The City of Grande Prairie and organizing committee extend their congratulations to the 2024 Women of Influence Award Presented by Peace Diagnostic Imaging Recipients: Daisy Nellis, Samantha Jones and Cecilia Mzvondiwa.

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.

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.”

About The Women of Influence Awards

The Women of Influence Awards were created in 2018 to commemorate International Women’s Day (IWD) in Grande Prairie and celebrate women’s achievements while promoting equal opportunity for all. Our region is known for its vibrancy, entrepreneurship and continuous growth and these awards are a way to celebrate women’s achievements in making this possible with equal opportunity for all.

The awards are made possible through partnership between the City of Grande Prairie, Northwestern Alberta Foundation, Grande Prairie and District Chamber of Commerce, Grande Prairie Friendship Centre and Odyssey House. 

The 2024 Women of Influence Awards are supported in part by Peace Diagnostic Imaging, M3M Marketing Inc., 104.7 2DayFM, Grande Prairie Friendship Centre, BMO, International Paper, Petals and Posies and the Ballad Group.

Learn more at cityofgp.com/womenofinfluence and internationalwomensday.com.