This award recognizes an HR professional who demonstrates outstanding professionalism and a commitment to excellence in HR management within the HR community.
Recipient
Ashley Wagner
Human Resources Advisor
Elections Canada (EC)
As Talent Management Lead, Ashley was at the heart of the Leadership Renewal Program (LRP) from conception to implementation, developing a uniquely designed program that went beyond traditional public service leadership programs in terms of its scope and approach – one tailored to each participant’s needs. At every stage of the LPR work, from developing procedures and leading senior level consultations, to coordinating the delivery of curriculum activities, Ashley consistently displayed exceptional performance. Her strategic aptitude allowed her to interpret and deliver precisely what the agency required to meet its objectives. She invested time in comprehending the context, conducting thorough research and offering solutions with remarkable autonomy. The program permitted EC to strengthen its leadership cadre and fill key vacancies, therefore nurturing a strong feeder system.
Ashley is a collaborative team player, always ensuring that all HR functional areas are consulted and reflected in projects. She obtains buy-in with ease by communicating clearly and consistently exuding a professional presence. Colleagues say she is a joy to work with, provides quality work and is an active listener and a forward thinker. It’s no surprise that many groups within the agency want her on their files.
“Ashley Wagner’s approach to developing and implementing the Talent Management Program was inclusive, collaborative and open; as such, she was able to gain full buy-in and support from senior management.”
Finalists
Stacey LaCroix-Sauvé
Senior Human Resources Advisor
Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC)
In November 2021, Stacey LaCroix-Sauvé joined the PPSC as the staffing advisor of all three territories. Stacey quickly settled into her role and brought a vast wealth of knowledge and experience to an extremely challenging environment – the North. Notably, Stacey recognized the high staff turnover in the northern offices and took immediate action to address it. Aiming to create a more stable workforce, she consolidated efforts to hire and train local individuals and established a network of organizations and businesses to attract Indigenous candidates. As a result, there has been a remarkable decrease in turnover compared to previous years, when annual turnover rates would reach as high as 20%. Stacey’s efforts have been instrumental in aligning the department with its core values of equity and inclusion, commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, professionalism, trust, courage and respect.
Stacey maintains the highest standard of professionalism, respect and efficiency amid a heavy workload. Her role continues to evolve and is essential element of the territories’ response to the calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and the calls for justice of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
“Stacey clearly understands the needs and challenges of her Northern clients, specifically in relation to the inquiry on Missing and Murdered Ingenious Women and Girls (MMIWG) and the impact this has on her work with the regional offices.”
Katherine Rawlings
Human Resources Generalist Advisor
Canadian Space Agency (CSA)
Katherine demonstrates outstanding level of engagement and a superb client-oriented attitude. These qualities, combined with her strong leadership skills, enabled the Canadian Space Agency Space Utilisation Branch to break from a chronic shortfall of resources. She brought new life and a sense of hope to her team in the face of a significant increase in workload due to the funding of new space missions. Advising on calculated risks and using every tool at her disposal, Katherine was instrumental in progressing staffing advancements, enabling the agency to effectively prepare for the additional work. Without her expert use of staffing flexibilities and creative solutions, the Space Utilisation group would not be in a position to support the implementation of the newly funded missions.
Katherine’s collaborative approach and commitment to the organization’s strategic objectives contributed to making her an integral team member, beyond a typical advisory responsibility. As a result, her skills were relied upon to support strategic HR planning, as well as Treasury Board submission and budget proposals. Her dedication and determination to deliver on her commitments make her a role model in the organization’s program teams, as well as the broader HR discipline.
“Katherine has become a voice of diversity and inclusion, bringing up the viewpoints that we missed. She speaks on behalf of the underprivileged and encourages equity and inclusion in our decision-making, and she brings to the table a sense of humanity that every one of us applauds. Her presence is quiet and constant; her ideas are brought forth with diplomacy and kindness.”
Notable Nominees
Cynthia Caron
Senior Human Resources Advisor
Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC)
Cynthia currently works for the Executive Services Directorate of PSPC’s Human Resources Branch, where she provides trusted and sound advisory services on executive staffing. Resourceful and client service-oriented, Cynthia has consistently demonstrated humility, utmost professionalism and integrity when dealing with high-priority and high-visibility files. Cynthia actively contributes to staffing visions and goals by demonstrating strong business acumen and participating in the strategic planning process, enabling senior management teams to meet their objectives. Cynthia’s involvement in key files has been invaluable and she has gained the trust and confidence of senior management.
Janie Charbonneau
Human Resources Advisor
Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC)
Janie Charbonneau is the Human Resources Advisor assigned to the Infrastructure Asset Management portfolio of Real Property Services at PSPC. Every day, she demonstrates courtesy and an immense level of patience in responding to the questions and concerns of the operational team and senior management. Janie often proposes innovative solutions related to staffing, ensuring that they are viable, as well as inclusive and transparent. By striving for excellence in the quality of her services, not only does she make the daily lives of her team members easier, she also encourages them to do the same. Her positive attitude helps to maintain healthy, harmonious relations between the two sectors. Janie’s work ethic and integrity make her an invaluable resource for the organization, and an inspiration to always aim higher.
Sonia Dhillon
Human Resources Advisor
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC)
Sonia Dhillon serves as the Human Resources Advisor for multiple directors and hiring managers in the Manitoba Region of Indigenous Services Canada. Her dedication to the public service and HR profession is evident in her comprehensive support, ranging from advising on job postings and evaluation tools, to assisting with appointment documentation. Despite managing a substantial client base, Sonia consistently delivers personalized service, showcasing professionalism, exceptional organization and meticulous attention to detail. She sets an example for fellow HR professionals and public servants through her unwavering commitment to her work and innovative approaches that aid others in achieving their planning and staffing objectives. In addition to her official duties, Sonia goes above and beyond by providing targeted training opportunities, organizing information sessions to attract applicants and mentoring new staff members. Moreover, she actively champions the HR-to-Pay initiative, offering expert advice and feedback to ensure timely compliance with requirements and progress toward goals.
Lysanne Faubert
Human Resources Generalist Advisor
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Lysanne’s extensive years of experience in the HR field are evident in her professionalism and the grace with which she provides advice and guidance on a wide range of HR activities and challenges. She has supported management at the College@ESDC in each of the 62 HR requests that were approved by the Workforce Management Committee (WMC) this year and provided hands-on support to ensure all paperwork was successfully processed. Furthermore, she is very innovative as a problem solver and does not hesitate to think outside-the-box, in the absence of established processes or procedures. Lysanne’s dedication to the HR profession is truly inspiring and her strategic HR advice has been instrumental in helping the College@ESDC achieve its business priorities and mandate.
Stephanie Forcier
Senior Human Resources Advisor in Corporate Staffing
Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC)
Stephanie Forcier holds the position of Senior Human Resources Advisor in the Corporate Staffing department at the PPSC. Despite her relatively brief tenure since joining the organization in 2021, Stephanie has already made a significant impact as a catalyst for positive change. She has spearheaded the implementation of innovative solutions to enhance diversity, inclusivity and efficiency in PPSC’s staffing practices. Stephanie frequently handles challenging clients at PPSC and consistently approaches her interactions with them and her colleagues with a positive, prompt, supportive and respectful attitude. She upholds the highest standards of integrity to ensure that her clients’ decisions align with PPSC’s organizational priorities and uphold the values of the public service.
Laura Ready
Acting Team Leader
Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC)
Laura Ready is an exceptional HR professional, serving as the HR Advisor for the Veterans Review and Appeal Board for the past four years. Laura’s collaborative approach and willingness to generously share her knowledge have made her an outstanding leader, going above and beyond to support staff at all levels. Through her efforts, the Board has successfully educated administrative staff on various staffing actions and streamlined hiring processes, resulting in over 100 completed staffing actions within a year. Her work has helped stabilize a significant portion of the Board’s workforce and has resulted in the implementation of a hiring plan aligned with temporary funding for this fiscal year. She is a strong advocate for employee well-being, considering the perspectives of all individuals affected by staffing decisions, including equity-deserving communities. The impact of Laura’s guidance on the Board has been tremendous and her expertise will continue to benefit the organization in the future.
