(Photo credit: City of Grande Prairie)

By Nathaniel Leigh

City Hall

City of GP celebrating 2024 Women of Influence Awards recipients

Mar 11, 2024 | 12:42 PM

The recipients have been announced for the 2024 Women of Influence Awards in Grande Prairie.

The awards, presented by Peace Diagnostic Imaging, recognize local women that promote equality, provide opportunities for women, and breaking barriers in their field.

The awards cover three categories. Daisy Nellis received the Young Woman of Influence Award, Samantha Jones received the Trailblazing Woman of Influence Award and Cecilia Mzvondiwa was presented the Distinguished Woman of Influence Award.

The City released a statement congratulating the recipients you can read below:

“Daisy Nellis is the recipient of the Young Woman of Influence Award for her commitment to youth representation and community betterment. She has represented and advocated for youth in the community through her roles as a member on the Community Knowledge Campus Advisory Committee, Chair of the Youth Advisory Council, and representative of the Grande Prairie School Division on the Minister of Education’s Youth Council.

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Samantha Jones is the recipient of the Trailblazing Woman of Influence Award for her advocacy for diversity and inclusion in STEM fields. With more than a decade of impactful involvement in organizations like the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) and Women in Scholarship, Engineering, Science, & Technology (WISEST) she has raised funds, dismantled barriers, and promoted social equity, making a national-level impact within her company, and inspiring the next generation of engineers.

Cecilia Mzvondiwa is the recipient of the Distinguished Woman of Influence Award for her leadership and expertise in equity, diversity and inclusion. Through her work as a local law firm owner, and with local organizations such as the Northwest Alberta Community Foundation, Grande Prairie and Region Chamber of Commerce, and Grande Prairie Local Immigration Partnership, Cecilia has challenged bias and discrimination while empowering and equipping others to do the same. In 2022, Cecilia was appointed as a Hate Crimes Community Liasion with the Government of Alberta to extend her expertise across the province. She also recently published a book titled Beyond Tokenism: Embrace a Sense of Belonging and Stand Out as an Inclusive Leader to foster healthy work environments, mentor individuals, and inspire others to pursue higher goals.

“On behalf of the City of Grande Prairie, I’m proud to honor these women today and present them with a Women of Influence Awards. Each of these women is a testament to the talent, hard-work, innovation, and vision that lives here in Grande Prairie,” says Mayor Jackie Clayton. “As we celebrate the awards and recognize International Women’s Day, we take time to recognize the importance of supporting women and the ways in which providing equal and equitable opportunity supports our community socially and economically.”

– With files from the City of Grande Prairie