This afternoon, Public Service Awards of Excellence were presented to 23 outstanding public service employees whose work has helped shape communities, modernize government services, and improve the lives of residents throughout the province.
The 2026 Public Service Award of Excellence ceremony was led by the Honourable Tony Wakeham, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and Karen Stone, KC, Clerk of the Executive Council. The award, which is the highest honour in the public service, recognizes employees who have distinguished themselves through exceptional performance, leadership, innovation and contributions to the provincial public service.
This year’s individual recipients have advanced critical work in transportation and infrastructure, tourism, environment, aquaculture, social supports, forestry and public administration, delivering meaningful results that benefit residents in every region of the province.
The team recipients have helped to preserve critical Natuashish records and developed a digital solution to make driver’s licence renewals faster and more convenient for thousands of residents, representing the very best of the public service.
The recipients of the 2026 Public Service Awards of Excellence are:
Individual Award Recipients:
William Lacey
Transportation and Infrastructure
Kara Ogden
Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation
Melanie Payne
Fisheries and Aquaculture
Jackie Penney
Social Supports and Well-Being
Stephen Porter
Transportation and Infrastructure
Cabinet Secretariat Outstanding Career Achievement Award:
Christopher Baldwin
Forestry, Agriculture and Lands
Sean Dutton
Transportation and Infrastructure
Team Award Recipients:
Natuashish Records Transition Team
Social Supports and Well-Being
Team members:Kim Anstey, Brandon Connors, Melissa Elliott, Trudy Finlay, Lesley Howell, Robyn Peddle, Melissa Wall and Darlene Wareham
Online Driver’s Licence Photo Renewal Solution Team
Government Services and the Office of the Chief Information Officer
Team members:Shannon Best, Sarah Burgess, Geoff Cahill, Terri Edwards, Derrick Hancock, Peter Kavanagh, Wade King and David McCarthy
Since their inception, the Public Service Awards of Excellence have highlighted the extraordinary contributions of public service employees whose work often takes place behind the scenes but produces tangible benefits for residents, communities and industries throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.
Quotes
“Behind every government program, service and initiative are people who work tirelessly to make life better for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. The recipients of this year’s Public Service Awards of Excellence have gone above and beyond in service to our province. Their leadership, innovation and commitment demonstrate the remarkable difference that dedicated public service employees can make in our communities every day.”
The Honourable Tony Wakeham
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
“The Public Service Awards of Excellence recognize individuals and teams whose commitment to excellence strengthens our public service and positively impacts the people we serve. They are the people who blaze trails, inspire others and change our workplace for the better. Throughout my public service career, I have had the privilege of working with many excellent and talented individuals and Newfoundland and Labrador is lucky to have such a strong and capable public service.”
Karen Stone, KC
Clerk of the Executive Council
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