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ADAG 2025

 

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.

ADAG

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.

2025 Nomination Categories

Partner of the Year Award: In recognition of an employer that has partnered with the Saskatoon Open Door Society in promoting services and opportunities to our client network of refugees and recent immigrants in 2024. For example, they have collaborated with SODS to offer information sessions, conduct mock interviews, provide volunteer opportunities, arrange work placements, share job postings, and participate in the WEconnect Job Fair.

Professional Regulatory Bodies Inclusion Award: In recognition of a regulatory body committed to fostering inclusion and support for newcomers. This award honors organizations who excel in providing mentorship, streamlining licensure processes by simplifying applications and reducing review times, offering financial assistance (such as scholarships and grants), advocating for beneficial policy changes, and creating career opportunities. These organizations provide ongoing career and post-licensing support, facilitate practicum opportunities, deliver high-quality training, and act as a bridge between newcomers and employers to promote job placement and career advancement. Through tailored training initiatives, regular orientation sessions, and partnerships with immigrant service providers, they ensure newcomers are well-prepared and supported throughout their professional journey.

Immigrant Newcomer Entrepreneur Award: In recognition of newcomer entrepreneurs who have overcome unique challenges to build successful organizations in Saskatoon and make meaningful contributions to the local economy in 2024.

Employer of Choice Award – Small Enterprise: In recognition of a small business or organization (fewer than 50 employees) that has supported its workforce to flourish and succeed, and has made a positive impact on its employees, newcomers, and community at large.

Employer of Choice Award – Large Enterprise: In recognition of a large business or organization (50 employees or more) that has supported its workforce to flourish and succeed, and has made a positive impact on its employees, newcomers, and community at large.

Workplace Diversity, Inclusion, and Leadership Award – Small Enterprise: In recognition of a small business (fewer than 50 employees)  or an organization that has demonstrated leadership in creating and promoting diversity and inclusion to improve the workplace culture and environment for its employees, and to better their services to their customers.

Workplace Diversity, Inclusion, and Leadership Award – Large Enterprise: In recognition of a large business or an organization (50 employees or more) that has demonstrated leadership in creating and promoting diversity and inclusion to improve the workplace culture and environment for its employees, and to better their services to their customers.

Immigrant Woman Resilience Award: In recognition of the achievements and significant contributions made by immigrant women as professionals, volunteers, or mentors who have overcome adversity and multiple barriers in their journey. They serve as inspirations to others through their resilience and determination.

Lifetime Achievement Award: In recognition of an individual who has made a lifelong commitment to promoting diversity, inclusion, and social justice. They have dedicated their career and personal life to creating positive change and have left a lasting impact on the community.

* The term immigrant refers to recent and established newcomers whose education and work experience was mainly obtained outside of Canada.

For more information, email at diversityaward@sods.sk.ca or call or text us at 306-700-0099

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 Gala
Annual Diversity Awards Gala

 

 

Annual Diversity Awards 2024 | Winners

  • Partner of the Year Award: Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools
  • Newcomer Youth Recruitment Award: Little Einstein's Babysitters and Nannies
  • Immigrant Newcomer Entrepreneur Award: Pendu Hunter Productions
  • Employer of Choice Award for Small Enterprise: Magnus Construction Services
  • Employer of Choice Award for Large Enterprise: Little Einstein's Babysitters and Nannies
  • Immigrant Woman Resilience Award: Dr. Rana Mustafa and Nayyar Javid
  • Workplace Diversity, Inclusion, and Leadership Award for Small Enterprise: Kids Physio Group
  • Workplace Diversity, Inclusion, and Leadership Award for Large Enterprise: University of Saskatchewan
  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Asit Sarkar

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)

Special Thanks to our Event Sponsor, Nutrien, and Entertainment Sponsor BHP 

Annual Diversity Awards 2022 | Winners

  • Botte Chai Bar & Delhi Chaat | Employer of Choice
  • Hana Nails and Spa | Newcomer Entrepreneur
  • WILD Outside Saskatoon | Newcomer Youth Recruitment
  • 7Shifts |  Pandemic Recovery
  • Raj Manek Foundation | Partner of the Year
  • Vendasta | Workplace Diversity, Inclusion & Leadership

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 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

Programs and Events

WEConnect Job Fairs

The 2024 WEconnect Job Fair has concluded. Keep an eye out for the announcement of next year's fair!

Threads Cultural Conversations

A valuable resource to cultivate individual, community, and institutional learning.

Women's Business Hub

A place (hub) where talented immigrant women come together to develop their skills under the guidance of business professionals.

Annual Diversity Awards Gala

The only multicultural awards event in Saskatoon exclusively celebrating workforce diversity!