The Human Resources Management Association (HRMA) congratulates all recipients for the 2016 Professional Awards. Recipients were announced Wednesday, April 27 at HRMA’s Annual Conference + Tradeshow in Vancouver.

Rising Star Award

Christina Seargeant, CHRP HR Business Partner Workday Victoria nomination summary

The Rising Star Award, sponsored by LOGAN HR, recognizes the HR leaders of tomorrow. These up-and-comers, within the first five years of their human resources career, are considered to be lighting the HR community on fire and hold the future of the profession in their hands. Each of the nominees has made significant contributions to their past and present workplaces at a very early stage in their career.

Award of Excellence: HR Professional of the Year

Barbara Meens Thistle, CHRP Vice President, Corporate Services Insurance Corporation of British Columbia Vancouver nomination summary

The Award of Excellence: HR Professional of the Year, sponsored by The Vancouver Sun and The Province, recognizes the HR leaders of today. This award is HRMA’s highest honour for established HR practitioners, exemplary individuals who have made a contribution to human resources by improving organizational performance, achieving business results, demonstrating excellence in leadership or developing innovative programs.

Keeping People First: CEO Award

Chris Catliff President and CEO BlueShore Financial Vancouver

As an avid traveler, Chris witnessed how people in village cultures worked together in an environment of high trust and it sparked the inspiration to create something similar in a work environment. Everyone wants to work in a place that reflects their values and BlueShore Financial reflects Chris’ values to the core.

Bold, innovative and a visionary, Chris joined BlueShore Financial as CEO in 2000, and since then the organization has demonstrated outstanding results in business growth and employee and client engagement. He has built relationships with his executive team based on mutual respect and a shared vision, and fostered a positive corporate culture for employees through transparency and regular communication.

Under his leadership, BlueShore Financial has earned and maintained its highest ever employee engagement score at 81%. These results helped earn the organization recognition as one of Canada’s Best Small and Medium Employers for five consecutive years. BlueShore Financial has also been named one of “Canada’s 10 Most Admired Corporate Cultures.”

Chris truly values HR and recognizes that committing to building a strong corporate culture directly impacts business performance as well as staff and client experiences.

The Keeping People First: CEO Award is a distinction given by HRMA to recognize a CEO for outstanding leadership in people practices and supporting innovative HR. This award highlights a CEO who exemplifies the core value of keeping people first in their strategic vision, leadership and corporate performance to drive business success in BC or the Yukon.

For more information about the award recipients, award finalists or the Professional Awards, please visit hrma.ca/awards.