CPC’s career conversations and member experiences.
  • Britt-Mari Sykes(opens in new tab) for her exceptional initiative, dependability, and generosity as a CPC volunteer. Britt-Mari frequently offers her support before being asked and approaches every request with enthusiasm and professionalism. Her contributions across CPC reflect her genuine commitment to the organization and its community.
  • Eman Ismail-Elmasri(opens in new tab) for her outstanding contributions to CPC’s Communications Team. Eman has written several meaningful articles for CPC’s News Feed and regularly helps extend CPC’s reach and community engagement through her active presence on LinkedIn. She has also stepped forward as Social Media Group Lead, where she will encourage continued participation across CPC’s social channels.
  • Sharon Graham(opens in new tab) for her extraordinary mentorship, guidance, and volunteer leadership as CPC advanced several important organizational initiatives. Sharon helped restore and strengthen CPC’s brand, style, and professional standards while championing Certification Modernization. She also volunteered extensive time and expertise to create the Certified Future Strategist certification.
  • Cathy Milton(opens in new tab) for her exceptional commitment to protecting the integrity and excellence of CPC’s programs and initiatives. Cathy’s leadership and careful oversight helped the 2026 Awards of Excellence program maintain its high professional standards. She also generously contributes her editorial expertise to reviewing CPC projects, publications, and initiatives.
  • Barb Penney(opens in new tab) for her valuable guidance as CPC strengthened its organizational and operational foundation. Barb contributed a thoughtful perspective throughout the human resources recruitment process, helping CPC carefully assess its staffing needs and move forward with confidence. Her practical insight and willingness to contribute supported CPC’s continued growth and development.
  • Dorothy Keenan(opens in new tab) for her thoughtful leadership and wide-ranging contributions to CPC’s continued evolution. Dorothy helped guide the human resources recruitment process, contributed valuable perspective to CPC’s vision and future direction, and actively supported various volunteer teams. Her strategic insight, encouragement, and willingness to contribute wherever needed strengthened the organization.
  • Brad Whitehorn(opens in new tab) for his significant contributions to CPC’s communications and strategic development. As volunteer Communications Team Lead, Brad helped strengthen CPC’s public voice and connection with its members. He has continued to generously share his experience, perspective, and professional insight, providing thoughtful guidance that has supported CPC’s outreach, decision-making, and continued progress.

Honourable Mentions:

  • Board of Directors(opens in new tab) for its collective leadership throughout a year of transition, progress, and renewed momentum. Every Board member contributed meaningful support, guidance, and strategic counsel. Their shared commitment helped CPC advance important initiatives, strengthen its foundation, and create new opportunities for continued success.
  • Events Team(opens in new tab) for creating welcoming, relevant, and engaging opportunities for CPC members to learn, connect, and participate in their professional community.
  • Certification & Awards Team(opens in new tab) for safeguarding the quality and credibility of CPC’s certification and awards programs while supporting candidates, maintaining professional standards, and contributing to ongoing modernization.
  • Communications Team(opens in new tab) for strengthening CPC’s public voice, sharing member-centred stories and resources, and encouraging meaningful participation across CPC’s communication channels.

If you have any questions about the Awards of Excellence program, please e-mail info@CareerProCanada.ca.

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