May 4, 2026
For 85 years, United Way of the Alberta Capital Region has brought people together to build a stronger, more connected community. At the heart of that story is the Red Tie Gala — a celebration of generosity, leadership, and the collective power of people who care deeply about where we live.
The Awards of Distinction recognize the individuals and organizations whose commitment, creativity, and compassion are helping shape the next chapter of impact across our region. This year’s recipients embody the spirit of our anniversary year: showing that when we lead with heart and act together, extraordinary change is possible.
The Award of Excellence celebrates organizations that have raised more than $1 million
in support of United Way during workplace campaigns.
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PCL Construction PCL’s “Carnival of Caring: The Greatest Give on Earth” brought connection, creativity, and community to life — raising an incredible $2.5 million! From immersive events to record-breaking jobsite engagement, their campaign blended innovation with hands-on impact. |
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Enbridge Enbridge’s “Heads, Hearts, Hands” campaign inspired strategic action, compassionate engagement, and meaningful volunteerism — raising over $1 million for United Way. Through innovative gift-matching strategies, strong leadership alignment, and energized employee participation, they fostered a powerful culture of generosity across the organization. |
This year, our United Way introduced our newest Award of Distinction. The Red Tie Philanthropist Award honours a United Way donor whose incredible generosity, leadership, and heart have helped shape lasting change across our region.
Leon & Vonnie Zupan | We are proud to honour Leon and Vonnie Zupan as the inaugural recipients of the Red Tie Philanthropist Award. For 40 years, their steadfast belief in United Way’s mission has shaped meaningful, lasting impact across our community. Their giving is not defined by a single moment, but by decades of partnership, heart, and action — embodying everything this award was created to celebrate.
The Leading the Way Award recognizes organizations that recognize and celebrate the impact of workplace campaign donors who give $1,200 or more annually.
EPCOR | Over the past seven years, EPCOR has grown their Leaders of the Way donor base by 72 percent! With more than a third of employee donors contributing 80 percent of total funds raised, their commitment to cultivating and celebrating leadership giving sets a powerful standard.
The Education and Engagement Award recognizes workplace campaigns that increase awareness of community needs and the impact of United Way donations.
BMO Financial Group | BMO elevated education and engagement across their campaign through myth-busting, impactful storytelling, and hands-on experiences. From frontline agency tours to inspiring speakers, their approach deepened their employees’ understanding of United Way’s impact at every level.
The Expanding Our Reach Award honours efforts to engage the next generation of community leaders, retirees, and/or women and gender-diverse groups in campaign activities.
Dow Canada | Dow Canada expanded the reach of United Way’s Women United initiative through intentional engagement and meaningful conversations across their workplace. From hosting empowering events to engaging new Women United Ambassadors, their efforts are helping build a stronger network of women driving change in a male-dominated industry.
The Big Idea Award recognizes innovation in workplace fundraising.
Stuff-a-Bus for Schools Committee, City of Edmonton | In 2025, The City of Edmonton launched their inaugural “Stuff a Bus for Schools” campaign. In partnership with community leaders, they mobilized volunteers and filled ETS buses to provide students from All in for Youth schools with over 250 backpacks and thousands of dollars’ worth of much-needed school supplies.
Engineering Day of Caring Committee | Hosting their largest project to date in a new community, the Engineering Day of Caring Committee mobilized over 150 volunteers to transform a multi-tenant frontline agency hub serving families and youth.
The Funded Partner Campaign Award honours United Way-funded agencies that show outstanding commitment in their own workplace campaigns.
The Family Centre | The Family Centre’s campaign reflected the power of collective care. From meaningful kickoff events to strong volunteer leadership and innovative engagement strategies, their annual campaign continues to evolve and thrive.
The Welcome to United Way Award recognizes a first-time workplace campaign that made an immediate impact.
Baker Hughes | Baker Hughes made an immediate impact in their first year partnering with United Way. By integrating education, engagement, and fundraising into their vendor golf tournament, they created a meaningful experience for participants while raising over $2,000 in support of our community.
The Outstanding Committee Member of the Year Award recognizes volunteers who demonstrated exceptional commitment to the success of their workplace campaign.
Janice Fleming, Alberta Public Service, Executive Council | From securing sought-after auction items to personally handling logistics and leading creative fundraising events, Janice’s tireless efforts have been instrumental to her workplace campaign committee’s success.
The Community Leader Award recognizes the non-profit leaders who go beyond their roles to strengthen the social sector and create lasting change in their communities.
Kaela Hendra, enCompass Community Safety Agency | Kaela is a visionary leader advancing coordinated responses to family violence in our community. Through strategic collaboration and tireless advocacy, she helped launch innovative partnerships that are expanding access to life-saving supports for thousands of individuals and families.
The Employee Campaign Chair of the Year Awards celebrate individuals who demonstrated exceptional leadership in their workplace campaign.
Public Sector: Crysta Hammond, Alberta Public Service, Affordability and Utilities | Crysta transformed her workplace campaign through bold leadership, creativity, and personal commitment — inspiring record-breaking participation and exceeding fundraising goals.
Private Sector: Joshua Swaok, PCL Construction | Joshua reimagined what a workplace campaign could achieve. By championing innovation, education, and hands-on action, he led one of the region’s most dynamic campaigns and inspired record-breaking engagement.
The Campaign Committee of the Year Awards recognize workplace campaign committees that demonstrated innovation, teamwork, and enthusiasm.
Under 250 Employees: MEGlobal Canada | MEGlobal Canada’s campaign committee delivered energy, innovation, and record-breaking results through creative engagement and strategic planning — raising over $10,700 through events alone.
Between 250-1,000 Employees: Spartan Controls | Spartan Controls’ campaign committee brought bold ideas and unstoppable momentum to their campaign, overcoming challenges with creativity and resilience to achieve outstanding results.
Over 1,000 Employees: Enbridge | Through innovative gift-matching strategies, strong volunteer mobilization, and disciplined execution, Enbridge inspired a culture of generosity across the organization, increasing donor participation and surpassing goals.
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85 Years of Leading with Heart
As we celebrate 85 years of impact, this year’s award recipients remind us that United Way’s story has always been written by people like them — leaders, donors, volunteers, and partners who choose to show up for their community year after year. Together, they are helping shape what the next 85 years will look like in the Alberta Capital Region. |
A workplace campaign is a powerful way to bring your team together, boost morale, and make a lasting impact in your community.
Learn more about workplace campaigns
The George Letki Volunteer of the Year Award celebrates the people who have shaped United Way for decades — and continue to shape our future.
This National Volunteer Week, we’re celebrating the people who step into a high school gym for two hours — and leave knowing they’ve changed how a young person sees their future.
