ACADEMIC SECTOR WINNER

Ms Gerry Connelly
Director of Education, Toronto District School Board

As head of Canada’s largest school board, Ms Connelly has overseen the education and development of over 435,000 full and part-time students annually. Gerry has also served as Director of the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Branch in the Ontario Ministry of Education, and was responsible for developing the K-12 Ontario Curriculum and standard report card. In 2001 she was recipient of the Distinguished Educator Award from OISE/University of Toronto “in recognition of significant contributions which have served to stimulate and enrich education in Canada”. In 2006, the Royal Conservatory of Music presented her with the Government of Ontario Teacher Dedication Award.

Gerry has always demonstrated a strong commitment to providing quality and inclusive learning environments to improve student achievement. She has set as one of her top priorities student achievement, raising the achievement bar for all and closing the gap between the highest and lowest-achieving students. Ms Connelly’s many contributions will be sadly missed when she retires later this year.

On April 21, 2009 Ms Connelly was recognized for her lifelong commitment to the education of children as well as her significant contribution to their well-being.

COMMUNITY SECTOR WINNER

The Hon. Hilary M. Weston
26th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario

The Hon. Hilary M. Weston served as Lieutenant Governor of Ontario from January 24, 1997 to March 7, 2002. As The Queen’srepresentative in Ontario, Mrs. Weston was responsible for the Crown’s constitutional and representational roles in Ontario. The Government of Ontario commemorated her term as Lieutenant Governor with the Hilary M. Weston Scholarship for students who study social work or demonstrate a commitment to mental health issues. The University of Toronto established a Weston Medal for the student achieving the highest standard in the Master of Social Work program.

During her term as Lieutenant Governor, Mrs. Weston focused on the support of causes and groups related to women’s issues, volunteers and youth. She donated her annual salary to provide business internships and job training for 88 students through First Connection, and also supported organizations helping street youth. In 1998, she created the Lieutenant Governor’s Community Volunteer Award to honour unsung heroes in community groups she visited and expanded the program in 2000 to recognize an outstanding volunteer student in each Ontario secondary school.

Mrs. Weston continues to serve as Patron of several organizations dealing with social issues, including; the Abbeyfield House Society, the Hospice Association of Ontario, the Landmine Survivors Network, the Ontario March of Dimes, Yonge Street Mission, Into the Warmth, and Stay Alert/Stay Safe.

On April 21, 2009 Mrs. Weston was recognized for the role she played in launching the TFSS and her continued efforts on behalf of at-risk youth.

CORPORATE SECTOR WINNER

Heather Reisman
Chief Executive Officer, Indigo Books & Music

www.loveofreading.org

Following a successful career as Managing Director of Paradigm Consulting and President of Cott Beverages, Ms Reisman launched Indigo Books & Music Inc. Indigo represented the culmination and integration of a life long passion for books and music, and an entire career focused on understanding and building advanced organizations.

Ms Reisman’s love of books led her to public schools. There she found dedicated, caring teachers and empty or near empty libraries with outdated materials. As a result, in 2004, Ms Reisman established the Love of Reading Foundation, whose “mission is to encourage a love of reading in every child and give them the chance to reach their full potential.” Each year, a number of elementary schools are selected to become a Love of Reading school, and receive funding over a three-year period for books and literacy programs to inspire their students. In addition to filling their libraries with new reading materials, grant recipients have used their funds to participate in a wide range of activities promoting literacy, such as reading competitions, unique science learning programs, and inviting theatre performers, opera singers and ballet troupes into their schools.

In addition to Ms Reisman’s contribution to childhood literacy, she has served previously as a Governor of McGill University and of the Toronto Stock Exchange and on many North American boards. She continues to serve on the board of Onex Corporation, J. Crew Group, and Right to Play. She is also a Director and Officer of Mount Sinai Hospital, and a member of the Bilderberg Steering Committee, a geo-political think group.

Ms Reisman is the recipient of awards from the Waterloo Entrepreneur Hall of Fame and the University of Waterloo. She has also received the International Distinguished Entrepreneur Award, University of Manitoba, the John Molson School of Business Award of Distinction, Concordia University and in 2006 she was the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Commerce Degree from Ryerson University.

On April 21, 2009 Ms Reisman was honoured for her ongoing commitment to literacy programs.