President's Award
In 2012, two awards were created in celebration of French for the Future's 15th anniversary: the John Ralston Saul Award and the President's Award.
The President's Award was developed to highlight the exceptional contribution of an individual or an organization in the support and development of French for the Future.
2013 President's Award
Helen Coltrinari, French for the Future President, presents the President's Award to Mr. Michael Tims.
Mr. Michael Tims, Chair of investment firm Peters & Co., and his wife Ms. Renae Tims, received the President’s Award on April 23rd, 2013.
The Award was presented to them in recognition of their continued support in the development and fostering of bilingualism amongst Alberta youth. With French immersion programs continuing to experience a steady rise in popularity in Canada’s western provinces, Mr. and Ms. Tims recognized the need to encourage students to keep French as a part of their lives beyond their high school graduation, and to bring the bilingual education they acquired into adulthood.
Since 2000, through their generous donations, Mr. and Ms. Tims have enabled thousands of grade 12 high school students from the Calgary region to participate in French for the Future’s Local Forum.
Mr. Tims accepted the Award during the opening ceremony of French for the Future’s Calgary Local Forum, in the presence of more than 200 high school students.
2012 President's Award
Lisa Balfour Bowen and Nada Ristich, 2012 President's Award laureate
Mrs. Nada Ristich, Director of Corporate Donations at BMO Financial Group, was selected as the first laureate, as she has always demonstrated a personal commitment to French for the Future that goes above and beyond corporate relations.
As she could not attend the 15th anniversary celebratory dinner on April 19th 2012, the President's Award was given to her on Wednesday, April 18th by Lisa Balfour Bowen, Founding President.
