U Make a Difference Award

Teresa Bobson is the project manager in the Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Science. She received an award in the Collaboration and Communication category.

Teresa is a collaborative manager and communicator who has a great capacity to encourage constructive, professional discussion that leads to the development of holistic solutions. She is known for her tireless dedication to the Host-Parasite Interactions (HPI) program and her ability to foster collaborative synergy between the current members of the Host-Parasite Interaction Network.

Congratulations, Teresa!

Larysa Faulkner is the co-ordinator in Research Funding and Facilitation in the Faculty of Social Work. She received an award in the Collaboration and Communication category.

Larysa is outstanding at actively supporting a culture of co-operative, respectful and open communication within the university and community at large. She is a strong believer that students should get the best learning outcomes from their time spent at the university and goes above and beyond to help them make an informed decision about enrolling into programs. She acknowledges different styles of learning and implements multiple activities and strategies in co-ordinating courses to ensure each participant has an optimal experience.

Congratulations, Larysa!

Jane Ferrabee is the university architect in Facilities Development. She received an award in the Collaboration and Communication category.

Jane pursues excellence through integrity, consistency, and perseverance. Her work is centred on encouraging and leading others to work together to achieve common goals and providing challenges to enable personal growth. Jane is masterful in her ability to build consensus on any issue and facilitate a successful solution. Her contribution has not only made a difference to our campus; as a volunteer, she improved the licensing process for interns with a made‐in‐Canada exam that better reflects our country’s specific context.

Congratulations, Jane!

Rachelle Haddock is manager, Partnership and Engagement, in the Office of Sustainability. She received an award in the Collaboration and Communication category.

Rachelle builds and maintains exemplary collaborative relationships with ease. She is skilled at developing synergistic opportunities for individuals and nourishing caring and mutually respectful relationships to address challenges. She excels at creating and holding space for others to learn within, while considering new ways forward that are innovative, collaborative, and influential. A true believer of sustainability values, Rachelle follows them both in her profession and personal life, promoting well-being and positive energy.

Congratulations, Rachelle!

Dr. Michele Jacobsen is a professor in the Werklund School of Education. She received an award in the Collaboration and Communication category.

Michele is an inspirational leader and mentor who fosters collaborative relationships within the faculty, university and throughout the broader local and international educational community. She actively engages colleagues in enhancing their teaching practices and scholarship by making time to critically reflect on teaching and improvement efforts and to share teaching and research with others.

Congratulations, Michele!

Kenna Kelly-Turner is a program manager in the Office of Faculty Development and Performance, Cumming School of Medicine. She received an award in the Collaboration and Communication category.

Kenna leverages her outstanding collaboration and communication skills in exploring project options and opportunities to enhance, learn and grow. Always willing to share her experience and find new ways to present information at brainstorming meetings and sessions, Kenna connects teams and students across the university, bridges gaps, and makes sure all shifts and transitions are seamless.

Congratulations, Kenna!

Ayla Lo is a business analyst in the Customer Experience Department of Information Technologies. She received an award in the Innovation and Curiosity category.

Ayla goes above and beyond in information-gathering, improving and redesigning operational processes, co-ordinating testing, and performing various IT trainings across the university. Always looking for an opportunity to support her team, Ayla bridges the gaps between the needs of the university community, the technical capabilities of technology and the processes required to deliver services. She excels in solving complicated business problems and delivering efficient and innovative approaches to difficult tasks across client groups.

Congratulations, Ayla!

Ruth Parent is the project administrator in the Indigenous, Local and Global Health Office, Cumming School of Medicine. She received an award in the Positive Work Environment and Community category.

Ruth shines in her support for students and new staff members. Her empathetic nature, coupled with her wealth of experience and strong authenticity, make her an excellent mentor and trusted advisor. She consistently creates an environment for successful engagement for many visiting colleagues. Working quietly in the background, she always gives credit to others for their successes, and contributes to creating the sense of community, enthusiasm, and unfailing support.

Congratulations, Ruth!

Kathryn Ruddock is the manager of Digitization and Repository Services with Library and Cultural Resources. She received an award in the Innovation and Curiosity category.

Kathryn is relentlessly curious and driven to acquire new skills and knowledge that will improve her ability to do her job, manage and lead her staff, and contribute to the university’s strategic priorities. Her innovative and creative approach to problem-solving encourages her colleagues and team to think differently about problems and potential solutions. Kathryn fosters an environment of learning; she is not afraid to question the usual way things are done and ask if there is a better way, whether for staff or the end user.

Congratulations, Kathryn!

Dr. Kathleen Sitter is an associate professor in the Faculty of Social Work. She received an award in the Innovation and Curiosity category.

Demonstrating excellence in social innovation, entrepreneurial thinking, and research and knowledge engagement, Kathleen uses creative technologies and fosters an environment of curiosity and creativity in the classroom and beyond. She excels in knowledge-mobilization and develops innovative strategies to support meaningful knowledge exchange to facilitate the sharing of research findings. Her passion for fostering creativity and innovation among her students and in social work research is inspiring.

Congratulations, Kathleen!

Scott Zimmer is the manager of Reporting and Analytics on the Advancement Data team in the Office of Advancement. He received an award in the Innovation and Curiosity category.

Scott has led his team to progressively build out incremental improvements across the suite of analytical reporting assets. Tailoring visual storytelling for each audience based on the data, Scott can provide meaningful insights to clients. He is always ready to challenge the status quo by taking appropriate risks to improve processes and procedures, to set new strategic goals, and to encourage his team to follow new, innovative approaches.

Congratulations, Scott!