This award recognizes a human resources (HR) professional who demonstrates outstanding professionalism and a commitment to excellence in HR management within the HR community.
Recipient
Brandy Fenwick
Team Leader, HR Operations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Brandy embarked on her public service journey in 2013 and brought her talents to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) in 2016 as an HR advisor. She seamlessly transitioned to her new role, demonstrating an exceptional ability to interpret and implement complex legislation and policies with precision. In November 2022, Brandy took on the pivotal role of HR advisor to DFO’s Arctic Region. Staffing in the North comes with a unique set of challenges and obstacles, and Brandy rose to them all with remarkable tenacity.
She constantly challenges the status quo and isn’t afraid of exploring innovative approaches to help build an Arctic Region that is representative of the communities it serves. Her training sessions for northern external partners and community members are having a real impact by demystifying the application process and increasing success rates. Further, she implemented an interview orientation session that provides northern candidates with an overview of the Government of Canada interview process.
Brandy is dedicated to ensuring that her clients receive first-class service, taking the time to deeply understand their business from both a management and an employee perspective. By thoroughly learning their challenges, frustrations, opportunities and needs, Brandy strives to enhance HR processes, alleviating concerns and boosting overall efficiency. Her unwavering commitment to service excellence and continuous improvement makes her an invaluable asset to the DFO Arctic Region and a true leader in her field.
“Her ability to remain positive and look for solutions, rather than be defeated by challenges that do not have simple answers, is admirable.”
Finalists
Joanie Charron
HR Specialist Advisor, CRHA
Library and Archives Canada
Joanie is a Human Resource Specialist Advisor at Library and Archives Canada (LAC). Throughout fiscal year 2023–24, she provided critical and unwavering support to the Government Records Branch during a period of rapid growth and significant organizational change.
Over a period of two years, Joanie led 6 student recruitment processes, 9 internal and external selection processes,157 individual staffing actions, and 14 student hires and re-hires. She guided management and senior leaders on numerous staffing actions involving the creation of multiple new teams under a temporary Treasury Board submission. Joanie ensured that staffing actions were clear, transparent and accountable, even as the number of requests tripled and became increasingly complex due to the nature of off-budget allocated funds, including LAC’s critical Day Schools and access projects. She ensured that new and expanding teams were staffed appropriately and that all staffing actions were conducted with promptness, integrity and respect.
Without her support, it would have been impossible to achieve the successes of this year. Simply put, the organizational objectives and sector priorities of the Government Records Branch would have been unattainable without Joanie’s expert knowledge and dedication to service excellence. Her abilities consistently surpassed expectations and she remained objective, professional and proactive at all stages of each hiring action.
“She holds herself to a very high professional standard; she’s trustworthy, respectful and honest, but most importantly, she’s fair and prompt in how she assists others while navigating the complexities of HR staffing processes.”
Nathalie Richard
HR Advisor, Atlantic Region, Front-line Planning and Recruitment
Correctional Service Canada
Nathalie Richard, an HR advisor responsible for recruitment at Correctional Service Canada (CSC), has shown exemplary dedication, professionalism and commitment to advancing CSC’s business needs while upholding the principles of diversity. Nathalie played a pivotal role in ensuring that recruitment efforts in the Atlantic Region align with CSC’s business objectives, while also advancing the Call to Action on Anti-Racism, Equity, and Inclusion in the Federal Public Service. Through her strategic recruitment initiatives, she identified and attracted talent from diverse backgrounds, enriching the workforce and fulfilling organizational mandates.
Nathalie navigated the unique challenges associated with recruitment and retention in remote areas, resulting in significant improvements to CSC’s HR practices. She worked diligently with her senior management team to expand recruitment efforts for the Atlantic Institution, including by starting a campaign of billboard advertisements, participating in job fairs in French communities and establishing a pilot program for hiring correctional officers who meet particular language requirements.
Her personal yet professional approach has fostered positive relationships with potential candidates and set a standard of dedication for her colleagues in the organization. As the face of recruitment, she embodies CSC’s values, serving as a true role model. Nathalie’s exceptional contributions as an HR advisor have significantly impacted her clients’ success in meeting recruitment objectives. Through her dedication to advancing organizational needs and promoting diversity, inclusion and official languages requirements, she exemplifies the highest standards of professionalism and excellence in HR management.
“Nathalie is a respected employee of the team, and she leads by example. She continues to have a lasting positive impact on the HR Community and on CSC.”
Notable Nominees
Gigi Gillespie
Occupational Health and Safety Advisor
Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
Gigi has been a dedicated public servant at the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) for over 25 years, many of which she spent working in occupational health and safety (OHS). Gigi continues to exceed expectations on a regular basis. She is responsible for supporting OHS both in the Western Region and at corporate level. Gigi led in the successful development and implementation of the Workplace Harassment and Violence Prevention Program at the IRB. She is currently leading the creation and implementation of our Hazard Prevention Program. Whether responding to inquiries from the Western Region or working on a policy, directive, procedure or project, Gigi consistently offers timely advice, guidance and solutions with the highest level of respect. Gigi has been, and will continue to be, a key component to the success of the IRB’s OHS Program.
Naomi Kukula
Senior Labour Relations Advisor
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Since 2017, Naomi has provided labour relations guidance to the Ontario Operations Northeast Region, which encompasses all programs regulated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), except for Plant Protection. Naomi’s role requires her to provide guidance on multiple collective agreements, and she has contributed significantly to numerous HR management achievements at CFIA. During the COVID‑19 pandemic, Naomi was appointed as an advisor in the Centre of Expertise for Mandatory Vaccination. In this role, she provided in-depth analysis and recommendations to the appropriate vice‑president (VP) on each request for exemption. Her exemplary work received praise from her centre of expertise leaders and her VP clients, and from the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada and the Public Service Alliance of Canada.
Jessica Martineau
Learning Specialist
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
Jessica’s career was defined by dedication, excellence and commitment, always with the aim of taking concrete action. She has been recognized for her exemplary contribution to the HR Community in the training field. The experience she gained over the last few years in the areas of learning, human resources and compensation enabled her to oversee the development of the redesign of the mandatory HR-to-Pay training for managers and employees in the Canadian public service. To achieve this objective, she collaborated with more than 20 departments and helped establish a strategic partnership with the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, Public Services and Procurement Canada and the Canada School of Public Service (CSPS). The HR-to-Pay for Employees (FON308) course from the CSPS was dedicated to Jessica’s memory. The passion, expertise and deep commitment she demonstrated in developing this course will forever remain a source of inspiration.
Caleigh Miller
Free Agent
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
As the chair of the BC/Yukon Interdepartmental Staffing Community of Practice and through her assignments as a free agent with the Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer, the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Polar Knowledge Canada, Caleigh has played a pivotal role in fostering collaboration and innovation across departments. Caleigh’s dedication to continuous learning and active engagement in the HR community reflects her passion for advancing the profession and supporting government priorities. Her strategic approach to understanding client needs has made her a trusted partner in delivering high-quality services and driving organizational success. Furthermore, Caleigh’s integrity, professionalism and inclusive mindset have made her a role model in her organization and in the HR community. Her efforts in promoting diversity, inclusion and positive workplace culture highlight her commitment to creating impactful and sustainable change. Caleigh’s outstanding contributions, strategic leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence have made her an indispensable asset and a source of inspiration for her peers.
Lori Murphy
Strategic Advisor/Manager Digital Projects
Department of National Defence
Lori has had an extensive career in public service, specializing in compensation, with a strong background in digital systems from her time in the private sector. Her diverse skills have been invaluable to the National Defence, particularly in addressing challenges from the Phoenix pay system. Lori played a crucial role in rebuilding the compensation team post-Phoenix, demonstrating exceptional leadership in integrating HR transactions into Phoenix. Her extensive corporate knowledge and technical abilities have made her the go-to person on pay and benefits. Lori’s unwavering dedication to her colleagues and to the broader Defence team is evident in her transparent approach to work, which fosters a culture of positivity and collaboration. Her meticulousness and expertise in navigating complex pay and technical information have earned her respect in the HR-Civilian team. Lori’s commitment to advancing digital HR initiatives and to ensuring positive pay outcomes underscores her exceptional dedication to excellence in human resources.
Vanessa Pelletier
Senior Advisor
Employment and Social Development Canada
Vanessa is an HR professional known for her dedication and positive attitude within her department. Her commitment to rigorous financial practices has made it possible to optimize resource allocation. This has improved the use of budgets and funds available for divisional initiatives. Her attention to detail and expertise have also led to the establishment of an effective tracking and reminder system to process requests and meet deadlines in a consistent manner. With her HR expertise and willingness to share her knowledge, Vanessa helps her colleagues resolve challenges and better understand policies and procedures. Her openness to answer questions in a friendly manner, even during busy periods, is a testament to her commitment to the team. The benefits of her involvement reach beyond operational aspects, as Vanessa also contributes to maintaining a positive and collaborative work environment. Her tremendous dedication and support make her a valuable asset to her team and the department.
Cloé Vachon-Létourneau
HR Advisor
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Cloé played a pivotal role in a significant internal restructuring at Measurement Canada, spearheading the staffing of numerous positions in several occupational groups. Her autonomy and expertise were evident as she collaborated closely with clients and HR colleagues. Known for her resourcefulness, Cloé expedited processes involving candidates with sought-after expertise such as physical scientists and technical inspectors. She identified options, addressed potential issues and devised effective mitigation strategies, attracting high-calibre candidates with niche skills. Cloé ensured fairness and equity by screening all HR tools through an equity, diversity and inclusion lens and maintained statistics to mitigate biases. She aligned staffing with government priorities such as clean fuels and zero-emission vehicles, ensuring compliance with requirements and budgets. Cloé’s strategic approach and attention to detail enabled her to oversee staffing initiatives across Canada, and she consistently received positive feedback from clients. Her integrity and creativity in finding innovative solutions highlighted her exceptional contributions.
