FuseSocial Announces 2025 Recipients for Heart of Wood Buffalo Excellence Awards
Fort McMurray, AB – June 2, 2025 — FuseSocial is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 Heart of Wood Buffalo Excellence Awards. The Heart of Wood Buffalo awards have been a pillar of FuseSocial since 2011, proudly celebrating the values of social impact and community throughout our region. “We look forward to gathering each year at the Heart of Wood Buffalo Excellence Awards to spotlight the remarkable people and organizations who drive change, build community, and make Wood Buffalo a more inclusive, resilient, and compassionate place to live and work,” says Shannon Rex, Executive Director of FuseSocial. “From supporting vulnerable populations to spearheading community-driven initiatives, these nominees exemplify the values that lie at the heart of Wood Buffalo.”
All nominees were celebrated at the Heart of Wood Buffalo Excellence Awards Ceremony on the evening of Thursday, May 29, 2025. Recipients and runners-up were honoured on stage for their contributions to the social profit sector.
FuseSocial is proud to partner with local businesses in Wood Buffalo each year to build upon the celebration year after year. The 2025 Heart Awards were presented by G.O.A.T. Mechanical Services, with additional generous sponsorships provided by Pathways Alliance, Wood Buffalo Food Bank Association, and the NorthStar Ford Wood Buffalo Volunteer Centre. Welcome drinks for guests were provided by Fort Mac Liquor, and the beautiful awards were created by Deco Moon Glassworks. The Suncor Energy Centre for the Performing Arts space was beautifully transformed by Erica and Joel of Paradigm Events, who managed the entire evening. Paradigm Events went above and beyond to ensure a seamless, elegant, and unforgettable evening was had by all.
Additional thanks go to the local businesses and partners who contributed to the success of the evening:
Covered by Mama Bear, Sugar Monkey, Flower Studio, Blow up Your Birthday, Ashley Hearn Photography, A Touch of Class, FairweatherART, Fort McMurray Oil Barons, NorthStar Ford Lincoln, Be-You-Tiful, Layers Spa, Keyano Theatre, and Fort McMurray Golf Club.
“On behalf of FuseSocial’s staff and the board, I would like to offer our heartfelt congratulations to each of the Heart of Wood Buffalo award nominees and recipients. We would also like to remind the community that you don’t have to wait until next year’s awards to recognize excellence in our community. We encourage you to share the stories of the social profit organizations, leaders, volunteers, and philanthropists who have impacted you and your family. Be vocal about the positive change you see around you and celebrate those successes with your friends and neighbours,” said Rex.
Recipients of the 2025 Heart of Wood Buffalo Excellence Awards:
Social Profit Leadership Award: Norma Jean Atkinson | Oil Sands Rotary Music Festival
Board Leadership Award: Kate Buczulak | The Hub Family Resource Centre
Philanthropy Award: RE/MAX Connect Community Impact Award: The Hub Family Resource Centre
Newcomer Engagement Award: Ebenezer Olowo | Keyano College
Volunteer Recognition Award: Nishka Rai
Collaboration of the Year Award: Ukrainian Newcomer Settlement Committee
Advocate for Action Award: Lasha Barbosa
In addition to celebrating social profit excellence, guests participated in a cashless silent auction, bidding using only their volunteer hours. More than 455 volunteer hours were pledged through the NorthStar Ford Wood Buffalo Volunteer Centre, which will directly support local organizations through postings on wbvolunteers.ca. The Heart Awards are a tradition that uplifts and amplifies the incredible stories of changemakers that often go quietly unnoticed. The event reminds us of the power of community and the importance of celebrating those who dedicate themselves to serving others, and often ask nothing in return. To ensure this event continues, we rely on the generous support of local businesses and individuals.
About FuseSocial
FuseSocial is a trusted leader in the Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo social profit sector, working to strengthen the capacity of local nonprofit organizations. Each year, it supports more than 100 local nonprofit and charitable organizations through workforce training, leadership development programs, board governance supports, and shared services.
FuseSocial also convenes and mobilizes organizations to improve sector collaboration, and operates the NorthStar Ford Wood Buffalo Volunteer Centre, connecting thousands of residents with meaningful volunteer opportunities across the region.
Media enquiries can be directed to:
Shannon Rex
Executive Director
587.570.8021
shannon.rex@fusesocial.ca
