Cultural and Creative Achievement

Aysanabee is an award-winning multi-instrumentalist, producer and singer-songwriter currently based in Toronto. He is Oji-Cree, Sucker Clan of the Sandy Lake First Nation, a remote fly-in community in northwestern Ontario. In March 2024, Aysanabee made history as the first Indigenous artist to win the Juno Award for alternative album of the year and the coveted songwriter of the year for his most recent album Here and Now.

Gilad Cohen is an artist, photographer, community mobilizer and founder of JAYU, an award-winning non-profit, sharing critical human rights stories through multimedia arts. The pioneering charity has influenced countless lives through engagement in the arts and culture sector, with a vital mission surrounding advocacy, healing and empowerment. Cohen opened Golden Child Studio to spark conversations around mental health and inequity, using powerful visual storytelling as a tool for social change. Currently executive director at EPIC Leadership , he has supported transformational change for 125 social impact sector leaders responsible for billions in annual revenue and over 11,000 employees across the country.

Five-time Juno Award nominee Jamie Fine is a singer-songwriter from Ottawa, Canada. Her career took off in 2018 with the double platinum hit “Ain’t Easy.” In 2023, her single “If Anything’s Left” became a TikTok sensation and topped charts in Canada and South Africa, boosting her global streams to more than 150 million. Known for her raw talent and emotional honesty, Fine aims to use her music to help others feel seen and understood. A proud, openly gay artist, she is active in social causes and Pride events and remains connected to her hometown, her alma mater and her fans.

Phyllis George is a transformative leader in Indigenous community and economic development, with more than 35 years of impact. She has supported more than 200 community-owned businesses and led initiatives that blend traditional Indigenous values with modern enterprise. As general manager of Tecumseh Community Development Corporation (TCDC), she secures funding, mentors youth and fosters sustainable growth. A traditional dancer, poet and cultural advocate, George champions reconciliation, cultural pride and education. Her efforts have enhanced mental health, literacy and economic opportunities across First Nation territories, making her a respected voice in Indigenous empowerment and a model of leadership grounded in cultural integrity and strategic action.

Design a brand campaign focused on inspiring success in others, and Antonia Goga’s story could serve as its blueprint. Resilience, growth and achievement define her journey — from overcoming loss and starting a new life in a foreign country to rebuilding after a major brain injury and establishing an award-winning career recognized with hundreds of accolades. Her creative work has helped expand markets for multinational and global firms, and now aligns with her entrepreneurial focus as co-founder of &allagi. She amplifies the voices of non-profits, champions mental health and diversity, and mentors emerging creative leaders around the world.

Solomon King, an esteemed Indigenous artist, honours his heritage through intricate wood and stone creations. His dedication to preserving Indigenous culture has earned him acclaim, with works displayed at prominent venues such as Nathan Phillips Square and the University of Toronto. Committed to reconciliation, he crafted a monumental turtle sculpture commemorating residential school survivors. Harnessing skills honed through the cabinetmaking techniques program at Georgian College, King seamlessly integrates woodwork with stonemasonry, enriching his artistry and construction business. Over 18 years, he has trained many individuals, some of whom have received Red Seal accreditation. His vision extends to future workshops, nurturing a legacy of craftsmanship.

As founder of Varga Girl Design, one of North America’s most creative graphic design powerhouses, Rachel Ott has spent more than two decades transforming design into a force for social change and cultural empowerment. Varga Girl Design has the celebration of women in its DNA. Its name and tagline (“Pretty. Powerful.”) honour women’s strength, resilience and boldness. Ott’s design work has earned her agency numerous prestigious creative awards for branding, website, logo and package design, including a Titan award, a New York Design Award, three Muse Creative awards, an NYX Award and top rankings by Clutch Co., rated by client reviews.

Tracey Randall is the executive director of Peterborough Musicfest, Canada’s longest-running free outdoor concert series. A graduate of a tourism and business program, she has built a career rooted in community, arts leadership and impact. Under her direction, Musicfest draws significant tourism to the region and presents 24 concerts each summer. Her legacy includes strengthening local partnerships, advancing emerging talent and fostering accessibility in the arts. With experience in international volunteering, Olympic events and corporate leadership, Tracey blends strategic insight with grassroots passion — transforming Musicfest into a cultural institution and economic driver for Ontario.

Award-winning writer, director and producer Kim Saltarski has brought more than 400 hours of original animated and live-action family, tween, adult comedy, documentary and reality TV programming to life over his 43-year career. He has a list of credits to his name spanning multiple genres and platforms, along with a commitment to shining a light on inspiring stories as a documentarian. Saltarski has helped launch new channels and has worked as a TV executive, but he has always returned to his real calling – telling stories.

Chef Adelina Sisti-DeBlasis, a decorated culinary leader, represented Canada on the 2024 Olympic culinary team, earning silver and gold medals and placing sixth globally. The 2023 National Chef of the Year, she was the first female president of the Culinary Federation Windsor chapter. After switching from dental assisting to culinary arts, she launched Adelina’s Cuisine and later graduated top of her culinary management class. Now a teacher and mentor, she inspires students through programs like Pastabilities and the Community Kitchen. Passionate about education and mentorship, she continues to shape Canada’s culinary future while supporting the national team as support manager.

Award-winning Indo-Canadian John Thimothy is a filmmaker, registered nurse and cultural innovator who bridges health care and the arts to empower marginalized communities. Based in Saskatchewan, he is the founder of the Regina International Film Festival & Awards (RIFFA) and RIFFA Foundation, using film as a tool for healing, inclusion and social change. His groundbreaking initiatives, including the LOOK mental health film program, VR rehabilitation and the world’s first wheelchair-only movie theatre, champion accessibility and creative therapy. Through visionary leadership rooted in compassion, Thimothy shows how storytelling and care can intersect to transform lives and inspire meaningful impact across communities.

Scott Wabano is a 2-Spirit Cree fashion stylist, creative director and founder of Wabano, a production company focused on Indigenous representation in fashion and media. Wabano, a graduate of a radio broadcasting program, uses storytelling to amplify 2SLGBTQ+ and Indigenous voices. Named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 and featured in Vogue, Wabano has worked with global brands like Sephora, Nike and TikTok while co-founding organizations that support youth and cultural advocacy. Their work challenges stereotypes, celebrates diverse Indigenous identities, and reshapes how culture is represented across industries.