Change Makers 2025

**Nominations for the 2025 Change Makers Awards are now closed.**

Nominations:

Each year, YWCA Banff presents the Change Makers Awards to outstanding women and gender diverse people from the Bow Valley who have made a lasting difference in the lives of people in the Bow Valley and beyond. Any woman (transgender or cisgender) or gender diverse person who meets the award category criteria is eligible for nomination. YWCA Banff is proud to host these awards, recognizing local individuals who through their own initiative, ability, and effort have demonstrated positive change in the community in alignment with YWCA Banff’s core values.

Award Categories & Nomination Forms:

Please download the forms via the links below and fill it out. When the form is completed, save the form onto your computer and submit it as per the instructions on the form.

• Margaret Stephens Emerging Leader Award (Ages 16-30)

  This award honors an individual between the ages of 16 and 30 who has driven meaningful change within the local community by dedicating their time, energy, and resources to champion a cause. Their efforts have made a significant and lasting impact in the Bow Valley, demonstrating leadership and inspiring their peers through volunteerism and community involvement.

  As role models and changemakers, they contribute to strengthening their community, whether through advocacy, grassroots initiatives, or service within the non-profit or public sectors. Their dedication reflects a deep commitment to creating a better future for those around them.

  Click here to download the nomination form for the Margaret Stephens Emerging Leader Award.

• Pursuit Community Champion Award

  This award celebrates an individual who has recognized a pressing local need or issue and driven meaningful, lasting change by dedicating their time, energy, and resources. Through their community leadership, they have made a significant and sustained impact on the Bow Valley, inspiring others to take action. They are a vital force – a source of strength, compassion, and momentum within their community.

  These champions rally others, harnessing collective talent and capacity to amplify their efforts. They may be founders, administrators, board members, or other influential community leaders whose dedication uplifts and transforms the lives around them.

  Click here to download the nomination form for the Community Champion Award.

• Business Innovation Award

  This award recognizes an individual whose leadership and entrepreneurial spirit have driven social good and positive change within our community. Through innovation and vision, they have addressed a critical need or gap, creating lasting impact in the Bow Valley. Their contributions not only foster meaningful and sustained progress but also open doors for others, empowering and uplifting those around them.

  They exemplify a deep commitment to community, demonstrating respect and engagement with clients, colleagues, and the broader public. As founders, owners, leaders, or innovators, they develop and implement programs, partnerships, policies, or initiatives that significantly enhance the lives of women and gender-diverse people in our community.

  Click here to download the nomination form for the Business Innovation Award.

Only the information provided in the nomination form and supporting documents will be considered.

*New* for 2025: Each nominee can only be nominated for one out of the three categories (Community Champion, Business Innovation, or Emerging Leader).

Nominations are now closed for the 2025 Change Makers Awards.

• Colleen Crawler

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  Colleen Crawler is a powerful community advocate and cultural leader from Mînî Thnî whose work spans language revitalization, land-based healing, and decolonizing archives. As co-creator of the Îyârhe Nakoda Equine Program, Colleen brings culturally grounded, trauma-informed healing to youth and children in care through horse-assisted therapy rooted in Îethka teachings.

  Her first language is Îethka, and her deep cultural fluency has made her a cornerstone of language preservation efforts in her community. She has helped develop educational materials, transcribed oral histories, and ensured Elder wisdom is respectfully shared with future generations.

  At the Whyte Museum Archives, Colleen has been a quiet force for change—bridging Indigenous community protocols with institutional practices. Her work with the Recognizing Relations project gave voice to unnamed ancestors in photographs and reshaped consent and access policies for Indigenous materials.

  Colleen’s impact is rooted in relational ethics, respect, and a fierce commitment to truth. She brings worlds together—youth and Elders, horses and humans, archives and oral tradition—always guided by a sense of duty to her community and ancestors.

• Dorothy Staniforth

  

  Dorothy Staniforth is a quiet powerhouse whose decade-long leadership at Bow Valley Connections Centre (BVCC) has transformed the lives of people with developmental disabilities across the region. As founder and volunteer president, she created the only organization in the Bow Valley offering non-judgmental, inclusive spaces for adults and youth with developmental disabilities to connect, grow, and thrive.

  Dorothy has built BVCC from the ground up—rallying community members, securing funding, and designing programs that empower participants through theatre, wellness, vocational training, and creative expression. Her belief in the potential of every individual challenges stereotypes and reshapes how the community sees ability, inclusion, and belonging.

  She mentors caregivers, uplifts families, and creates spaces where marginalized voices are not only heard but celebrated. Her humility is matched only by her impact—quietly making things happen, never seeking recognition, always putting others first. As Dorothy steps back from leadership this year, her legacy is immeasurable. She is, in every sense, a community champion—small in stature, mighty in spirit, and beloved by all who know her.

• Elia Lopez

  

  Elia Lopez is a community champion whose leadership is rooted in lived experience, compassion, and a powerful sense of purpose. As a Mexican immigrant navigating personal hardship—including workplace injustice, illness, and homelessness—Elia chose not only to rise but to uplift others along the way.

  Through her work with the Bow Valley Immigration Partnership, Elia helped implement the region’s first Workplace Inclusion Charter, advocating for language accessibility, anti-discrimination policies, and culturally safe practices. As Local Coordinator for The Shoe Project, she has given immigrant women—cisgender and LGBTQ+—a platform to share their stories, build confidence, and connect across difference.

  Elia’s impact also includes volunteer service with Banff Food Rescue, youth programs, and mental health advocacy. She has forged partnerships with local businesses, brought The Shoe Project into the YWCA Banff, and shared her own story on the VineArt Gala stage—modeling strength, vulnerability, and hope.

  Elia leads by example, showing that even in the darkest times, community, courage, and storytelling can light the way.

• Jen Tweddell

  

  Jen Tweddell is a passionate community leader and volunteer whose work with Community Cruisers is reshaping how Bow Valley residents move, connect, and thrive. As President of the board, Jen leads with intention and humility—focusing on cycling as a vehicle for health, sustainability, equity, and inclusion.

  She brought the award-winning Bike All Winter program to life, equipping over 400 residents—including newcomers, students, seniors, and young families—with skills and tools to cycle year-round. Under her leadership, Community Cruisers has become a welcoming hub for women, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, and those seeking affordable, active transportation.

  Jen also builds bridges across sectors—partnering with municipalities, Canmore Pride, libraries, and care homes to expand access to mobility, joy, and environmental action. From free community workshops to the BikeShorts Film Festival, her programs empower diverse voices and reduce barriers to participation.

  Whether organizing secure bike parking at local festivals, wrenching bikes with volunteers, or crafting inclusive grant strategies, Jen works tirelessly behind the scenes with grace, grit, and a community-first compass. Her leadership reminds us that meaningful change often rolls in quietly—on two wheels and with open arms.

• Lee Rinne

  

  Lee Rinne is a powerhouse of compassion, community care, and quiet revolution. As Dementia Care Team Lead with the Palliative Care Society of the Bow Valley, Lee has reshaped how we support people living with dementia—and their caregivers—through dignity-first, person-centered programming.

  A lifelong advocate for inclusion, Lee’s volunteer work spans adaptive mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and co-mentoring future caregivers. Her approach—“Meet me where I am, and welcome to my world”—has become a mantra within the dementia care community. She trains specialized volunteers, provides family support, and raises awareness through presentations, always centering respect, equity, and agency.

  Lee also helps lead Ski for Light Canada, connecting blind and low-vision athletes with guides and a global community of outdoor enthusiasts. She builds bridges across generations—bringing youth caregivers into the fold—and across borders, with events that celebrate ability in all its forms.

  With more than 900 volunteer hours logged in under two years, Lee is not just a supporter—she’s a systems-changer, question-asker, and hope-holder for the aging population and those who care for them.

• Lori Bayne

  

  Lori Bayne is a tireless community leader whose decades-long commitment to the Bow Valley has quietly transformed lives. Through her roles with the Town of Banff and other local initiatives, Lori has built bridges between sectors, nurtured vulnerable youth, and supported individuals and families navigating complex challenges—all while leading with humility, heart, and fierce integrity.

  She has been instrumental in creating safe spaces for connection, healing, and growth. From supporting BanffLIFE programming for young adults to mentoring social service professionals, Lori’s behind-the-scenes influence has rippled outward to touch nearly every corner of the community.

  Lori is known for her deep listening, practical wisdom, and unwavering belief in the potential of others. Her work doesn’t seek the spotlight, but its impact is unmistakable—shaping a stronger, more inclusive Bow Valley through quiet courage and steadfast care.

• Sarah Hueniken

  

  Sarah Hueniken is a trailblazing climber, educator, and community builder whose work has shifted the culture of mountain sports across the Bow Valley and beyond. One of Canada’s most accomplished Alpine Mountain Guides, Sarah has broken barriers in a male-dominated sport while lifting others alongside her.

  She created women’s climbing programs to foster confidence, connection, and safety for those often excluded from traditional outdoor spaces. Sarah is also the co-founder of Mountain Muskox, a transformative initiative offering support to those navigating trauma and loss in the mountains. Her own experience with grief led her to create space for healing, challenging the silence and stigma often surrounding such experiences in outdoor communities.

  Sarah is a mentor, collaborator, and advocate. She partners with Avalanche Canada, guides aspiring leaders, and makes safety decisions in the backcountry that reflect unwavering integrity—even when it means turning back from a goal. Her work is rooted in trust, ethics, and a fierce belief in inclusive adventure. Sarah doesn’t just summit peaks—she helps others rise, too.

• Silvia Stettler

  

  Silvia Stettler is a living embodiment of what it means to build community—steadily, humbly, and with heart. Since arriving in Canmore in the 1970s, Silvia has been a force behind transformative growth in the Bow Valley. As a business owner, she prioritized women’s leadership, equity, and affordable housing. As a volunteer, she has left her mark on everything from the 1988 Olympics and Ski for Light to the Jackrabbits Nordic ski program and World Cup events for both para and able-bodied athletes.

  Her multilingual warmth and inclusive spirit have made her a beloved presence in sport, arts, and culture. Silvia has helped girls gain access to soccer, supported survivors of domestic violence, advocated for French immersion, and accompanied visually impaired community members on outdoor adventures.

  A five-time Masters World Cup athlete, Silvia has also nurtured a lifelong love of movement, mentorship, and meaningful connection. Whether guiding a skier, supporting ArtsPlace, or coaching kids in the snow, Silvia quietly uplifts those around her—with compassion, strength, and a legacy of care that spans generations.

• Aimee Cutknife

  

  Aimee Cutknife is a visionary Indigenous educator leading systemic change in Mini Thni through bold innovation and heart-led leadership. A proud Stoney and Blackfoot woman, Aimee has championed transformative programs in her community—from establishing a land-based learning department to introducing coding, Minecraft Education, and inclusive music programs that celebrate student creativity and voice.

  Her leadership is rooted in trust and collaboration. She uplifts fellow educators and empowers students of all genders and backgrounds to thrive. Aimee’s support for female-led initiatives, Indigenous representation, and hands-on cultural education has reshaped the learning experience across the Stoney Education Authority.

  Outside the classroom, Aimee strengthens community through initiatives like the Knowledge Keeper program, rodeo and hockey mentorship, and connecting Elders with youth. Every project she touches reflects her deep integrity, adaptability, and passion for inclusion.

  Aimee doesn’t just respond to challenges—she reimagines what’s possible. Her work is creating a more equitable, empowered future for the Bow Valley and beyond.

• Amanda Arbuckle

  

  Amanda Arbuckle is a trailblazer in municipal innovation, using recreation infrastructure and policy to advance equity and inclusion in Banff. As the Town’s Recreation Manager, Amanda has led transformative projects—most notably at the Fenlands—where she’s ensured spaces are welcoming and accessible to people of all genders and backgrounds.

  Mandy, as she’s affectionately known, doesn’t just apply best practices—she raises the bar. She listens deeply to community feedback, adapts with humility, and stands firm in her values, even in the face of criticism. Her leadership style balances strength and empathy, with a long-standing focus on equitable access to team sports and safe spaces for youth—especially for underrepresented and newcomer communities like Banff’s Filipino youth.

  From coaching basketball to mentoring her staff and hosting international students, Amanda lives her commitment to community. Her integrity is uncompromising, and her passion for justice unwavering. She’s more than a recreation manager—she’s a changemaker making Banff stronger, more inclusive, and future-ready.

   

• Ange Helie

  

  Ange Helie is a visionary changemaker in the wellness industry, creating safe, inclusive spaces where women can break free from diet culture and build strength on their own terms. Through her company, AfterGlow Lifestyle, Ange challenges harmful norms with compassion and innovation—offering trauma-informed coaching, a groundbreaking professional certification, and the empowering Women in Strength program for ages 13 to 70.

  Her impact stretches across the Bow Valley and beyond, with collaborations from local gyms to international coaches. Ange’s approach is weight-neutral, accessible, and rooted in lived experience. She shares her own healing journey openly, inspiring others to embrace their bodies and reclaim their voices. Whether hosting sold-out events, training new leaders, or developing mentorship programs, Ange leads with vulnerability, integrity, and fierce purpose.

  A mother of two daughters, she’s building a legacy that will change the conversation around food, strength, and worth for generations to come.

• Cathy Ellis, Cheryl Fraser, Jessica Lee, and Jungmin Ham

  

  Cathy Ellis, Cheryl Fraser, Jessica Lee, and Jungmin Ham are the heart of the Rocky Mountain Outlook’s newsroom—a team of community journalists quietly shaping how the Bow Valley sees itself. In an era of noise and misinformation, their work champions truth, equity, and connection.

  Together, they ensure local media reflects the full diversity of the region—elevating women, newcomers, youth, and underrepresented voices through thoughtful reporting and powerful imagery. Whether covering a community advocate, sports team, or social issue, their lens is inclusive and intentional.

  Behind the scenes, they push for ethical language, amplify grassroots efforts, and provide a platform where individuals feel safe to share their stories. Their work isn’t flashy—but it’s essential. It gives legitimacy and visibility to change-makers and movements that might otherwise go unseen.

  With courage, care, and collaboration, Cathy, Cheryl, Jessica, and Jungmin redefine what local journalism can be: a mirror, a megaphone, and a catalyst for community transformation.

• Dawn A. Byford

  

  Dawn Angela Byford is a bold innovator fusing food, climate, and community to drive meaningful change in the Bow Valley. After transitioning from a corporate career, Dawn pioneered inclusive plant-based cooking and sustainability programs that nourish both people and the planet. From youth climate workshops to large-scale Earth Day events, her leadership creates accessible, action-oriented spaces for all ages and identities.

  As Co-Chair of Rotary International’s Plant-Rich Diet Task Force, Dawn links local work with global impact—elevating women’s leadership, championing food justice, and advocating for climate solutions rooted in equity. Her classes and events prioritize affordability, cultural inclusion, and empowerment, reaching hundreds of participants while sparking ripple effects across households, schools, and nonprofits.

  Dawn is a connector, a teacher, and a changemaker. With every program she leads, she lifts up voices that are too often unheard and helps people see their health and habits as a powerful tool for collective change. Her work is grounded in integrity, joy, and a deep commitment to leaving no one behind.

• Jessica Klaric

  

  Jessica Klaric is a visionary leader and community advocate making a lasting impact in the Bow Valley. As Executive Director of the Homelessness Society of the Bow Valley, she has redefined service delivery through trauma-informed, low-barrier models that prioritize dignity and accessibility for marginalized communities, including 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, Indigenous peoples, and those facing homelessness or mental health challenges.

  Jessica leads with compassion, courage, and humility—engaging individuals with lived experience to shape responsive, inclusive programs. She has built strong coalitions across sectors, spearheading collaborative responses to regional housing crises and securing charitable status and critical funding to expand services.

  In every role—from policy innovator to frontline ally—Jessica demonstrates unwavering integrity and a deep commitment to gender equity, autonomy, and ethical leadership. Her approach is rooted in justice, fueled by empathy, and driven by a belief in the power of community-led change.

• Ji Won Baxter

  

  Ji Won Baxter is the heart of Banff Food & Friends, where she creates more than meals—she cultivates community. At just 23, Ji Won has shown extraordinary leadership, stepping in wherever needed, from organizing teams and partnerships to washing dishes and playing with children so parents can enjoy a warm meal in peace.

  Her quiet, consistent presence keeps the program running and thriving. When their head chef stepped down, Ji Won helped reimagine the model, creating a sustainable, team-based approach to ensure no one is left behind. Ji Won leads with deep humility, openness, and care—bridging differences, empowering volunteers, and holding space for those often excluded.

  She’s also an artist and connector, organizing benefit concerts and building partnerships that turn generosity into lasting impact. Whether she’s helping others step into leadership or quietly ensuring the books are balanced, Ji Won leads with grace, courage, and conviction—reminding us that real change often begins with quiet acts of love and service.