HRmatters www.cphrmb.ca 10 C AN EVENING OF HR EXCELLENCE CPHR Manitoba’s HR Excellence Awards is an evening that celebrates the successes, achievements and impacts of HR in Manitoba and all the individuals and employers who are advancing the human resources profession and driving business excellence. For the past 17 years and counting, CPHR Manitoba members and businesses have gathered to hear the stories of all the innovative individuals and teams who have risen to the occasion and made a lasting impact on their workplaces. And on the night of April 4, 2019, at the Metropolitan Entertainment Centre (The MET), they heard 16 stories from proud nominees in the Professional and Business Excellence Awards, and one from our newly- honoured Fellow CPHR, Roma Thorlakson. Janice Harper, Chair of CPHR Manitoba, and Michelle Whyard, Chair of the Awards Gala Nominations Committee, opened the event to recognize, support and celebrate all of CPHR Manitoba’s members and organizations who were nominated. “Tonight we are honoured to celebrate all of the professionals and businesses who are leading by example to advance the industry and drive business excellence,” Harper declared. Whyard then placed heavy emphasis on the importance of sharing stories, stating, “Every day, I hear stories about HR professionals and businesses being proactive, addressing these and other HR-related matters while creating new opportunities for growth, advancement and success for the company and the hard-working individuals behind it. I know the HR profession is humble, but these are stories that need to be heard, recognized and celebrated.” Each nominee’s story painted a vivid picture of their dedication to the profession and captured the innovation within the workplace. Ron Gauthier, CEO of CPHR Manitoba, delivered the first award of the evening. Two $1,000 scholarships – one for a student in an Accredited Certificate or Diploma Program and one for a student in a Degree Program – were awarded to Jay Michno and Jayden Joseph for their outstanding portfolio of academic, leadership, extra-curricular and human resource activities. The Rising Star Award – sponsored by the University of Manitoba Extended Education – was presented to Brittany Enns, CPHR Candidate, Manager of Human Resources with RAPID RTC and Jennifer Harding, CPHR Candidate, Human Resources Generalist with MacDon Industries. Both individuals were equally recognized for their impressive accomplishments and results in the first five years of Human Resources experience. The HR Professional of the Year Award – sponsored by Manitoba Blue Cross – was presented to Laura Matlashewski, CPHR, Manager of Total Rewards with Manitoba Public Insurance for developing, championing and implementing an initiative, program or project that clearly and measurably demonstrated a positive impact in the organization. A three-course dinner was served between presentations of the Professional Excellence Awards. The first course started with tomato vegetable soup, followed Celebrating Human Resources Achievements in Manitoba