Good news doesn’t always make headlines. Across Edmonton, there are people working every day to strengthen communities, challenge barriers and open doors for others.
That spirit of leadership is exactly what the YWCA Edmonton Women of Distinction Awards celebrate. First established in 1982, these awards honour inspiring women and gender- diverse leaders whose work is helping shape a more equitable future for our city.
For decades, the Women of Distinction Awards have recognized a remarkable range of changemakers, from artists and educators to entrepreneurs, advocates and community builders. The 2026 recipients were selected by a distinguished jury who reviewed nominations from across the region.
Meet the 2026 Women of Distinction — leaders whose impact is helping define the future of Edmonton.
Honouring visionary leaders whose lifelong dedication and contributions have broken barriers, set new standards and redefined what is possible in their fields.
If you want to understand the heart of a city, visit its library. For more than three decades, Pilar Martinez has been reshaping what that civic space can be … not simply a place to borrow books, but a gateway to learning, creativity and connection.
As CEO of the Edmonton Public Library, Martinez led a transformation that positioned EPL among the most innovative public library systems in North America. Under her leadership, membership fees and overdue fines were eliminated, removing
long-standing barriers that had prevented many residents from accessing services.
Her vision extended far beyond access. Makerspaces and digital creation labs reimagined how communities learn and create. Literacy vans and storefront branches brought programming directly into neighbourhoods across the city. Today, EPL works with more than 300 community partners and serves as a vital civic hub for technology, lifelong learning and public dialogue.
In 2014, the system became the first library outside the United States to receive Library Journal’s prestigious Library of the Year award — often described as the Stanley Cup of the library world.
Throughout her career, Martinez has been a steadfast champion of intellectual freedom and equitable access to knowledge. Her leadership has not only reshaped Edmonton’s library system; it has helped redefine what a modern public library can be.
Honouring entrepreneurs and business leaders who drive innovation and economic growth while championing equitable, inclusive business practices.
For Carolyn Campbell, education is the starting point for possibility. As President and CEO of NorQuest College, she has guided the institution through a period of significant growth, helping it become Alberta’s largest comprehensive community college serving more than 20,000 learners each year.
Under her leadership, NorQuest has expanded workforce programs and strengthened pathways for newcomers, Indigenous learners and adults returning to school later in life. Graduates now fill essential roles across Alberta’s health care, business and community sectors. The impact extends far beyond campus walls. NorQuest alumni remain in the province at high rates and contribute hundreds of millions annually to the regional economy.
Honouring those who enrich Edmonton’s cultural landscape through artistic expression, performance and creative leadership.
Long before Edmonton’s cultural sector was flourishing, Maggie Mitchell was helping build the conditions for it to grow. A former curator at the Art Gallery of Alberta, Mitchell has spent decades supporting the artists and institutions that shape the city’s creative life. Her influence spans board leadership, philanthropy and advocacy for organizations including the AGA, Alberta Ballet, Harcourt House and the Youth Orchestra of Northern Alberta.
Together with her husband John, she has helped ensure artists have the resources and platforms needed to reach new audiences. MacEwan University’s John and Maggie Mitchell Art Gallery stands as a lasting reflection of that commitment. In 2015, she was inducted into Edmonton’s Cultural Hall of Fame — recognition of a lifetime spent strengthening the city’s creative foundations.
Honouring those who lead with purpose to drive social change, inspire action and champion safer, stronger communities.
Meaningful community change rarely happens in isolation. For more than two decades, Holly Hallborg has been bringing organizations together to address some of Edmonton’s most complex social challenges. Through her leadership with REACH Edmonton Council for Safe Communities, she has helped shape collaborative initiatives focused on youth vulnerability, gang prevention and human trafficking.
One of those initiatives, WrapED, was created to help steer young people away from gang involvement and has remained active for more than a decade. More recently, Hallborg helped establish the Alberta Centre to End Trafficking in Persons and now coordinates a province wide network working to prevent exploitation and support survivors.
Honouring young leaders taking initiative to challenge norms and drive impactful change for future generations.
For Shiza Wasi, civic engagement begins with belonging. A rising leader in Edmonton’s civic landscape, Wasi has focused her early career on helping under represented communities see themselves reflected in public life. Through her work with YEG Muslim Vote, she helped grow a grassroots initiative encouraging Muslim residents to engage with civic issues and elections.
Today, in her role with Public Interest Alberta, she works to make complex policy issues accessible to communities across the province. She has also supported initiatives connecting equity-deserving youth with municipal leadership and decision-makers, helping create pathways into civic life for the next generation.
In honour of YWCA Edmonton’s first president Lorinda Bellamy (1907-1911), this award posthumously celebrates an extraordinary historic Edmonton woman and her contributions to our community.
In 1996, Rosalind Smith made history. She became the first Black female principal in Edmonton Public Schools, a milestone that broke barriers in a profession where leadership roles had rarely reflected the diversity of the communities they served. But Smith pursued leadership with a clear purpose: to change school culture so every student felt seen, supported and capable of success.
Over a nearly 40-year career, she moved from classroom teacher to principal and later to supervisory consultant, helping guide school leaders and district staff in equity, diversity and inclusive education. Her influence extended beyond Edmonton Public Schools through her work with the National Black Coalition of Canada and the Alberta Black Teachers’ Association, where she mentored educators and strengthened professional networks within the Black community.
Long before diversity and inclusion became standard language in education policy, Smith was already doing the work — one school at a time.
YWCA Edmonton is a leading voice for equity, working to build safer, stronger and more inclusive communities through leadership, education and empowerment. Proudly serving the capital region since 1907, we are part of YWCA Canada, the country’s oldest and largest women’s social service organization.
Akanksha Bhatnagar Executive Director, External Relations, Edmonton Chamber of Commerce
Scott Graham Community Convener and Human Rights Advocate
Sam Juru Executive Director, Edmonton Newcomer Centre
Luwam Kiflemariam Executive Director, 124 Street and Area Business Association
Jennifer Pascoe Associate Vice-President, Marketing and Communications, NAIT
Sheila Pratt Former Journalist, Edmonton Journal
Jocelyn Verreault 2025 Women of Distinction Trailblazer Award Recipient
On May 7, YWCA Edmonton will celebrate the changemakers and visionary leaders honoured as the 2026 Women of Distinction at a sold-out awards luncheon at the Royal Glenora Club.
Make a donation to YWCA Edmonton’s Welcome Home Project in honour of this year’s award recipients.
