The search is on for the next generation of public service leaders! As nominations remain open for IPAC’s Emerging Leader Award, we’re celebrating the early-career professionals who are already making their mark in meaningful ways.
This award recognizes public servants with five years or less of experience who have demonstrated exceptional promise, innovation, and dedication to advancing the public good. These emerging leaders embody the core values of public service and are helping to strengthen trust in our institutions.
With fresh ideas, bold perspectives, and a passion for positive change, these individuals represent the future of public service—and their journey is just getting started.
If you know someone who fits this description, click here to nominate them today!
The final deadline for nominations is 11:59pm on April 28th, 2025.
Need some inspiration? Take a look at what past award winners have accomplished:
2024: Dr. James Fitzgerald (Natural Resources Canada)
Dr. James FitzGerald is recognized for his exceptional leadership and dedication to strengthening public administration at Natural Resources Canada. As a first-year policy analyst, he has taken on key responsibilities, including leading Treasury Board submissions, managing research on energy efficiency regulations, and developing an Indigenous engagement strategy. Beyond his policy work, he has founded mentoring sessions, policy discussions, and professional development initiatives to support his peers and improve workplace culture. His commitment to public service, learning, and advocacy demonstrates immense potential for future leadership in government.
2024: Jessica Forbes (New Brunswick Education and Early Childhood Development – Integrated Service Delivery Branch)
Jessica Forbes is recognized for her leadership in transforming children’s services in New Brunswick through collaboration and systemic reform. As Provincial Coordinator for Integrated Service Delivery, she has led multi-departmental training initiatives, launched the ISD Learning Series with over 20,000 training hours delivered, and addressed service gaps for at-risk youth. Her ability to break down silos, engage stakeholders, and drive meaningful change has improved support systems for children and families across the province.
2023: Stephanie Stefura (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada)
Stephanie’s Emerging Leader Award nomination highlights her groundbreaking work in making the Accelerated Growth Service more inclusive and accessible to Indigenous businesses. As a new regional deputy director, she designed and implemented the first Indigenous-focused Innovation Advisor hiring strategy, ensuring Indigenous entrepreneurs with lived experience were recruited to support Indigenous firms. She engaged Indigenous-serving organizations, developed an inclusive hiring framework, and created new assessment tools to remove barriers in the hiring process. Her efforts led to a tailored business support strategy, fostering stronger relationships with Indigenous communities and improving government services for Indigenous-led businesses across Canada.
2023: Sana Abou-Shaaban (Canada Border Services Agency)
Sana Abou Shaaban’s Emerging Leader Award nomination recognizes her outstanding contributions to equity, diversity, and inclusion at the Canada Border Services Agency. She co-founded the Women in STEM Network, creating a supportive space for women in IT, engineering, and science while driving recruitment and retention initiatives. Her leadership has also extended to mental health advocacy, environmental sustainability efforts, and the development of a reverse mentorship program to bridge generational gaps in the workplace. Through her dedication and innovative approach, Sana has significantly improved workplace culture, professional development opportunities, and inclusivity across the agency.
2022: Kasondra White (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada)
Kasondra’s Emerging Leader Award recognizes her outstanding leadership in advancing Canada’s Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy and negotiating the landmark Moderna MoU for mRNA vaccine production. Her strategic vision and tireless work ethic enabled seamless coordination across multiple federal departments, securing Cabinet approval and fostering strong interdepartmental collaboration. Beyond policy achievements, she has built and nurtured a high-performing, diverse team, fostering an inclusive and innovative work culture. Kasondra’s ability to navigate complex negotiations, drive impactful policy change, and inspire her team has made her a standout leader in Canada’s public service.
2022: Christine Leger (Statistics Canada)
Christine Léger’s Emerging Leader Award recognizes her exceptional leadership in delivering a successful 2021 Census communications strategy amid the challenges of the pandemic. With only months to prepare, she quickly adapted, developing innovative marketing tactics, engaging thousands of community supporters, and overseeing the production of nearly 1,000 communication products. Her efforts led to a record 98.11 percent response rate, including a world-leading 84.63 percent online completion rate, earning national and international recognition.