U Make a Difference Award

Jan Crook

Jan Crook is the Associate Director of Counselling in the Wellness Centre in Student Enrolment Services — she was nominated in the Collaboration and Communications category. 

In her four years as an Associate Director of Counselling following six years of counselling at UCalgary, Jan Crook has made her mark. She not only led the revision and expansion of mental health services on campus, she implemented the new service model and developed therapy groups in addition to other student resources. Her high ethical standards coupled with her strong leadership abilities make Jan invaluable to her team and the university community as a whole.

Congratulations Jan!

Mehran Dilmaghanian

Mehran Dilmaghanian is the Manager of Data Systems for Development Data, Development and Alumni Engagement — he was nominated in the Innovation and Curiosity category. 

Along with managing large scopes of data within his team, Mehran is best known for his innovation and goals to continuously improve and grow systems and functions. Mehran added new technologies, ideas, and cost savings that fortified data systems, data entry, validation and integration processes — all with his signature tenacity, dedication and curiosity.

Congratulations Mehran!

Marina Gavrilova

Marina Gavrilova is a Professor in the Faculty of Science in the Department of Computer Sciences — she was nominated in the Collaboration and Communications category.

Marina’s excellent research in machine learning, image processing and biometric security is prolific, but the community of talented and capable individuals she has inspired with her leadership are second-to-none. She has cultivated a culture of openness, diversity and inclusion in her everyday interactions that make her supervision and mentorship impactful and one-of-a-kind. Marina’s ability to build a community within her own faculty with her high energy and dedication is well known across campus. 

Congratulations Marina!

Louise Hahn

Louise Hahn is an Ecology Technician with in the Faculty of Science in the Department of Biological Sciences — she was nominated in the Positive Work Environment and Community category.

Since 2007, Louise has gone out of her way to make a positive difference in the lives of all who interact with her, whether it’s managers, faculty members, graduates students or undergraduate students. While she supports five-plus undergrad courses, her endless energy and drive to make the environment around her healthy and productive enriches her work with as an Ecology Technician, but also enriches the community around her.

Congratulations Louise!

Dr. David Hansen

Dave Hansen is the Assistant Dean (Supervisory Development) in the Faculty of Graduate Studies — he was nominated in the Innovation and Curiosity category. 

As the first person to occupy his position at UCalgary, Dave has designed and implemented campus-wide programs for supervisory development, which are now the gold standard for other Canadian universities. In addition to his hard work in his role, Dave consistently volunteers his free time to support graduate supervisors, and developed a recognition award within his team as an opportunity to showcase the members’ talent and dedication.

Congratulations Dave!

Angela Harder

Angela Harder is a Program Coordinator, Instructor and Guide with Active Living — she was nominated in the Positive Work Environment and Community category.

Angela has a reputation at the university, and across Canada in her industry, for working hard and providing exceptional leadership and service to colleagues and participants in her programs. She continues to innovate programming within Active Living, while still positively engaging her team. She routinely goes above and beyond to support others in their endeavors to gain more training, higher certification or just to try something new.

Congratulations Angela!

Dr. Natasha Kenny

Natasha Kenny is the Director of the Educational Development Unit for the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning — she was nominated in the Collaboration and Communications category.

Natasha’s warm and honest communication style proceed her wherever she goes on campus. Her reputation as a collaborative leader and learner has brought students to UCalgary to work with her specifically. Her energy, engagement and fervent open-door policy have improved the long-term learning of students, as well as the work environment for faculty and staff. Those who have been touched by her leadership inevitably mention the unforgettable lessons she imparted about learning, work and life.

Congratulations Natasha!

Heather MacIntosh

Heather MacIntosh is the Manager of Strategic Partnerships and Community Engagement at the Cumming School of Medicine — she was nominated in the Positive Work Environment and Community category. 

Along with managing major projects related to indigenous health, rural and community health, and strengthening academic partnerships around the world, Heather is a member of the social committee for her department. She takes on the role with enthusiasm to promote her team’s physical and mental wellbeing and promotes a positive work environment while being a strong ambassador for the university and its values.

Congratulations Heather! 

Sabine Moritz

Sabine Moritz is the Director of UC Clinical, Health Services and Population Health Research Platform Strategy at the Cumming School of Medicine — she was nominated in the Innovation and Curiosity category.

Known for her creativity, innovation and hard work advancing UCalgary’s mission, Sabine has rapidly established herself as a critical element in building capacity for clinical health research. She is an integral part of identifying and developing grant opportunities, redeveloping clinics at UCalgary and expanding biosafety within her area. Sabine has a reputation as being a team player and supportive leader while advancing ideas and initiatives within her team.

Congratulations Sabine!

Christopher Simon

Christopher Simon is an Electrical and Computer Engineering Technician with Electrical and Computer Engineering — he was nominated in the Innovation and Curiosity category.

With the mindset of growth, curiosity and continuous improvement, Christopher is always promoting the tenets of learning to everyone he interacts with in Electrical and Computer Engineering. He is always willing to share his time, resources and insights to help the people around him succeed in their projects and endeavors. He makes a measurable difference in the educational journeys of students and colleagues in his faculty.

Congratulations Christopher!

Jessica Snow

Jessica Snow is the Marketing and Communications Lead at the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning — she was nominated in the Innovation and Curiosity category.

Jessica’s innovative work at the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning has had an honest impact at both the national and international levels. Her ability to soar above expectations and encourage others to be their best selves has created an environment of innovation and success. With an unsurpassed work ethic and commitment to excellence, Jessica’s can-do attitude not only makes her work better, but creates a dynamic work environment everyone can get excited about.

Congratulations Jessica!

Cathie Stiven

Cathie Stiven is the Manager of Graduate Rewards in the Faculty of Graduate Studies — she was nominated in the Collaboration and Communications category.

After 14 years in the Faculty of Graduate Studies, Cathie understands the importance of innovating to meet increasing demands with great success. Her commitment to the student experience is only matched by the support and joy she gives her team, despite a doubling workload. She encourages professional growth, work-life balance and the freedom to share new ideas.

Congratulations Cathie!

Rasha Tawfik

Rasha Tawfik is a Team Lead at the Haskayne School of Business in the Undergraduate Programs Office — she was nominated in the Positive Work Environment and Community category.

Every day Rasha makes a difference to the students, faculty and staff who surround her by sharing her warm, positive energy with all she does in the Haskayne School of Business. She is a shining example of what a UCalgary ambassador can be, and she proves that in her recent appointment to co-chair the Alberta Advising Symposium and NACADA Region 8, 2019 conference. She embraces her leadership role with a fun, welcoming and professional zeal. Always championing and standing up for others, Rasha is a wonderful example of effective leadership.

Congratulations Rasha!

Anju Visen-Singh

Anju Visen Singh is the Senior Director of Marketing with University Relations — she was nominated in the Innovation and Curiosity category.

To say Anju has played a critical role in advancing the university’s mission, values and priorities is an understatement to anyone who has had to pleasure to know her. Her ability to gain the respect and trust of her colleagues has been integral to creating the university’s first multi-year, multi-channel nation brand and awareness campaign. Every day, she dedicates herself to the impact her and her team can have on the business of education. She is an exemplary professional and an admirable leader in her field.

Congratulations Anju! 

Brendan Webster

Brendan Webster is an Occupational Health Nurse, Staff Wellness in Risk — he was nominated in the Positive Work Environment and Community category.

With just a few years under his belt at UCalgary, Brendan has made an extraordinary impact on those around him. In addition to his work to establish mass influenza clinics across main campus for students, faculty and staff, he also helped establish these clinics in four other locations across Calgary, including the Foothills Campus, Downtown Campus and Spyhill Campus. His expertise, generosity and friendly nature make a difference to the health and wellbeing of all of us in the UCalgary community.

Congratulations Brendan!

Alden Yuan

Alden Yuan is a Business Process Analyst with Human Resources Business Support — he was nominated in the Innovation and Curiosity category.

In addition to his regular duties as a Business Process Analyst, Alden is best known for going above and beyond his job description to bring new projects and initiatives to strengthen his department’s efficiency and service delivery. Some of these projects include HR process frameworks, hiring frameworks, preferred name frameworks and more. His relentless dedication, creativity and drive have improved relationships not only within his department, but within his portfolio.

Congratulations Alden!

Canadian Centre for Advanced Leadership in Business Team

Nominated in the Positive Work Environment and Community category.

First launched in 2012, the Canadian Centre for Advanced Leadership in Business team focuses on student engagement, research contributions and community engagement. Though it has grown over time, this team has contributed greatly to the legacy and effectiveness of this program by exemplifying passion, self-improvement, excellence, appreciation of others and collaboration within the Haskayne School of Business. Their dedication to community building on and off campus have given student members the opportunity to lead, grow and contribute to the team and their own learning. Their specific effort to connect their work to the Campus Mental Health and Indigenous strategies has set the bar high for how units adopt the core values of our university.

Congratulations to the Canadian Centre for Advanced Leadership in Business! 

Recipients: 

• Frances Donohue, Program Advisor at the Haskayne School of Business
• Natalie Valle, Program Advisor at the Haskayne School of Business
• Joan Bassett, Program Coordinator at the Haskayne School of Business
• Jeff Millar, Program Coordinator at the Haskayne School of Business
• Maurice Enabu, Program Advisor at the Haskayne School of Business
• David Lertzman, Senior Instructor at the Haskayne School of Business
• Julian Norris, Senior Instructor at the Haskayne School of Business
• Nick Turner, Professor at the Haskayne School of Business
• David Dick, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Philosophy
• Jagdeep Nahal, Coop Student at the Haskayne School of Business
• Adam Legge, Director - Global Business Futures Summit

Indigenous Strategy Working Team

Nominated in the Collaboration and Communication category.

The development of the Indigenous Strategy was a massive undertaking, requiring copious amounts of dedication and perseverance from the Indigenous Strategy Working Team. Not only did they exemplify those skills with determination and grace, the team modelled their approach around respect and integrity for all involved in the development and implementation process. Their strong leadership was integral to this successful project and their legacy will be one of collaboration and inclusivity. 

Congratulations to the Indigenous Strategy Working Team!

Recipients:

• Dr. Jackie Sieppert, Dean of Social Work
• Shawna Cunningham, Director of Indigenous Strategy, President’s Office

Werklund Student Advisors Team

Nominated in the Innovation and Curiosity category.

Working within the Undergraduate Programs in Education office, the Werklund Student Advisors team has strengthened the foundation of student advising with diligence, innovation and gusto. They have developed a student advising model that has not only increased communication, but enhanced the quality of the advising experience for students — increasing the average number of student interactions at any given time. Their strong desire to learn, grow and develop themselves, their students and their unit has made their contribution to UCalgary truly impressive.

Congratulations to the Werklund Student Advisors!

Recipients:

• Kirsten Varsek-Ison, Student Advisor at the Werklund School of Education
• Katelyn Oszust, Student Advisor at the Werklund School of Education
• Antoaneta Nimoh, Senior Program Specialist at the Werklund School of Education