The 2025 Calgary Award recipients have been revealed. Eleven incredible Calgarians, businesses, and organizations were recognized for their outstanding contributions to our city at the Calgary Awards ceremony on June 18, 2025, at City Hall.
The City of Calgary established The Calgary Awards in 1994 to celebrate and recognize incredible contributions made by Calgarians. Each year, individuals, corporations, community groups, and organizations are nominated in five major award categories. The 2025 Calgary Awards Recipients are:
Community Achievement Awards
Arts
Karen Ball
Karen Ball’s strategic leadership has profoundly shaped Calgary’s arts ecosystem. As CEO of the Nonprofit Chamber, she drove transformative growth and advocacy initiatives. Her work ensured alignment of cultural infrastructure with government priorities, leaving a legacy of collaboration, inclusivity, and support for future generations of artists and cultural leaders.
Calgarian of the Year
Syed Najam Hassan
Syed Hassan, founder of the Love with Humanity Association, has spent 15 years fostering inclusivity in Calgary. He created free libraries, outdoor food banks, and immigrant workshops, addressing critical challenges. His volunteerism and leadership have touched thousands, promoting unity and compassion while uplifting vulnerable communities with dignity and resilience.
Community Advocate – Individual
Lucy O. Reyes
Lucy Reyes, a trailblazing nurse from the Philippines, became Calgary’s first racialized frontline manager in a medical teaching unit. Her leadership revolutionized cardiac care, advocated for internationally educated nurses, and earned prestigious awards, including the Vogel Award and Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Award, recognizing her transformative contributions to Alberta’s healthcare system.
Community Advocate – Organization
Discovery House
For 45 years, Discovery House has empowered Calgary families to rebuild after domestic violence. Supporting 600 individuals annually, it offers safe housing and trauma-informed services, breaking cycles of abuse. As Canada’s first family-serving shelter with a community housing program, its legacy inspires hope, healing, and brighter futures for vulnerable families.
Education
Dr. Olumuyiwa Igbalajobi
Dr. Igbalajobi has transformed education in Calgary through outreach, mentorship, and scholarship programs, empowering underserved communities. His efforts have democratized access to education, earning global acclaim and the 2024 Immigrant Diversity Award. His leadership has positioned Calgary as a hub for inclusive learning, enriching lives and fostering equity in education.
Grant MacEwan Lifetime Achievement
Arthur Clark
Dr. Arthur Clark, Professor Emeritus at the University of Calgary, has spent 25 years championing global citizenship and well-being. Inspired by his experiences as a physician and educator, he founded the Dr. Irma M. Parhad Programs and Calgary Centre for Global Community, leaving a legacy of compassion, vision, and transformative impact.
Heritage
Christine Leppard
Christine Leppard’s visionary leadership has shaped Calgary’s heritage preservation. As a key figure at the Sam Centre and Glenbow, she has championed inclusivity and storytelling through art and artifacts. Her advocacy and strategic work, including chairing Heritage Calgary, have ensured the city’s cultural legacy thrives for future generations.
Social Impact – Business
Blackline Safety
Blackline Safety, a Calgary-based leader in connected safety, designs life-saving technology to protect workers globally. Its locally manufactured products ensure hazard detection and response while supporting over 165,000 users in 75+ countries. Beyond technology, Blackline invests in community well-being, STEM initiatives, and mentorship, fostering innovation and safety excellence in Calgary.
Youth
Max Du
Max Du, founder of Youth Digital Talent, empowers under-resourced Calgary communities through inclusive technology initiatives. His programs have trained 489 youth, bridging the digital divide and supporting small organizations. Max’s innovative work, including a patent-pending rescue drone and advocacy for STEM, has earned global recognition and transformative impact in Calgary.
Other Awards
The Environmental Achievement Award
Calgary Drop-In Centre, Free Goods Program
The Calgary Drop-In and Rehab Centre (DI) goes beyond emergency shelter, offering housing-focused, recovery-oriented programs to support Calgary’s vulnerable citizens. Its Free Goods Program distributed 720,000 items to 18,000 people in 2023-24, diverting significant waste and generating revenue. The DI’s impactful work fosters dignity, resilience, and sustainable community support.
The City of Calgary W.O. Mitchell Book Prize
Julie Sedivy
Julie Sedivy is a prolific and acclaimed writer and linguist whose work straddles scientific and literary worlds. Most notably, her book Memory Speaks was shortlisted for two Alberta Literary Awards and recognized by The Economist. Her most recent book, Linguaphile: A Life of Language Love, was named by The New Yorker as one of the Best Books of 2024.
More information is available at calgary.ca/calgaryawards.
