Annual Diversity Awards Gala | Saskatoon Open Door Society

Save the date for the 9th Annual Diversity Awards Gala 2025, the only multicultural awards event in Saskatoon exclusively celebrating workforce diversity! Next year's Gala will take place February 20, 2025, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Prairieland Park in Saskatoon. Join us for an evening of delicious food, multicultural entertainment, and fabulous door prizes as we celebrate the achievements of companies and individuals that have shown exceptional leadership in workplace diversity, and have demonstrated an inclusive attitude towards new 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.

The Saskatoon Open Door Society holds an annual awards ceremony to recognize the achievements of companies and individuals that have shown exceptional leadership in workplace diversity and have demonstrated an inclusive attitude towards immigrants.

Annual Diversity Awards Gala 2024 Highlights

Nomination Process

The Nominees themselves are required to complete and submit an application in order to be considered for an award.

Nominations are now closed.

Recognition of Award Winners

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 the winners’ names announced in press releases and the winners’ profiles posted on the SODS website

Annual Diversity Awards 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 SIGA (Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority Inc.))
Immigrant Woman Resilience Award: Sandra Walker Mills (Sponsored by BMO (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)

Annual Diversity Awards 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 SIGA (Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority Inc.))
Immigrant Woman Resilience Award: Dr. Rana Mustafa and Nayyar Javid (Sponsored by BMO (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)

Annual Diversity Awards 2023 | Winners

SARCAN Recycling | Workplace Diversity, Inclusion, and Leadership - Large Enterprises (Sponsored by Orano Group)
Building Brains Early Learning Centre
| Workplace Diversity, Inclusion, and Leadership - Small Enterprises (Sponsored by Saskatchewan Blue Cross)
Saskatoon Public Schools | Partner of the Year (Sponsored by SGI)
Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre | Newcomer Youth Recruitment (Sponsored by SIGA)
Botté Chai Bar and Persian Kitchen | Newcomer Entrepreneurship Award (Sponsored by SKStartup Institute)
7Shifts | Employer of Choice (Sponsored by Cameco)
Rekha Suryavanshi, Yen Fung, Ila Kanungo Sarkar, Asifa Nasir, Sangin Niazi
| Immigrant Women Resilience Award (Sponsored by Affinity Credit Union)

Annual Diversity Awards 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)

Annual Diversity Awards 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

Annual Diversity Awards 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

Annual Diversity Awards 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

Annual Diversity Awards 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

Annual Diversity Awards Winners 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