Annual Diversity Awards Gala
April 10, 2026
Every year, we spend a night recognizing the achievements of companies and individuals that have shown exceptional leadership in workplace diversity and have demonstrated an inclusive attitude towards immigrants.
Celebrating Diversity
We strive to work hand-in-hand with employers who recognize that newcomers bring broader perspectives and expertise to the workforce. Many Saskatchewan companies get a competitive edge by hiring staff from diverse cultural backgrounds, which reflects the increasingly diverse mosaic of their current and prospective clientele.
Nomination Process
Our nomination form is made available in the months prior to the awards gala. Stay tuned for updates by following us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, and by checking back on this page regularly.
Recognition of Award Winners
Award winners receive:
- Public recognition and networking opportunities at the awards ceremony
- A plaque recognizing the winner’s contribution
- Inclusion in social media posts announcing the winners
- Media coverage, with all of the winners’ names announced in press releases and the winners’ profiles posted on the SODS website.
2025 Winners
- Partner of the Year Award: SARCAN Recycling (Sponsored by SGI)
- Professional Regulatory Bodies Inclusion Award: World Education Services (Sponsored by McKercher LLP)
- Immigrant Newcomer Entrepreneur Award: Petra Market & Bakery (Sponsored by Affinity Credit Union)
- Employer of Choice Award for Small Enterprise: Fire Protection Services PFP Canada (Sponsored by Cameco)
- Employer of Choice Award for Large Enterprise: Actionwear Saskatoon Inc (Sponsored by Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority Inc.)
- Immigrant Woman Resilience Award: Sandra Walker Mills (Sponsored by Bank of Montreal)
- Workplace Diversity, Inclusion, and Leadership Award for Small Enterprise: Saskatoon Early Years Family Resource Centre (Sponsored by Saskatchewan Blue Cross and Next Level Benefit)
- Workplace Diversity, Inclusion, and Leadership Award for Large Enterprise: Scotiabank (Sponsored by Orano Canada Inc.)
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Karim & Dora Nasser (Sponsored by Saskatoon Community Foundation)
2024 Winners
- Partner of the Year Award: Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools (Sponsored by SGI)
- Newcomer Youth Recruitment Award: Little Einstein’s Babysitters and Nannies (Sponsored by McKercher LLP)
- Immigrant Newcomer Entrepreneur Award: Pendu Hunter Productions (Sponsored by Affinity Credit Union)
- Employer of Choice Award for Small Enterprise: Magnus Construction Services (Sponsored by Cameco)
- Employer of Choice Award for Large Enterprise: Little Einstein’s Babysitters and Nannies (Sponsored by Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority Inc.)
- Immigrant Woman Resilience Award: Dr. Rana Mustafa and Nayyar Javid (Sponsored by Bank of Montreal)
- Workplace Diversity, Inclusion, and Leadership Award for Small Enterprise: Kids Physio Group (Sponsored by BHP)
- Workplace Diversity, Inclusion, and Leadership Award for Large Enterprise: University of Saskatchewan (Sponsored by Orano Canada Inc.)
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Asit Sarkar (Sponsored by Saskatoon Community Foundation)
2023 Winners
- Workplace Diversity, Inclusion, and Leadership – Large Enterprises: SARCAN Recycling (Sponsored by Orano Group)
- Workplace Diversity, Inclusion, and Leadership – Small Enterprises: Building Brains Early Learning Centre (Sponsored by Saskatchewan Blue Cross)
- Partner of the Year: Saskatoon Public Schools (Sponsored by SGI)
- Newcomer Youth Recruitment: Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre (Sponsored by SIGA)
- Newcomer Entrepreneurship Award: Botté Chai Bar and Persian Kitchen (Sponsored by SKStartup Institute)
- Employer of Choice: 7Shifts (Sponsored by Cameco)
- Immigrant Women Resilience Award: Rekha Suryavanshi, Yen Fung, Ila Kanungo Sarkar, Asifa Nasir, Sangin Niazi (Sponsored by Affinity Credit Union)
2022 Winners
- Botte Chai Bar & Delhi Chaat | Employer of Choice (Sponsored by Womens Business Hub)
- Hana Nails and Spa | Newcomer Entrepreneur (Sponsored by WESK)
- WILD Outside Saskatoon | Newcomer Youth Recruitment (Sponsored by Sunlife & Net Level Benefits)
- 7Shifts | Pandemic Recovery (Sponsored by BHP)
- Raj Manek Foundation | Partner of the Year (Sponsored by University of Saskatchewan)
- Vendasta | Workplace Diversity, Inclusion & Leadership (Sponsored by Nutrien)
2021 Winners
- University of Saskatchewan College of Dentistry | Partner of the Year
- Walmart Canada | Pandemic Response – Enterprise
- Emily Martell | Pandemic Response – Individual
- Loraas Disposal North Ltd. | Essential Worker Champion – Large Enterprise
- Warm ‘n’ Cozy Personal Care Homes | Essential Worker Champion – Small Enterprise
- LAVVA Kitchen + Bar | Newcomer Entrepreneur
- Asit Sarkar, Delano Kennedy, Phuong Uyen Huynh, Sarah Cochran Smokeyday, Zainab Al-Musawi | Community Hero Recognition
2020 Winners
- Sinewy Construction | Leadership in Immigrant Recruitment – Small Enterprise
- Vendasta Technologies | Leadership in Immigrant Recruitment – Large Enterprise
- riide | Excellence in Immigrant Integration
- Travelodge Hotel Saskatoon | Employer Partner of the Year
- Little Einstein’s Early Learning Centre Inc. | Newcomer Entrepreneur
- Ms. Hongsen Zhao | Individual Achievement in Immigrant Employment and Integration
2019 Winners
- Warm ‘n’ Cozy Personal Care Homes | Leadership in Immigrant Recruitment – Small Enterprise
- Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen – Saskatoon | Leadership in Immigrant Recruitment – Large Enterprise
- Jerry’s Food Emporium | Excellence in Immigrant Integration – Small Enterprise
- Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) | Excellence in Immigrant Integration – Large Enterprise
- Royal Bank of Canada | Long-Term Employer Partner
- Vendasta Technologies Inc. | Employer Partner of the Year
- Tech Edge Ltd. | Newcomer Entrepreneur
- Ms. Shana Stevens | Individual Achievement in Immigrant Employment and Integration
2018 Winners
- Jerry’s Food Emporium | Leadership in Immigrant Employment – Small Enterprise
- Saskatoon Inn and Conference Centre | Leadership in Immigrant Employment – Large Enterprise
- 7shifts Employee Scheduling Software Inc. | Excellence in Immigrant Integration – Small Enterprise
- The Home Depot | Excellence in Immigrant Integration – Large Enterprise
- Maple Leaf Foods Inc. | Excellence in Immigrant Integration – Large Enterprise
- Vendasta Technologies Inc. | Employer Partner of the Year
- The Saskatoon Co-operative Association Ltd. | Long-term Employer Partner
- Mr. Jim Bence | Individual Achievement in Immigrant Employment and Integration
2017 Winners
- Royal Bank of Canada | Top Partner Award
- GardaWorld Security | Commitment to Workforce Diversity
- Maple Leaf Foods | Commitment to Workforce Diversity
- McDonald’s | Commitment to Workforce Diversity
- Real Canadian Superstore | Commitment to Workforce Diversity
- Saskatoon Public Schools | Commitment to Workforce Diversity
- Sears Canada | Commitment to Workforce Diversity