31 NOMINEES FOR YWCA’S 2025 MUSKOKA WOMEN OF DISINTCTION AWARDS ANNOUNCED
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com
MUSKOKA — The YWCA says it’s “excited” to announce the 31 nominees for the 2025 Women of Distinction Awards.
“To echo our executive director Hannah Lin, “it’s hard to overstate the importance of recognizing the accomplishments, contributions and leadership of women in public and community spaces,” says Laura Sundy in a release Tuesday.
The “prestigious” awards to be presented March 8 recognize the accomplishments of women who go above and beyond for their community and inspire others to as well.
“More than 270 women in Muskoka have been recognized and nominated since 2003 when we held the first Women of Distinction Awards Gala in Muskoka,” said Lin.
“It’s game-changing for the accomplishments and leadership of women to be recognized in public and community spaces. It’s also the YWCA’s biggest fundraiser of the year, happening in communities all across the country.
“What better way to celebrate women than on International Women’s Day?”
Six recipients will be pre-announced to the public on February 10 and they will be presented with awards at the gala, which will be at Hidden Valley Resort in Huntsville.
It is open to everyone in to purchase tickets by going to www.ywcamuskoka.com.
The night includes dinner and an opportunity to bid on silent auction items.
The keynote speaker is Aline Nizigama, CEO at YWCA Canada, the oldest and largest organization working to advance gender equity in the country.
Funds raised at this event support YWCA Muskoka’s programs and services to champion positive change for girls, women and gender diverse people throughout Muskoka.
27 nominees for Women in Trades Award
A special Women in Trades Award will also be given out by the Muskoka Lakes Chamber of Commerce.
See a list of their 27 nominees here.
2025 Women of Distinction Nominees:
- Britney Hammell, Young Woman of Distinction
- Janessa Swanson, Young Woman of Distinction
- Kendra King, Young Woman of Distinction
- Allie Mason, Arts, Culture and Creativity
- Christina Serra, Arts, Culture and Creativity
- Gayle Dempsey, Arts, Culture and Creativity
- Kelly Hamilton, Arts, Culture and Creativity
- Candice Jennings, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Kersti Kents, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Leslie Tempest, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Melissa Johnson, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Michelle Robinson, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Stacey Thornton, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Barb Bridgeman, Transforming Community
- Kelly Jones, Transforming Community
- Leah Perron, Transforming Community
- Linda Fraser, Transforming Community
- Tracy Nickles, Transforming Community
- Victoria Baumgart, Transforming Community
- Ashley Moore, Health, Sports and Wellness
- Chelsey Reid, Health, Sports and Wellness
- Christine Degan, Health, Sports and Wellness
- Julie Charters, Health, Sports and Wellness
- Valerie Houston-Peel, Health, Sports and Wellness
- Sarah Roberts, Health, Sports and Wellness
- Anne Axler-Larcade, Lifetime Achievement
- Beth Ward, Lifetime Achievement
- Donna Kearney, Lifetime Achievement
- Frances Mae Balodis, Lifetime Achievement
- Marie Little, Lifetime Achievement
- Patricia Arney, Lifetime Achievement
YWCA Muskoka greatly appreciates its event sponsors: Mawer Investment Management, Kim O’Grady, Broker, Chestnut Park Real Estate Brokerage, BDO Huntsville, Muskoka Lakes Chamber of Commerce, Muskoka Urology, Lake of Bays Brewing Company, Muskoka Chrysler, Cedar Laine Restoration, Physio Works, Barriston Law, JL Car Care, Co-operators Insurance and Viktoria Hamma Biopsychosocial Wellness Practitioner.
About the Y
YWCA Muskoka champions positive change for girls, women and gender-diverse people through education, leadership and advocacy. As a local charitable organization, YWCA Muskoka has four strategic directions:
- preventing gender-based violence;
- cultivating economic resilience;
- promoting mental health and wellbeing;
- building relationships.
YWCA Muskoka envisions a world in which girls, women and gender-diverse people thrive in a safe and equitable society. For more information about YWCA Muskoka please visit the website at ywcamuskoka.com and on social media @ywcamuskoka.
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