HR Spotlight

Remarkable members. Inspiring stories.


The HR Spotlight program recognizes a select group of remarkable CPHR BC & Yukon members who have made a significant impact in the workplace, conquered a daunting challenge, or been an inspiration to others.

Nominations for HR Spotlight 2024 are now closed.

The 2024 CPHR BC & Yukon HR Spotlight program is sponsored by Humi.

Please contact the awards manager with any questions.

The HR Spotlight program is the current member recognition program for CPHR BC & Yukon. The previous Professional Awards program has been recently phased out. CPHR BC & Yukon continues to recognize the accomplishments of our past Professional Award recipients and finalists here and we thank all those volunteers and sponsors who contributed to the past success of the Professional Awards program.

  • Nominee must be a current member in good standing. 
  • Nominee must have held their membership for a minimum of three years at the time of nomination. 
  • Preference is given to members who hold their CPHR designation or have CPHR Candidate status, but it is not required. 
  • Nominee must have made a significant impact in the workplace, overcome a daunting challenge, or have been an inspiration to others at some point since January 2022.

HR Spotlight program is designed around highlighting CPHR BC & Yukon’s extraordinary members. The volunteer committee is looking for accomplishments and achievements that have occurred between January 2022 and the present, and will consider the following when reviewing the nominations:

  • Professionalism and Character: a high-quality approach through personal values and working practices; seen as an inspiration to others; commitment to the HR profession; integrity, honesty and transparency
  • Innovation and Impact: a highly innovative approach to HR work; pursues new pathways to organizational success; uncommon approaches are supported, embraced and championed
  • Measurable Success / Performance: evidence of quantifiable benefit to the organization/team; recognition by many as a change-maker; usage of ongoing learning, connections, and personal/professional development to achieve success
  • Leadership: gains the trust of others and guides them towards a common goal; regularly shows appreciation for others and gives meaning to their work; clearly articulate a sense of purpose for a team or other group; commitment to development of self as a leader; advances the HR profession
  • Agility and Resilience: open-mindedness to change; awareness and celebration of differences; ability to make decisions when faced with ambiguity; can guide others through complex situations; strong understanding of when to engage external expertise or guidance; proven ability to overcome big challenges
  • Intangibles: a unique style that is widely appreciated; a story that is exceptionally unique; a dynamic presence or “stand-out” quality

The HR Spotlight Committee, composed of active, senior-level CPHR BC & Yukon members in the HR community, will review each nomination and recommend selected nominees for the HR Spotlight honour.

The HR Spotlight program provides an opportunity to shine the spotlight on a select group of members who are doing exceptional things. By moving away from a traditional competition format with restrictive categories and one or two winners, the HR Spotlight will be an inclusive process, celebrating the extraordinary and diverse work that CPHR BC & Yukon members are doing across the region.

Unsuccessful nominations may be re-nominated in subsequent years, so long as the eligibility and other criteria are still met.

  • Confirmation that the nominee has held their membership for a minimum of three years at the time of nomination.
  • Completed nomination form, with consent from the nominee.
    • Description of how the nominee has made a significant impact in the workplace, overcame a challenge, or otherwise has an inspiring story to share. The achievements and impact detailed in the nomination should have occurred since January 2022 – not the nominee’s career history. Maximum 3,000 characters with spaces.
  • Two supporting letters that speak to the accomplishment / challenge / innovation / story outlined in the nomination.
    • 1 letter must be from the nominee’s direct supervisor or a senior leader within their organization (past or present) or client (past or present).
    • 1 letter must be from the nominee’s colleague or professional peer; this individual is preferably a CPHR BC & Yukon member but this is not a requirement. 
  • Note that each letter should be no more than 500 words on a single page and must explain the relationship between the nominee and the person writing the letter.
    • Supporters may be contacted to validate their written statements. As such, letters must include official letterhead, signature block, and/or contact details.
    • Where possible, letters should include timeframes and dates, indicate what the supporter’s role was in relation to the accomplishment / challenge / innovation / story, focus on achievements since January 2022, and describe the impact from their own perspective.
    • Please combine the two letters into one single PDF document to be uploaded.

Successful nominees will be notified by the Awards Manager in early November 2024. 

If the nominee is selected as a recipient, they will be asked to submit high-resolution photos to be used as part of the HR Spotlight program and promotion. The recipient will also be invited to attend the CPHR BC & Yukon Member Recognition Gala on Monday, February 3, 2025, in Vancouver, BC, at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel, click here to register now

At the event, the recipient will share a 2-minute acceptance speech on stage. If attendance is not possible, the recipient will provide a high-resolution video recording of their acceptance speech that will be shown during the event and possibly shared online on CPHR BC & Yukon’s website and/or social media. 

Can a nominator nominate more than one eligible person?

Yes, provided each nominee meets the eligibility and nomination criteria.


Does the nominator need to be a CPHR BC & Yukon member?

No, the nominator does not need to be a CPHR BC & Yukon member. 


Can a past Professional Award recipient be nominated for the HR Spotlight?

Yes, provided they meet the eligibility and nomination criteria. 


How many recipients will be selected?

5-10 HR Spotlight recipients will be selected each year; however, the final number will be dependent on the suitability of submission received as per the committee’s review. 


Does the nominator have to speak at the Member Recognition Event?

No, the nominator is not required to speak at the Member Recognition Event. If the nominator wishes to attend the event, a ticket can be purchased.  


Are self-nominations accepted?

Yes, you can nominate yourself.


If I cannot finish my nomination in one online session, how do I save my progress?

As long as you return to the online nomination form before the submission deadline using the same device and IP address, the system will save your in-progress submission and recognize you when you return.


Is there a fee to attend the Member Recognition Gala Dinner?

Yes, the Member Recognition Event will be a gala dinner and tickets will be available for purchase. To register now, click here. HR Spotlight recipients will receive a complimentary ticket for themselves to attend, plus the opportunity to purchase one discounted ticket for a guest. Additional tickets can be purchase at full price.

Anita Bhandari, CPHR

Burnaby, BC
Chief Human Resources Officer
City of Burnaby


Giselle Blackman, CPHR

Port Coquitlam, BC
Vice President, People & Culture
Fit Foods Ltd.


Jabeen Boga, CPHR

Vancouver, BC
Regional Human Resources Business Partner and Instructor-Faculty Member
Revera and Ashton College


Dawn Farahani, CPHR

Burnaby, BC
Director, People Services & Total Rewards
BCAA


Vimal Patel, CPHR

Surrey, BC
Senior Manager, Global HR Services
Kinaxis


Lateef Quadri, CPHR Candidate

Prince George, BC
Human Resources Advisor
Northern Health


Clarisse Clemente, CPHR

Prince George, BC

Human Resources Coordinator

Central Interior Native Health


Makiko Deniz

Vancouver, BC

People & Culture Manager

WELL Health Technologies Corp.


Heather Johnson, CPHR

White Rock, BC

Senior Consultant

HR West Consulting Limited


Manmeet Kaur, CPHR Candidate

Delta, BC

HR Manager

Solutions Staffing Inc.


Kanokwan Limchareon, CPHR

Burnaby, BC

Sr. Manager, Human Resources

StandardAero


Catherine McVey, CPHR

Burnaby, BC

HR Manager

FirstService Residential BC Ltd.


Colleen Quigley, CPHR

Kamloops, BC

Human Resources & Safety Director

City of Kamloops