CRTC chair Konrad von Finckenstein and Heritage Minister Bev Oda were on hand as Canadian Women in Communications saluted four industry role models at its annual awards gala in Ottawa Tuesday.

The national organization feted TELUS Quebec EVP and president Karen Radford as its woman of the year at the Ottawa Congress Centre.

‘The entire TELUS team joins the CWC in celebrating Karen’s achievements,’ said TELUS president and CEO Darren Entwistle. ‘She is a visionary leader who is motivating, compassionate and a champion of women both within the workplace and through her many community activities.’

Oda presented the trailblazer of the year award to DiversiPro VP Cynthia Reyes, while Barbara Williams, SVP of programming and production at CanWest MediaWorks, was honored as mentor of the year. CanWest was also recognized as employer of the year for its outstanding track record in the promotion of women.

Christiane Vaillancourt, an exec at Rogers Cable, was honored as chapter leader of the year, as chosen by the nine nationwide CWC chapters. Vaillancourt launched the CWC chapter in Saint John, NB five years ago.