2022 Premier’s Leadership Award for Diversity and Inclusion in the Public Service

The Premier's Leadership Award for Diversity and Inclusion is presented to individuals, teams or departments of the PEl Public Service who have demonstrated leadership in the promotion of diversity and advancement of inclusive best practices in the workplace and in the community. First introduced in 2001, this prestigious award aims to highlight, recognize and celebrate the dedication, contribution and leadership of public service employees; their commitment to championing innovative diversity and inclusion initiatives; the value and benefits of fostering bias-free workplace environments; and the significant impacts of eliminating barriers by advancing equity to create healthy and positive workplaces and communities.

We are pleased to announce that this year’s award recipient is Vicki Allen-Cook, Arts and Creativity Leader, Department of Education and Lifelong Learning!

Vicki is a passionate educator who has dedicated her life to using music and art as a vehicle of learning about diversity and inclusion. Over the years, Vicki has made a significant impact on the lives of teachers, coworkers, school communities, and the wider community through creativity and innovation to promote and further inclusiveness in the community.

Vicki has supported the education system to elevate cultural competency by recognizing that our society is becoming increasingly diverse. Her dedication and contribution to lead has helped develop and build partnerships with many facets of our Island community, including equality seeking groups, BIPOC members, Indigenous peoples, racialized groups, LGBTQS2+ communities, gender diverse groups etc.  
In addition to her decades of work with the ArtsSmarts program that celebrates the synthesis of community, artists and student learning, Vicki has spearheaded numerous activities and events that are significant in advancing equity, diversity and inclusion within the department and across government.

Congratulations to Vicki Allen-Cook!

(From left to right) Thilak Tennekone, Vicki Allen-Cook and Premier Dennis King.