On January 29, 2025, staff from the Division of People Strategy, Equity & Culture (PSEC) and the Divisional HR Offices gathered at Massey College for the annual PSEC Awards of Distinction Luncheon, celebrating individuals and teams whose work has significantly advanced the principles and practices of the Division. 

In her opening remarks, Vice-President of PSEC, Kelly Hannah-Moffat highlighted the importance of recognizing the dedication and impact of staff across the University. “It is no secret that PSEC staff and staff in Divisional HR Offices have earned a reputation for their hard work, their creativity, and their responsiveness to our community,” she said. “The PSEC Award of Distinction just makes it official.” 

This year’s awards recognized four individuals and one team for their leadership, commitment to PSEC’s principles and practices, and distinguished contributions.  

The Distinguished Contribution Award was presented to John Crouch, Indigenous Training Coordinator, for his instrumental role in Indigenous training at the University, and Tania Thompson, Senior HR Administrator & Office Manager, who provided critical payroll and benefits support during a staffing transition at U of T Mississauga. 

The Living Our Values Award was awarded to Joan Griffin, Senior Consultant, Workplace Investigations & HR, known for her exceptional work in managing workplace complaints, and Olumide Bolu, Employment & Immigration Consultant, whose expertise guiding community members through complex immigration processes has been invaluable. 

The Team of the Year Award was presented to the Office of Safety & High Risk, whose dedication to preparedness, training, and crisis response has strengthened the University’s emergency readiness. Their work, including the relaunch of the preparedness.utoronto.ca website, ensures that the U of T community remains supported and informed in critical situations. The Office of Safety & High Risk team includes Adam Fraser, Dom Baldasaro, Laura Bradbury, Marible Robles, Melanie Carrington, Mike LeSage, Rachel Simor, Shannon Howes, Ted Fritz, Trisha Bernabe, and Victoria Balice.  

During the ceremony, Erin Jackson, Assistant Vice-President, University HR, emphasized the importance of each recipient’s contributions. “At U of T, our people are our greatest strength. The work you do is essential to achieving the mission and vision of the teams you work in, the Division, and ultimately the University.” 

Congratulations to all recipients for their exceptional contributions!