The late Dr. Rob Shea, Founding Member of the Selection Committee, shares about the origin and evolution of the Wileman Award
Awards & Bursaries
Etta St. John Wileman Award for Outstanding Achievement in Career Development
This award for outstanding achievement in career development is designed to recognize and celebrate individuals who have made a significant impact in enhancing the field of career development, regardless of role or position within an organization.
A note about the award’s name: In the early 20th century, Etta St. John Wileman was champion and crusader of career, work and workplace development in Canada. Wileman was a strong advocate for a national system of employment offices. She lobbied for the role of parents and schools in the career development guidance of children. Her vision was clear and uncompromising: “Work is a social obligation which has to be provided in order that both individual and society may reap the benefit of constant productivity.”
The Call for Nominations has now closed. Watch for it to re-open in Spring/Summer 2026
The evolution of recognition
CERIC’s Wileman Selection Committee has been working to build on the proud history of the award and evolve it to become more inclusive and accessible. We have:
- expanded committee membership to include more diverse voices
- shifted the focus from lifetime to outstanding achievement
- revised the criteria, expanding the definition of leadership and adding demonstrated commitment to justice, equity, diversity & inclusion
Join us in being able to recognize the full spectrum of professionals making a meaningful difference in career development in Canada.
Nominations for this less-than-annual award are reviewed and considered by a Selection Committee comprised of individuals from the career development field in Canada. It is this committee that carefully reviews the responses to each of the questions posed and renders a decision about the award recipient.
Jennifer Browne, Member of the Selection Committee, shares changes to the Wileman Award
Why this award?
- Honour individuals who made a significant impact within career development through outstanding service, community engagement or other forms of impact and leadership.
- Recognize trailblazers who combine being a mentor, educator, advisor, advocate and role model.
- Encourage people in Canada and around the world to celebrate those who have contributed so much to the career development profession.
Who can be nominated?
Individuals who have made a significant impact in enhancing the field of career development, regardless of role or position within an organization.
When is the award presented?
The award is presented at Cannexus, Canada’s Career Development Conference in Ottawa, Canada. The award is presented on a less-than-annual basis as is determined by the Selection Committee.
The winner will also be recognized with a profile on CERIC’s website and through its publications and communications channels.
Who comprises the Selection Committee?
The Selection Committee is comprised of:
- André Raymond, Laval University (Committee Chair)
- Jennifer Browne, Memorial University
- Cathy Keates, Queen’s University
- Michelle Pidgeon, Simon Fraser University
- Colleen Phillips-Davis, University of Waterloo
- Yvonne Rodney, Inner Change Consulting and JVS Toronto
Nomination process
Submissions must be made using the online nomination form. Submissions should attest to each of the principles inherent in the following questions:
- What contributions has the nominee made to advancing career development within Canada? This may include innovative programs or projects directed by the nominee.
- How has the nominee demonstrated their impact in supporting the work of those within the career development field, be it through outstanding service, community engagement, mentorship, advocacy, education or other forms of leadership?
- In what ways has the nominee’s influence been recognized (e.g., awards, citations, presentations, community recognition, academic and non-academic publications)?
- How has the nominee demonstrated commitment to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in their work? (e.g., through the understanding of differences, respecting those differences, considering different perspectives and worldviews, and, leveraging these to learn and have a more equitable impact, challenging and/or dismantling oppressive structures)?
- The committee encourages nominations of members of equity groups. Is there any dimension of the nominee’s background to consider in this regard? If so, please elaborate or highlight pertinent information.
Two letters of support that attest to the nominee’s contribution must also be included with the submission.
Nomination deadline: Nominations will be received and reviewed by Kay Castelle, Executive Director, CERIC, to ensure they are complete. Nominators will be notified via email within a week of submission to confirm receipt of nomination.
Nominators will be notified via email of status of nomination, and/or confirmation of award by mid-November.
To ensure confidentiality and minimize any disappointment, please do not disclose nominations to candidates in advance.
Questions?
Any questions, please contact:
Kay Castelle
Executive Director
CERIC
Tel: 416.929.2510 x122
Email: wileman@ceric.ca
Graduate Student Engagement Program (GSEP) Award
This award, presented to select full-time and part-time graduate students annually, provides free registration to the Cannexus, Canada’s Career Development Conference and up to $1,000 to cover expenses to attend the conference. Cannexus offers an excellent networking opportunity as well as cutting-edge professional development.
Eligibility is based on the submission of a one-page article on a career development topic, which may be published on the GSEP Corner on CERIC’s site.
Award winners will be encouraged to submit a proposal to present at Cannexus, particularly by co-presenting with their faculty supervisor.
To apply for the GSEP Award, you will need to first join GSEP.
Congratulations to Cannexus26 GSEP Award Winners!
- Ruohan (Alicia) Tian, MA student, Interdisciplinary Art, Media and Design, OCAD University
- Tanya Bilsbury, PhD student, Applied Science, Saint Mary’s University
- Noah Arney, PhD student, Education, Okanagan School of Education, University of British Columbia
Past GSEP Winners
Cannexus25 GSEP Award Winner
- Mathew Zelensky, MA student, Educational Foundations, University of Saskatchewan
Cannexus24 GSEP Award Winners
- Jihene Hichri, PhD student, Education, Université du Québec à Montréal
- Joel Murphy, PhD candidate, Education, Mount Saint Vincent University
- Amanda Assi, MA student, Counselling Psychology, Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary
- Daniel Trudel, MA student, École de Counseling et d’orientation, Université de Laval
- Annie Gourde, PhD student, École de Counseling et d’orientation, Université de Laval
Cannexus23 GSEP Award Winners
- Hannah Celinski, PhD candidate, Education, Simon Fraser University
- Omotade Owodunni, PhD candidate, Business, Royal Roads University
- Viviane Poirier, MA candidate, Education, Université du Québec à Montréal
- Mouhamadou Moustapha Sow, PhD candidate, Education, Université de Sherbrooke
Cannexus22 GSEP Award Winners
- Caileigh Wilson, MA candidate, Education, Simon Fraser University
- Hélène Brisebois, MA candidate, Education, Université de Sherbrooke
- Jordan Ho, PhD candidate, Psychology, University of Guelph
- Noah Arney, MA candidate, Education, University of Calgary
Cannexus21 GSEP Award Winners
- Roxy Merkand, PhD candidate, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, University of Waterloo
- Gabrielle Beaupré, PhD candidate, Education, Université du Québec à Montréal
- Janet Payne, PhD candidate, Education, University of Prince Edward Island
- Walaa Taha, MSc candidate, Educational Psychology, University of Calgary
Cannexus20 GSEP Award Winners
- Geneviève Carpentier, PhD candidate, Faculty of Education Sciences, University of Montreal
- Connie Covey, EdD candidate, Workplace and Adult Learning, University of Calgary
- Liton Furukawa, PhD candidate, College of Interdisciplinary Studies, Royal Roads University
- Irene Zhang, MA candidate, Industrial and Organizational Psychology, University of Guelph
Cannexus19 GSEP Award Winners
- Duygu Gulseren, PhD candidate, Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Saint Mary’s University
- Mirit Grabarski, PhD candidate, Organizational Behaviour, Ivey Business School, Western University
- Simon Trudeau, PhD candidate, Industrial and Organizational Psychology, University of Montreal
- Angela Contreras, PhD candidate, Educational Studies, University of British Columbia
Cannexus18 GSEP Award Winners
- Mary Elizabeth Cobb, MEd candidate, Counselling, Acadia University
- Zarina Giannone, PhD candidate, Counselling Psychology, University of British Columbia
- Ashlee Kitchenham, MEd candidate, Counselling Psychology, University of New Brunswick
- Jessica Londei-Shortall, PhD candidate, Organizational Psychology, Université de Montréal
Cannexus17 GSEP Award Winners
- Maxine Clarke, MSc candidate, Organizational Development, Pepperdine University
- Christopher Cook, MA candidate, Counselling Psychology, University of British Columbia
- Caitie Napodi, MEd candidate, Counselling Psychology, University of New Brunswick
- Jelena Radan, MSc candidate, Counselling Psychology, University of Calgary
Cannexus16 GSEP Award Winners
- Analise Anderson, MA candidate, Higher Education, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto
- Jessica Isenor, PhD candidate, Counselling Psychology, University of Ottawa
- Deepak Mathew, PhD candidate, Counselling Psychology, University of British Columbia
- Lauren McCoy, MSc candidate, Counselling Psychology, University of Calgary
Cannexus15 GSEP Award Winners
- Chelsea Arsenault, MEd candidate, Counselling Psychology, University of New Brunswick
- Barbara Gustafson, PhD candidate, Educational Administration, University of Saskatchewan
- Candy Ho, EdD candidate, Faculty of Education, Simon Fraser University
- Annelise Welde, MEd candidate, Counselling Psychology, University of Lethbridge
Cannexus14 GSEP Award Winners
- Laura Gothreau, MA candidate, Counselling Psychology, University of Lethbridge
- Jon Woodend, MSc candidate, Counselling Psychology, University of Calgary
- Danni Lei, MSc candidate, Counselling Psychology, University of Calgary
- Angela Katsamakis, MA candidate, Counselling Psychology, University of British Columbia
Cannexus13 GSEP Award Winners
- Vijaykumar Bhosekar, PhD candidate, Department of Plant Agriculture, Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph
- Jennifer Davies, EdD candidate, Counselling Psychology, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto
- Lorraine Godden, PhD candidate, Faculty of Education, Queen’s University
Cannexus12 GSEP Award Winners
- Mathieu Pinault, PhD candidate, Counselling Psychology, Laval University
- Basak Yanar, PhD candidate, Organizational Behaviour and Human Resource Management, Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto
- Cordelle Neufeld, MSc candidate, Counselling Psychology, University of Calgary
Cannexus11 GSEP Winners
- Lauri Mills, MA candidate, Counselling Psychology, University of British Columbia
- Barbara Smith, MA candidate, Counselling Psychology, University of British Columbia
The Counselling Foundation of Canada has established the Marilyn Van Norman Bursary to support community-based career development and employment practitioners in attending the Cannexus conference each year.
The bursary is given in recognition of Marilyn Van Norman, the recently retired Director of Research Initiatives at CERIC and one of its founding Board members. Known as a collaborator, visionary and expeditor, she is widely respected for her more than 30 years of leadership in the career development field.
Applications must be from charitable or non-profit Canadian community-based organizations. A limit of one application per organization is requested. Bursaries are awarded based on regional equity.
As CERIC’s funder and the Founding Sponsor of Cannexus, the Foundation has been awarding the bursary (formerly the Elizabeth McTavish Bursary) since 2006.