NEWS RELEASE
YMCA OF THREE RIVERS
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Get ready to celebrate the strength, resilience, and impact of inspiring women in the Guelph community at the 30th Women of Distinction Awards Celebration, hosted by the YMCA of Three Rivers. The event will take place on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Arboretum Centre at the University of Guelph.
This milestone event is a unique opportunity to recognize and celebrate Guelph's newest Women of Distinction honourees for their outstanding contributions to the community. Join us for an evening filled with inspiration as we celebrate the remarkable power women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals have on shaping our community.
2024 Women of Distinction Honourees
Women of Distinction
Dionne Daley
Founder and President of the BIPOC Outdoor Gear Library, one of the primary organizers of Guelph’s Black Lives Matter Solidarity March, vice president of Innovation Research at IPSOS, and board member for multiple local nature-based initiatives.
Dr. Madhur Anand
Director of the University of Guelph Institute for Environmental Research (GIER), award-winning author, Board of Directors for rare Charitable Research Reserve and Eden Mills Writers Festival, and program faculty at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity.
Dr. Melissa Perreault
Neuroscientist at the University of Guelph, outstanding distinguished scholar, with numerous notable accolades, proud Métis citizen, and active Indigenous community champion.
Patricia Tersigni
A community champion with more than 18 years volunteer service to the United Way of Guelph Wellington Dufferin, including as campaign chair and board co-chair recently, a trusted senior leader at the University of Guelph and proponent of gender equity.
Shakiba Shayani
First female president and CEO of the Guelph Chamber of Commerce, with deep experience supporting Guelph's non-profit and business communities as both a professional and as a volunteer; a dedicated advocate and champion for diversity and inclusion.
Young Trailblazer
Emma McKendry-Baker
Neurodivergent student, and proud member of and advocate for the 2SLBGTQ+ community; active volunteer, fundraiser, and champion of environmental causes.
Lifetime Achievement
Marie Zimmerman
Former executive director of the Hillside Festival, and founding member of the Guelph Fab 5, Community Engagement Officer for the International Institute for Critical Studies in Improvisation at the University of Guelph, and a longstanding volunteer and champion of the arts, both locally and provincially.
The title sponsor for this year’s event is the Skyline Group of Companies (Skyline). “Skyline stands as a champion for equity and inclusion. We proudly and continually celebrate the leadership, strength, and accomplishments of our many incredible female leaders and co-workers. Their voices, experiences, and achievements bring forward innovation and strategic growth—and they form an integral part of who Skyline is,” says R. Jason Ashdown, Skyline Co-founder and Chief Sustainability Officer. “We recognize our responsibility to use our influence for positive change, and we are proud to support community organizations and programs, like the YMCA of Three Rivers, that shine a light on the power, potential, and limitless capability of women and girls.” says Ashdown.
Proceeds from this event play a crucial role in supporting the YMCA's programming for women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals, including the Teenage Parents Program and Power of Being You. Through our partnership with YWCA Canada, we are proud to continue offering these vital programs in the Guelph community.
"The Women of Distinction Awards have been a beacon of inspiration for three decades, showcasing the incredible contributions of women in our community," shared Lisa Hood, VP of Philanthropy and Marketing at the YMCA of Three Rivers. "In recognizing these exceptional women, we celebrate not only their achievements but also the collective power of a supportive and inclusive community that uplifts and empowers all its members."
Event details:
Date: Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Time: 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Venue: Arboretum Centre, University of Guelph
Ticket Information: Tickets for the 30th Women of Distinction Awards Celebration are available now! Don't miss the chance to be part of this uplifting celebration.
To learn more about the Women of Distinction Awards and purchase your tickets for this year’s event, please click here.
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