Member Recognition Awards

Description

This award recognizes outstanding HR professionals who exemplify leadership, innovation, and dedication to the field. Aligned with CPHR Alberta's strategic priorities and core competencies, recipients inspire others through mentorship, collaboration, and/or impactful leadership.

They are a champion of innovation, embrace emerging trends, technologies, and creative approaches that advance organizational success. Their commitment to growth, resilience, and continuous learning makes them a passionate advocate and role model within the HR community.

All nominees who meet the criteria, as evaluated by our Awards Selection Committee, will be honoured as 2026 HR Excellence Recipients and receive an individual spotlight award at the 2027 Member Recognition Gala.

Requirements

Eligibility Criteria:

• Must be a CPHR Alberta Member
• Must have held a CPHR Alberta membership (of any type) for a minimum of two years prior to award nomination (i.e. October 2024).
• Nominations should reflect achievements and contributions made during the period January to December 2026.
• Nominees must be individual HR professionals who have demonstrated exceptional performance and contribution in their role.
• Team Leads nominated in the Spotlight Team Award category are not eligible to be nominated separately in the Individual Award category for the same awards period.
• Nominees may work in any HR function, specialization, or level of responsibility.
• The nomination should focus on achievements, behaviours, and impact that align with the award criteria.
• CPHR Alberta Board Members are not eligible, during their board term.

Nomination Requirements:

Nominators are asked to describe how the nominee demonstrates excellence in each award criterion. Responses should include specific examples, the nominee's actions, and the impact of their work.

If the same scenario or project demonstrates the nominee's exceptional leadership, innovative practices, and high-level contributions to the organization, please describe it in the first section only. Subsequent sections may refer back to that example and explain how it also supports the relevant criterion.

Nominations will only be considered if all sections of the Nomination Form are completed by the submission deadline.

Evidence Guidance for Nominators

Strong nominations provide clear, specific, and observable evidence. Nominators should explain what the nominee did, how they did it, who was affected, and what changed as a result.

• Provide one example for each criterion that shows how the nominee demonstrates excellence in that area.
• Avoid vague language like “always helps”. Specifics will help the Awards Committee better assess the nomination.
• Describe how the nominee's work demonstrates leadership, innovation, and contribution at a high level.
• Include outcomes such as improved processes, stronger relationships, enhanced employee experience, increased efficiency, or measurable organizational benefit.

Where possible, include supporting details such as feedback, data, testimonials, project results, or before-and-after examples.

Criteria

Description

This award celebrates HR teams that advance HR practices through strong collaboration, strategic planning, and execution. Recipients deliver initiatives aligned with CPHR Alberta's competency framework and a clearly defined organizational need.

These teams set  clear goals, follow effective processes, and achieve measurable results while implementing projects on time and within budget. They support adoption through training, communication, and stakeholder engagement, ensuring smooth integration into organizational practices.

Their work creates measurable benefits for employees, stakeholders, and the broader community.  Through adaptability, resilience,  and shared leadership, they show how teamwork can drive meaningful change.

All teams who meet the criteria, as evaluated by our Awards Selection Committee, will be honoured as 2026 HR Excellence Team Recipients and celebrated with a dedicated spotlight at the 2027 Member Recognition Gala.

Requirements

Eligibility Criteria:

• Team Leads nominated in the Spotlight Individual Excellence category are not eligible to be nominated in the Team Excellence category for the same award period.
• At least one team member must hold the CPHR designation.
• The initiative/project was carried out or took place mainly in Alberta.
• National projects may qualify if the leading team is located in Alberta.
  • Initiative/project was implemented within the last three years, beginning January 2023, and concluded by December 2026,
    and has a measurable impact in at least one of the following areas:
    • Organizational Relationships and Wellness
    • Integrated Talent Management
    • Strategic Development of Organizations
    • Working with the Organization
    • Working with Others

• A team that a CPHR Alberta Board Member is on is not eligible during the Board Members term. A team that falls under or is from their organization (i.e. – their direct reports team or their peer's team) would be eligible, however the nomination cannot come from the CPHR Board Member.
• Nominations will only be considered if all sections of the Nomination Form are completed by the submission deadline. This includes all team member information, multiple choices, and written answers.

Criteria

Description

As passionate advocates for the HR profession, the HR Champion actively integrates HR into strategic decision-making and planning, reinforcing the importance of the profession across all levels of the organization. Their unique personality, compelling story, and measurable impact distinguish them as true leaders and role models within their organization.

With a people-first approach, recipients are mentors within their organizations - guiding and empowering others to achieve their goals and fostering strong, collaborative team dynamics. They lead by example, ensuring teams and individuals are supported with the resources and encouragement needed to thrive. Their forward-thinking approach embraces emerging HR trends and technologies, driving transformative change and organizational success.

Educators play a vital role in this space—mentoring future HR professionals, shaping organizational culture through learning, and driving forward-thinking approaches that embrace emerging HR trends and technologies.

In recognition of their strong commitment to advancing the HR profession through advocacy, all individuals who meet the criteria, as evaluated by our awards selection committee, will be honoured as 2026 HR Champion Recipients and celebrated with a dedicated spotlight at the 2027 Member Recognition Gala.

Requirements

Eligibility Criteria: 

• Is not a member of CPHR Alberta but employed by an Alberta company (can be an HR Faculty member and/or hold a senior leader/executive role).
• Follows HR trends (involved and committed to the HR profession).
• Professionalism aligns with CPHR Alberta's Vision, Mission and Values.
• Actively supports others within in the HR profession to grow their career and pursue the designation, but are not designated themselves. (employees/colleagues, students, alumni, etc. in HR)
• CPHR Alberta Board Members are not eligible, during their board term.

Nomination Criteria: 

1. HR Support: The nominee demonstrates meaning support and advocacy for HR within their organization.

2. HR Partnership: The nominee demonstrates a strong and strategic partnership with HR.

3. Impact: The nominee has made a meaningful and demonstrable positive impact on people, culture, HR, or the organization.

4. Advancement of the HR Profession: The nominee demonstrates a meaningful commitment to advancing the HR profession. 

Criteria

Description

The recipient of this scholarship shows pride in academic merit, community engagement, excellence in the Human Resources discipline and demonstrates an interest in pursuing the CPHR designation.

Scholarship Information:

• Scholarship Value (CAD): $2,500
• Award Funding: Annual
• Number of Annual Awards: One
• Applications Open: September 7, 2026
• Applications Close: November 30, 2026
• Disbursement of Award: January 2027

An annual $2,500 scholarship is awarded to an international or domestic student enrolled at any Alberta post-secondary institution in at least the second year of their degree program with a major* in Human Resources. The recipient must be a full-time student (two or more courses per semester) with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.6 based on the last year of studies on a 4.0 scale. The individual must be a current Student Member of CPHR Alberta in good standing, demonstrate leadership and/or community involvement and show an interest in, and passion for the Human Resource profession.

*Synonymous to focus, concentration, and emphasis.

Requirements

*If not all documents are submitted, the application is incomplete and will not be considered.

1. Applicants must be in at least the second year of their degree program.
2. Applicants must be a CPHR Alberta Student Member.
3. Official statement of marks showing academic standing of 3.6 GPA or higher based on the last two years of cumulative studies.
   1. Please upload a working transcript, unofficial transcript, etc.
4. A personal statement letter and must include:
   1. Educational journey and goals.
   2. Career goals and how the applicant's education will assist them in achieving their goals.
   3. Demonstrate passion and commitment to the Human Resources profession and to the program of study.
   4. Community involvement and extra-curricular activities.
   5. The letter should highlight the applicant's strengths that make them the ideal candidate for the award.
5. Proof of full-time status
   1. Please upload a timetable showing your full name and post-secondary institution.
6. A current resume that highlights:
   1. Academic,
   2. Career,
   3. Community involvement and extra-curricular activities, and/or
   4. Personal achievements
7. A nomination letter to support the applicant who has demonstrated involvement in volunteer activities
   1. The supporting letter confirms community and/or association involvement and may include duties
      and responsibilities of the volunteer role.
8. An answer to the article question (no more than 1300 words)
   1. The purpose of this is to show the applicant's creative, strategic, and critical thinking skills.
   2. The recipient of the Award will have their article published in the CPHR Alberta magazine and the
      runner-up receives the opportunity to have their article posted on the CPHR Alberta blog.

Article Question: Describe a workplace or organizational challenge that you think Human Resources can help address. How would you approach that issue as a future HR professional?

Scholarship Selection Committee:

The Scholarship Selection Committee will review applications and recommend the applicant who should be awarded the scholarship. The selected recipient will be notified by CPHR Alberta via letter.

Criteria for Scholarship Selection Committee:

Three or five CPHR Alberta members who have no direct connection to Alberta post-secondary institutions and who take pride in their CPHR designation and building our HR community. Committee members need to be anonymous and have not taken nor will take any involvement in CPHR Alberta student-related events until a recommendation on the scholarship recipient has been made and accepted by CPHR Alberta.

The same SSC members will be utilized for the Eldon Emerson Scholarship and Diploma Scholarship.

Application Tips

The use of AI in your Scholarship Application is prohibited. If it is suspected that you used AI to help you with your application, your submission will be considered incomplete and will not be considered by the Scholarship Selection Committee. Instead of AI to help with your application, you can use the following:

• Have friends review your application
• Have family review your application
• Have faculty review your application
• Ensure you have all necessary documents before you submit your application
• Review the rubric and ensure your application is aligned
• Highlight your community involvement, academic merit, passion for HR, and the CPHR designation

Criteria

Description

The recipient of this scholarship shows pride in academic merit, community engagement, excellence in the Human Resources discipline and demonstrates an interest to pursue the CPHR designation.

Scholarship Information:

• Scholarship Value (CAD): $1,500
• Award Funding: Annual
• Number of Annual Awards: One
• Applications Open: September 7, 2026
• Award Deadline: November 30, 2026
• Disbursement of Award: January 2027

An annual $1,500 scholarship is awarded to an international or domestic student enrolled at any Alberta post-secondary institution 2-year diploma program with a major* in Human Resources. The recipient must be a full-time student (two or more courses per semester) with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. The individual must be a current Student Member of CPHR Alberta in good standing, demonstrate leadership and/or community involvement and show an interest in, and passion for the Human Resource profession.

Requirements

*If not all documents are submitted, the application is incomplete and will not be considered.

1. Applicants must be a CPHR Alberta Student Member.
2. Official statement of marks showing academic standing of 3.5 GPA or higher based on cumulative studies.
   1. Please upload a working transcript, unofficial transcript, etc.
3. A personal statement letter and must include:
   1. Educational journey and goals.
   2. Career goals and how the applicant's education will assist them in achieving their goals.
   3. Demonstrate passion and commitment to the Human Resources profession and to the program of study.
   4. Community involvement and extra-curricular activities.
   5. Demonstrate the student's Expected Family Contribution (EFC)/financial need – the lower the EFC, the higher need.
      This is followed by an explanation of financial struggles and how the award will assist the student.
   6. The letter should highlight the applicant's strengths that make them the ideal candidate for the award.
4. Proof of full-time status
   1. Please upload a timetable showing your full name and post-secondary institution.
5. A current resume that highlights:
   1. Academic,
   2. Career,
   3. Community involvement and extra-curricular activities, and/or
   4. Personal achievements
6. A nomination letter to support the applicant who has demonstrated involvement in volunteer activities
   1. The supporting letter confirms community and/or association involvement and may include duties
      and responsibilities of the volunteer role.
7. An answer to the article question (no more than 1300 words)
   1. The purpose of this is to show the applicant's creative, strategic, and critical thinking skills.
   2. The recipient of the Award will have their article published in the CPHR Alberta magazine and the runner-up
      receives the opportunity to have their article posted on the CPHR Alberta blog.

Article Question: Describe a workplace or organizational challenge that you think Human Resources can help address. How would you approach that issue as a future HR professional?

Scholarship Selection Committee:

The Scholarship Selection Committee will review applications and recommend the applicant who should be awarded the scholarship. The selected recipient will be notified by CPHR Alberta via letter.

Criteria for Scholarship Selection Committee:

Three or five CPHR Alberta members who have no direct connection to Alberta post-secondary institutions and who take pride in their CPHR designation and building our HR community. Committee members need to be anonymous and have not taken nor will take any involvement in CPHR Alberta student-related events until a recommendation on the scholarship recipient has been made and accepted by CPHR Alberta.

The same SSC members will be utilized for the Eldon Emerson Scholarship and Diploma Scholarship.

Application Tips

The use of AI in your Scholarship Application is prohibited. If it is suspected that you used AI to help you with your application, your submission will be considered incomplete and will not be considered by the Scholarship Selection Committee. Instead of AI to help with your application, you can use the following:

• Have friends review your application
• Have family review your application
• Have faculty review your application
• Ensure you have all necessary documents before you submit your application
• Review the rubric and ensure your application is aligned
• Highlight your community involvement, academic merit, passion for HR, and the CPHR designation

Criteria