Special Announcement – 2024 Rise Award Finalists

MPI Ottawa and Chapter Volunteers, Jenny Dao and Michel Kafrouny, finalists for 2024 MPI RISE Awards!

MPI Ottawa is thrilled to have been announced as a finalist for the 2024 MPI RISE Award recipient for Innovative Educational Programming!

This achievement, for the 2022-2023 virtual to in-person education delivery, recognizes our commitment to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), while reshaping the landscape of educational events, with accessibility and self-development at the forefront.

Over the chapter year, we strived for transformative education aimed at fostering open discussions, sharing lived experiences, and promoting sustainable planning and relationships. From workshops that delve into unconscious bias to exploring practical applications of newfound skills, we redefined productivity for ourselves and the industry.

Thank you to the MPI Ottawa Education committee members for making this happen:

• Zina Acherir
• Marbella Berroa
• Daniela Caputo
• Lynn Chiasson
• Courtney Jones
• Bruce Landry
• Jessie Lee
• Desmond Lomas
• Emily McKay
• Ted Robinson
• Meredith Slack

And thank you to all the speakers who shared their experiences and contributed to our educational programming:

• Chris Baley
• Raia “Coach” Carey
• Lynn Chiasson
• Jenny Dao-D’Angelo
• Riccarda Galioto
• Zaman Ishaad
• Josef Legaspi
• Anne Malinowski
• Ted Robinson
• Marie-France Watson
• Lynne Wellish

Joining the MPI Ottawa Chapter as RISE Award finalists this year are two MPI Ottawa chapter members, Jenny Dao and Michel Kafrouny.

Jenny is a finalist in the Member of the Year award. This award recognizes an exceptional MPI member who through volunteer efforts has made outstanding grassroots contributions and demonstrated unparalleled commitment to the advancement of a chapter, club, community, or region.

Michel is a finalist in the Young Professional Achievement award. This award recognizes an individual 35 years of age or younger with a minimum of 1 year’s professional experience in the meeting and event industry who has made outstanding contributions to MPI and/or the meeting and event industry.

The chapter was also recognized in 2022 and 2023, by MPI Global, with the Chapter Award for Excellence. The MPI Ottawa Board of Directors and our chapter committees continue to demonstrate what dedicated volunteers can achieve.

In essence, by coming together, innovating, creating and driving change, we showcase continually that when we meet, we change the world!

Awards will be presented in Louisville KY, at this year’s World Education Congress (WEC) in May!

  Article Edited by Darlene Kelly-Stewart, Stonehouse Sales & Marketing Services