This award recognizes a human resources (HR) manager or executive who is a leader in the HR function across their organization and/or the public service level. The individual plays a pivotal and strategic people management role in their organization and has a demonstrated track record of excellence in people management leadership.
Recipient
Linda Le Phan
Director, Executive Services and Programs
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Since joining Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in 2014, Linda has been a pillar of unwavering support and stability for every team she’s been a part of. Throughout the years, she has consistently offered invaluable guidance to IRCC’s most senior managers, leveraging her deep expertise in legislation, policy and organizational strategy.
As a newly appointed executive in 2023, Linda seamlessly took on leadership of her new team. Despite the challenges presented during 2023-2024, she showcased outstanding leadership amid a departmental realignment exercise, successfully filling seven Assistant Deputy Minister positions, while simultaneously managing multiple new initiatives.
Linda’s vision and strategic insight were particularly evident in spearheading the launch of a new talent management database, significantly enhancing career opportunities for executive (EX) feeder groups within IRCC. She also led and supported her team in developing of the Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ADEI) Index for EXs, a tool designed to measure EX performance against ADEI indicators and incorporate these assessments into the EX performance management process.
Linda’s collaborative approach and adeptness in mobilizing her team have ensured the consistent delivery of high-level client service within IRCC. Her advocacy for diversity and inclusion initiatives has fostered meaningful collaboration across divisions, furthering the organization’s inclusive culture. Beyond her professional achievements, Linda’s compassionate leadership style fosters a supportive environment where her team thrives.
“Linda is a natural, authentic and charismatic HR professional who models integrity in her work ethic and expects the same of her employees, colleagues and superiors. She is committed to people management excellence, which is clearly visible in all of her efforts and accomplishments.”
Finalists
Marc Gosselin
Director, Occupational Health and Safety
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
For the past three years, Marc has led the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Centre of Expertise at the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat’s (TBS) Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer (OCHRO). He is responsible for leading and overseeing initiatives for three TBS directives and three National Joint Council directives. As director, Marc develops and implements directives and programs to promote a safe and healthy work environment for all employees.
Marc also sits on several advisory committees related to various OHS initiatives, such as revising the Work Place Harassment and Violence Prevention interpretations, policy and guidelines. He participates actively in all OHS communities of practice, keeping abreast of the latest evidence, case law and best practices in human resources.
As a leader, Marc brings a unique perspective that focuses on employees’ physical, emotional and mental well-being. His leadership has fostered a culture of recognition and inclusion, strengthening employee engagement and fostering a sense of belonging. What sets Marc apart from his peers is his ability to innovate and anticipate the future needs of his team and the organization. Through his positive influence across the public service, he demonstrates his ability to engage and lead diverse teams effectively to achieve OCHRO’s OHS and harassment/violence prevention strategic objectives.
“Marc demonstrates sound leadership in human resources that focuses above all on the well-being of employees in the workplace while supporting the role and responsibilities of managers.”
Shane Heath
Director, Analytics
Health Canada
Shane Heath is recognized for his exceptional leadership in HR management at Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada. Widely recognized for his commitment to excellence, Shane has built a powerful HR team by recruiting and training knowledgeable HR professionals while instilling a culture of excellence. Central to his leadership philosophy is the empowerment of his team members by ensuring they possess the necessary tools and resources for peak performance, while actively encouraging their professional growth through training initiatives.
Shane has established partnerships and networks across various branches and HR areas, providing him with profound insights into data requirements to identify gaps and enhance HR processes. His impact and leadership extend beyond the organization to the public service HR Community. Spearheading transformative projects, such as the Omnia Data Entry System, he has significantly reduced data errors, streamlined administrative process, and improved data-driven decision-making. Shane’s creation of ‘One HR’ exemplifies his unwavering commitment to departmental efficiency and excellence. This innovative online platform modernizes staffing processes, alleviates administrative burdens and provides reliable data for informed decision-making.
Through his efforts, Shane has strengthened the organization’s ability to leverage collective expertise, improve processes and achieve shared goals. His impactful contributions have set new standards of HR management excellence across the public service.
“Shane is a strong, strategic leader who not only has innovative visions for the department, but has the ability to implement those concepts and turn them into a reality.”
Notable Nominees
Jessica Bassil
Senior Manager, Strategic Planning
Employment and Social Development Canada
Jessica Bassil’s contributions have established her as a leader within her organization and as a role model for senior management and the broader HR community. She joined the Innovation, Information and Technology Branch (IITB)’s Business Management Services team in 2020 as a manager and has since been instrumental in multiple business transformations. Notably, in April 2023, she played a key role in the BOP Way Forward initiative, which aimed to completely revamp the business model and return control of classification and staffing requests to managers. Additionally, she led the recruitment team and HR support team. During the strike period, Jessica served as Acting Director of IITB. Her leadership was crucial in guiding the branch, which is comprised of over 3,000 positions, through this difficult time. Jessica is an invaluable asset, which is exemplified by her deep knowledge and diverse skillset, as well as the respect and admiration she has earned from all those around her.
Lena Papadatos
Team Leader, Staffing
Indigenous Services Canada
Lena Papadatos has excelled in her role as Senior HR Team Leader. As a strong and reliable leader, she is the go-to expert for the entire Indigenous Services Canada Ontario regional management team, providing top-tier HR knowledge, guidance and best practices on staffing, performance management and classification processes. Lena frequently researches and explores innovative solutions to address the challenging and unique business needs of the region. She maintains strong horizontal partnerships and networks, addresses HR-related questions, offers guidance and directs inquiries to the appropriate subject matter experts, as needed. Her dedication to delivering high-quality HR services has contributed significantly to the region’s accomplishments. Additionally, Lena invests time in mentoring her colleagues, by sharing information and best practices, and helping them to better understand HR processes. She is always willing and available to share her knowledge and experience. Lena has done an outstanding job in building a strong HR team.
Christy Roach
Manager, Labour Relations
Indigenous Services Canada
Christy Roach stands out as a highly effective regional Labour Relations Manager at Indigenous Services Canada. She fosters a supportive team environment where open communication is highly valued. By actively listening and advocating for her team’s ideas, she builds trust and empowers her employees to contribute in meaningful ways. As an exceptional communicator, Christy keeps her team well-informed by diligently sharing relevant information. She prioritizes personal connections through one-on-one meetings with employees, enabling them to feel valued and appreciated at work. Christy excels at leading her team towards achieving their goals. With her extensive knowledge in labour relations, she seeks solutions and actively clarifies issues during periods of change. Her keen focus on her clients’ needs ensures the delivery of high-quality HR services. Her dedication extends beyond her team, fostering collaboration across HR through knowledge sharing. Christy’s exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment make her an invaluable asset to her team and the entire organization.
Francine Séguin
Director, Special Projects
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Francine Séguin has made significant contributions to HR in the federal public service. As a valued leader across several communities of practice, she is a gifted HR professional who assesses situations and identifies solutions that are often overlooked. Francine then quietly works to implement these solutions and effectively tackle complex challenges. Her unwavering positivity and perseverance inspire everyone around her. Recently, Francine took on the challenge of addressing the talent gap for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)’s future leaders by transforming the Officer Candidate Process. This process is the primary mechanism through which Non-Commissioned Officers express interest in and transition to the Commissioned Officer ranks. The first phase of her initiative has already yielded positive results, including a significant rise in applications and notable increases in the representation of employment equity and equity-seeking groups. Francine’s efforts are paving the way for a more inclusive and capable leadership within the RCMP.
Explore other award categories:
- Business Leader Award
- Career Contribution in HR Award
- Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility in HR Award – Individual
- Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility in HR Award – Team
- Head of HR Award
- HR Administrative Support Professional
- HR Professional Award
- HR Team Award
- New HR Talent Award
