Algoma Visionary Awards were presented Friday to celebrate the contributions of young professionals in Sault Ste. Marie and area.
Strive YPG Chair Haroon Naseer Butt said in a news release the evening honoured exceptional individuals whose passion, leadership, and dedication make our community an outstanding place to live, work, and play. Jason Naccarato, president of the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the significance of young professionals in the community, emphasizing the importance of leadership and emphasizing that our community of young professionals is as strong as ever and that these are the future leaders of our community.
The event, attended by 313 guests, featured 103 nominees and 17 award recipients.
Strive YPG introduced two new awards: the Indigenous Visionary Award of Distinction and the Newcomer Achievement Award of Distinction sponsored by the Ontario Lottery & Gaming Corporation (OLG) and InterCultural Avec Immigration Inc. (iCA) respectively.
The Indigenous Visionary Award of Distinction recognizes Indigenous business owners, leaders, entrepreneurs, and difference-makers aged 19-40, who have significantly impacted their communities through innovation, leadership, and social progress.
The Newcomer Achievement Award of Distinction recognizes emerging leaders aged 19-40, who have arrived in Canada within the last 3 years or individuals who have returned to Sault Ste Marie after more than 5 years and made significant contributions to their places of work, school, and the community.
Following is a list of this year's awards winners:
- Arts, Music & Culture Industry Award sponsored by the Strive Young Professionals Group – Lucia Laford
- Business Administration Industry Award sponsored by the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce – Steph Luciani
- Consumer & Retail Industry Award sponsored by the Community Development Corporation of Sault Ste. Marie & Area – Sophia Stone
- Environment & Natural Resources Industry Award sponsored by Sault College – Stevie Luzzi
- Health Sciences Industry Award sponsored by Sault Area Hospital – Sheena Erhardt
- Hospitality & Tourism Industry Award sponsored by Destination Northern Ontario – Chad Coombs
- Lifestyle & Wellness Industry Award sponsored by Dr. Floreani, O'Toole & Dool Orthodontists/Straight Smile – Erin Mezzomo
- Public & Social Services Industry Award sponsored by Stone’s Office Supply Inc. – Mansi Goyal
- Trades & Labour Industry Award sponsored by PUC Services Inc. – Nikki Bouchard
- Business/Professional Development Achievement Award of Distinction sponsored by Algoma Steel Inc. – Elise Schofield
- Community Champion and Civic Pride Award of Distinction sponsored by Ontario Lottery & Gaming Corporation (OLG) – Luis Moreno
- Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award of Distinction sponsored by Rogers Sports & Media – Robin Sutherland
- Leadership Award of Distinction sponsored by the Algoma Workforce Investment Corporation – Michela Febbraro
- Newcomer Achievement Award of Distinction sponsored by InterCultural Avec Immigration Inc. (iCA) – Mayesha Verma
- Indigenous Visionary Award of Distinction sponsored by Ontario Lottery & Gaming Corporation (OLG) – Jonathan Boyer-Nolan
- ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award of Distinction sponsored by Enbridge Inc. – Meaghan Kent
- Young Professional of the Year Award of Distinction sponsored by Algoma University – Lucia Laford
About the Strive Young Professionals Group
StriveYPG was developed in 2012 by the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce to fill a representation gap for individuals between the ages of 19 to 40. This subcommittee of the Sault’s Chamber of Commerce has an elected executive, which is rotated annually based on its active membership votes. The elected executive of Strive works with other groups, individuals, and businesses inside the community to provide networking events, learning development opportunities, and community involvement initiatives. Learn more about the Strive YPG at www.striveypg.com.