{"id":262512,"date":"2026-04-21T13:59:34","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T13:59:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/events\/?page_id=262512"},"modified":"2026-04-21T16:40:31","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T16:40:31","slug":"2024-gallery-and-winners","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/events\/canadian-in-house-counsel-celebration-2026\/2024-gallery-and-winners\/","title":{"rendered":"2024 Gallery and Winners"},"content":{"rendered":"

Community-nominated Awards<\/h3>\n

The individual and team award winners were announced at the Canadian Corporate Counsel Association (CCCA) and Mondaq Celebration, which was held at the Omni King Edward in Toronto, Ontario on October 11, 2024.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n

\"\"<\/a>
Reception<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/td>\n
\n

\"\"<\/a>
Celebration<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/td>\n
\n

\"\"<\/a>
Winners<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Award Winners<\/h3>\n

RVA Jones Award<\/em><\/h4>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Sanderson
\n<\/strong>Justice Canada (retired)<\/em><\/p>\n

The Robert V.A. Jones Award recognizes an exceptional contribution to the development or the promotion of the in-house counsel bar or community, including significant research or writing on related issues, advocacy efforts, etc. It is awarded to a Canadian In-house counsel whose career exemplifies the highest standards of service, conduct and professionalism for in-house counsel.<\/p>\n

Sponsored by
\n\"\"<\/p>\n

Finalists<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Donald L. Bjornson<\/strong>
\nGeneral Counsel & Corporate Secretary<\/em>
\nManitoba Hydro<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Sanderson
\n<\/strong>Author, public Service Mentor in Residence, former senior Justice Canada and Justice Nunavut lawyer
\n<\/em>University of Ottawa, Justice Canada, Justice Nunavut<\/p>\n

Sonne Udemgba
\n<\/strong>Director, Legal (Securities Division)
\n<\/em>Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan<\/p>\n

\n

In-House Counsel Up & Comer Award<\/em><\/h4>\n

\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

Shea Sanders
\n<\/strong>Corporate Counsel & Chief Privacy Officer
\n<\/em>Wellington-Altus Private Wealth Inc.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The Up & Comer Award recognizes excellence among emerging in-house counsels in the private or public sector. Areas of performance might include noteworthy achievements with respect to a significant transaction, management and leadership of a strategic initiative, resolution of material litigation, mentorship other lawyers, demonstration of integrity, pro-bono work, or professional development.<\/p>\n

Sponsored by<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Finalists<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Hayley Ha
\n<\/strong>Manager, Supply Management and Legal Counsel
\n<\/em>Vancouver Airport Authority<\/p>\n

Kenny Okunola
\n<\/strong>Co-founder & Director<\/em>
\nThe ITL Network<\/p>\n

Carla Saunders
\n<\/strong>Legal Counsel
\n<\/em>Purolator Inc.<\/p>\n

Daniel van den Berg
\n<\/strong>General Counsel & Corporate Secretary
\n<\/em>BC Assessment Authority<\/p>\n

\n

Transition to Business Award<\/em><\/h4>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Mark Guillet, K.C.<\/strong><\/p>\n

President and Chief Executive Officer
\n<\/em>SaskEnergy Incorporated<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The Transition to Business Award recognizes an in-house counsel who has transitioned out of the traditional legal role into a business \/ strategic or leadership role within an organization. This person embodies the sentiment of advancing the organizational goals through the lens of a business or organizational partner, not just a legal advisor. Roles within HR, Risk Management, Finance and others are considered.<\/p>\n

Sponsored by<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Finalists<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Gennady Ferenbok
\n<\/strong>EVP, Business Development Counsel
\n<\/em>Coca Cola Canada Bottling Limited<\/p>\n

Mark Guillet, K.C.
\n<\/strong>President and Chief Executive Officer
\n<\/em>SaskEnergy Incorporated<\/p>\n

Jacqueline Tsai
\n<\/strong>Head, Client Relationships (Vice President)
\n<\/em>Interac Corp.<\/p>\n

\n

Action in Diversity & Inclusion Award<\/em><\/h4>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

James Bond, K.C.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Senior Vice President, Chief Legal & Governance Officer
\n<\/em>The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The Action in Diversity & Inclusion Award honours an in-house counsel or legal department who has shown leadership and commitment towards supporting inclusion and diversity in the legal profession. This award recognizes a law department or individual who has demonstrated a tangible and innovative approach to encourage and promote diverse and inclusive workspaces, either within their organization or more broadly across their industry.<\/p>\n

Sponsored by<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Finalists<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

James Bond
\n<\/strong>Senior Vice President, Chief Legal & Governance Officer
\n<\/em>The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company<\/span><\/p>\n

Hina Latif
\n<\/strong>Vice-President, General Counsel & Secretary
\n<\/em>MBFS and Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc. (MBC)<\/p>\n

Sue-Lynn Noel
\n<\/strong>Senior Vice-President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
\n<\/em>Purolator Inc.<\/p>\n

\n

Employee Wellness Initiative of the Year Award<\/em><\/h4>\n

\"\"<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Oxford Properties Group Legal Department<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/h3>\n

The Employee Wellness Initiative of the Year Award recognizes a legal department or in-house counsel who has fostered wellness for the workforce through a specific wellness initiative. The overwhelming trend towards increased workloads, pressure, stress and anxiety within the legal profession has strained departments, workforces and wellness. This award shines a light on organizational initiatives that are actively addressing these critical issues.<\/p>\n

Sponsored by<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Finalists<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Luana DiCandia
\n<\/strong>Director and Senior Legal Counsel, Securities Regulatory & Compliance
\n<\/em>Ontario Teachers\u2019 Pension Plan<\/p>\n

Oxford Properties Group Legal Department<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kelly McDermott
\n<\/strong>Senior Solicitor, Labour & Employment \/ President
\n<\/em>Regional Municipality of Durham \/ Ontario Bar Association<\/p>\n

\n

Legal Team Awards<\/h3>\n

Innovation Impacting the Profession Award<\/em><\/h4>\n

\"\"<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan Legal Branch<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Innovation in legal department management is not contained to employing technology.\u00a0 It is understanding the organizational objectives, strategy and change management processes that will make innovation successful. More than using new tools or cost saving measures, the Innovation Impacting the Profession Award recognizes a legal department that has truly moved the needle in a way that sets an example for our profession.<\/p>\n

Sponsored by<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Finalists<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Julian Perez<\/strong>
\nChief Legal Officer<\/em>
\nDentalcorp<\/p>\n

Legal Branch Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan<\/strong><\/p>\n

Melanie de Wit<\/strong>
\nChief Legal Officer<\/em>
\nUnity Health Toronto<\/p>\n

\n

Legal Team of the Year Award<\/em><\/h4>\n

\"\"<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Royal Bank of Canada Law Group<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The Legal Team of the Year Award recognizes a boundary shifting legal team, small or large, that has achieved extraordinary outcomes in our uniquely Canadian In-house community. Beyond large transactions or litigation this award recognizes the unique challenges and successes faced by Canadian departments.<\/p>\n

Sponsored by<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Finalists<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

IA Financial Group<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ministry of Economic Development Job Creation and Trade, Ministry of Energy and Ministry of Red Tape<\/strong><\/p>\n

Royal Bank of Canada<\/strong><\/p>\n

Vancouver Airport Authority<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Community-nominated Awards The individual and team award winners were announced at the Canadian Corporate Counsel Association (CCCA) and Mondaq Celebration, which was held at the Omni King Edward in Toronto, Ontario on October 11, 2024.   Award Winners RVA Jones Award Elizabeth Sanderson Justice Canada (retired) The Robert V.A. Jones Award recognizes an exceptional contribution … <\/p>\n

Continue reading “2024 Gallery and Winners”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":0,"parent":261768,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-262512","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/events\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/262512","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/events\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/events\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/events\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/30"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/events\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=262512"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/events\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/262512\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":262990,"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/events\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/262512\/revisions\/262990"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/events\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/261768"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/events\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=262512"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}