The CAO Awards of Excellence annually recognize City of Welland employees who demonstrate the values that help strengthen our workplace and community: Customer Experience, Efficiency, Innovation, Integrity, Resiliency, Leadership, and Safety.

These awards celebrate staff who make a positive impact through their work, leadership, ideas, and commitment to public service. Whether improving processes, supporting colleagues, solving challenges, or helping create a safer workplace, nominees and award winners exemplify the very best of what it means to be a City of Welland employee, consistently bringing our values to life through their everyday actions.

Each award highlights an important part of how we work together to serve the community and support one another across the organization.

Congratulations to our past winners who have exemplified the very best of what it means to be a City of Welland employee, consistently bringing our values to life through their everyday actions:

2025:

• Efficiency Excellence Award - Mike Dakin
• Innovation Excellence Award - Communications Team (Paul Orlando, Jane Walker-Scott, and Terri Sheppard)
• Integrity Excellence Award - Adam Murphy
• Leadership Excellence Award - Taylor Meadows
• Resiliency Excellence Award - Adam Whalen
• Safety Excellence Award - Parks and Forestry Team (Anthony DeChellis, Patrick Bisson, Ryan Nolan, and Barry Mills)
• Honour of Excellence Award - Matt Richardson

2024:

• Efficiency Excellence Award - Kim Warner
• Innovation Excellence Award - GIS Group (Matt, Dave, Ry, and Jubril)
• Integrity Excellence Award - Tolga Aydin
• Leadership Excellence Award - Janet Ferland
• Resiliency Excellence Award - Jennifer McRae
• Safety Excellence Award - Joe Caruso