This year's recipient of the leadership award has been a leader in a predominantly male dominated job for almost 30 years. She started her career as a parole officer in western Canada, moving up to the position of Director of Corrections in the Northwest Territories in just less than 20 years. Born in Cobourg she moved back to Ontario in 1998 where she now works for the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services. Stationed in the northern reaches of the province she is responsible for 11 Correctional Institutions and seven Probation and Parole offices with an excess of 900 employees and a combined capacity of 1,200 offenders.
Her nominators agree that she embodies the principles of leadership. She is known for her open door policy and permitting staff to express themselves, allowing for individual integrity. She continually maintains communication with all her Superintendents and provides them with the tools they need to effectively do their jobs.
Her leadership skills were evident when managing issues surrounding the closure of three northern jails. She traveled weekly from North Bay to Sault Ste. Marie to meet with the different implementation teams and partner with union executives to address concerns and issues as they arose. She was tireless, compassionate, and withstood many pressures, always with a smile, always with the right perspective, always with an open door.
She is an excellent role model one who maintains a positive attitude in the face of adversity. As one nominator wrote, "I have seen her in situations when she has not been treated fairly, even to the point of personal attack and yet she always takes the high road and behaves in a professional manner." She believes in team building and using the skills of team members. She is seen by colleagues to be trustworthy, approachable and always looking out for the best interests of her employees.
Her high ethical standards have led one nominator to "personally strive to meet her standards" and another to say he would "work for her anytime, anyplace, anywhere."
She is a strong motivator, advocate and mentor and the winner of the 2004 Leadership Award. Please congratulate Regional Director Midge Ravensdale of the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services.
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