Honouring excellence: Peel Employee Awards
The Peel Celebrates Employee Awards is one of Peel’s annual employee recognition programs.
The awards program celebrates the outstanding contributions of our employees, whose dedication strengthens our organization and ensures that our communities have access to all necessary services and supports.
This year, we recognized our award recipients at a breakfast reception and presentation held at Regional Council on June 12.
Here is the complete list of our award recipients for 2025:
Asylum Claimant Response team
The team's dedication to addressing local shelter pressure and supporting newcomer settlement has:
- Led to the creation of an innovative and cost-effective Peel Reception Centre and shelter in Mississauga, providing support for nearly 700 asylum claimants.
- Established a one-stop intake process, giving newcomers onsite access to coordinated services across all levels of government. This includes Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and Service Canada and regional supports such as housing, public health, settlement, employment, community, and social supports.
John Glass
John successfully led Peel's Biosolids Diversion Program, helping us reduce 6,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. His commitment to sustainability has saved costs and positioned Peel as a leader in circular and climate-conscious wastewater management.
Chinguacousy Fill team
The team's innovative Chinguacousy Beneficial Soil Reuse and Site Improvement Project helped:
- Significantly reduce over 4,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024 and improve landfill infrastructure.
- Lower costs, protect wetlands, and advance Peel's climate goals. This demonstrates our environmental leadership and our ability to deliver long-term community benefits.
Early Years and Child Care Services (EYCCS) Communications team
The team's powerful appreciation campaign used inclusive and value-driven messaging to celebrate early childhood educators and highlighted key sector challenges. Their strategic collaboration and impactful outreach reinforced Peel’s commitment to a respectful and supportive work environment.
John Thomas
John exemplifies excellence in paramedicine through his compassionate care, professionalism, and inclusive leadership. He embodies Peel's values every day, making a meaningful impact on patients, their families, and colleagues.
Collections and Negotiating Officers team at Peel Living
The team's compassionate, tenant-focused approach has:
- Balanced the collection of arrears with connecting tenants to meaningful support services, ensuring their housing stability.
- Achieved over 99% tenancy success in 2024, receiving strong appreciation from tenants for their professionalism and empathic care.
Janice Smith
Janice has demonstrated outstanding leadership in managing complex procurement projects. Her collaboration, peer mentorship, service-driven, and inclusive approach has strengthened our workplace culture.
Peel Wastewater Surveillance team
As part of the team's pioneering COVID-10 surveillance efforts, over 1,400 wastewater samples were analyzed over 4 years, with findings shared in nearly 90 weekly COVID-19 reports and more than 80 Peel Respiratory Virus Activity reports.
Their work has helped:
- Early detection of infection trends, influencing broader public health strategies.
- Build the foundation for ongoing national surveillance efforts, earning Peel national recognition for its leadership, teamwork, and commitment to community health and service excellence.
2024 Family and Intimate Partner Violence Campaign team
The team's commitment to raising awareness for family and gender-based violence through the "Break the Silence"campaign has:
- Brought together over 25 community police officials, municipal partners, and people with lived experience.
- Reached Peel residents in 7 languages, generating 4 million digital impressions and over 500,000 social media views.
- Challenged stigma and amplified survivor voices, strengthening community response and reinforcing Peel’s commitment to safety and well-being for all.
Carbapenamase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) LEAN Project team
To address rising CPE disease cases, identified by Peel Public Health, the team's innovative approach has:
- Streamlined investigations through Lean Six Sigma methods and automation, cutting lead time by 70% and achieving significant cost avoidance.
- Improved efficiency, enhanced staff experience, and demonstrated a strong commitment to continuous improvement.
Nancy Maiato
Nancy exemplifies Peel's values by leading with care, collaboration, recognition, and inclusion. She creates a safe, supportive, and high-performing team culture where every voice is heard, successes are celebrated, and team members can thrive.
Paula Bexfield-Crosby
Paula fosters a collaborative, inclusive and high-performing team culture, empowering her team to embrace change with confidence. Her empathic, integrity-driven leadership and personalized coaching style inspires continuous growth and success.
Early Years and Child Care Services (EYCCS) Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Planning Table
The team's dedication to raising awareness for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) through various strategic initiatives has advanced Peel’s Community for Life vision, fostering a culture of allyship and accountability. In 2024, 87% of divisional Peel employees reported a deeper understanding of DEI as a direct result of these efforts.
Cynthia Donston
Cynthia is a workplace wellness champion who continuously provides a supportive and inclusive environment for her team, strengthening morale and professional growth. Her leadership has advanced wellness initiatives that foster psychological safety, work-life balance, and meaningful team connection.
