And the winner is… RIMS names Donald M. Stuart Award recipient

Valerie Fox, former director of risk management and health and Safety for NPL Canada, has received the 2024 Donald M. Stuart Award.

Fox, who is now retired, received the award during RIMS’s Vancouver conference this week. It was presented by the RIMS Ontario Chapter.

During a career spanning four decades, Fox held risk management leadership roles at a range of multinational corporations including NPL Canada, Loblaw Companies Ltd., Wendy’s Restaurants of Canada, Walmart International Ltd., the Municipality of Etobicoke, and others.

“In each of those roles, she successfully integrated highly effective programs that included a myriad of critical risk strategies from claims administration and workers’ compensation, to disaster and business continuity planning, and alternative risk financing solutions,” RIMS says in an Oct. 8 press release.

A working retirement

Although retired, Fox is still devoting time to advancing her profession. For the past decade, she’s served on the Board of the Ontario RIMS (ORIMS) chapter, and held multiple leadership positions on the RIMS Canada Council.

“Since I began my career, risks have intensified and become more complex, risk management has evolved, and the overall profession has undergone this amazing transformation,” says Fox. “While a lot has changed, the importance of relationships, professional development, and volunteerism have remained the same.

“It has been a privilege to be a part of RIMS, to share my experiences, and watch my risk practicing colleagues succeed. I’m incredibly honoured to be recognized with the prestigious Donald M. Stuart Award.”

Fox frequently shares her knowledge and experiences by leading workshops for colleges and university students and participates at professional development events.

“Above and beyond being an exceptional risk professional, Valerie has made it her priority to give back to the profession so that the next generation of risk leaders have the support and resources to achieve their goals,” says ORIMS president Gloria Dang.

“I have had the distinct privilege of volunteering alongside her and have seen her generosity and passion in action. She is an unrivaled ambassador of Canada’s risk management community and is incredibly deserving of this lifetime achievement award.”

The Donald M. Stuart award is viewed as Canada’s highest honour within the risk management field. Since 1979 it has gone to Canadians who’ve made outstanding contributions to the profession.

RIMS notes Fox earned the Canadian Risk Management (CRM) designation and RIMS-CRMP certification, and credits both with enhancing her abilities to inform strategic decision-making, empower innovation and improve business outcomes.

Salmasi wins Fred H. Bossons Award

Maryam Salmasi

Also at the 2024 Rims Canada Conference in Vancouver, Maryam Salmasi, an enterprise risk management consultant, received the Fred H. Bossons Award, presented by the Global Risk Management Institute (GRMI).

The award honours risk management professionals who earn the highest average mark on the three examinations required to attain the CRM designation.

The CRM designation provides risk professionals with a foundation of knowledge and skills needed to identify, assess, monitor and limit risks.