Young Leader of the Year Award
Nominations for the 2024 Young Leader of the Year Award are now closed. We are now accepting applications for the 2025 Young Leader of the Year Award!
Please submit nominations no than later Wednesday, January 1, 2025.
Recognition is a fantastic retention tool. Taking time to show a young leader within your organization that their contribution is both recognized and appreciated is an easy and effective way to demonstrate your commitment to them as an employer.
The Young Leader of the Year Award, presented by AIA Canada’s Young Professionals in the Auto care sector (YPA) Committee, recognizes the efforts of such outstanding individuals.
Show one of your employees they are valued. Send in their name today.
Award criteria
Who can you nominate? Any young leader or manager under the age of 45 in your organization who has excelled in one or more of the following areas:
- leadership
- innovation
- industry contribution
- volunteer work with AIA Canada
- volunteer/community work outside of the Association
Submit a nomination
Nominations may be made at any time during the nomination period and will be reviewed at the earliest possible opportunity. Nominations must be received no later than Wednesday, January 1, 2025.
Selection process
The applications are put forth to a voting panel that consists of AIA Canada Board Members, AIA Canada Division Chairs, and the YPA Committee. A final decision concerning the 2025 Young Leader of the Year Award will be rendered no later than end of January 2025.
The winning recipient and the nominator will be notified by the YPA Committee Chair by phone or email. Candidates that are not selected will be put forward for consideration for the following year.
Award presentation
Award recipients shall receive an etched trophy.
Contact information
AIA Canada Events
Email: events@aiacanada.com
Past Young Leader of the Year Award recipients
2024 Patrick Verriet, MANN + HUMMEL
2023 Brad Cochrane, NAPA Canada
2022 Graham Jeffery, Canadian Tire Corporation
2021 Kathryn Jones, Dorman Products
2020 Derek Suen, Dorman Products
2019 Paul Prochilo, Simplicity Car Care
2018 Shannon Spano, Wakefield Canada Inc.
2017 Jason Best, Spectra Premium Industries
2016 Keith Gordon, Delphi Products & Service Solutions
2015 Michael Macaluso, CARSTAR Automotive
2014 Miguel Angers, Uni-Select
2013 Brad Morris, Grote Industries
2012 Linda Donnini, Uni-Select
2011 Jeff VandeSande, Bestbuy Distributors
2010 Eric Boutin, CARQUEST Canada
2009 Zara Wishloff, Warehouse Services Inc.
2008 David Vaughan, Eastern Automotive Warehousing