THUNDER BAY - Shift has named 40 nominees for next year's Northwestern Ontario Visionary Awards.
The young professional organization holds the awards every two years and has nominated 300 people and awarded 80 trophies over the past eight years.
The ceremony is slated to take place on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020 at the Valhalla Inn and the gala aims to inspire other young professionals to achieve their potential.
The awards are given out in a variety of categories.
Community Champion (Five awards)
Awarded to the most dedicated volunteers, activists, and altruists, these young professionals donate their time and resources and/or dedicate their careers to worthwhile causes, organizations, and initiatives that build up their communities. Through their work or through their volunteerism, they are champions of social welfare and are a driving force of positive change.
Nominees
- Candi Badanai
- Amanda Bay
- Stephanie Belec
- Dayna Bobrowski-Lowndes
- Ashlee Burton
- Erin Collins
- Alyssa Craig
- Mario Filane
- Jacqueline Forbes-Dyck
- Emily Groulx
- Joshua Hewitt
- Zee Javed
- Linda Kelly
- Stephen Margarit
- Adetunde Ogunberu
- Caroline Rocheleau
- Hafsa Siddiqui
- Sean Spenrath
- Jim Stadey
- Antonio Stefanile
- Albert Tjong
- Jamie Lee Yawney
Leadership (Five awards)
Awarded to young professionals who take charge in motivating, inspiring, and mentoring others. They are catalysts, visionaries, and they are team players.
Nominees
- Kristina Baraskewich
- Jocelyn Bel
- Tamara Bernard
- Dayna Bobrowski-Lowndes
- Lindsey Caron
- Jacqueline Forbes-Dyck
- Cody Fraser
- Myles Kuharski
- Masoud Manzouri
- Stephen Margarit
- Jakob Marszowski
- Erika Mikkola
- Abbey Nedgial
- Stephanie Pescheau
- Kirsi Ralko
- Jamie Sitar
- Sean Spenrath
- Natasha Stoyakovich
Business and/or Professional Achievement (Five awards)
Awarded to the most significant movers and shakers in their fields, these young professionals excel in business and/or their careers. Their work is impactful – creating jobs, improving quality of life, driving innovation, and propelling advancement.
Nominees
- Corey Anderson
- Stephanie Belec
- Meagan Botterill
- Ellen Bright
- Derval Clarke
- Neema Dadgostar
- Jessica Graham
- Morgan Houston
- Curtis Jensen
- Emily Lauzon
- Shannon Lepere
- Peter Marchl
- Katie Simoneau
- Jordan Sokoloski
- Albert Tjong
- Richard Togman
- Elsie Tranmer
- Patrick Trevisanutto
- Holly Watson
- Jamie Lee Yawney
Civic Pride (One Award)
Awarded to the young professional who shows the most 'heart' for their community through their efforts in community improvement and instilling civic pride in others.
Nominees
- Amanda Bay
- Shannon Costigan
- Mario Filane
- Joshua Hewitt
- Erika Mikkola
- Caroline Rocheleau
- Michelle Williams
- Jamie Lee Yawney
Rising Star (One Award)
Awarded to a dynamic up-and-comer under the age of 30. Someone who demonstrates huge potential; this is one to watch!
Nominees
- Jocelyn Bel
- Lindsey Caron
- Erin Collins
- Jamie DelBen
- Abbey Nedgial
- Hafsa Siddiqui
- Cashen Tighe
- Elsie Tranmer
- Jamie Lee Yawney
SHIFT Disturber (One Award)
Awarded to a game changer; disrupter; someone who is unafraid to challenge the norm. This young professional is making waves by doing things differently.
Nominees
- Tamara Bernard
- Lindsey Caron
- Sean Spenrath
- Richard Togman
- Jason Veltri
Registration for the gala is available here.
