Mayor's Recognition Awards

Mayor Recognition Awards Logo - 700 x 200

Mayor Cindy Jefferies headshotThe Mayor’s Recognition Awards celebrate outstanding contributions that have brought honour and recognition to Red Deer across a variety of areas. This year, the awards have been updated to focus on broader community and volunteer contributions, and the athletics category has been removed. Sports achievements will continue to be recognized through local sports organizations, while the Mayor’s Recognition Awards shine a spotlight on other vital areas of service and accomplishment. 

Nominations

Nominations are now closed. The nomination period was February 27 until 9 a.m. on March 27, 2026.

Community Builder Award 

Recognizing outstanding individuals or groups who have demonstrated special or unique qualities and who have made a difference in our community through leadership, dedication, innovation and creativity, with long term benefits.

Distinguished Voluntary Service 

Recognizing outstanding volunteers who have made a significant impact, enhanced the quality of life and/or implemented a significant positive change in Red Deer.

Fine & Performing Arts 

Recognizing individuals and groups who have gained national or international acceptance or recognition of outstanding specific achievement and/or a series of accomplishments over time in one or more of the arts.

Mayor’s Special Award

The highest honour given by The City of Red Deer, the Mayor’s Special Award recognizes individuals and groups for humanitarianism, exceptional achievement, or an act of heroism or bravery.

Award recipients are selected by the Mayor’s Recognition Awards Committee, with the exception of the Mayor’s Special Award recipient, which is selected by the Mayor.

Distinguished Voluntary Service

Distinguished Voluntary Service

Recognizes outstanding volunteers who have made a significant impact, enhanced the quality of life and/or implemented a significant positive change in Red Deer.

  • Joan Barker
  • Mike Bradford
  • Zachary Buckley
  • Brenda and Wayne Clark
  • Matthew Elliot
  • Bob Gibbens
  • Barbara (Barb) Gostola
  • Serena Henry
  • Fatima Humida
  • Sylvia Johnson
  • Robin Larsen
  • Kathi Ann Malpass
  • Dorothy Murray
  • Kiffer Neufeld
  • Bev Neufeld
  • NODA Vigil Coordinators (Renee Flageol, Mona Fontaine and Doug Riches)
  • Beulah Phillpot
  • Ibrahim Sekkat
  • Mike Thibeau
  • Mike Turner

Community Builder

Individuals

Recognizing outstanding individuals or groups who have demonstrated special or unique qualities and who have made a difference in our community through leadership, dedication, innovation and creativity, with long term benefits.

  • Donna Pajares
  • Nieva Rosales

Fine and Performing Arts

Fine & Performing Arts

Recognizing individuals and groups who have gained national or international acceptance or recognition of outstanding specific achievement and/or a series of accomplishments over time in one or more of the arts.

Individuals

  • Matthew Gould

Mayor's Special Award

Trudy Lewis

The highest honour given by The City of Red Deer, the Mayor’s Special Award recognizes individuals and groups for humanitarianism, exceptional achievement, or an act of heroism or bravery.

Trudy Lewis

With a remarkable 53-year career, Trudy has been a tireless advocate for individuals with special needs, transforming education and championing inclusion in Red Deer through her leadership at Parkland School.

Harley Hay, Vanessa Higgins-Nogareda and Dr. Gustavo Nogareda

The highest honour given by The City of Red Deer, the Mayor’s Special Award recognizes individuals and groups for humanitarianism, exceptional achievement, or an act of heroism or bravery.

Harley Hay, Vanessa Higgins-Nogareda and Dr. Gustavo Nogareda

As leaders of the Time Is Life campaign, this team united the community to bring a cardiac catheterization lab to Red Deer, improving access to life-saving care for Central Albertans.