Saluting the organizations and individuals who are working to create better lives in Calgary and area

March 13th’s Community Impact Awards was a night to celebrate the power of community. Through challenges, triumphs and everything in-between, United Way of Calgary and Area (United Way) has been there and will continue to be there – supporting our local community when and where they need it most.

“United Way has proudly served the community over the past 85 years,” says Karen Young, president and CEO of United Way of Calgary and Area. “We’ve stood united through wars, floods and pandemics – and we’ll continue to stand united, and for Calgary, through whatever lies ahead. The Community Impact Awards are a testament to the generous, resilient and caring community we live in and the power of what we can achieve when we work together.”

Last year, more than 500 local workplace partners joined us in this mission, committing their time, skills and resources to ignite hope and spark change. In total, the 2024 campaign raised $52.3 million, a credit to the generosity of our community. Thank you to everyone who partnered with us to create short- and long-term change for the most vulnerable in Calgary. United, we joined with 16,926 volunteers to help more than 240,000 people in 2024.

Among our celebrated volunteers were our 2024 Co-Chairs, Vivek Warrier, partner, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt and Susan O’Brien, senior wealth advisor, Richardson Wealth. This year’s campaign success was possible thanks to their tireless work and the work of our campaign cabinet, to accelerate action and long-term change for our community.

“I always knew Calgary was special,” says Warrier, who finished his second term as Campaign Co-Chair. “It’s been an honour to see our city come together with the dedicated United Way team to create lasting change. I’m excited for Linda and Scott to carry this work forward – our community is in great hands.”

Looking back, looking ahead

This event was an opportunity to celebrate 85 years of impact and innovation at United Way – shining a light on the people, platforms and programs who made us who we are today, and looking ahead with hope and determination at what the future will hold. Since 1940, United Way has raised more than $1.4 billion for Calgary and area. And we’re not slowing down – as the need in our community continues to grow and evolve, United Way will be there—just as we always have been—to support, uplift and empower.

At the helm of this next wave is United Way’s new Chief Development Officer, Kathleen MacPherson, along with our 2025 Co-Chairs, Scott Barron and Linda Olsen, who were announced at the event. Scott is the head of Calgary investment banking at TD Securities here in Calgary and a former chair of co-chair of United Way’s Major Donor Cabinet. Linda, a well-known Calgary journalist most recently with Global Calgary, is excited for this new opportunity.

“As Co-Chair, I hope to inspire even more people to join us in making a difference,” says Olsen. “Our community is at its best when we work together and I believe this campaign will be a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we come together with generosity, compassion and a shared commitment to creating a stronger, more inclusive Calgary.”

The Community Impact Awards are possible thanks to the work of our United Way team and the generous support of our sponsors: McCarthy Tétrault, Altalink and Trican.

Without further ado, we’re proud to announce our 2024 Community Impact Awards Recipients:

The Culbert Family Award for Philanthropy
The Culbert Family Award for Philanthropy recognizes Calgarians shaping the future through their work in the community and charitable giving. Two deserving young community leaders were awarded $2,000 further their education and philanthropic endeavours.

Recipient: Claudia Belanger
Claudia is the Calgary lead for Chubb’s United Way campaign, raising more than $120,000 in the past four years. She also plays a key role in the GenNEXT program, connecting young professionals and supporting leadership initiatives across Canada.

Passionate about running, Claudia leads the reRUN Shoe Project in Calgary, collecting and donating more than 1,000 pairs of shoes to organizations like the Mustard Seed and the Boys and Girls Club of Foothills. This initiative ensures individuals in need have proper footwear for physical activity and daily life.

Claudia will reinvest her award to expanding reRUN, continuing the incredible work the charity is already doing.

Recipient: Sheliza Kassam
Sheliza is the founder and president of Children’s Birthday Miracles (CBM), a volunteer-run charity she started at age 15. Since 2013, CBM has hosted more than 200 birthday parties for children in orphanages, homeless shelters and suffering from cancer. The charity has raised more than $350M and received support from major sponsors including McDonald’s Canada, Google and Coca-Cola.

Sheliza also expanded CBM’s work to support children with cancer, partnering with Kids Cancer Care Calgary since 2016. Through CBM, she also created the Fitbit Program in partnership with Google Fitbit to track rehabilitation progress for those children.

Sheliza will invest her award to support a Family Food Trucks Picnic for Children’s Cottage Society and a Mother’s Day event with Kids Cancer Care.

President’s Award
The President’s Award honours an organization for its exceptional contribution to United Way and our community and recognizes their inspiring efforts in supporting our city.

Recipient: Enbridge

This is Enbridge’s 36th year of campaigning for United Way. The campaign focused on education and awareness. With a total of more than 900 caring hours, Enbridge held 19 days of caring, supporting a variety of agency partners including Women In Need Society (WINS), Silvera for Seniors and Between Friends. The company facilitated numerous activities for their employees and held a very successful golf tournament. In all, Enbridge’s 2024 campaign activities raised $1.4 million for Calgary and area.

The Award of Excellence
This award recognizes candidates that have demonstrated outstanding and innovative campaigns. These honourees have active leadership giving programs and a commitment to making Calgary a resilient and caring community where everyone thrives. There are two sub-categories: candidates with more than 250 employees and candidates with fewer than 250 employees.

Recipient (Over 250): Canadian Natural Resources Limited (Canadian Natural)

Canadian Natural’s campaign was a true testament to generosity and community spirit. With so many opportunities to get involved – whether through volunteering, exciting events like Wine Survivor, a 50/50 draw, a silent auction or a bake sale – everyone had a chance to make a difference. The impact was even greater thanks to a 1.25-to-1 donation match, helping raise over $2.3 million in Calgary and more than $3 million across Alberta. Canadian Natural has been supporting United Way for 34 years.

Recipient (Under 250): Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer, LLP

In their 36th campaign year, the Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer committee brought energy and creativity to their efforts, organizing daily 50/50 draws, a trivia game, a mix-and-mingle event and a fun Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce-themed kickoff lunch. The kickoff event featured an inspiring impact speaker and drew a full crowd, setting the tone for an incredible campaign.

With the added support of their corporate match, the team achieved an outstanding total of more than $450,000, surpassing their 2023 total of $370,000.

Power of One
Power of One recognizes volunteers who have exceeded expectations in creating greater awareness of United Way through their involvement and initiative in their workplace campaign.

Recipients: PCL Construction Management Inc. Campaign Committee

The PCL campaign committee was dedicated to boosting participation and their efforts paid off, with participation increasing from 58% in 2023 to 78% in 2024. Activities included a 50/50 draw and community games. PCL has been supporting United Way of Calgary and Area for 56 years and is 100% employee owned. Ahead of their main campaign, they also raised more than $15,000 in their annual street hockey tournament.

Quantum Leap
This award recognizes organizations and their employees who have achieved significant growth in the current year over the previous year, including an increase in both funds raised and number of donors. Candidates also demonstrated outstanding management support. We selected two exceptional companies for the Quantum Leap Award – one in the over 250 employee category and a second in the under 250 employee category.

Recipient (Over 250): Keyera

For Keyera’s 25th campaign, the company featured events like an auction, popcorn sale and Wine Survivor. Other engaging activities—including a bake sale, trivia, pickleball, NFL Survivor and Minute to Win It – helped bring people together and boost participation.

These new activities were key to this year’s success, as was the involvement of the executive team. These efforts contributed to an impressive 13% increase in dollars raised, demonstrating the power of teamwork, creativity and community engagement.

Recipient (Under 250): NuVista Energy

This year’s NuVista campaign brought excitement and energy with a fun casino theme, featuring plenty of in-office games and even a lively Elvis impersonator! The enthusiasm paid off –campaign contributions surpassed $520,000, marking a 6% increase from the previous year. Donor participation also grew in their 17th year of supporting United Way, showcasing the incredible generosity and engagement of the team.

Spirit of Volunteerism, Education and Engagement
This award recognizes organizations with remarkable creativity and passion in engaging employees during their United Way campaign.

Recipient: Imperial

Imperial’s vibrant carnival-themed campaign was packed with exciting events, speakers, Days of Caring, collection drives and an All In For Youth (AIFY) lunch. Highlights included eight Days of Caring, one facilitated activity and nine speakers, resulting in 1,335 hours of engagement from 1,103 participants. The company’s golf tournament raised more than $500,000, making it the most successful fundraising event of the campaign. Imperial has been supporting United Way with campaign activities for 36 years.

Workplace Excellence Awards
These awards celebrate noteworthy campaigns that demonstrated industry excellence through strong management support, a significant increase in both leadership giving and total donations, a surge in employee involvement and those who have taken a fresh and innovative approach to their United Way campaign.

The 2024 Workplace Excellence Award recipients are:

BMO Financial Group
Canada Energy Regulator
Krywolt Insurance Brokers
NOVA Chemicals
TD Bank Group
The City of Calgary
TransAlta
TriSummit Utilities Inc
Wawanesa Insurance

Congratulations to all recipients!

If you or your organization are committed to driving positive change, we invite you to join us in our mission. A United Way campaign can unite your team to improve our communities for all. Our team is eager to discuss how you can inspire, engage and build meaningful connections within your organization. Email Dennis Hilderman at dennis.hilderman@calgaryunitedway.org to discover how partnering with us in 2025 can help create hope and spark a positive change in our community.

About United Way of Calgary and Area

United Way of Calgary and Area (United Way) is celebrating 85 years of innovation and impact. Since 1940, we have united individuals, workplaces, community partners and government to create lasting social change.

Rooted in a global movement more than a century ago, United Way has been dedicated to improving lives through the power of collective community action. We invest strategically, partner with purpose and mobilize agencies to work together and solve complex social issues like poverty and mental health. Our work and investments stay local.

Join us in shaping the future. Visit hope.uwca.ca to be part of the change. Thank you for 85 years of inspiring hope and strengthening our community.