Meet the Recipients of the 2026 Women of Distinction Awards, presented by Graham
Since 1982, the YWCA Women of Distinction Awards has been nationally recognized as a highly prestigious award for women. Our annual awards ceremony has honoured hundreds of women for their inspirational leadership & extraordinary contributions to our community, celebrating the best achievements and most meaningful initiatives.
On May 14th 2026, we celebrated 44 years of remarkable women. Meet this year’s recipients!
Lifetime Achievement Award
Jyotsna (Jo) Custead
Jo Custead arrived in Saskatoon, a first-generation immigrant from Kenya, at age 14. Adapting to a new life through the transformative teenage years provided Jo with a strong understanding and attachment to community. She became a proud Saskatonian and a proud member of her East Indian cultural community.
For more than 40 years Jo has been involved in a diverse and impressive number of local, provincial, national and international organizations, empowering women, breaking down barriers in professional spaces, and supporting strong, effective non-profit governance. She has used her experience, knowledge and skills as an active volunteer in over 25 organizations holding the Chair and leadership position in several of these organizations. Her work, her presence and her demeanor, make her a role model for many women.
Following retirement from the federal civil service, Jo committed to volunteering in the areas of health, arts, culture, justice and women’s organizations. Notable is her recent position of Chair of the Saskatoon Board of Police Commissioners (2021-2023). She served nearly a decade on the YWCA Saskatoon Board of Directors, including as President, and played key roles on the 100th Anniversary Committee and as Co-Chair of the Hope Lives Here Capital Campaign.
Jo’s contributions have been widely recognized. She was nominated for the YWCA Saskatoon’s Women of Distinction Award in Culture & Heritage (1997). She was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012), the Canada 125 Medal, the Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal (2023), and has been inducted into the Saskatoon Council of Women Hall of Fame (2015).
Through her leadership, promotion of cultural understanding and her long time service, Jo has worked to build a more inclusive and vibrant community for all.
Young Trailblazers Award
Madison Wassermann
Born and raised in Saskatoon, Madison Wassermann has long embodied a deep commitment to community. Throughout her school years, she balanced academic dedication and athletic involvement with an unwavering passion for service. Even at a young age, she sought out meaningful volunteer roles, driven by compassion and a desire to uplift others. That calling led her to a career in social work, where she now serves with exceptional care through Prairie Hospice. Madison, who is married to her husband Jacob, is known for stepping forward with integrity—advocating for those in need and championing fairness wherever she sees it.
Business & Entrepreneurship Award
Heather Adams
Heather Adams is Co-Founder and CEO of Rock & Bloom, a Saskatoon-based brand consultancy and creative studio serving clients across Canada and internationally. Since launching the company in 2012, she has scaled Rock & Bloom through values-driven growth from a two-person startup into an internationally recognized firm known for pairing clear strategy with meaningful impact. With a background in marketing and human resources, Heather builds businesses rooted in people, purpose, and long-term relationships. A champion for women in leadership and values-driven entrepreneurship, she leads with empathy, curiosity, and integrity while proving that business success and community impact can grow together.
Community Building Award
Sandra Kary
Seven years as CEO of the Saskatoon Friendship Inn, and with almost 2.5 million meals served in that time, Sandra has transformed how the Inn meets increasing food security needs by growing a larger table of helpers. She leads this space where volunteers return (15,000 in-kind labour hours last year), where supporters annually donate 965,000 pounds of food, and where over 1,200 meals are served each day. Most importantly, Sandra truly sees each guest, recognizing the dignity of each person. She builds community partnerships, raises awareness about the growing need, and inspires others to gather so that every guest at the Inn is fed with food, belonging and hope.
Education Award
Jasmyn Albert
Jasmyn Albert is a mother, educator and advocate for teaching and revitalizing Indigenous cultures. She raises 5 beautiful children, 3 of her own and her niece and nephew. She is of Plains Cree, Métis and Settler ancestry and a member of Metis Nation Saskatchewan. She has taught elementary in Saskatoon for 2 years before her journey teaching online and independently across Canada. Jasmyn has shared her cultural gifts online with over 200 northern and isolated communities across Canada. She also facilitates sewing, beading and other cultural workshops at various capacities in person. She continues to carry on the traditional teachings carried from generation to generation in her family.
Health & Wellness Award
Kelly Johnson
Kelly Johnson RN, BSN, MN, CCN(C), is a passionate advocate for heart health and community wellness. Over a 30-year nursing career in cardiology, she has advanced evidence-informed practice, quality improvement, mentorship, and research in women’s cardiovascular health. She previously served as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Cardiosciences and now serves as Executive Director of Tertiary & Surgical Services with the Saskatchewan Health Authority. Beyond her professional leadership, she has contributed extensively to community volunteer work, most notably serving on the boards of the Heart and Stroke Foundation Saskatchewan and the Saskatoon ALS Society. Her leadership inspires excellence, compassion, and meaningful system change.
Leadership in Athletics Award
Kara Lackie
Kara Lackie is a strategic leader in sport, community development, and event innovation. She works with nonprofits, sport organizations, and major events to design sustainable funding models, build partnerships, and deliver initiatives that create lasting community impact. Kara played a key leadership role in launching the YXE Urban Games, a multi-disciplinary festival that brought together sport, art, and culture while creating new opportunities for athletes, artists, and youth. She also developed the NextGen program, providing barrier-free access to urban sports and cultural programming for local youth. Kara’s work focuses on collaboration, inclusion, and building initiatives that strengthen communities for the long term.
Science, Tech, Engineering & Math (STEM) Award
Dr. Corinne Schuster-Wallace
Dr. Corinne Schuster-Wallace is the executive director of the Global Institute for Water Security and professor at the University of Saskatchewan’s Geography and Planning department. She is a world-class water researcher, whose groundbreaking work examines how water, environment, society and cultural systems can affect the health and well-being of women and mothers around the world. As founder of the Women Plus Water global community, she champions women in STEM, creating an empowering space for world-wide collaboration. In 2023, she received the international Red Dot Foundation’s “Water Shero” award, celebrating her significant impact on women’s equity in water security.
Women in the Trades Award
Leah Adelman
Leah, founder of Leah The Plumber, is a skilled Red Seal journeyman plumber based in Saskatoon. She began her career in maintenance before discovering her passion for plumbing and completing her apprenticeship. Since launching her company in 2013, Leah has built a reputation for reliable, customer-focused service, offering plumbing, heating, and HVAC solutions. Known for her transparency and professionalism, she prioritizes educating clients and providing options. Leah’s dedication to quality workmanship and community has made her business a trusted name, earning strong reviews and industry recognition across the Saskatoon area.