Each year the National Managers' Community gives peer recognition of excellence to managers in the form of Leadership Awards.

2009 Mike Nurse Leadership Award

2009 Leadership Awards

Alberta	Levina Ewasiuk	Health Canada
British Columbia and Yukon	Glen Lehtovaara	Canada Border Services Agency
Manitoba	John Beverley	Canada Revenue Agency
National Capital Region	Barbara Adams	Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Newfoundland & Labrador	Judy Rowell	Parks Canada
New Brunswick	Louis Turgeon	Service Canada
Nova Scotia	Major Celeste MacLeod	National Defence
North West Territories	Lorraine Seale and Greg Yeoman	Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
Nunavut	Spencer Dewar	Indian and Northern Affairs
Ontario	Barry Halman	Canada Revenue Agency
Prince Edward Island	Roger Steadman and Ian Morrison	Parks Canada
Quebec	Charles Lajoie	Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Saskatchewan	Rob Garrison	Correctional Service of Canada

2009 Mike Nurse Leadership Award – Geoff Munro

To be considered for this award an individual must meet four criteria:

1. You must be a life-long learner;
2. You support and promote the Managers agenda;
3. You must be willing to take risks and go the extra mile to get the job done; and
4. Your work and accomplishments have had significant national impacts that          have positively affected managers throughout the public service.

Dr. Geoff Munro, Chief Scientist and Assistant Deputy Minister, Natural Resources Canada, Innovation and Energy and Technology Sector clearly embodies the spirit of this award. 

At the Departmental level, Geoff has been creating a huge leadership space in Natural Resources Canada for a number of years now. He pioneered the use of leadership tools developed and promoted by the NMC, such as the Courtyard Café.  He began using these techniques in Sault Ste. Marie where he was the RDG of the Canadian Forest Service. 

Geoff saw the possibility of extending this significant change of culture he had initiated in his immediate environment to a broader, organization wide level. He set the Canadian Forest Service (CFS) on the path to becoming a learning organization by engaging managers and building a market need across all Centres and Branches coast to coast. He was instrumental in building leadership capacity through the investment of over 100 practitioners who now deliver leadership and learning through a dynamic community of practice. It should come as no surprise that Geoff is now bringing this vision to the Departmental level.

On the bigger scene, Geoff played a very important role in the drive to bring stability to the National Managers’ Community. He came on board instantly when discussions began around building a business case for funding for the NMC. As an influencer of ADMs and other senior managers, he generously donated his time to speak to groups targeted by the NMC Champion at the time, Ric Cameron, to further the NMC agenda.

Here are a few quotes submitted by Geoff’s colleagues:

“My past experience with Geoff’s leadership within the CFS is inspirational. He takes the time to build relationships and sincerely solicits feedback and ideas from those around him. He thinks outside the box and is willing to take risks for the potential of great gains. He is a true motivator and the energy he brings into the room is infectious. After hearing Mike Nurse speak at a managers’ forum and getting a sense of his values, Geoff is certainly well deserving of this award.”
— A manager with CFS

“Geoff has taken on a huge challenge as Chief Scientist for NRCan. While I am a relatively new employee, I like what I see in Geoff’s leadership. Geoff’s no-nonsense approach transcends hierarchy through his support of the Learning Organization Community of Practice. I like the fact that this about creating space for individuals who are willing to take on leadership roles wherever they may be within the organization.”
— A senior policy advisor with the Energy Sector

Alberta - 2009 NMC Leadership Award Winner

Levina Ewasiuk
Health Canada

Levina is a Nurse Manager with First Nations and Inuit Health at Health Canada in the Lakeland area of Alberta. A nurse for 31 years, she graduated from the Diploma Nursing Program at the Royal Alexandra Hospital School of Nursing in Edmonton. Through distance learning she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and obtained a Masters in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University.

Levina leads a team of nurses to provide Comprehensive Community Health Programs in partnership with the First Nations communities. She works with other health partners to increase First Nations’ access to health services. Levina "connects" with other nurses by facilitating regular team meetings to discuss new ideas and build new relationships. The result is a strong and resilient team. She was a key driver behind the establishment of a program that provides diploma nurses in her area with the opportunity to complete their Nursing degree through the University of Alberta helping others realize their dreams of obtaining a Nursing degree. Her determination to see this program come to fruition is a true demonstration of her leadership and commitment to life-long learning. Levina is described as a person with a “high degree of integrity, responsibility.” She is considered a progressive leader, and a really good mentor.

British Columbia and Yukon - 2009 NMC Leadership Award Winner

Glen Lehtovaara
Canada Border Services Agency

Glen Lehtovaara is the Administrative Superintendant at Canada Border Services Agency, Vancouver International Mail Centre. A member of CBSA wrote “Since my arrival here in August 2007 I have witnessed many occasions when Superintendent Glen Lehtovaara has gone above and beyond in supporting and coaching our team, challenging us to become superior Border Services Officers, and recognizing us for our accomplishments.”

The Vancouver International Mail Centre, a very unique and demanding environment, requires a manager to become very creative and forward thinking when dealing with the daily challenges. Whether it is the high volumes of international mail to process or the enforcement of the Customs Act, Superintendent Lehtovaara is always ready to take on the next obstacle. He has an amazing sense of humour and ability to take a potentially negative situation, turn it around and achieve a positive outcome.
 
Afternoon teambuilding exercises led by Glen “have resulted in his being able to quash rumours, aid others to develop interpersonal relationships, recognize our accomplishments, build up excitement, and motivate us in everything we do in our personal and professional lives.”

Manitoba - 2009 NMC Leadership Award Winner

John Beverley
Canada Revenue Agency

John Beverley, Assistant Director Information Technology, was nominated for demonstrating great initiative in exploring new perspectives and new ways of engaging employees in addressing harassment and discrimination, and supporting a respectful workplace at the Winnipeg and Brandon Tax Services Offices.

John was asked to take the lead in developing an action plan to address harassment and discrimination in the workplace. A local stakeholder committee included union and management as well as representatives from Labour Relations, Employment Equity, the Employee Assistance Program, and Conflict Resolution. John was instrumental in initiating a collaborative effort among committee members, who worked very diligently to strategize initiatives to assist employees in dealing with harassment and discrimination.

John always managed to keep the committee engaged in exploring new ideas, respecting and valuing each other’s perspectives, and inspired the team to work purposefully together to achieve the common goal of addressing harassment and discrimination in the workplace. Employees now have an opportunity to explore different options and to consider new approaches, and most importantly to feel supported when dealing with harassment and discrimination in our workplace.

New Brunswick - 2009 NMC Leadership Award Winner

Louis Turgeon
Service Canada

Louis Turgeon exemplifies a leader who has demonstrated initiative in his work as acting Director of the Service Canada College, Atlantic Campus, as well as in his role as Chairperson of the Service Canada Managers Community since June 2007.

Louis was instrumental in the development of the Atlantic Campus. He has led in its continuous evolvement as “the model for ensuring service excellence in the delivery of public service.” As Chairperson, of the Service Canada Managers Community since June 2007, Louis does an outstanding job, as he has the capacity to understand and deal with a lot of information and issues in a way that well represents the concerns and priorities of mangers, as well as that of senior management. He has been a role model to those who have had the opportunity to work directly with him and observe him in action.

Louis Turgeon clearly demonstrates initiative in not one, but in all of the six key areas for the National Managers Community Leadership Award. He excels in his leadership skills and through engagement which result in positive organizational change in learning and development, in leadership, and in service excellence. His work has impacted federal public servants across the country.

National Capital Region - 2009 NMC Leadership Award Winner

Barbara Adams
Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Barbara Adams manages a team that provides strategic and creative solutions to a wide range of target audiences, including the public, youth, universities and colleges, industry, media, internal audiences and government wide audiences. She has worked on the development and implementation of a knowledge translation strategy to bring new employees up to speed in a clear and transparent manner, as well as effectively communication with key audiences. With her leadership, the Strategic Science Outreach Group has accomplished many firsts to promote the work of the Science sector.

Barbara is a catalyst for creating networks and communities and for sharing things within DFO and as part of the Science and Technology community within government. She is a mentor and a coach for members of her team and supports them to surpass themselves in all they do. She makes sure that she recognizes the work her team does, as well as making sure senior management is aware of the individual successes as well as the team successes of the group.

Newfoundland and Labrador - 2009 NMC Leadership Award Winner

Judy Rowell
Parks Canada

Judy Rowell works as the Park/Site Manager responsible for the Western Newfoundland and Labrador Field Unit. She has been instrumental in developing open and valued relationships with Inuit in the park area, guiding the Park in the first years of its establishment while providing memorable visitor experiences, educational outreach and ecological integrity.

Judy is a recognized leader in both Parks Canada and the Inuit community and empowers her team to be innovative and creative in delivering on the passion and goals of the Agency. She is an outspoken champion of the concept of the Torngat Mountains National Park as the homeland of Inuit in Northern Labrador. Judy works very closely with Inuit community members to explore new ways of working that integrate ancestral knowledge and lore seamlessly into Parks Canada experience. Ms. Rowell has successfully developed and managed an award-winning program that is making a real difference in Northern Canada.

Nova Scotia - 2009 NMC Leadership Award Winner

Major Celeste MacLeod
National Defence

Celeste MacLeod served with the Canadian Forces for 27 years, retired and returned to service as a member of the reserves where she is currently Manager of the Integrated Risk Management Unit in Maritime Forces Atlantic. Celeste was nominated by her staff and her nomination was strongly endorsed by senior management in Maritime Forces Atlantic. 

To quote from her nomination form: “Her professionalism, knowledge, compassion and understanding, support for training and professional development are why she is held in high esteem by her staff – proven by the fact that her team unanimously put forth the recommendation for the leadership award.”

She is a champion for facilitation training in DND Atlantic helping provide training opportunities to personnel in Maritime Forces Atlantic, and helping to establish the Atlantic Facilitators Community, which now has over 60 trained facilitators. This group has provided valuable service in many areas and has saved the department the costs of consultants, as well as providing professional development opportunities to its members. 

 “Major MacLeod is multi-talented, adaptable yet principled leader. She is cooperative, innovative, cheerful, energetic, and a team builder. She is a natural leader.”

North West Territories - 2009 NMC Leadership Award Winner

Lorraine Seale and Greg Yeoman
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada

Lorraine and Greg stepped up to the plate to co-act as managers of the Environment and Conservation Division. With heavy workloads of their own, they took on the challenge to lead the unit until a permanent manager was identified. Under their leadership staff found a new sense of commitment to their work and to each other. “Greg and Lorraine coached and inspired us to become better employees. They took the time to communicate to staff the future direction of the division and operational changes that would be affecting it.”

Both Lorraine and Greg have an enthusiasm and creative passion for their work that both builds a sense of camaraderie amongst the division and creates learning opportunities. Whether providing timely and sage advice to the challenges presented in our day-to-day work or creating informal intra-division knowledge sharing seminars, Lorraine and Greg’s skills and initiatives have naturally led the division toward excellence. They are held in the highest regard by their peers and staff.

Nunavut - 2009 NMC Leadership Award Winner

Spencer Dewar
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada

Spencer Dewar, Manager of Lands Administration, is a manager who puts an emphasis on employee professional development while working with partners and colleagues. He looks for unique opportunities to encourage people to think outside of the box and explore other options. Holding weekly staff sessions, he uses this venue to communicate information and to learn from other people’s experiences. Monthly, he invites a speaker to talk about their work and how it ties in to the work of the Lands Unit and the broader INAC picture. He mentors his staff and encourages them to take on more senior positions within the unit.

Spencer works closely with partner organizations, to build good relationships and share best practices. He has worked tirelessly over his tenure with INAC to build goodwill and foster relationships with these Inuit organizations. He believes in acknowledging challenges and developing solutions as a team to overcome them. He does not back away from a challenge. He has become an invaluable resource for other managers and supervisors in managing situations and is always willing to share his ideas, enthusiasm and perspective.

Ontario - 2009 NMC Leadership Award Winner

Barry Halman
Canada Revenue Agency

Barry Halman, Assistant Director for Program Planning and Development, has inspired positive organizational change through several initiatives under the framework of Talent Management. The impetus behind the creation of regional “On boarding” programs for new employees and managers, Barry has facilitated a working partnership with Atlantic Region for their managers program.

Barry launched a Mentoring Community of Practice to accelerate the building of internal knowledge and talent to address business and succession planning priorities. He is a highly effective community builder, having been instrumental in encouraging the growth of the Manager’s Council – playing a critical role during a time of great change by motivating and encouraging others with innovative learning practices.

Barry has taken a special interest in the Ontario Region Youth Committee by encouraging its creation and facilitating several events during their “formative” stage.  He believes in the importance of achieving a generational shift in the public service and supports this goal both philosophically and practically. Barry affects organizational change and engages his employees to strive to do the same.  He models the way, inspires a shared vision, challenges the process, enables others to act and encourages the heart. 

Prince Edward Island - 2009 NMC Leadership Award Winner

Roger Steadman and Ian Morrison
Parks Canada

Roger Steadman is the Park Warden and Supervisor at PEI National Park and Mr. Ian Morrison is the Fire Management officer, Kejimkujik National Park and Historic Site, Nova Scotia. Roger and Ian have dramatically increased our Canadian capacity to respond to multi-agency emergency management operations within four provinces. This increased capacity improves the ability to assist other provinces and a larger community.

Since 2002, they have lead and delivered training programs to convert staff from the large forest fire management organization system to the Incident Command System (Canadian version). This changeover expands the mandate of operations from wild land fire to multiple emergency types. They have also engaged personnel in exploring a new way of conducting emergency management operations to address emergencies beyond forest fire suppression, and have developed and delivered mock emergency exercises to assist coaching and mentoring of participants from various government and non-government agencies. In addition, Roger and Ian have built effective teams of agencies across sectors to work in a collaborative manner for common public health and safety goals.

Roger and Ian’s dedication in assisting with the offering of Incident Command System courses within the forest fire fighting community in PEI, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Newfoundland/Labrador is exemplary and worthy of our recognition as they are “Making a difference in Public Service: Excelling in Initiative”.

Quebec - 2009 NMC Leadership Award Winner

Charles Lajoie
Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Charles Lajoie has held several positions at CIC: clerk, immigration officer and now supervisor at CIC Montreal Inland Services. His duties as supervisor include managing projects and personnel. His many achievements have enabled him to meet several of the Award criteria.

Charles is attentive and a great listener, and when a situation arises where action is required, he doesn’t hesitate to put his critical thinking, consultation and implementation skills to use. He strives to maintain close ties with his partners. The service has benefitted in many ways thanks to Charles: the unit is more efficient, client satisfaction has improved and employees are happier on the job because they feel respected, recognized and valued. He embodies transparency, fairness and respect and demonstrates great consistency in decision-making.

Charles makes it his responsibility to include all levels of employees in the unit, whether they are employed on a temporary or full-time basis. His welcoming nature, positive disposition and devotion to his work motivate new employees and renew the sense of belonging of existing ones. He clearly identifies employee training needs.

Charles contributes to workforce renewal by recognizing his employees’ strengths. He encourages them to apply for different selection processes and offers them opportunities to broaden their knowledge and work experience. He involves university students at all levels and makes sure they receive the training they need to increase their chances of one day becoming immigration officers themselves. Charles recognizes his employees on a regular and continuous basis by complimenting them daily, and he doesn’t hesitate to mention his employees’ achievements at management meetings so that their contributions are recognized by upper management as well.

Saskatchewan - 2009 NMC Leadership Award Winner

Rob Garrison
Correctional Service of Canada

Rob Garrison is Operations Managers for CORCAN industries for Riverbend Institution and Saskatchewan Penitentiary located at Prince Albert, SK. He is described by his colleagues as a competent manager and one who personifies this year’s award theme. Rob has been very effective at finding innovative solutions to problems and engaging employees. He works with others to find ways of achieving positive results, often exceeding initial expectations.

Rob has been effective in networking with other organizations to promote the development of programs and initiatives that encourage positive organizational change.  New partnerships with colleges, technical training institutions, and other government departments have resulted, as well as enhancing existing relationships with the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology and First Nations Business Partnerships.

Rob has used his skills in consultation, engagement and communication in the transformation agenda of the Correctional Service of Canada. He has hosted staff interchanges with other institutions, led initiatives on improving schedules, and fostered new relationships with outside agencies. Rob proposed a new communication strategy that was successful in improving communications between operation managers, regional headquarters and the CORCAN community.

2009 Eligibility Criteria & Nomination Forms

2008