Courage Award Ambassadors

Award Ambassadors

The Courage to Give Back Awards Keynote Speaker and Awards Ambassador is a recognized leader in the community who has also overcome personal adversity and has gone on to give back through community leadership, development, education, and programming.

2011 - Dr Wanda Thomas Bernard
Dr. Wanda Thomas Bernard has had a long and distinguished career in the field of social work. She has a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Dalhousie, School of Social Work Specialized in Direct Practice and a PhD in Sociological Studies, University of Sheffield, England. She has worked in mental health and rural community practice and has been the Director of the Dalhousie School of Social Work since 2001. Her research on Black men and the violence of racism has had a significant impact, not only on academic work, but also on agency and community-based practice. Her most recent co-authored publication, Race and Well-Being: The Lives, Hopes and Activism of African Canadians, explores how experiences of racism, combined with other social and economic factors, affect the health and well-being of African Canadians, with a special interest in how racial stereotyping impacts Black men and boys.
Dr. Thomas Bernard has received numerous awards, certificates and much recognition over the years for her trendsetting work. Some of her awards include: the Ron Stafford Memorial Award from the Nova Scotia Association of Social Workers, for effective community leadership and development work; the Human Rights Award from the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission, and induction to the W.P. Oliver Wall of Honour at the Black Cultural Centre. She also received the Canada 125 medal for outstanding contributions to the nation, and was awarded the Order of Canada by Governor General Adrienne Clarkson in June 2005.

2010 - Wadih M. Fares

For as long as Mr. Fares has been developing the buildings in which people live and work, he has also worked to develop the communities united within them. As a Lebanese immigrant, he believes strongly in celebrating the unique talents and contributions everyone brings to this province and country. Such belief is evident in the long list of organizations to which he has dedicated his time and insight, including: Honourary Consul of Lebanon for the Maritime Provinces for the past 11 years, Capital Campaign Chair for the Bella Rose Theatre Project, founder and honourary member of the Canadian Lebanese Chamber of Commerce.

Today, Wadih M. Fares is a leading example to not only Nova Scotians but everyone who believes in the power of a community!!

2009 - Eleanor Humphries
Although her accomplishments, awards and contributions are certainly impressive, Eleanor Humphries feels her most important job is that of a mother, mentor and teacher to her family and those around her. To Eleanor, family is a number one priority. Having five children ranging in age from 10 to 17, all of whom have challenges of their own, Eleanor believes that having the right support at the right time is key. With all that she does for the many causes and organizations she supports, Eleanor sees dedicated and devoted family time as being essential to a well-balanced life, and important to instill in our children of today. “Giving Back” is a motto she stands behind: giving back to her profession, her community and most importantly to her family.

2008 - Dennis Campbell
Dennis Campbell started his career in the motor coach tour industry at the age of 7, when he realized that “little old ladies have a lot of money”! Dennis later started his own tour company at age 15. He started a tourism publishing company at age 19 and his own bus company at 21. In 1998 he was named one of Canada’s top 40 under 40. Dennis has recently founded a program in partnership with Children’s wish foundation called “Big Busses for Little Kids”. He is in the process of launching this program worldwide and is, as he puts it, “Over the top excited about it!” Dennis was recently voted the 2007 Metro Chamber of Commerce Person of the Year.

2007 - Mickey MacDonald

Mickey MacDonald is widely recognized as one of Halifax’s most successful business leaders, although he is almost better known for his generosity, humility and sense of social responsibility. Through all of his success and the growth of his various businesses, Mickey has always given back to the community.  He is a widely know advocate for literacy education and initiatives that provide direction and support for homeless people. He has made incredibly generous donations to the IWK, the QEII Health Sciences Centre and feed nova scotia, among others.

Mickey was voted a top 50 Atlantic CEO by Atlantic Business for 5 years running, and he was Newfoundland’s Philanthropist of the Year in 2004, and Nova Scotia’s Philanthropist of the Year in 2005.