Any of the people in the room that night could have received this award because we’re all so dedicated. I love that about my industry. But this year, my peers chose me and I will be forever grateful for that..

Have you ever been brought to tears by something your peers did for you?

This past weekend I received an award for ‘exemplary service’ to my industry - an industry that I’ve been a part of for almost 27 years. When they called to inform me that I’d be receiving the award, I realized this is a special moment in my life. Not one I’d planned for or even worked towards - but one that my peers felt compelled to give me - and it brought me to tears.

Being recognized by people that you deeply respect is humbling. I have access to the brightest minds in the world which gives me constant knowledge and opportunity for growth - in addition, my industry colleagues are some of the most passionate people I know. Any of the people in the room that night could have received this award because we’re all so dedicated. I love that about my industry. But this year, my peers chose me and I will be forever grateful for that.

A special thank you to Brian Palmer who has been both a friend and a mentor for the last 25 years and whose father this award is named after. John Palmer was a man deeply respected by his peers and to be recognized in his name is something I will cherish forever.

Thank you also to Shawn Hanks and the rest of the Awards Committee for placing this honour on my shoulders. I will continue to show my dedication to our industry in the hopes it will inspire others to be even more dedicated.

And lastly a very huge thank you to my team - Rebecca, Tara, Adrienne, Elyse, Felicia and Dani - who are so dedicated to the work they do for cmi - which gives me the support and the space to contribute to our industry.