Premier's Awards for Innovation and Excellence

Last updated on December 11, 2024

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The history of the Premier's Awards

The Premier’s Awards for Innovation and Excellence program is an annual celebration of the finest examples of what the BC Public Service has to offer.

This provincial recognition is awarded to the most outstanding projects, teams or individuals in the public service showcasing distinguished examples of professionalism, innovation and collaboration.

The diverse contributions of past recipients have made lasting impacts in B.C. and enriched many lives and communities across the province.

2024 marks the 20th year of the most prestigious recognition event in the BC Public Service.

Premier’s Awards adjudicators and judges determine the finalists and award recipients.

2024 Award recipients by category

Emerging Leader

The Emerging Leader award recognizes a BC Public Service employee 40 years and under and at or below the level of director who has made a significant impact in their ministry, division, workgroup or the greater BC Public Service early in their career. Emerging Leaders are chosen by BC Public Service employees through a vote.

Recipient: Kaylee Tower, Ministry of Transportation and Transit (formerly Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure)

Evidence-Based Design

The Evidence-Based Design award recognizes groups, teams or organizations in the BC Public Service whose work is outstanding in the area of evidence-based or evidence-informed policy or program development, and the process by which the policy or program was designed. This category showcases excellence in policy or program development for internal government or citizen-facing initiatives.

Recipient: Provincial Court Family Rules, Ministry of Attorney General

Innovation

The Innovation award recognizes groups, teams or organizations in the BC Public Service who have developed and transformed new ideas into tangible initiatives, programs or projects. By applying a user-centric or citizen-centric approach, innovations streamline business processes, leverage technology or pursue creative solutions to fulfill organizational mandates.

Recipient: Nurses Respond to B.C.'s Toxic Drug Crisis, Ministry of Health (formerly Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions)

Leadership

The Leadership award recognizes a BC Public Service employee who demonstrates the highest levels of integrity and exemplary leadership abilities either leading a team or organization, or a substantial project, process or initiative.

Recipient: Cliff Chapman, Ministry of Forests

Legacy

The Legacy award recognizes individuals who have made exceptional and lasting contributions to the BC Public Service and the province during a public service career of at least 15 years. The contributions may cover a nominee’s entire career or portions of it, provided the contribution has a lasting and ongoing positive impact.

Note: during the judging process, a Legacy finalist may be considered for the BC Public Service Hall of Excellence.

Recipient: Richard Rogers, Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs (formerly Ministry of Housing)

 

Recipient: Rodney Chapman, Ministry of Transportation and Transit (formerly Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure)

Organizational Excellence

The Organizational Excellence award recognizes one or more BC Public Service organizations that have delivered a program, service or initiative resulting in substantial benefits to their organization(s), the public service or citizens.

Recipient: Natural Resource Ministry Permitting Transformation, Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship

Partnership

The Partnership award recognizes joint ventures or multi-party initiatives between BC Public Service organizations and organizations in the broader public sector, other levels of government, Indigenous communities or in the private or non-profit sectors.

Recipient: Canada's First Cervical Cancer Self-Screening Program, Ministry of Health

Regional Impact

The Regional Impact award recognizes groups, teams or organizations within the BC Public Service who have developed and delivered programs, projects and initiatives benefiting citizens in a specific location (town, city, municipality or region). 

Recipient: Remote Community Energy Strategy, Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions (formerly Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation)

BC Public Service Hall of Excellence

The BC Public Service Hall of Excellence recognizes individuals who have made exceptional and lasting contributions to the province. Recipients of the Legacy award are eligible for induction into the Hall of Excellence. This is the highest form of recognition the BC Public Service can extend to its employees.

Recipient: Nancy Carter, KC, Ministry of Attorney General

 

Recipient: Susan Kelly, Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation

 

Adjudicators and judges

Premier’s Awards adjudicators and judges are government, business and community leaders outside of the BC Public Service. These individuals volunteer their time to determine the finalists and recipients of the Premier’s Awards, according to criteria for each of the categories.

2024 Adjudicators

  • Alexa Young, Principal, Strategies 3.0; VP Policy, Government Relations and Public Affairs, New Economy Canada
  • Azra Hussain, COO, Surrey Hospitals Foundation
  • Cally Wesson, President & CEO, BC Women’s Health Foundation
  • Genesa Greening, CEO, Vancity Community Foundation
  • Laurie Keenan, Director, Accessible Learning, University of Victoria
  • Richard Zussman, Reporter, Global News; President, BC Legislature Press Gallery
  • Terry Yung, Immediate Past Chair, S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
  • Wendy Hurlburt, President and CEO, Life Sciences BC

2024 Judges

  • Anita Huberman, President and CEO, Surrey Board of Trade
  • Brenda Baptiste, Chair, Indigenous Tourism BC
  • Celeste Haldane, Chief Commissioner, BC Treaty Commission
  • Lori Wanamaker, Former Deputy Minister, BC Government (Retired)
  • Merran Smith, President, New Economy Canada
  • Olga Stachova, CEO, MOSAIC
  • Queenie Choo, CEO, S.U.C.C.E.S.S.