With just two weeks to go until the 2025 Workplace Benefits Awards’ nomination process draws to a close, Benefits Canada is pleased to announce this year’s panel of expert judges.

The deadline for this year’s awards is June 30, at which time the awards entries will be turned over to the hands of several industry experts. As in previous years, the judging panel includes some of last year’s winners:

  • Laura Carter, associate director of benefits, Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan
  • Andrew Honor, psychological health and wellness specialist, Peel Region
  • Paula Ioannou, head of total rewards, TMX Group Inc.
  • Allison Jost, total rewards manager, Admiral Insurance
  • Joanna Marra, director of wellness, CAA Club Group

Submit your nomination to the 2025 Workplace Benefits Awards here.

The judging panel also includes:

  • Katharine Coons, national workplace mental-health specialist, Canadian Mental Health Association
  • Matt Davison, dean of science at Western University and principal researcher at Canada’s Financial Wellness Lab
  • Jordan Fremont, partner, pensions and benefits team, Stikeman Elliott LLP
  • Jean-Guy Gauthier, expert, risk and benefits management, CQFD Actuariat
  • Marcie Hawranik, founder, Canadian Equity Consulting
  • Julie Holden, principal, Holden & Associates
  • Jennifer Paterson, editor, Benefits Canada
  • Lidia Pawlikowski, associate vice-president, health consulting, Hub International Ltd.
  • Wendy Poirier, global well-being leader, WTW
  • Jennifer Schmidt, partner, Mercer Canada
  • Erin Murphy-Sheriffs, associate vice-president, well-being solutions, Aon
  • Sonya Singh, associate editor, Benefits Canada
  • Blake Wolfe, managing editor, Benefits Canada

Good luck to all of the entrants. To start — or finish — an entry, visit the 2025 Workplace Benefits Awards site here.