A Chairman’s Award recipient is an SJC associate recognized by their peers for their standout efforts in bringing our SJC values to life. These include a commitment to our clients, initiative and learning, and giving back to our communities. Each year we select one recipient from each of our Content, Media and Print divisions.

We are so proud to share the three SJC associates selected as our 2020 Chairman’s Award recipients. To be recognized in this year unlike any other is an extra special accomplishment.

When our Founder, Gaetano Gagliano, started SJC as a recent immigrant to Canada with a growing family to support, he too faced difficulties and uncertainties. But it’s in sticking to his values and principles: hard work, learning and growing, teamwork, respect for all, caring about the community, that was his key to success. Gaetano always said, “If you live life according to your values and principles, don’t be afraid. Anything is possible.”

The three recipients share the attributes of teamwork, kindness and positivity;  illuminating traits that were so important over this last year, in ways big and small. (In fact, nominations cited an infectious smile for all three recipients.)

Each recipient has named their charity of choice to receive a full-page ad in one of our magazines, and all three will appear in a tribute ad to run in Maclean’s.

RENAE BROWN | SJC CONTENT

Sr. Accounts Payable Coordinator

“If you looked up ‘team player’ in the dictionary there should be a picture of Renae. She is always willing to assist in any way, regardless of looming deadlines, and a workload that sometimes keeps her at the office past quitting time. She is always happy, pleasant, and has an infectious giggle. She is an absolute joy to work with.”

Charity of choice:
Canadian Feed The Children is a charity that works toward a world where children thrive free from poverty.

“I want to express my deepest appreciation for choosing Canadian Feed The Children as the recipient of your advertising gift through the Chairman’s Award Program. Your investment in our programming through the donation of a full page of advertising space will help to ensure that more communities in Canada, and abroad, are food secure, and more children are able to build better, healthier futures. THANK YOU! This past year has been challenging for Canadians across the country, and for the world at large. To receive your support in these unprecedented times, brings hope for a brighter future for the communities that we serve. Together, we can make it through the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, and uplift children, their families and entire communities by continuing to provide essential programming.” Sincerely, Jacquelyn Wright, President & CEO

ANN ROSS | SJC MEDIA

Directrice de production éditoriale | Editorial production manager, CHÂTELAINE

“C’est un chef de file naturel, extrêmement professionnel, respectueux, très facile à vivre. Ils se soucient toujours de leurs collègues, très empathiques. Leur sourire constant illumine nos vies.”

“She is a natural leader, extremely professional, respectful, very easy going. She is always caring about her colleagues; very empathic. Her constant smile illuminates our lives.”

Charity of choice:
SPCA Monteregie provides dogs and cats with freedom from fear and pain, shelter and love.

“It’s a local branch of the SPCA where I adopted my beautiful cat, 13 years ago. He needed a lot of medical care upon adoption and the vets took care of him for free. At the time, I promised myself that I would help them and now, I can offer them much more than I could have on my own.” 

YOLANDA H. DE SCHWARZ | SJC PRINT

Accountant

“Yolanda always has a smile and a cheerful word for her coworkers. She spreads cheerfulness around and is a constant positive presence.”

Charity of choice:
Multi Faith Housing Initiative, in partnership with the Governor General’s Foot Guards Association, supports Veterans’ House Canada and exists to help get at-risk people in Ottawa into secure, safe homes.

“I chose this charity because they care for the homeless veterans. I think that we owe a lot to all of the veterans for the peace in which we live today here in Canada.  The veterans left family, friends, country and everything behind them to serve our country and its citizens for peace. Now, it is our turn to do something to help the veterans that, for whatever reason, find themselves without a home.”