THUNDER BAY -- Northwestern Ontario's young professionals gather every two years to recognize up-and-coming leaders in all fields but this year, there was one star who outshone them all.
Pop star Coleman Hell received the first-ever SuperNOVA Award among 20 Northwestern Ontario Visionary Awards for professionals under 40 years of age.
Hell's genre-defining single Two Heads went platinum in November and reached Number 20 on the Billboard charts a month later.
"It feels like a great honour," he said.
"I'm excited to be back in Thunder Bay again and to have the support of my hometown, it means a lot to me."
The NOVA Awards began in 2010 and has since recognized 60 winners amid 237 nominees. Over 100 nominees submitted their names to be recognized at Saturday night's gala.
"Those honoured are from all walks of life; entrepreneurs, doctors, executives, and professionals in public, private and non-profit sectors;” said SHIFT President & NOVA Committee Chair, Peter Marchl.
”There are so many young professionals making extraordinary contributions on a local and regional level, and it’s so important for us to come together to celebrate their achievements and let them know they are valued in our communities.”
Northwood Coun. and Unveiled Bridal Boutique owner Shelby Ch'ng was among this year's 20 NOVA recipients.
"I know there's a lot of hard-working professionals who are under 40 in TBay who are just looking to make a break and make a go of it. I'm very honoured to be recognized among my peers," Ch'ng said.
"I find these awards are really for younger people who haven't had that chance to break in yet and who are doing good work in our community but need that bit of recognition to help them grow."
Northern Ontario Visionary Award Winners 2016
1. Candi Edwards - Aboriginal Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program, Ontario Native Women’s Association
2. Chad Austin Gropp – Owner/ Operator, Gropp’s Country Catering
3. Cynthia Olsen – Drug Strategy Coordinator, City of Thunder Bay
4. Darren Fisk – Account Executive, Jones & Associates Insurance
5. Dave Grady – Owner/ General Manager, Thunder Bay Xerographix Inc and the Office Supplier
6. Dr. Christopher Mushquash – Associate Professor, Lakehead University
7. Dr. Jillie Retson – Family Physician, Paterson Medical Clinic and Lake of the Woods District Hospital
8. Dr. Lana Ray - Project Manager of Research, The Centre for Policy in Aboriginal Learning, Confederation College
9. Dr. Michel Beaulieu - Chair, Department of History, Lakehead University
10. Erin Beagle - Executive Director, Roots to Harvest
11. Jaimie Mintenko – Owner/ Centre Director, Scholars Education Centre & Owner/ Campus Director, Academy of
Learning College
12. Joe Moses – Director – Lands, Resources, and Governance, Pic River First Nation
13. Joe Quaresima – Co-Founder & Systems Director, Sencia Canada Ltd.
14. Melanie Blanchette – Executive Director, Thunder Bay and District Humane Society
15. Michael Nitz – Regional Manager, Small Business, Royal Bank RBC
16. Michelle Blackburn – Occupational Therapist, George Jeffery Children’s Centre
17. Parker Jones – Operations Manager, Tom Jones Corporation
18. Robert Perrier – Director of Student Success Centre, Lakehead University
19. Sean Charles Davies - Co-Owner/ Operator, Maintair Aviation Services
20. Shelby Ch'ng – Owner, Unveiled Bridal Boutique
