Photo: City of Grande Prairie. T.Sedore Photography

By Shane Clausing

women of influence awards

City hands out 2022 Women of Influence Awards

Mar 8, 2022 | 3:16 PM

The City of Grande Prairie has unveiled its recipients of the 2022 Women of Influence Awards.

Filmmaker Mariah Braun was named this year’s Young Women of Influence. She was presented the award for promoting equality through her storytelling and advocacy of underrepresented individuals.

As a well-known filmmaker in Grande Prairie and throughout the province, the city says Braun also uses her platform to highlight women’s experiences, challenges, and successes. She also is a mentor for the Black creators’ edition of Telus StoryHive where she is a mentor for up-and-coming BIPOC filmmakers.

Photo: T.Sedore Photography

Natasha Collins Decoste was presented with the Trailblazing Women of Influence Award.

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She received the award for the way she works to break down barriers and promote equal opportunity as a partner of KMSC Law. Her role consists of making a strong impact through her pro bono work with clients facing barriers to accessible legal support, mentorship of other young lawyers, and support of work/life balance for new and young parents.

Photo: T.Sedore Photography

Mieke de Groot was presented with the Distinguished Women of Influence Award.

She was presented the award for her passionate work breaking barriers by advocating for accessibility in the Peace Region.

She is a founding member and a co-leader for the Accessibility Advisory Committee of Grande Prairie, Board Director for the Grande Prairie Residential Society, Regional Program Coordinator for Spinal Cord Injury Alberta and past area coordinator for the Alberta College of Social Workers.

De Groot has been recognized for her work in the past, most notably receiving national recognition for consultations associated with Making an Accessible Canada for Persons with Disabilities preliminary to the writing of the 2019 Legislation resulting in the Accessible Canada Act.

Photo: T.Sedore Photography