The AMAPCEO Activist Awards recognizes activists' contributions to their union in providing outstanding services to members. Any AMAPCEO member in good standing may nominate an activist or group, regardless of their years of service, that has demonstrated outstanding service in their individual or team role. Assessment and selection will be carried out by the members of the Activist Recognition Committee. Recipient(s) will be announced, and awards presented at this year’s Annual Delegates’ Conference.
Do you have a question about a nomination you would like to submit? Do you need advice on how to create an excellent award submission? Please see nominations below. Nominations are divided into three categories. Scroll down to review the Activist Award Categories and to submit your nomination.
Nominations are open year-round, so please feel free to submit at any time. Deadline for inclusion in the 2025 round of awards is at noon (ET) on Friday, August 15, 2025.
Nomination packages require at least two testimonial letters. Please make sure to provide at least one or two paragraphs describing the nominee's character and qualifications. Click here if you are writing in support of a nomination.
Please Note:
- Once you win an award, you are not eligible to win the same category of award for a second time. However, you can win an award in another category. See previous winners from all categories.
- AMAPCEO staff are not eligible to win an AMAPCEO Activist Award.
AMAPCEO Activist Awards are divided into three categories:
- Member Services Awards (Inspire Award and Outstanding Member Services Award) - honours members who, regardless of their years of service, create fundamental change both within and beyond their current roles to build the AMAPCEO community. These activists engage their fellow members in new and innovative activities, exhibiting outstanding execution of their activist roles and make contributions that go over and above expectations. Nominations are encouraged for activists from equity seeking groups, and new and seasoned activists. There is no requirement for years of service in this category.
- Lifetime Achievement Awards - presented to AMAPCEO members who have distinguished themselves through a lifetime of contributions and dedication to the advancement of the union. In addition to other criteria listed below, eligibility for this award is restricted to members in good standing who have completed a minimum of 10 years of demonstrated activism in AMAPCEO.
- Equity Advocate Awards - awarded to members who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to furthering equity in our union. Nominations are encouraged for activists from equity seeking groups, and new and seasoned activists. There is no requirement for years of service in this category.
Member Services Awards
Member Services awards fall under the following two categories:
Inspire Award
The Inspire Award is presented to an AMAPCEO member or group of AMAPCEO members who:
- Creates and sustains the interest and involvement of AMAPCEO members in union activity;
- Personifies AMAPCEO values in all interactions with members and colleagues;
- Demonstrates vision, perseverance, and accountability; and
- Acts as a role model and inspiration to others through their work for AMAPCEO.
Outstanding Member Services Award
The Outstanding Member Services Award is presented to an AMAPCEO member or group of AMAPCEO members who:
- Goes above and beyond to provide outstanding services to fellow AMAPCEO members;
- Arrives at solutions that show a unique understanding of AMAPCEO values;
- Demonstrates vision, perseverance, and accountability; and
- Works exceptionally well with team members, colleagues, and partners.
The Gary Gannage Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement
The Gary Gannage Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement
The Gary Gannage Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement is presented to an AMAPCEO member who has distinguished themselves through a lifetime of contributions and dedication to the advancement of the union.
The award honours a member who has ten or more years of experience as an activist, has not previously received an AMAPCEO Lifetime Achievement Award, and meets one of the following criteria:
- is at, or near, retirement; and/or
- is leaving an AMAPCEO position; or
- is to be recognized posthumously.
The Gary Gannage Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement Nomination
Equity Advocate Award
Equity Advocate Award
The Equity Advocate Award is presented to an AMAPCEO member or group of AMAPCEO members who demonstrate(s) an outstanding commitment to advancing AMAPCEO’s Equity Statement through action.
The award honours an AMAPCEO activist or group of AMAPCEO activists who:
- Facilitates, leads, or coordinates equity and diversity activities or causes within or outside of the workplace; and
- Advocates for fairness, transparency, and accessibility; and
- Promotes any of the following:
- Racial equality,
- Disability justice,
- Women’s rights,
- Indigenous rights,
- LGBTQ+ equality, and/or
- Justice for other marginalized and/or historically disadvantaged groups.
You should receive an electronic receipt of your completed nomination shortly after submitting the online form to the AMAPCEO office. All information collected is for the sole use of the Activist Recognition Committee members and will not be shared or accessed beyond this process.
Previous AMAPCEO Activist Award recipients
Past Member Services Award Recipients
Note that prior to 2023, AMAPCEO Activist Awards were organized into three categories: Builder Awards, Inspire Awards, and Outstanding Membership Services Awards.
Builder Awards
2022 - Suzanne Conquer
2022 - Damian Suffoletta
2022 - Kathleen Youmans
2020 - Arlene Robertson
2019 - Kathy DeGrace
2018 - Rebecca Mador
Inspire Awards
2024 - Latoya Blackwood
2024 - Chris Duke
2024 - Noémie Bergeron and Lina Cimarrusti
2023 - Kelly Anne Branco
2018 - Andy Stavickis
Outstanding Member Service Awards
2024 - Constantine Dmitriev
2024 - Linda Sullivan
2024 - Michelle Smile
2023 - Rocco Fasano
2023 - Colette Hanmore
2023 - Maryanna Lewyckyj
2023 - Vickie Nielsen
2022 - Chet Ng
2022 - Nancy Saunders
2022 - Maureen Wraight
2020 - Jane Colonna
2020 - Lisa Levac
2019 - Sarah Jeffrey-Hampton
Past Gary Gannage Award for Lifetime Achievement Recipients
Gary Gannage Award for Lifetime Achievement Recipients
2023 - Adam Socha
2023 - David Wilkins
2022 - Brian Byrnes
2021 - Theresa Anderson-Butcher
2021 - Domenic Fragale
2021 - Frank Tang
2020 - Larysa Andrusiak
2020 - Michael Helfinger
2020 - Alex McGill
2019 - David Lockie
2019 - Linda Poirier
2019 - Sophie Georgas
2018 - Sherry Flood
Past Equity Advocate Award Recipients
Equity Advocate Award Recipients
2023 - Bonnie Wiltshire
2022 - Elizabeth Janz
2018 - Equity Lens Working Group (Ginelle Augustin-Lesmond, Alison Griggs, Ravi Harricharan, Vincent Lavigne, Frankie Little)