A new award recognizing leadership rooted in empathy and community will be presented for the first time at the 8th annual Bridging the Barriers Conference in Mississauga, Ont., Sept. 15-16.
The inaugural Changemakers Award was created in memory of Joanne Mackenzie, a respected industry figure who was remembered not only for her professional contributions but also for the compassion and strength she brought to her work.
She led the Trucking for a Cure convoys starting in 2009, raising funds and awareness for breast cancer, a cause close to her heart. In 2016, she became the first woman to be named Today’s Trucking’s Highway Star of the Year, recognized for her safety record and dedication to the community.
Mackenzie was also involved with the Women’s Trucking Federation of Canada, Women in Trucking, and Trucking HR Canada’s advisory council. Mackenzie passed away in November 2024 after a long illness.
“Joanne was more than a leader; she was a light. Her empathy, strength, and unshakable belief in others left an indelible imprint on every heart she touched,” a news release from the Women’s Trucking Federation of Canada (WTFC), organizers of Bridging the Barriers conference, reads. “She led not for recognition, but to elevate others, embodying the values that this award celebrates.”
The award will celebrate individuals who are transforming lives, strengthening communities, and shaping a better future for the trucking industry, WTFC says.
In addition to celebrating leadership, the award sponsor will select a charity each year to receive a $500 donation in Joann Mackenzie’s memory.
This year’s sponsor is Lead Pedal Media, which has chosen Trucking for a Cure as the recipient.
