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  • HR Excellence Awards

    CPHRNB supports the advancement of the human resources profession and practices in New Brunswick. The CPHRNB Excellence Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of HR professionals and teams who are making a meaningful difference in their organizations, workplaces, and communities. Nominations are open across five award categories. CPHR Canada also awards the Fellow distinction to exceptional HR professionals.

     

    NOMINATIONS FOR 2026 CPHRNB EXCELLENCE AWARDS ARE NOW OPEN

HR Leader Award

Winner of the 2025 Human Resources Excellence Award

Rachelle Gagnon
Champlain Seafood

The HR Leader Award recognizes a human resources professional who demonstrates exceptional leadership, influence and contribution to their organization, team and the HR profession. This individual serves as a strategic leader who drives positive organizational outcomes while inspiring and supporting others.

Candidates must:

  • Work in the field of human resources in New Brunswick.
  • Hold the CPHR designation in good standing.
  • Hold a senior HR leadership role, director level or above, or an equivalent executive leadership role.
  • Hold approximately 15 years or more of professional experience, with significant experience in human resources and people leadership.

If selected as recipients, candidates must:

  • Consent in writing to the nomination and the publication of their name and photo in connection with the CPHRNB Excellence Awards.  
  • Agree to complete a confidential application that will be used to determine eligibility.  
  • Provide a professional biography and photo to be used for advertising purposes related to the awards.  
  • Be available to attend the awards gala. 

Criteria for the CPHRNB HR Leader Award

Recipients demonstrate excellence in:

Strategic Leadership and Organizational Impact

  • Contributing to organizational success through HR strategy and decision-making.
  • Aligning people practices with business goals and objectives.
  • Leading significant organizational initiatives or transformations.

People Leadership & Culture

  • Fostering a positive, inclusive and high performing workplace culture.
  • Supporting employee engagement, development and wellbeing.
  • Leading and inspiring teams through change and growth. 

Contribution to the HR Profession 

  • Advancing the HR profession through mentorship, volunteerism, thought leadership, advocacy or professional involvement.
  • Sharing expertise and contributing to the development of others within the HR community.

 

 

Nominate a candidate for the 2026 HR Excellence Awards

 

HR Team Award

Winner of the 2025 HR Team Award

Anne-Charlotte Savoie, Erika Williams, Molly Aiton and Amy Graham (missing in photo)
Service New Brunswick Organizational Culture and HR Strategy Management Team

The HR Team Award recognizes an HR team that has positively impacted organizational performance, culture, workforce strategy, employee experience or organizational transformation.

The team must:

  • Have at least 50% of its team members work in the field of human resources, supporting the New Brunswick workforce.  
  • Be or become members in good standing of CPHRNB. 
  • Work in an organization that has a New Brunswick footprint or contributes to the New Brunswick workforce.

If selected as recipients, the team must:

  • Consent in writing to the nomination and the publication of their name and photo in connection with the CPHRNB Excellence Awards.  
  • Agree to complete a confidential application that will be used to determine eligibility.  
  • Provide a professional team biography and photo to be used for advertising purposes related to the awards.  
  • Be available to attend the awards gala. 

Criteria for the CPHRNB HR Team Award

Team accomplishments should demonstrate:

Results

  • Successful delivery of initiatives, programs or strategies that created measurable organizational value.
  • Achievement of significant goals or outcomes that benefited employees and the organization.

Collaboration & Strategic Influence

  • Effective collaboration among team members and with organizational stakeholders.
  • Influence with organizational strategy, performance, culture or change.

Organizational Impact  

  • Influence on organizational strategy, operational improvements, workforce planning, performance, culture, employee experience or change management.
  • Measurable results that demonstrate the teams' contribution to organizational success.

 

Nominate a candidate for the 2026 HR Excellence Awards

 

Rising Star Award

Winner of the 2025 Rising Star Award

Samantha Bergeron
LuMar Electric

The Rising Star Award recognizes an emerging HR professional who demonstrates leadership, professional growth, initiative and future potential within the HR profession.

Candidates must: 

  • Work in the field of human resources in New Brunswick.
  • Have approximately three (3) to five (5) years of experience in the human resources field. 
  • Be or become a member of CPHRNB in good standing.

If selected as recipients, candidates must: 

  • Consent in writing to the nomination and the publication of their name and photo in connection with the CPHRNB Excellence Awards.  
  • Agree to complete a confidential application that will be used to determine eligibility.  
  • Provide a professional biography and photo to be used for advertising purposes related to the awards.  
  • Be available to attend the awards gala. 

Criteria for the CPHRNB HR Rising Star Award 

Recipients should demonstrate:

Leadership

  • Taking initiative and contributing positively to their workplace, team or organization.
  • Influencing others and demonstrating leadership regardless of title or tenure.

Professional Growth & Learning  

  • Evidence of committment to continuous learning and professional development.
  • Pursuing new skills, certifications, education or experiences that enhance their HR capabilities.

Workplace Contribution  

  • Making meaningful contributions to workplace initiatives, projects, programs or team success.
  • Demonstrating a positive impact on colleagues, employees or organizational outcomes.

Personal Excellence and Passion:  

  • Aiming for personal excellence in HR practices and demonstrate enthusiasm and passion for the HR profession.

 

Nominate a candidate for the 2026 HR Excellence Awards

 

HR Impact Award

The HR Impact Award recognizes an HR professional who has made a meaningful and measurable impact within their organization, community or the HR profession through a significant initiative, project or contribution.

Candidates must: 

  • Work in the field of human resources or a related people and culture function in New Brunswick. 
  • Have led or played a key role in a significant initiative, project or achievement that created meaningful or measurable impact.
  • Work in a role that supports or strengthens the New Brunswick workforce, workplace or HR profession.
  • Be or become a member of CPHRNB in good standing.

If selected as a recipient, candidates must: 

  • Consent in writing to the nomination and publication of their name and photo in connection with the CPHRNB Excellence Awards.  
  • Agree to fill out a confidential application that will be used to determine eligibility.  
  • Provide a professional biography and photo that will be used for advertising purposes related to the awards.  
  • Be available to attend the awards gala. 

Criteria for the CPHRNB HR Impact Award 

Recipients should demonstrate:

Leadership and Impact:

  • Leadership or involvement in a project, initiative or program that created positive change.
  • A measurable impact on organizational performance, employee experience, workplace culture, workforce outcomes or community engagement.
  • Innovation, creativity or problem-solving that addressed a significant challenge or opportunity.

 

Nominate a candidate for the 2026 HR Excellence Awards

 

HR Service Provider Award

Winner of the 2025 HR Service Provider of the Year Award

Carolyn Watson
Watson HR Consulting

The HR Service Provider Award recognizes an HR consultant or service provider that has demonstrated exceptional partnership, innovation and value in supporting HR professionals, NB organizations and workplaces.

Candidates must:

  • Provide human resources support, consulting or related people and culture services to organizations in New Brunswick.
  • Hold the CPHR designation in good standing
  • Be a member of CPHRNB in good standing

If selected as a recipient, candidates must:

  • Consent in writing to the nomination and publication of their name and photo in connection with the CPHRNB Excellence Awards.
  • Agree to complete a confidential application that will be used to determine eligibility.
  • Provide a professional biography and photo to be used for advertising purposes related to the awards.
  • Be available to attend the awards gala.

Criteria for the CPHRNB HR Service Provider Award

Recipients should demonstrate:

Client Impact & Results 

  • Excellence in service delivery and client impact.
  • Meaningful contributions to HR outcomes, organizational success or workforce development.
  • Innovation, expertise and responsiveness in addressing client needs.
  • Strong partnerships and positive client experiences.

Contribution to the New Brunswick Workforce

  • Evidence of how your services contribute to strengthening the New Brunswick workforce.

 

Nominate a candidate for the 2026 HR Excellence Awards

 

Fellow Distinction

2025 Fellowship Award

Pierre Battah
Pierre Battah Leadership

The Fellow distinction is awarded by CPHR Canada, and candidates come from across the country.

This prestigious award highlights the work of exceptional professionals who shine in the profession through their commitment, excellence, pursuit of excellence, and ethical sense.

To learn more about the Fellow distinction, visit the CPHR Canada website.