Sault-based human resources consultant Antoinette Blunt was honoured this week with the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce's ATHENA Award.
The annual award recognizes women who demonstrate excellence, creativity, and initiative in their business or profession, contribute time and energy to improve the quality of life for others and actively assist women in realizing their leadership potential.
Blunt received the award on Tuesday at the annual Women In Business Luncheon at the Riuniti Banquet Hall.
She's shown with Tyler Wilson, manager of customer service for Air Canada Jazz, the award sponsor.
The following is a Chamber of Commerce news release, followed by an abridged transcript of remarks from master of ceremonies Victoria Chiappetta: ******************** Chamber names ATHENA award winner
Antoinette Blunt receives award at annual Women In Business event
Sault Ste. Marie, ON – Local business woman Antoinette Blunt was honoured Tuesday with the ATHENA Award at the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce's annual Women In Business Luncheon at the Riuniti Banquet Hall.
Close to 150 local business women (and several men) were on hand to honour this year's recipient and to enjoy the unique annual networking event, which is now in its 5th year.
Blunt, who owns Ironside Consulting Services, specializes in human resources consulting, but many would recognize her from her years as the Executive Director of VON Algoma and from the many volunteer roles that she has held in the community.
Blunt recently opened a second office in Sudbury, where she is partnered with Gatien Human Resources Law Firm. Together, both companies offer seminars and workshops throughout Northern Ontario.
The ATHENA Award is presented annually by chambers of commerce, women's organizations and universities around the world.
The award is established through local host organizations, such as the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce in this case, in partnership with ATHENA International's national underwriters, local businesses and individual sponsors. Locally the award is sponsored by Air Canada and Air Canada Jazz.
Nominations are solicited and an ATHENA sculpture is awarded to an individual in the community who meets specific criteria.
Since the program's inception in 1982 more than 5000 awards have been presented in over 500 communities in the United States, Canada, China, Russia, the United Arab Emirates and most recently the United Kingdom.
By honoring exceptional leaders, the ATHENA Award Program seeks to inspire others to achieve excellence in their professional and personal lives.
Tuesday's luncheon also featured an address from local business woman Candy Mitchell, herself an ATHENA recipient.
Mitchell, the owner of Show Stoppers, a local party supply and rental business, and Chair of the city's Downtown Association, encouraged those in attendance to be prepared for change in their businesses, and offered her own insights on the some of the traits and skills shared by business people who have successfully weathered challenges and the shifting needs of customers in today's business climate.
The 2005 SSM Chamber of Commerce Women In Business Luncheon was sponsored by RBC Royal Bank and EZ Rock 100.5fm
******************* Introduction of 2005 ATHENA Award Recipient Antoinette Blunt as noted by Master of Ceremonies Victoria Chiappetta of Mathews Dinsdale & Clark LLP
I am pleased to announce that this year's ATHENA Award recipient is Antoinette Blunt, owner and operator of Ironside Consulting.
Those of you that know Antoinette, are undoubtedly aware that her profession has not always been consulting and human resources.
Antoinette was a leader in the health care community of Sault Ste. Marie and the district of Algoma for over 20 years.
She was responsible for leading the development of one of the first placement coordination services in the province, a program now in every city in Ontario that assists seniors with appropriate placement in long term care facilities when they can no longer reside in their own homes.
As executive director for VON Algoma, Antoinette spearheaded the development of many programs to meet the needs of our community including:
• the first in-home intravenous therapy program
• a number of cancer care programs including a hospice program
• interdisciplinary palliative care, physician's education and cancer supportive care programs for northeastern Ontario
In 1999, when VON Algoma had to close the nursing services program due to provincial changes in community health care delivery in Ontario, Antoinette worked diligently to start an adult day care program for frail elderly, a service not found in Algoma but one that is still in operation today.
It also assured the continued presence of VON in our community when, in many other communities in Ontario, the organization was closing its doors completely.
Upon leaving VON, Antoinette decided to pursue other interests.
She completed her Masters Degree in Public Administration at Lake Superior State University and received her designation as a Certified Human Resources Professional, a certification now recognized across Canada.
She then opened her consulting practice focusing on human resources and labour relations.
She has provided many services to clients including negotiation of collective agreements, performance management systems design, training and pay equity services.
Her business has grown successfully over the past five years.
Her business, Ironside Consulting Services, has been contracted by many organizations and companies throughout Northeastern Ontario.
In the spring of 2005, she officially opened her second office in Sudbury.
Her company has formed a strategic business alliance with Gatien Human Resources Law Firm in Sudbury, and together both companies provide seminars and workshops for employers throughout Northern Ontario.
Even though Antoinette no longer practices in the health care field, she remained actively involved as a volunteer in the role of Vice Chair of the Long Term Care Committee of the District Health Council until earlier this year.
During her time in the health care field, Antoinette served on many additional committees and advisory groups, too many to list fully here.
She currently serves her peers in several roles with the Human Resources Professionals Association of Ontario, an association representing almost 15,000 members, notably:
• as a member of the provincial board of directors • chair of its appeals committee • a member of its provincial government affairs committee
Recently Antoinette was asked by the Director of Corporate Services of the Sudbury Regional Police Service to act as a mentor for a group of young girls from Grades 6 to 8, in a day-long workshop in Sudbury.
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